Family Odysseys: Working at Home for POW-MIAs

Published May 22, 2015

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DAYTON, Ohio - Articles in this display include a pre-addressed postcard to Ton Duc Thang, President of North Vietnam, to enlist his support in determining the fate of Lt. Larry Potts. Despite repeated appeals like this one, North Vietnam remained unsympathetic. POW/MIA bracelets and buttons reminded the public of the plight of prisoners in Southeast Asia. Many people wore the bracelets until the fate of their POW/MIA was resolved—and then sent the bracelet to the returned POW if he was alive. Also included are articles used as late as 1975 by the Volunteers for POW/MIAs of Dayton, Ohio. The black flag is the official POW/MIA flag, which is flown six times a year at designated federal sites. It was designed in 1971 by Newt Heisley, a WWII pilot and advertising artist who never profited from the uncopyrighted design. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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DAYTON, Ohio - This painting by Maxine McCaffrey was reproduced in poster and post card form by POW organizations. McCaffrey donated 60 works to the USAF Art Program. Her depictions of the POW/MIA issue brought her wide renown and focused attention on the plight of prisoners. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Families of Americans captured in Southeast Asia could not be sure whether missing servicemen were alive or dead, since North Vietnam refused to release a list of prisoners.

Quiet Diplomacy
Initially, the U.S. government urged families to remain silent because public outcry might make POW treatment worse or wreck peace negotiations. After years of frustration the wives formed the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. They went ahead with a public campaign to bring pressure on North Vietnam to reveal names of captives and to ensure their humane treatment.

Going Public
Public sentiment against North Vietnam's POW treatment grew after some prisoners, released as a "good will" gesture, told of the true conditions in North Vietnam. The U.S. government joined the wives and families in calling for full accounting and humane POW treatment. Wives and relatives of POWs and MIAs even confronted the North Vietnamese peace delegation in Paris.

During the last three years of the war, POW/MIA groups used every opportunity to focus attention on the plight of the POWs and MIAs, and continued their efforts to find the missing after the war.

Click here to return to Return with Honor: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia.

Family Odysseys: Working at Home for POW-MIAs

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