Vietnam War POW/MIA issue
The Vietnam War POW/MIA issue concerns the fate of United States servicemen who were reported as missing in action (MIA) during the Vietnam War and associated theaters of operation in Southeast Asia.
The National League of Families' POW/MIA flag; it was created in 1971 when the war was still in progress.
By the late 2000s, the Vietnam POW/MIA issue had largely faded from view, but the U.S. public still saw the POW/MIA Flag flying at many public facilities.
Missing in action (MIA) is a casualty classification assigned to combatants, military chaplains, combat medics, and prisoners of war who are reported missing during wartime or ceasefire. They may have been killed, wounded, captured, executed, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave have been positively identified. Becoming MIA has been an occupational risk for as long as there has been warfare.
Grave of an unknown British combatant, killed in 1943 during the Battle of Leros. Because his identity is unknown, he is missing in action.
Grave of 12 unknown British and/or Commonwealth soldiers. Buried in Stanley Military Cemetery, Hong Kong.
The Garden of the Missing in Action in the National Military and Police Cemetery in Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.
Grave of an unknown American combatant in Oise-Aisne Cemetery. Killed in 1917