Category: World War I

Montana has 53 Personnel Listed as Prisoners of War or Missing In Action (POW-MIA) from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War.  

FORT HARRISON/ HELENA: MT (September 15, 2025)      

Veterans, military personnel, and the public is cordially invited to participate in the 46rd annual National Prisoner of War and Missing Action (POW-MIA) Recognition Day at the Lewis and Clark County Veterans Memorial, Memorial Park, Helena, at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Those individuals who wish to read the 53 names of Montana POW-MIAs’ should gather between 7:30 and 8::00 a.m. to go over the process.  

This event is supported by the Fort William Henry Harrison Museum Foundation & Montana Military Museum, The American Legion Post #2 (Lewis & Clark) Voiture 718, 40 & 8 Society, Lewis & Clark County Veterans Memorial Foundation, and veterans at large.      

For questions or to volunteer call Ray Read at 458-9847/406-235-0290 or e-mail: myfun51@msn.com

Throughout American history, many men and women have bravely served in our military and sacrificed much to preserve our country and protect the democratic ideals that makes our Nation a beacon of hope.  Some of those who answered the call to service were captured in conflict and imprisoned by our enemies; and many remain missing in action. 

Each year on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor those Americans who were prisoners of war and recognize them for the courage and determination they showed in the face of unspeakable hardships. We also honor those who remain unaccounted for, especially remembering the sacrifices of their families who must courageously face each day without knowing the fate of their loved ones. 

1. National POW/MIA Recognition Day is one of the six days specified by Public Law 101-355, passed by the 101st Congress which recognized the National League of POW/MIA Families POW/MIA Flag and designated it “as the symbol of our Nations’ concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation”.
2. Title 36, United States Code, Section 902, was added to the United States Flag Code into the year 2000 which states that National League for Families POW/MIA Flag shall be flown over federal facilities and cemeteries, post offices, and military installations.
3. 80 years after the end of World War II, the fate of more than 72,000 Americans who fought in that conflict remains unknown. More than 7,800 from the Korean War are missing, more than 126 from the Cold War, and more than 1,500 from the Vietnam War.  These Americans, who dedicated their lives to preserving and protecting our freedoms, will never be forgotten.