By Kelly Twedell
National POW/MIA Recognition Day was observed on the third Friday back in September, and an egregious error was made in underreporting on the figures.
According to the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office a staggering 83,341 servicemembers remain unaccounted for as of Sept. 26, 2013.
The breakdown listed on their site is as follows:
- World War II, 73,361
- Korean War, 7,904
- Cold War, 126
- Vietnam War, 1,644
- Iraq and other conflicts 6
If you are a member of the family of a missing American, you may obtain U.S. government files on your loved ones' case by contacting your service casualty office (SCO). Family members do NOT have to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
U.S. Senator Kay Hagan today honored American Prisoners of War and those declared Missing in Action in observation of POW/MIA Recognition Day.
“It is always important to honor and thank all our servicemembers, but today we all should set aside time to honor and pray for our POWs, MIAs and their families and loved ones,” said Hagan. “My thoughts are especially with the 41 still missing and unaccounted for servicemembers from North Carolina and their families. Our servicemembers, veterans and military families make tremendous sacrifices to ensure the safety and security of North Carolina and America. As a Senator from North Carolina, the most military friendly state in the country, and as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, it is my honor to be an advocate for our servicemembers and their families in Washington.”
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is traditionally observed on the third Friday in September each year. Observances are held across the country on military installations, ships at sea, state capitols, schools and veterans' facilities.
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