The black-and-white POW/MIA flag is one of the most recognizable banners in America, flown beneath the U.S. flag to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action. If you fly one, knowing its meaning and the proper way to display it shows the respect the flag is meant to convey. Here is what the POW/MIA flag stands for and how to display it.
What does the POW/MIA flag represent?
The POW/MIA flag honors American service members who were prisoners of war or remain missing in action, and it stands as a reminder of the nation's commitment to account for them. Its stark black-and-white design features a silhouette, a watch tower, and the words "You Are Not Forgotten." It is a flag of remembrance, not a national flag, so it follows specific display customs.
How do you display the POW/MIA flag?
When flown with the U.S. flag on the same pole, the POW/MIA flag goes directly below the American flag. On its own staff in a group, it is positioned with appropriate honor (commonly second, after the U.S. flag). It should be the same size or smaller than the U.S. flag and never displayed above it.
| Display | Placement |
|---|---|
| Same pole as U.S. flag | Directly below the U.S. flag |
| Separate adjacent poles | Honored position after the U.S. flag |
| Size | Same or smaller than the U.S. flag |
When is it flown?
Many people and institutions fly the POW/MIA flag year-round. It is also specifically honored on designated days, including Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day, when federal law directs its display at certain government locations.
Etiquette notes
- Never fly it above the U.S. flag.
- Light it at night if flown overnight, as with any flag.
- Use an all-weather flag for continuous outdoor display and replace it when worn.
- Treat it with the same care and respect as the national flag.
Why people fly it
Flying the POW/MIA flag is a quiet, powerful statement of remembrance, common at veterans' organizations, government buildings, businesses, and homes of military families. It keeps a promise: that those who did not return are not forgotten.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the POW/MIA flag go on a pole?
Directly below the U.S. flag when on the same pole; in an honored position after it on separate poles.
Can it be the same size as the U.S. flag?
Same size or smaller, never larger, and never flown above the U.S. flag.
What days is it specifically flown?
Notably National POW/MIA Recognition Day, plus Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Armed Forces Day, and Veterans Day.
The bottom line
The POW/MIA flag honors prisoners of war and the missing with the promise that they are not forgotten. Fly it below the U.S. flag (or in an honored position alongside it), keep it the same size or smaller, light it at night, and replace it when worn, simple respect for a meaningful banner.