National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day is held on April 9. United States. This event in the first decade of the month April is annual.
A Proclamation on National Former Prisoner Of War Recognition Day, 2022: On April 9, 1942, tens of thousands of American and Filipino prisoners of war began what would become known to history as the Bataan Death March. Thousands died during the march, but the indomitable spirit of those prisoners was never broken.
Only one fifth of America's former POWs since World War I are still living (about 22,641). More than 90% of living former POWs were captured and interned during World War II. About 15,367 former POWs are in receipt of compensation for service-connected injuries, diseases, or illnesses.
First established in 1979, National POW/MIA Recognition Day exists to honor all former American prisoners of war and all those Americans still missing in action who have made the special sacrifice of being captive in war or who remain unresolved casualties of war.