In 1972, Newt Heisley created what would later be named the POW/MIA Flag after Mary Hoff suggested that the country needed a symbol to recognize POWs and MIA military members. Heisley and Evelyn Grubb, the wife of a prisoner of war, joined with the National League of Families to promote the flag and what it stood for. While it was originally created to show solidarity, support, and honor the POWs and those who were missing in action in the Vietnam War, the flag and its easily recognizable symbol are now used for all conflicts. In 1990, Congress officially designated the flag as a symbol of the country's dedication to bringing home POWs and discovering the fates of those who were still listed as MIA.
This symbol has been changed several times. The original design used white on a black flag, but the colors were later changed to red, white, and blue before returning to the original theme. The flag has also occasionally been changed to MIA/POW.
While it wasn't recognized until 1990, the flag had been flown at the White House starting in 1982. In fact, it's the only flag to ever fly at the White House other than the U.S. flag. It's also the only flag to ever been displayed in the U.S. Capitol rotunda. It was displayed there after the legislation officially recognizing it was passed.
While some bikers do fly flags off the back of their motorcycles, others don't. For those who still want to honor POWs and those MIA, there are some great patches that can be added to jackets and vests. The iron on POW MIA Patch in black and white is one of these.
