www.WisVets.com/POW

Each year, April 9th is set aside to honor the commitment and the sacrifices made by this nation's Prisoners of War. April 9th commemorates the date during World War II in 1942 when the largest number of Americans were captured in the Conquest of Bataan. Thousands of these prisoners died in captivity due to the infamous Bataan Death March and other inhumane treatment at the hands of the enemy. This year, Prisoners of War Remembrance Day will be observed on Friday, April 8, 2011 in advance of the actual day of the observance on April 9.

Some historians may see this date and recall the end of the Civil War in 1865, but April 9th holds a special recognition for many veterans. On April 9, 1942, U.S. Major General Edward King surrendered to the Japanese 14th Army on the northern island of Luzon in the Philippine Islands. What followed became known as the Bataan Death March. From 1942 until 1979, April 9 remained the day on which all U.S. Prisoners of War (POW) were remembered. The following article is reprinted from a speech given in Washington, D.C, in 1945 by a former POW.

“I know that you wonder what caused the capture of your loved ones. The prisoners of war worry about that. They are afraid their relatives and friends will not understand why they were captured. Those men are captives because of being wounded and left on the battlefield; or having held positions while their comrades withdrew for defense positions, and those of the air corps who have been shot down. Those soldiers are entitled to, and; of course, do have the sympathy and understanding of all of their fellow countrymen. We try to put that over to the newly captured man. It is a terrible depression that strikes him. He thinks he is a failure. He not only did not fail, he carried out his mission." – Prisoners of War Bulletin, American Red Cross, Vol. 3, No.2, February 1945

There are fewer than 23,000 former Prisoners of War living today. We remember these courageous veterans on April 9th.

~ Gerald Burrus, POW Coordinator, Indianapolis VAMC

Pursuant to 2001 Wisconsin Act 20, the State of Wisconsin has declared that April 9th should be annually designated as Prisoners of War Remembrance Day in Wisconsin to recognize the sacrifices of those persons who suffered captivity in foreign countries while in active service with the U.S. Armed Forces.

The 2011 Wisconsin Prisoners of War Remembrance Day ceremony was held in conjunction with an observance of National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison on April 8, 2011, in advance of the actual day of the observance on April 9.

Former Prisoners of War present were honored, as well as widows and family members.

The Sauk Prairie High School Singers open the ceremony with the National Anthem as, at left, WDVA Acting Secretary Donna Williams and Bob Kelter, Chief of Social Work and Chaplain Service at the Middleton VA Hospital, look on.	WDVA Acting Secretary Donna Williams addresses the audience at the POW Remembrance Day ceremony.
Korean War veteran Grant McMillin tells about being captured at the Chosin Reservoir in 1950 and surviving while held prisoner for 32 months.	Former POW Grant McMillin returns to the audience as he receives a standing ovation for recounting his compelling experiences being held in captivity during the Korean War.

Prisoner of War Links

President's Proclamation

Governor's Proclamation

Former POW Benefits Fact Sheet

VA website for Former Prisoners of War (POWs)

American Ex-Prisoners of War

Wisconsin Veterans Museum National History Day Prisoner of War page