Prisoner of War Flag: How to Choose & Display With Honor
How to Choose and Display Prisoner of War Flag Products With the Respect They Deserve
The Prisoner of War flag isn't something you browse for casually. When you're searching for one, there's usually a story behind it — a grandfather who served in Vietnam, a promise made at a memorial service, a commitment to never forget what you've seen or who you've lost. This isn't a decorative banner. It's a statement of remembrance that flies on the U.S. Capitol Building by federal law, and when you bring one home or gift it to someone who's served, the choice matters.
Whether you're a veteran looking to display this flag at your home, a family member honoring a loved one's service, or an advocate ensuring it flies at a community space, understanding your options will help you choose a Prisoner of War flag product that carries the weight this symbol deserves.
Understanding What You're Actually Displaying
Before we talk about materials and sizes, it helps to know what you're holding. The POW/MIA flag was created in 1972 by the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia. That black field isn't a design choice — it's mourning made visible. The white silhouette shows a bowed head, a guard tower in the distance, and barbed wire that tells a story without words. Above it all, "You Are Not Forgotten" isn't a slogan. It's a promise.
What most people don't realize is that this flag only became official federal policy in 2019, despite flying informally for nearly five decades. The National POW/MIA Flag Act requires it to be displayed on specific federal properties any day the American flag flies. That recent formalization speaks to something important: this isn't historical symbolism. This is active remembrance for families still waiting for answers and veterans still carrying what they witnessed.
When you're choosing a product, you're participating in that promise.
Choosing the Right Prisoner of War Flag for Your Display Location
Outdoor POW/MIA Flags: Materials That Hold Up to the Elements
If you're flying a prisoner of war flag outside — whether at home, at a post, or at a memorial site — you need materials built for exposure. This flag will face sun, wind, rain, and in many regions, snow and ice.
Nylon POW/MIA flags are the most common choice for outdoor residential use. They're lightweight, which means they'll fly in lighter breezes, showing the design even on calmer days. Nylon dries quickly and resists mildew, making it ideal for regions with frequent rain. The fabric has a slight sheen that makes the white silhouette stand out sharply against the black background. Most quality nylon flags include reinforced stitching and brass grommets.
Polyester flags are heavier and more durable for harsher climates. If you live in an area with strong, consistent winds, polyester holds its shape better and resists fraying longer than nylon. The trade-off is that it needs stronger wind to fly fully. For posts, memorials, or locations where the flag will stay up year-round in challenging conditions, polyester is often the better investment.
Size matters for visibility and proportion. A 3x5 foot prisoner of war flag is standard for residential display and pairs naturally with a similarly sized American flag if you're flying both. For taller flagpoles (20 feet or higher) or institutional settings, consider a 4x6 or 5x8 foot flag so the symbolism remains visible from a distance.
Indoor Display Flags: Presentation and Ceremony
Indoor prisoner of war flags serve a different purpose. These aren't battling weather — they're marking space. A memorial corner in a VFW hall. An office honoring military service. A living room where a veteran wants a daily reminder of brothers and sisters still unaccounted for.
Indoor flags often come with mounting options: wooden poles with decorative finials, wall-mounting brackets, or floor stands. A 3x5 foot indoor flag with a black wooden pole and spear finial creates a formal, respectful presentation suitable for ceremonies or permanent displays. Smaller 2x3 foot flags work well for desktop stands or more intimate spaces where you want the presence without overwhelming the room.
The material for indoor flags is typically a lighter-weight polyester or cotton blend, sometimes with gold fringe bordering the flag. That fringe isn't required by any code, but it does add ceremonial weight that many veterans and military families appreciate in formal settings.
Display Cases: Honoring Folded Flags With Proper Context
Sometimes the prisoner of war flag isn't meant to fly — it's meant to rest alongside other symbols of service. If you're displaying a folded POW/MIA flag (often presented at military ceremonies or memorials), a proper display case makes that presentation permanent and protected.
Triangle display cases are designed specifically for folded flags. These cases are typically made from wood — cherry, oak, or walnut — with a glass or acrylic front panel. The flag sits at an angle, showing the white text and emblem clearly. Quality cases include wall-mounting hardware and are felt-lined to protect the fabric.
For veterans or families who want to display multiple symbols together, shadow box display cases offer space for a folded prisoner of war flag alongside medals, patches, photographs, or other service memorabilia. These cases turn remembrance into a narrative — not just "this flag was flown," but "this is who flew it, what they earned, and why it matters."
When choosing a display case, measure your folded flag first. Standard folded flag dimensions are roughly 10 inches by 5 inches, but confirm before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
Gifting POW/MIA Products: When and How to Give Them
Gifting a prisoner of war flag is not the same as gifting most flag products. This isn't team spirit or national pride in the abstract. This is deeply personal, and you want to get it right.
For veterans, especially those who served in conflicts where Americans were captured or went missing, a POW/MIA flag can be a meaningful addition to their home. Many veterans appreciate the acknowledgment without needing words attached. Pairing the flag with a quality display case or a durable outdoor mounting kit shows you've thought about how they might actually want to use it.
For military families, particularly those who have lost someone or who have a family member still listed as MIA (even historically), this flag is connection. It says their waiting and their loss are seen. If you know the family displays military honors, a shadow box that includes space for the POW/MIA flag alongside their loved one's service medals can be an extraordinary gesture.
For advocates and organizations, POW/MIA flags are often flown on specific recognition days — National POW/MIA Recognition Day (the third Friday in September), Veterans Day, Memorial Day. Providing a high-quality outdoor flag to a local veterans' post, a municipal building, or a school ensures the symbolism remains visible in community spaces.
When giving this as a gift, presentation matters. A certificate of authenticity (if available), a note explaining why you chose this particular flag, or a card that simply says "You are not forgotten" can add layers of meaning to an already significant gesture.
Caring for Your Prisoner of War Flag
Because of what this flag represents, keeping it in good condition is a form of respect.
For outdoor flags, inspect regularly for fraying, fading, or tears — especially along the fly end, which takes the most wind stress. A worn prisoner of war flag should be retired properly, not left to tatter. Many veterans' organizations and flag retailers (including Bags of Flags) offer flag retirement services or guidance on respectful disposal, which typically involves burning in a dignified ceremony.
For indoor and cased flags, dust regularly and keep them out of direct sunlight, which will fade the black fabric and dull the white design over time. If the flag is behind glass, check periodically for moisture or mildew, especially in humid climates.
Most POW/MIA flags are not machine washable due to the dye and printing process. If cleaning is necessary, spot-clean gently with cold water and air dry flat.
Displaying Alongside the American Flag
Many people fly the prisoner of war flag alongside the U.S. flag, and there are a few guidelines that honor both.
When flying two flags on separate poles of equal height, the American flag goes on the flag's own right (the viewer's left). When flying on the same pole, the American flag is always at the peak. The POW/MIA flag flies directly beneath it.
The National POW/MIA Flag Act specifies when it must be displayed on federal properties, but you have flexibility at home. Many families fly it year-round, while others raise it specifically on recognition days. There's no wrong answer — this is about what the act of display means to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I fly a POW/MIA flag at night without a light?
A: While U.S. flag code specifies that the American flag should be illuminated if flown at night, there's no federal mandate for the POW/MIA flag. However, if you're displaying it out of respect for those it represents, providing light honors the symbolism. Many veterans prefer both flags remain visible after dark.
Q: What size prisoner of war flag should I buy for a 20-foot flagpole?
A: For a 20-foot pole, a 4x6 foot POW/MIA flag is generally appropriate. The standard guideline is that the flag's length should be about one-quarter the height of the pole. This ensures the design remains visible and proportionate without overwhelming the pole or appearing too small from a distance.
Q: Is it appropriate to give a POW/MIA flag to a veteran who wasn't a prisoner of war?
A: Yes. The flag represents all prisoners of war and those missing in action, not just the recipient's personal experience. Many veterans display it as a sign of solidarity and remembrance for fellow service members. It's a tribute to those still unaccounted for and the ongoing commitment to bring everyone home.
Q: Can I display a POW/MIA flag indoors on a wall without a pole?
A: Yes, though using a display frame or shadow box is more common and provides better protection. If mounting directly, use flag tacks or a mounting strip that won't damage the fabric. The flag should be displayed flat with the design clearly visible, never bunched or folded unless in a formal triangular fold within a case.
Q: Where can I find authentic POW/MIA flags that meet official specifications?
A: Look for flags that specify they meet government specification standards, with accurate design elements including the correct silhouette, text placement, and color. Bags of Flags carries officially licensed prisoner of war flags in multiple sizes and materials, each designed to meet the dignity this symbol requires.
When you're ready to choose a prisoner of war flag that honors the weight of what it represents, explore the full collection at Bags of Flags — from weather-resistant outdoor flags to elegant display cases built to last as long as the promise itself.