Fort Gordon holds solemn ceremony for POW/MIA recognition

FORT GORDON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Fort Gordon held a ceremony Friday morning to observe National Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Day.

The keynote speaker was Col. Reginald Evans, Fort Gordon Garrison commander.

At the urging of relatives of those killed in the Vietnam War, POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 by Congress and the president. It’s observed on the third Friday of each September.

“I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy. Earlier this week, we talked about Never Forget. Today, we talk about you are not forgotten,” said Major General Paul T. Stanton.

Fort Gordon held a ceremony Sept. 15, 2023, to observe National Prisoners of War/Missing in... — Fort Gordon held a ceremony Sept. 15, 2023, to observe National Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Day.(WRDW/WAGT)

By the numbers

PRISONERS OF WAR:

World War II: 130,201
Korean War: 7,140
Vietnam War: 725
Since 1992: 37

MISSING IN ACTION:

World War II: 73,515
Korean War: 7,841
Vietnam War: 1,626
Cold War: 126
Since 1991: Six

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