I have Adopted an MIA Navy Pilot to show my respects for all the men and women who fought for our freedom and rights, YOU SHALL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
Take the time to meet Mr. Strong and read on some history of how the POW/MIA flag was made
Name: Henry Hooker Strong, Jr.
Rank/Branch: O5/United States Navy
Date of Birth: 27 February 1933
Home City of Record: North Wales PA
Date of Loss: May 25, 1972
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 183700N 1054200E (WF733607)
Status (in 1973): Missing in Action
Category: 2
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A4F, Tail # 155045
Refno: 1866
Other Personnel in Incident: none
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK.
SYNOPSIS: When Douglas Aircraft created the A4 Skyhawk the intent was to provide the Navy and Marine Corps with an inexpensive, lightweight attack and ground support aircraft. The design emphasized low-speed control and stability during take-off and landing as well as strength enough for catapult launch and carrier landings. The plane was so compact that it did not need folding wings for aboardship storage and handling. In spite of its diminutive size, the A4 packed a devastating punch and performed well where speed and maneuverability were essential. Commander Henry H. Strong, Jr. was a Skyhawk pilot who participated in a strike on a target near the city of Vinh on May 25, 1972. During this mission, Strong's aircraft was shot down by enemy fire and he was declared Missing in Action. The Defense Intelligence Agency further expanded Strong's classification to include an enemy knowledge ranking of 2. Category 2 indicates "suspect knowledge" and includes personnel who were lost under conditions that they may reasonably be expected to be known by the enemy, or who were connected with an incident discussed in enemy news media; or who were identified (by elimination) through analysis of all-source intelligence. When 591 Americans were released from POW camps in 1973, Henry Strong was not among them. The Vietnamese have denied any knowledge of him. Through the years his family has continually sought information about him. His two children, still very much a "military family" have found it frustrating and difficult to get answers to their questions. Intelligence reports surfacing over the years during the war and following build a strong case for a well-organized second prison system, and a well orchestrated plan to keep prisoners within systems from intermingling. As it is widely believed that the Vietnamese withheld the release of many prisoners until peace agreement terms were met (specifically reconstruction aid), it is logical to assume that one prison system's inmates were released while another were held back for possible release at a later date. It is also logical to assume that the scenario might be played to its fullest, including convincing each man in a two man crew that had been separated, that the other was dead. Whether Henry Strong survived to be captured is not known. But as reports continue to mount, the awful truth that we abandoned men to the enemy becomes more and more apparent. It's time we brought our men home. Henry H. Strong, Jr. was promoted to the rank of Captain during the period he was maintained missing.
A brief explaination on POW/MIA flag and what it stands for....
In 1971, Mrs.Mary Hoff, an MIA wife and member of the National League of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, recognized the need for a symbol of our POW/MIAs. Prompted by an article in the Jacksonville, Florida TIMES-UNION, Mrs. Hoff contacted Norman Rivkees, Vice-President of Annin & Company which had made a banner for the newest member of the United Nations, the People's Republic of China, as a part of their policy to provide flags to all UN member nations. Mrs. Hoff found Mr. Rivkees very sympathetic to the POW/MIA issue, and he, along with Annin's advertising agency, designed a flag to represent our missing men. Following League approval, the flags were manufactured for distribution. The flag is black, bearing in the center, in black and white, the emblem of the League. The emblem is a white disk bearing in black silhouette the bust of a man, watch tower with a guard holding a rifle, and a strand of barbed wire; above the disk are the white letters POW and MIA framing a white 5-pointed star; below the disk is a black and white wreath above the white motto YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. Concerned groups and individuals have altered the original POW/MIA Flag many times; the colors have been switched from black with white - to red, white and blue, -to white with black; the POW/MIA has at times been revised to MIA/POW. Such changes, however, are insignificant. The importance lies in the continued visibility of the symbol, a constant reminder of the plight of America's POW/MIA'S. On March 9,1989, a POW/MIA Flag, which flew over the White House on the 1988 National POW/MIA Recognition Day, was installed in the United States Capitol Rotunda as a result of legislation passed overwhelmingly during the 100th session of Congress. The leadership of both Houses hosted the installation ceremony in a demonstration of bipartisan congressional support. This POW/MIA Flag, the only flag displayed in the United States Capitol Rotunda, stands as a powerful symbol of our national commitment to our POW/MIAs until the fullest possible accounting for Americans still missing in Southeast Asia has been achieved.
On August 10,1990, the 101st Congress passes U.S. Public Law 101-355, which recognized the National League of Families POW/MIA Flag and designated it 'as a symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation'. Beyond Southeast Asia, it has been a symbol for POW/MIAs from all American Wars.
The importance of the National Legue of Families POW/MIA Flag lies in its continued visibility, a constant reminder of the plight of America's POW/MIAs. Other than 'Old Glory', the POW/MIA Flag is the only flag ever to fly over the White House, having been displayed in the place of honor on National POW/MIA Recognition Day since 1982. With the passage of Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act during the first term of the 105th Congress, the..... 'POW/MIA Flag' will fly each year on:
Armed Forces Day - (Third Saturday in May)
Memorial Day - (Last Monday in May)
Flag Day - June 14
Independence Day - July 4
National POW/MIA Recognition Day - September 19
Veterans Day - November 11
The POW/MIA Flag will be flown on the grounds or the public lobbies of major military installations as designated by the Secretary of Defense, all Federal National Cemeteries, the National Korean War Veterans Memorial, the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the White House, the United States Post Offices and at official offices of the Secretaries of State, Defense and Veteran's Affairs, and Director of the Selective Service System.
To Adpot you own POW/MIA... click here.
Many men and women are lost during war time, many imprisioned in enemy territory. Any one of those men or women could have been a close relative or a friend.
I am lucky, my Grandpa fought in WW2 in the Navy and he came home. I was able to spend time with him and hear his stories of all the good times that he had with his Navy buddys, about the Pollywoggs and Shellbacks, you Navy guys will know what I mean *smile*I miss him now that he is gone, miss all the stories he would tell me and all the long drives we would go on, even though at the time I didnt much enjoy them. I wish that I could go back and spend all that time over with him and let him know I really loved him. The POW/MIA's didnt get that chance to come home and spend the time with their children and grandchildren, but that doesnot mean that we should forget them. Show them we still care, show them that they are not forgotten, adopt your own POW/MIA and show our reapects by making them a site.
Here are some links for you to check out, they are worth it.
Vietman Memorial Page
Tribute To American Vetrens
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