★ Learn how Honoring our Fallen is Good for our Health

Gold Star Veterans : Archive of American Prisoners of War

Rules protecting POWs were formalized in the 1929 Geneva Convention. They were refined in the 1949 Geneva Convention, as well as the Additional Protocol of 1977. The United States Military Code of Conduct was established in 1955 to serve as a specific moral code for American armed services personnel captured by enemy forces.

Some statistics for American Armed Forces Service Members classified as Prisoners of War and those who died while captured. This includes both confirmed and approximate numbers.

★ World War I : 147 deaths of 4,000 POWs

★ World War II : 15,000 deaths of 94,000 POWs

★ Korean War : 2,700 deaths of 7,100 POWs

★ Vietnam War : 114 deaths of 1,500 POWs

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Guardians of Honor Credits

▼ Organizational Supporters - HonorStates.org and the National Unified Archive of American Gold Star Veterans is stringently curated. This attention to quality extends to our supporters program. We carefully research and screen prospective organizations we perceive as being suitably aligned with our mission

▼ San Diego Coin & Bullion ▼ American Veterans Center 75th D-Day Congressional Reception ▼ Walgreens Supported National Memorial Day Parade ▼ Rolling Thunder National Riders

▼ Research Contributors - Groups and individuals who have been directly responsible for curating content. Some are experienced historians and archivists, others are enthusiastic members of the public who have suggested content additions or corrections.

Honor States Admin Roy "Joker" Sarah Jo "Lady Chaos"

▼ Primary Sources - These are repositories for artifacts, documents, diaries, manuscripts, and other information that serve as original and authoritative sources of information.

National Archives (NARA) Library of Congress (LOC) Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Findagrave.com Ancestry.com

Honoring our fallen. Together. Uniting us in meaningful common cause. When we work together to honor our Gold Star veterans, we heal our nation together. It's a team effort. Everyone's invited to join as a Citizen Historian and Guardian of Honor. - learn more

Here is Some Important Information!

USS Midway Museum 75th Pearl Harbor Wall of Honor

Located at the harbor in downtown San Diego, California at Navy Pier. The USS Midway is a living, floating museum, housing an extensive collection of aircraft, many of which were built in Southern California. USS Midway saw active duty from 1945 to 1992. Approximately 200,000 sailors proudly served onboard. In 2016 the USS Midway hosted one of the premier events honoring the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Among the featured memorials was a Wall of Honor with over 1000 images of the fallen. Researched by the Honor States Group.

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Our Supporters are Essential Team Members! - learn more

We appreciate the generous help + encouragement from our research teams, volunteers, and foundational supporters. Each of them are essential team members contributing to the archive building progress.

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Honor States and the National Unified Archive of American Gold Star Veterans has an established policy of developing "most complete" datasets. These are groups, campaigns and actions of special historical significance. Some notable examples include:

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It's required 8+ years, 1000s of skilled labor hours, scores of active contributors, and millions of visitors to realize the value in the National Unified Archive of American Gold Star Veterans. We have not satisfied everyone. That's impossible, considering the unique + personal needs of individuals. However, our annual positivity ratings exceed 95%. It's tough to get that many people to agree on anything. So, we do seem to be on the right track.

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None of us would be who we are, or have what we have, if not for the strengths and sacrifices of others. Most of us enjoy lives of relative freedom. Our freedom has come at enormous cost. The price paid by those who gave their all. In service to their country, states and communities. Each of them a beloved member of our global family.

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You meet a new friend. Common question. "Where are you from"? Alabama. Ohio. California. Grew up in the Bronx. Family lives in Pasadena. Went to school in Boston. Worked in Chicago. We have roots everywhere. These state and community identities are foundational in defining who Americans are at heart. It's the who and what we fight for when pressed.

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Taylor - It is unbelievable what these young Americans sacrifice to preserve our freedom. I'm inspired and humbled by them all.

Barb - Just the other day I was telling some friends about Honor States. It's a site I visit often. Such a wonderful project!

Ronnie - It's so easy to take our freedoms for granted. I'm guilty of that. Thanks to Honor States and these daily reminders.

Edward - As an amateur historian I'm amazed at the depth of research you've accomplished. Visiting your site is a pure pleasure.