Department of Veteran's Services
Benefits for Former Prisoners of War (P.O.W.)
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Background
Statistics by War
Compensation
Medical Care information
How Do I Get Help or More Information?Background
Former American POWs are eligible for special veterans’ benefits, including medical care in VA hospitals and disability compensation for injuries and disease presumed to be caused by internment. These benefits are in addition to regular benefits and services to which they, as veterans, are entitled.
Less than half (41 percent) of the Americans held prisoner in the last six conflicts are now living. Some 142,256 Americans were captured and interned during World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Conflict, the Persian Gulf War, and the Somalia Conflict. This includes 81 women seized on Guam or in the Philippines in World War II, and two in the Persian Gulf War.
Of that total, an estimated 58,832 were living as of Jan. 1, 1997, according to Charles A. Stenger of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Association. This includes 30 from World War I, 55,296 from World War II, 2,932 from the Korean Conflict, 550 from the Vietnam Conflict, 23 from the Persian Gulf War, and one from the Somalia Conflict.
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ALL WARS |
Total |
WWI |
WWII |
Korean |
Vietnam |
Persian Gulf |
Somalia/ |
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Captured & Interned |
142,233 |
4,120 |
130,201 |
7,140 |
745 |
23 |
4 |
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Died while POW |
17,034 |
147 |
14,072 |
2,701 |
144 |
0 |
0 |
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Refused Repatriation |
21 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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Returned to U.S. Military Control |
125,208 |
3,973 |
116,129 |
4,418 |
660 |
23 |
0 |
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Alive, Jan 1, 1982 |
93,030 |
633 |
87,996 |
3,770 |
631 |
0 |
0 |
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Alive, Jan 1, 2002 |
42,781 |
0 |
39,179 |
2,434 |
601 |
23 |
4 |
Congress defines a former prisoner of war as a person who, while serving on active military, naval or air service, was forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by an enemy government or a hostile force, during a period of war or in situations comparable to war.
Statistical information on American POWs courtesy of Charles A. Stenger of the American Ex-Prisoners of War Association.
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Studies have shown that the physical deprivation and psychological stress endured as a captive have life-long effects on subsequent health and on social and vocational adjustment. These studies also indicate vulnerability to psychological stress is increased. As of Jan. 2, 1997, a total of 39,147 veterans were receiving VA compensation or pension benefits for 125,806 conditions related to their service and incarceration as a POW. The laws on former POW benefits recognize that military medical records do not cover periods of incarceration. A former POW who was detained (or interned) for 30 days or more, are presumed to have incurred and/or aggravated the disability during military service, unless there is evidence of some other cause. A former POW may be eligible for disability compensation on a presumptive basis, if at any time after service one of the following disabilities are found at a level that is compensable (at least 10 percent disabled):
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Compensation is paid based on the degree of disability.
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How Do I Get Help or More Information?
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Veterans Service Representatives are available to discuss POW related claims, as well as any other veterans' related issues with you. Contact: Jeanne Thick, Director |