American Former
Prisoners of War -- Background
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More than one-half million Americans have been captured and
interned as Prisoners of War since the American Revolution. The
largest number of POWs occurred during the Civil War when an estimated 220,000
Confederate soldiers were captured by the North and nearly 127,000 Union
soldiers, were interned by the South.
Since World War I, over 142,000 Americans -
including 85 women - have been captured and interned as POWs.
Not included in this figure are nearly 93,000 Americans who were
lost or never recovered. Nearly 30% of
America's POWs since World War I are
still
living (29,350). More than 90% of our living POWs were
captured and interned during World War II.
In 1980, Congress mandated VA to conduct a study of Former
POWs to assess their health needs, and make recommendations for improvement of
benefits and services. As a result, for more than 20 years,
eligibility for health care and benefits has been liberalized, and an
Advisory Committee on Former
POWs has been established to advise the Secretary about the ongoing needs
of POWs and their survivors.
1980 VA Study of Former Prisoners of War, 3rd Printing
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