Frequently Asked Questions - American Ex-Prisoners of War

How do I become a member of AXPOW and what are the dues?
To become a member of American Ex-Prisoners of War, you must fill out the application and send it to National Headquarters in Arlington, Texas. The dues structure and document requirements can be found at www.axpow.org/mem_app.htm. All memberships include a subscription to the EX-POW BULLETIN.

How can I locate a lost buddy?
If your buddy is a member of the organization, we can put you in touch with HIM. if not, we have an Information Column in our magazine, EX-POW BULLETIN, where we can print a request of our members. They might know your buddy or his location. This service is free.

How can I verify an American Prisoner of War status and find out what POW camp they were held in? Contact National Headquarters at HQ,

Where can I get information on civilian former POWs (internees)?
American Ex-Prisoners of War has a Civilian Ex-POW Committee. Please contact Sally Morgan at axpowqm@aol.com for more information.

How can I order a camp description or MedSearch packet?
Order blanks for all the Medical Research information can be found at www.axpow.org/med_camp.html

Why aren't my camp descriptions listed on the MedSearch page?
All camp descriptions are official documents from the United States Archives. If your camp is not listed then a description was not obtained from the National Archives.

How can I contact someone to help me with my VA claim?
A list of service officers can be found at www.axpow.org/nso_list.htm. These NSOs are trained to help you with the paperwork involved with filing a claim. They are listed by state so find the one nearest you.

Who is the National Director for my area?
A list of all the National Directors and Officers can be found at www.axpow.org/natoffcr.htm.

Is there a chapter in my area?
A list of chapters and their key contact person can be found at www.axpow.org/dept_chp.htm. They are listed by state to make your search easier.

Where do I send donations?
Donations to any of the AXPOW funds may be sent to National Headquarters in Arlington, Texas.

When and where is the next National Convention?
The 2008 convention will be in Kansas City, Missouri, Wednesday, September 17 through Sunday, September 21. The Board of Directors' meeting is September 17 and the banquet will be held on Saturday, September 20. The convention will be at the Sheraton Hotel on I-435 and I-70. The room rates are $83 and the parking is free. For reservations, call (816) 737-0200.

I'm not an Ex-POW. How can I subscribe to the EX-POW BULLETIN?
The EX-POW BULLETIN is published 9 times a year. The cost is $40 per calendar year. Send your subscription request to National Headquarters.

How do I submit articles or find out advertising rates for the EX-POW BULLETIN?
Submit articles to the Editor of the EX-POW BULLETIN, by USPS mail, email or fax. The Editor's email is editor@axpow.org. The fax number is 508-760-2008. The address is:

Where do I send obituaries for TAPS?
Please send death notices to National Headquarters or the Editor.

I'm moving. How do I change my mailing address?
Send a written notice to National Headquarters at least 30 days prior to your move. Your magazine address will be updated accordingly.

What is the National POW Museum and where is it?
The National POW Museum was dedicated on April 9, 1998. It is located in Andersonville, Georgia on the site of the Civil War prison camp. The museum tells the story of prisoners of war. Its displays include artifacts from the Revolutionary War to the present. There are videos of former POWs telling of their experiences. For more information and hours of operation, please visit Andersonville's website at: www.nps.gov/ande/

I have a POW/MIA bracelet from the Vietnam War. Where can I find out more information about it?
Contact National Headquarters and they can give you information on the status of the person on your bracelet. Also, visit the POW network website http://www.pownetwork.org/bios.htm for current information and bios of all those declared POW/MIA during the Vietnam Conflict. Or to contact ex-POWs directly, here is a link to email addresses of former Vietnam POWs - http://www.nampows.org

How can I get a black POW/MIA flag?
Contact the Military Shop at 800-544-9275 or visit .http://themilitaryshop.org/

Where can I get replacement medals and military patches?
The government will replace your medals free of charge, visit this site for information and instructions. http://www.nara.gov/regional/mprawr.html Or you may purchase them at the Military Shop at http://themilitaryshop.org/ or call 800-544-9275.

* Veterans with discharges other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery.

* Gravesites in Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries cannot be reserved in advance. However, families are encouraged to prepare in advance by discussing cemetery options, by collecting the veteran's military information, and by calling the cemetery where burial is desired prior to the time of need.

* VA will provide a gravesite, grave liner, headstone or marker, Presidential Memorial Certificate, US flag, perpetual care of the gravesite, and will open and close the grave at no cost to the veteran's family. Services provided by funeral directors and other related costs, usually including transportation, must be paid for by the veteran's family.

* VA's Veterans Benefits Administration pays a burial and plot allowance to those veterans eligible by law. For information, please call the nearest VA regional office at 1-800-827-1000.

* The veteran's full name; rank; branch of service; date of entry and discharge; serial, social security and VA claim numbers; date and place of birth; and, date of death should be provided, if possible, to establish eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery.

* A copy of the veteran's official military discharge document with the character of discharge is also required. If this document is not available, a copy may be obtained from the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Record's Office, 9700 Page Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. This should be done prior to the time of need.

* Your funeral director should be making the arrangements with the national cemetery for the veteran's family.

Am I eligible for a Purple Heart? How do I apply?
POW Purple Heart Eligibility: Former American POWs may be eligible to receive the Purple Heart medal due to a little-publicized four-year-old change in the award rules. President Kennedy started the change by signing Executive Order 11-1016 on April 25, 1962. Until that time, service members could receive the Purple Heart only during a formally declared state of war. Kennedy's order made it possible to award the medal even without a formal declaration of war. The 1962 order didn't specifically mention POWs or their eligibility because of wounds and injuries suffered in captivity. An Army policy change dated Sept. 27, 1962, allowed Purple Heart awards henceforth to members who might become prisoners of war and be wounded or injured by their captors. Neither Kennedy's executive order nor the Army change was retroactive. No former prisoners of war of any service, living and dead, who were wounded or injured during captivity before April 25, 1962, were eligible until Congress passed legislation as part of the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act. Prior to the 1996 legislation none of the 140,000 U.S. service members who surrendered to the Japanese in the Philippines in May 1942 could qualify for a Purple Heart nor were the thousands of former POWs who came later in World War II and in the Korean War. In the seven-step priority system that Congress set up for VA health care Purple Heart recipients who were in VA's priority groups 4 through 7 move to priority group 3. Purple Heart recipients who qualify for priority groups 1 or 2 by virtue of service-connected disabilities will stay in those higher groups. Also, recipients don't have to make out-of-pocket payments, technically known as "co-payments," for either inpatient or outpatient VA medical services. However, they are still responsible for making co-payments of $2 for each 30-day supply of prescription medicine given to outpatients for conditions that are not related to military service. To receive the award supporting documentation is required and may include copies of repatriation medical exams, or a witness statement from a cell mate, for example, stating their buddy was abused at hands of captors. Captors must have deliberately inflicted the injuries or wounds. Injuries received while on work detail, for example, probably would not qualify -- but if in doubt, apply. To apply complete a Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, available through the RAO/RSO offices, the Office of Veterans Affairs, or on-line at http//web1.whs.osd.mil/forms/SF0180.pdf. The supporting documentation must be included. Applications should be mailed to the appropriate address indicated on the back of the SF 180. For more on the Purple Heart's history, eligibility and information on the Military Order of the Purple Heart, visit the organization's Web site at http//purpleheart.org/ [Source: American Forces Press Service 12 SEP 00]

How do I apply for my Prisoner of War medal?
Click here to visit our Prisoner of War Medal page.