American Ex-Prisoners of War
A not-for-profit, Congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organization advocating for former prisoners of war and their families.
Established April 14, 1942
|
American Ex-Prisoners of War
A not-for-profit, Congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organization advocating for former prisoners of war and their families.
Established April 14, 1942 |
The project targeted several distinct audiences: former prisoners of war and their families, professional researchers seeking to develop a more precise picture of the issues associated with the prisoner of war experience, and government, regulatory and policy-making officials whose understanding of the broad-ranging problems POWs can encounter adjusting to the physical, mental and social stresses of civilian life were sometimes sketchy or even misinformed.
The limited numbers of remaining print copies these packets make public distribution no longer practical, and over the passage of time some of the documents now have more historical than informational. Nonetheless, they represent an important achievement and a major contributor to the extant knowledge base about the POW experience. An effort is underway to make as many of these materials as possible publicly accessible here in digital form.
 |
VA Claim Information
The benefits POWs may be entitled to and how to apply for them. |
Packet 1. Published July 1980, updated November 1987; 65pp. Click Here for text |
 |
Stresses of Incarceration, After Effects of Extreme Stress, Psychological, Neurological, Residual Nervous Conditions
A general survey of studies published on the after-effects on general health, nerves and body organs of extreme stress. |
Packet 2. Updated January 1991; 56pp. Click Here for text |
 |
Arthritis, Alcoholism, Visual, Ulcers, Varicose Veins, Skin, Impotency, Brain Damage, Tuberculosis, Etc. A general survey of studies published on the after-effects of imprisonment on a wide range of physical conditions and illnesses.
| Packet 3. Published November 1980; 54pp. Click Here for text |
 |
After Effects of Imprisonment
Part I: The heart, arteries and veins; Part II: Cancer A general survey of studies published on the after-effects of imprisonment on on heart desease and other related disorders. |
Packet 4. Published November 1988, 56pp. Click Here for text |
 |
What Every Wife should Know Before She Is Your Widow
How to prepare for loss of a POW spouse, what assistance you may apply for from the Federl Government (Social Security, insurance, burial procedures, allowances, etc.) the compensation you can expect to receive if approved, and the limitations set on various payments. |
Packet 5. Published Summer 2001, most recent revise July 2007; 112 pp. Click Here for text |
|
Webmaster's note:
Pamphlets #6 and #7 (like all the publications on this page) are reproduced here as historical artifacts of AXPOW's outreach to ex-POWs, members and non-members alike. These pamphlets were produced to help in accessing records documenting military service both for general information and to facilitate applying for federal benefits earned through that service. In point of fact, the federal government still actively provides research support to military veterans and their families looking for military, personnel, health, and medical records, as described in the pamphlets, These records are generally stored at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO, but can be found in other federal archive divisions as well. Please note that the mailing and submission instructions provided in the pamphlets are no longer current. The Records Center now advises that all submissions, irrespective of war, theater or branch of service, should be sent first to: National Personnel Records Center It is possible that the inventory of materials in the NPRC and their physical organization as detailed in the pamphlets may have evolved over the years. The guidance the pamphlets offer for drawing up requests, however, is still relevant, we have been advised, and could prove most useful in preparing submissions the Center can readily act upon. More information about the National Personnel Records Center can be found at its website: |
||
 |
Alphabetical Microfilm Records Index - Recovered Records, Philippines Islands
Possible help in locating POW records through microfilm archives at the Military Personnel Records Center, St. Louis. |
Packet 6. Published September 1976, 15pp. Click Here for text |
 |
Alphabetical Microfilm Index - Germany (American POW Records from World War II)
Possible help in locating POW records through microfilm archives at the National Archives and the Federal Records Centers.
|
Packet 7. Published September 1976, 9pp. Click Here for text |
 |
The European Story History of POWs in the European Theatre, and after-effects of their treatment. |
Packet 8. Published in 1980; 44 pp. Click Here for text |
 |
The Korea Story History of POWs in Korea, and after-effects of their treatment. |
Packet 9. Published in 1981; 37 pp. Click Here for text |
 |
The Japanese Story
(History of POWs in Japan, and after-effects of their treatment.) History of POWs in Japan, and after-effects of their treatment. |
Packet 10, Published in 1980, 83 pp. Click Here for text |
 |
National Service Officers Answer Your Questions
Answers to Veterans' Benefits questions posed by AXPOW members |
Packet 11. Published in 1989; 95pp. Click Here for text |
 |
The Modern Day Tragedy
Medical and claims evidence in support of Public Law 97-37 |
Published in 1980. 15pp. Click Here for text |
 |
POW: The American Experience
A study of American POWs by war and theater A review of service-connected POW statistics and common POW physical problems such as vitamin deficiencies and infectious diseases. |
Published April 1989. 33 pp. Click Here for text |
 |
Speak Out: An Education Packet for Speakers and Students
Materials for POW members preparing public presentations around their wartime experiences and the POW story, including suggested hand-outs. |
Published in April 1991. 49pp. Click Here for text |
 |
Map of Location of German POW Camps
Shows location of 76 camps |
Click Here for image |
 |
Map of Location of Japanese POW Camps
21" x 32" with camps featured in red |
Click Here for image |
 |
Map of Locations of Korean War POW Camps
Shows location of 14 camps |
Click Here for image |
 |
Map of Locations of Vietnamese War POW Camps
795 Americans are known to have been taken prisoner during the Vietnam war (725 military and 70 civilians), the majority of them downed airmen. |
Click Here for image |