National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day is a day to honor captured wartime service members who eventually came home. It is observed annually on April 9th, and commemorates the surrender of between 60,000 and 80,000 US and Filipino service members to the Imperial Japanese army at the Bataan Peninsula, Philippines in 1942.

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Harold Weir served in Europe during World War II. He was struck eight times by enemy fire, but survived his wounds, subsequent capture, and five months as a POW in the infamous Stalag 17.

Ray Brown served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He flew 14 missions out of Italy as an aerial gunner. He was shot down and was a POW at Stalag 4 and walked 630 miles after his liberation.

U.S. Army Air Corps pilot  George Behling served in Europe during World War II. Through 41 missions he escorted bombers in his P-51 Mustang and safely returned home. During his 42nd mission, his engine failed and he took what he calls “the hard way home.”