Enemy Army Personnel Who Were at Any Time Prisoners of War of the United States European Theater: about 2,000,000 were held in Europe by the United States at the end of the war. Mediterranean Theater: In May 1943, with the surrender of the remaining German and Italian forces in Tunisia, 252,415 prisoners were captured. In September 1943, approximately 82,000 Italian POW's were held in North Africa and Sicily. 20,000 Pacific Theater Maximum number held (on 20 August 1945) in Southwest Pacific Area. These were held in the Philippines. Prior to the capture of the Philippines, enemy were evacuated to Australia for internment by that country. Italian POW's were sent to Hawaii in June 1944 as a labor force. Koreans 1,000 1,073 17 Japanese 15 Civilian internees from 1,200 23,305 Japanese possessions Number of Pacific area prisoners interned in Hawaii, Japanese POW's interned on Saipan and Guam at end of war (2 Sep 45). Maximum number of prisoners held by the United States in the Pacific Theater by the end of World War II. In addition, many other prisoners were received as a result of the unconditional surrender. This amounted to an influx of over 260,000 in the Philippines alone. CBI Theater: about 100 enemy prisoners were captured and were turned over to the British for internment. Besides the foregoing, many enemy prisoners were moved to the continental United States; partly to safeguard them, partly to save the shipping space needed to maintain them overseas, and partly to use them for labor. At its peak, in May of 1945, the number interned in the United States totaled 425,871, divided as follows: 371,683 Germans, 50,273 Italians, and 3,915 Japanese. Such prisoners performed over 90,000,000 man-days of labor on our military reservations. The net total benefit derived from their military and contract employment has been estimated as high as $230,000,000. All prisoners had been repatriated from the United States by 30 June 1946, except 162 who were serving sentences in U. S. penal institutions. In interpreting World War II data it must be remembered that to the end of the war we adhered to the principle of "unconditional surrender." It may thus be said that all the forces of the Axis Powers were at one time in the status of prisoners of war. Enemy Prisoners Captured by the United Nations Command in Korea that neither the arrangement of the stars nor the number of points was specified, and that no mention was made as to whether the stripes should be horizontal or vertical, or what the proportions of the flag should be. There was also no provision for adding a star to the canton, or for any other symbolic representation, on the admission of a new State. There are no authentic records as to the designer of the flag or its origin. The flag of the East India Company (1600), consisting of 13 red and white alternating horizontal stripes with a white canton charged with the red cross of St. George; the Grand Union Continental or Cambridge flag, consisting of 13 red and white alternating horizontal stripes with a canton composed of the British Union Jack of 1707; and the coat of arms of the Washington family with its bars (stripes) and mullets (stars) have all been credited more or less as sources from which the Flag of the United States was derived. Some of the individual Colonial flags contained elements which may well have influenced the design; for example, the Colonial flag of Rhode Island (1775) had a blue canton bearing 13 five-pointed white stars, and the banner of the Philadelphia Light Horse Troop had a canton consisting of 13 blue and silver alternating horizontal stripes. The 13 stars in the earliest United States flags were variously arranged; in a circle, as a rectangle, staggered in rows, etc. Some of the flags had sixor eight-pointed stars. The proportions of fly and hoist, the canton, the stars, and the stripes were inconsistent and varied. The original Flag Law of 1777 was superseded by an act of the National Congress of 13 January 1794 in order to symbolize the admission into the Union of Vermont (1791) and Kentucky (1792). This act stated "that from and after the first day of May 1795, the flag of the United States be fifteen stripes, alternate red and white; and that the Union (canton) be fifteen stars, white in a blue field." (This phraseology was likewise inadequate.) The flag of fifteen stripes and fifteen stars was the official Flag of the United States for 23 years, although in that period five more States were admitted to the Union. It became evident that, as States continued to join the Union, it would be undesirable to continue adding stripes to the flag as well as stars. On 4 April 1818 a new Flag Law was approved specifying "that from and after the fourth day of July next, the Flag of the United States be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union have twenty stars, white on a blue field." It also provided "that on the admission of every state into the Union, one star be added to the Union of the flag; and that such addition shall take effect on the fourth of July next succeeding admission." President Monroe, by Executive Order dated 18 September 1818, established the arrangement of the stars in horizontal rows, and the relative proportions of the various elements of the flag. The following table shows the dates when the various States joined the Union, and the corresponding changes in the flag. Stars and Stripes 15 Stars and 15 Stripes (1 May 1795-4 July 1818) 10 Dec 1817 3 Dec 1818 14 Dec 1819 15 Mar 1820 10 Aug 1821 15 Jun 1836 26 Jan 1837 3 Mar 1845 29 Dec 1845 28 Dec 1846 29 May 1848 9 Sep 1850 14 Vermont 15 Kentucky 16 Tennessee 17 Ohio 29 Nov 1802 18 Louisiana 19 Indiana 30 Apr 1812 11 Dec 1816 20 Mississippi 21 Illinois 22 Alabama 23 Maine 19 Jun 1863 31 Oct 1864 Texas Wisconsin California 11 May 1858 14 Feb 1859 29 Jan 1861 20 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1818-4 July 1819) 21 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 18194 July 1820) 23 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1820-4 July 1822) 24 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1822-4 July 1836) 25 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1836-4 July 1837) 26 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1837-4 July 1845) 27 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1845-4 July 1846) 28 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1846-4 July 1847) 29 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1847-4 July 1848) 30 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1848-4 July 1851) 31 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1851-4 July 1858) 32 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1858-4 July 1859) 33 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1859-4 July 1861) 34 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1861-4 July 1863) 35 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1863-4 July 1865) 36 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1865-4 July 1867) 37 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1867-4 July 1877) 38 Stars and 13 Stripes (4 July 1877-4 July 1890) NOTE: In the course of a discussion in the House of Representatives when the legislation of 1818 was under consideration, it was stated that the stars represent the States collectively, not individually, and that no star can be designated as representative of a particular State. Note also that the imminent admission of Alaska as a State will add the 49th star 4 July 1959. The Flag of the United States represents the living country and is considered as a living thing, the union being the honor point. The right arm is the sword arm and therefore the point of danger; hence the right is the place of honor. The edge of the flag which is toward the staff is the heraldic dexter or right edge. The union of the flag, and the flag itself when in company with other flags, is always given the honor point, i.e., the marching right, the flag's own right, or an observer's left. When the Flag of the United States is carried, as in a procession with one or more other flags, its place is on the marching right, i.e., the left of an observer in front of the center of the approaching procession. When the national colors and standards are used for ceremonies by motorized and mechanized organizations, they will be carried on vehicles specifically designed for colors (standards) and color guards. The position in line from right to left will be the national color (standard), the organizational flag, and the individual's flag (which will be displayed only when a general of ficer is commanding). The Flag of the United States, when flown at a military post or when carried by troops, will not be dipped by way of salute or compliment. All military posts in sight of each other display their flags at halfstaff upon the occasion of one doing so. The same rule is observed by all vessels of war. When the flag is displayed at half-staff, it is first hoisted to the top of the staff and then lowered to the half-staff position. Before being finally lowered it is again raised to the top of the staff. The flag should be displayed on all days when the weather permits, especially on New Year's Day, 1 January; Inauguration Day, 20 January; Lincoln's Birthday, 12 February; Washington's Birthday, 22 February; Army Day, 6 April; Easter Sunday (variable); Mother's Day, second Sunday in May; Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), 30 May; Flag Day, 14 June; Independence Day, 4 July; Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, 17 September; Columbus Day, 12 October; Navy Day, 27 October; Armistice (Veteran's) Day, 11 November; Thanks giving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, 25 December; such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the birthdays of States (dates of admission); and state holidays. The flag should be displayed on or near the administration buildings of all public institutions including schoolhouses, and in or near every polling place on election days. It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, it may be displayed at night upon special occasions when it is desired to produce a patriotic effect. It should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from a window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff. When it is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, it should be hoisted out, union first, from the building. When it is displayed otherwise than by being flown from a staff it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out, or so suspended that its folds fall as free as though the flag were staffed. When it is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east-and-west street and to the east in a north-and-south street. When the Flag of the United States and another flag are displayed together from crossed staffs, as against a wall, the Flag of the United States will be on the right, i.e., the flag's own right, or the left of an observer facing the wall, and its staff will be in front of the other flag. When a number of flags are grouped and displayed from staffs, the Flag of the United States will be in the center and at the highest point of the group. When other flags are flown on the same halyard with the Flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs the Flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the Flag of the United States or to its right. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height; they should be approximately equal size. If used on a speaker's platform, the flag should be displayed above and behind the speaker. Or, if the flag is on a staff, and is to be used on a speaker's platform or in the chancel of a church, it should be placed on the speaker's (clergyman's) right as he faces the audience (congregation). When it is displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium elsewhere than in the chancel or on the platform, it should be placed in the position of honor at the right of the congregation or audience as they face the chancel or platform. During the ceremony of hoisting and lowering the flag, or when it is passing in a parade or in a review, all persons present should face it, stand at attention, and give the appropriate salute. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove the headdress with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Men without hats should salute in the same manner. Aliens should stand at attention. Women should salute by placing the right hand over the heart. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes. The Flag of the United States is used to cover the casket at military funerals. It will be placed lengthwise on a closed casket, with the union at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. When a full couch casket is opened, the flag will be removed, folded to the shape of a cocked hat, and placed in the lid at the head end of the casket and just above the decedent's left shoulder. When a half couch casket is opened, the flag will be folded on the lower half of the casket so as to be in the same relative position as when displayed full length on a closed casket. The flag will not be lowered into the grave, and will not be allowed to touch the ground. The interment flag will be used; when furnished at Government expense it may be given to the nearest of kin at the conclusion of the interment. (See also chapter 24.) Flags carried by troops will not be half-staffed, and will not be placed in mourning unless by order of the Secretary of the Army. When this is ordered, two streamers of black crepe 7 feet long and about 12 inches wide will be attached to the staffs of the national and organizational colors and standards, below the spearheads. The Flag of the United States should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, and the like; or printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins, boxes, or anything designed for temporary use and discard; or used as any portion of a costume or athletic uniform. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown. PERSONAL FLAGS. There are special flags for the President, the Secretaries of Defense and of the Army, and general officers of the Army. Flag for the President of the United States. On a blue rectangular background the coat of arms for the President of the United States of America, conforming to the plan shown in Executive Order 9646, 25 October 1945, in the center in proper colors. Coat of Arms SHIELD: Paleways of thirteen pieces argent and gules, a chief azure; upon the breast of an American eagle displayed holding in his dexter talon an olive branch and in his sinister a bundle of thirteen arrows all proper, and in his beak a white scroll inscribed "E PLURIBUS UNUM" sable. CREST: Behind and above the eagle a radiating glory or, on which appears an arc of thirteen cloud puffs proper, and a constellation of thirteen mullets argent. The whole surrounded by white stars arranged in the form of an annulet with one point of each star outward on the imaginary radiating center lines, the number of stars conforming to the number of stars in the union of the Flag of the United States as established by the act of Congress, approved April 4, 1818, 3 Stat. 415. Flag for the Secretary of Defense. On a medium blue rectangular background an American bald eagle with wings displayed horizontally grasping 3 crossed arrows in proper colors and bearing on its breast a shield paleways of 13 pieces, argent and gules, a chief azure; in each of the 4 corners is a white 5-pointed star with 1 point upward. Flag for the Secretary of the Army. On a scarlet rectangular background the official coat of arms of the United States in proper colors, in each of the four corners a scarlet five-pointed star with one point upward. Flag for a General of the Army. On a scarlet rectangular background five white five-pointed stars, with one point upward, placed on an imaginary circle. Flag for Other General Officers. On a scarlet rectangular background one to four five-pointed stars, depending on the officer's rank, placed on an imaginary horizontal center line. COLOR (STANDARD). A color is a specific flag indicative of the spirit and traditions of either the United States or the office, position, or organization represented. Certain civilian officials, such as the President and Vice President of the United States and cabinet members and their assistants, and certain military officials such as the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff, United States Army, are authorized individual colors symbolic of the office held. Regiments and separate battalions, whose organizations are fixed by tables of organization, are authorized organizational colors symbolic of their branch and past history, and are known as "color bearing organizations (or units)." The term "color" when used alone implies the national color. The term "colors" implies both the national and the organizational or individual color. The term "standard," so far as organizations are concerned, is interchangeable with the term "color," except that dismounted organizations traditionally use the term "color" while mounted, mechanized, and motorized organizations traditionally use the term "standard." DISTINGUISHING FLAG. This term is applied to any specific flag identifying a headquarters, office, organization, etc., which is not authorized organizational or individual colors. The flags of general officers, described above, are |