POW/MIA Wives

  • Sybil Stockdale's Letter Publishes in San Diego Union Tribune

    Sybil Stockdale's letter about the North Vietnamese breaching the Geneva Conventions and formation of new organization the League of Wives is published in San Diego Union Tribune.
  • Sybil Stockdale's Letter about the National Leauge

    Sybil Stockdale's letter announcing the formation of new organization the League of Wives of American Prisoners in Vietnam is published in San Diego Union Tribune.
  • Sybil Stockdale Telegram to President Nixon

    Sybil Stockdale directs a telegram barrage at President Nixon as he assumed office
  • Melvin Laird Delivers "Do Nothing" Speech

    Melvin Laird Delivers "Do Nothing" Speech
    Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird gives his "Do Nothing" speech.
    Photo: [The New York Times]
  • "Go Public" Campaign Initiated

    The "Go Public" campaign starts.
  • Meeting with Richard G. Capen

    Deputy Assistant Secretary Richard G. Capen meets in San Diego the local members of the League of Families including Lorraine Shumaker, Phyllis Rutledge, and Sybil Stockdale
  • Melvin Laird Delivers "Go Public" Campaign Speech

    Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird gives his "Go Public" Speech.
  • "Go Pubic" Campaign Officially Starts

    The "Go Pubic" campaign is officially launched.
  • Meeting with Look Magazine Editor

    Karen Butler and Sybil Stockdale meet West Coast Editor of Look Magazine in Los Angeles
  • Meeting with President Nixon

    Meeting with President Nixon
    A small group of POW/MIA wives meets with President Nixon.
    Photo: [The Republican]
  • Sybil Stockdale is Interviewed

    Sybil Stockdale's Interview by Barbara Walters, The Today Show, NBC .
  • Bob Dole's Bi-Partisan Tribute

    Bob Dole's Bi-Partisan Tribute
    Senator Bob Dole Arranges and Coordinates a Bi-Partisan Tribute for the POWs in Constitutional Hall. Photo: [Dole Archives, University of Kansas]
  • The National League is Founded

    The National League is Founded
    The National League of POW/MIA Families is founded.
    Photo: [U.S. Navy]
  • Louise Mulligan Article in "The Virginian-Pilot"

    Louise Mulligan Article in "The Virginian-Pilot"
    POW wife Louise Mulligan appears in "The Virginian-Pilot" with an article announcing the formation of The National League of POW/MIA Families. Article: [The Virginian-Pilot]
  • Bracelet Program Kick-off

    Bracelet Program Kick-off
    The POW/MIA Bracelet Program officially kicks off.
    Image: [Virginia Historical Society]
  • Phyllis E. Galanti Gives Speech

    POW wife Phyllis E. Galanti delivers a televised speech before the Virginia Senate.
  • The Richmond "Write Hanoi" Capmaign

    The Richmond "Write Hanoi" Capmaign
    POW wife Phyllis Galanti mobilized the Richmond “Write Hanoi” campaign where individuals write letters to the North Vietnamese government requesting them to treat the POWs humanely. “I wrote” button refers to Phyllis Galanti’s “Write Hanoi” campaign. [Virginia Historical Society]
  • POW Wives go to to Stockholm, Sweden

    POW wife Phyllis Galanti was among a delegation of 10 Write Hanoi campaigners who went to Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Nixon Cuts Troop Levels

    President Nixon Cuts Troop Levels by 70,000
  • Flag Design Approval

    Flag Design Approval
     A black flag with the head of a bowed prisoner and the words “You Are Not Forgotten” – was adopted at a Board of Director’s meeting as the logo of the National League of Families of American POW/MIAs.
  • Flag Manufacturing and Distribution

    The POW/MIA flag begin to be manufactured for distribution.
  • Flag Presented to Melvin Laird

    Flag Presented to Melvin Laird
    POW wives present their flag to U.S Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird.
    Photo: [Associated Press]
  • U.S. Troops in Vietnam Dropped

    On Laird's watch, U.S. troops in Vietnam dropped from 549,500 in 1969 to 69,000
  • U.S. Troop Strength only 69,000

    U.S. troop strength reduces to 69,000 under President Nixon.
  • Talks with Nixon and Kissinger

    Talks with Nixon and Kissinger
    Mrs. Galanti and two other POW wives talked about prisoner issues with President Nixon and National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger. [Associated Press/John Duricka]
  • Article "When Johnny Comes Home - or Doesn't" Publishes in the LIFE Magazine

    Article "When Johnny Comes Home - or Doesn't" Publishes in the LIFE Magazine
    The article "When Johnny Comes Home - or Doesn't" by Loudon Wainwright is published in the LIFE Magazine
  • Louise Mulligan Article is Published in "The Telegraph"

    Louise Mulligan Article is Published in "The Telegraph"
    "Wife of a Prisoner Hopes After Frustrating Years" Article by POW wife Louise Mulligan is published in the newspaper, "The Telegraph"
  • Nixon Announces Ceasfire

    Nixon Announces Ceasfire
    President Nixon announces the agreement for "peace with honor" and the release of American POWs in Vietnam.
    Article: [Daily News]
  • Ceasefire Agreement

    Ceasefire Agreement
    Henry Kissinger, national security adviser, agreed to a ceasefire with representatives of North Vietnam.
    Photo: [National Post]
  • Start of Operation Homecoming

    Start of Operation Homecoming
    The first U.S. POWs are released by Hanoi.
    Photo: [Daily Mail]
  • Last Known American POWs Leave Hanoi

    Last Known American POWs Leave Hanoi
    Only 24 hours behind schedule, the last of the known 591 American POWs leave Hanoi.
  • Operation Homecoming Finishes

    Operation Homecoming Finishes
    All of the listed American POWs have returned.
    Article: [Daily News]