THE WALL OF FACES

The Department of Defense conducted a ceremony at the Pentagon on Friday, 20 September 2019 in recognition of POW/MIA Recognition Day. Deputy Defense Secretary David L. Nordquist remembered the 1,587 MIAs from the Vietnam War as well as all those still unaccounted for from WWII, the Korean War, the Cold War and other conflicts. Since the 2018 Ceremony, DPAA has positively identified 7 Vietnam War MIAs. Lieutenant Colonel John Wayne Held, USNA Class of 1958, is one of those 1,587 MIAs unaccounted for in Southeast Asia from the Vietnam War. He is the only graduate from his U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis class who is still MIA.

This is the link to the DoD story about the ceremony:

https://www.defense.gov/explore/story/Article/1967474/prisoners-of-war-missing-in-action-remembered-at-pentagon-ceremony/

This is the link to the C-Span video of the ceremony:

https://www.c-span.org/video/?464524-1/pentagon-hosts-national-powmia-recognition-day-ceremony

I wore a POW bracelet with the name of Major John Held. I still have the bracelet.

Dear LTC John Held,
Thank you for your service as a Supersonic Fighter-Bomber Pilot. You are still MIA. PLEASE COME HOME. The war was years ago, but we all need to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Be at peace.

I wore the POW bracelet representing Major John W Held for many years. It saddens me that after all these years it ended as MIA. It can only hope his family was able to deal with his disappearance in a positive way. Always Caring Robin Blythe

I wore LTC Held's POW/MIA bracelet until a crack formed threatening to break it. Lasted from late 80s to early 90s. It was an honor to wear it and always had the hope that if his remains were ever located I would be able to send the bracelet to his family.