For three decades we have answered a very interesting question. "Do you have information on our Prisoners of War?" This was not done through editorializing or personal opinion, but by distribution of hundreds of thousands of pages of information -- first by paper copy, then by computer Bulletin Board Service file transfer, and now by Internet e-mail.

In recent months, the value of our work has "hit home." Within the last few years, numerous former prisoners of war from the Vietnam Conflict have passed away. Their dedication to freedom and their stories did not die with them. Fortunately, their stories are recorded in our archives, and in the biographies posted on this site.

OUR HISTORY

• We have been a non profit since November 11, 1989. Our status is based on our "education - information distribution" classification. Our IRS 501 (c) (3) tax-deductible ID is 42-1360341.

• We were the first to have a Computer Bulletin Board System totally dedicated to the POW issue.

• We can truly say that BBS, the information distributed, and those that used it for timely information helped pass the bill that established the Senate Hearings on the POW issue in 1992. That same hearing cleared our organization with a finding of legitimacy, and total volunteer effort. The Senate stated we had one of the largest computerized libraries of POW information available to the public. This finding was published in their final report.

• We are the unofficial historians for the 803 Prisoners of War that returned during Vietnam.

• We have the only searchable, copyrighted data base of biographies available  on ALL the POWs from the Vietnam conflict. The data base is used worldwide by researchers and concerned individuals alike. It is in use at the  National Park Service, the POW Museum in Andersonville, GA and the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA. We are the original source for most POW biographies on the Internet, including those used at SCOPE Systems.

• We host a historical word searchable archive to help with special research. It contains family letters, shared documents, more than one thousand five hundred pages of live sighting reports, transcripts of testimony, news articles, and various United States Government lists. Thousands of articles are in the archive.

• Our material has been used by Congress to prove fraud or truth. We have helped Senators and Congressmen alike research the issue.

• We have provided documentation for TV documentaries, books and newspaper articles, coast-to-coast and around the world.

• We currently help the United States Navy Bureau of Personnel return bracelets to the living POWs.  We personally forward all bracelets or letters to POWs from any branch of the service.

• We answer all questions regarding, "Did he come home?" or,  "Was he really a POW?" Fraudulent POWs are publicly exposed on the Internet and reported to authorities.

• We provide information on how and where to get a flag, bracelet, or other awareness items.

• We have in the past hosted vigils and candlelight services. We speak on the Prisoner of War issue whenever asked, no matter how large or small the crowd. We  have all  been guests on television and radio talk shows many times over the years. Several thousand people attended the candle light service on the Mall in Washington DC one Memorial Day when we spoke. We have provided all this information at "remote" sites during  reunions or veterans affairs. In addition to the computerized information, we carry maps, books, print material, rosters,  pictures, and any other relevant material we can. 

• We spend seven days in Branson, Missouri, every Veterans Day during "Branson Veteran's Homecoming." Our events there have become our  largest annual undertaking. We also host the Annual Military Gala & Banquet - the formal affair held in Branson during Veterans Homecoming each year.   In 2001 the GALA hosted over 700 veterans and friends. Joining us were 7 Medal of Honor recipients, numerous former POWs, Chosin Few survivors, 40 members of the Army Nurse Corps, retired and active duty officers, Senators and Representatives (U.S. and MO), and vets from all branches and wars. 2016 will be the 20th Anniversary GALA and we will salute "Those that have gone before us."

• In April of '98, we joined 180 former Vietnam Prisoners of War at the Silver Anniversary Dinner hosted by the Nixon Library, in Yorba Linda, California. In May of '98, we joined more than 280 returnees and 500+ guests for a four day, Silver Anniversary Reunion in Dallas, Texas. A once-in-a-lifetime event, we enjoyed a BBQ at H. Ross Perot's "Circle T" ranch, a wonderful evening at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, and a formal dinner and concert at Morton Meyerson Symphony Hall. Each day during  the reunion, we continued the updates on these living hero's biographies. This work has been our largest recent undertaking. These two memorable events allowed for the posting of many of the pictures  of returnees you see with the biographies. Our association as "friends of" NAM-POWs, Inc. is an honor and a rare privilege.

• The fall of 1998 established a new collaborative effort between the Son Tay Raiders Association and the P.O.W. NETWORK.   It will be an honor to help maintain the accurate history of the Son Tay Raid, as well as identify those that fraudulently claim "I was there."

• In 1999, Chuck Schantag  and Ron Petersen were extended an invitation to join the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association. The invitation, extended to less than 17 individuals since the Association founding, was humbly accepted. The organization is made up of exclusively of pilots that flew over Vietnam, with the exception of the 17 or so individuals who did not meet that membership criteria.

• In 2000 we received an invitation to participate in the US Air Force Academy's 19th annual POW Symposium in Colorado Springs. POWs from WWII through the Gulf War shard their experience with the cadets and military scholars or historians that attended from all parts of the globe.

• In May 2002, The NETWORK once again joined former POWS and hundreds of River Rats  for a reunion in Fort Worth, TX. Ross Perot was once again a gracious event host  - hosting almost 750 people at his ranch. Mary and Chuck Schantag were privileged to spend time with Col. Jim and Phyllis Hivner at their home in Plano prior to the scheduled reunion. Drew Cottril once again made history,  presenting Col. Hivner and the P.O.W. NETWORK (each) with a original oil painting. Col. Hivner's was  his 2002 "Freedom Flight".... the NETWORK's..... the "Mission," as of yet, unfinished. [ The mission unfinished, not the painting!!) For those of you that are unaware of Drew's contribution's to the NETWORK - the logo we use was an original oil by Drew. The copyright to the lithograph was given to the P.O.W. NETWORK by Drew a couple year's ago.

• We all have worked (some now retired), have families, and are unpaid volunteers. We have no paid employees, and work with a host of experts that help us around the world. They ask no compensation for their efforts.

• In November 2001 the NETWORK hosted the 6th Annual Military Gala & Banquet. As hosts of the event, Mary and Chuck Schantag were surprised and honored with the 1st AMBASSADOR'S AWARD presented by the Ambassador of Patriotism, Mike Radford, for their work on the POW/MIA issue.

• In November 2003, the NETWORK hosted the 7th Annual Military Gala & Banquet. The guest of honor and recipient of the 2003 AMBASSADOR'S AWARD was H. Ross Perot. He was honored for more than 50 years of contributions to veterans, POW/MIA families and POW returnees. 

• In May, 2005, The P.O.W. NETWORK was named Red River Valley Fighter Pilot's "Association of the Year."

• In December 2007, the resignation of Drew Cottril was reluctantly accepted. T D Howard has replaced Drew and will continue her association with the Network in a now official capacity. 

• In February 2008, Advisory Board member Daem O'Keeffe resigned due to health problems. Sharon Robinson accepted the position to replace him.

• Steve Robinson, former Navy SEAL, will continue his association with the Network as a member of the Board of Directors.

• The 14th Annual Military Gala & Banquet hosted the United States Air Force Entertainment troupe TOPS IN BLUE for R&R and to perform at the GALA.

• On August 30, 2011 the Network added 2 more members to the Board of Directors.

• On February 23, 2012, the Network unexpectedly lost one of it's founding members, and Chairman, Charles Schantag.

• On February 29, 2012 the Network initiated a change of officers and added Sharon Robinson to the Board of Directors.

• On October 10, 2012 the Network added C. Diane Shipley to the Board of Directors, and moved Don Shipley into the position of Vice President. Steve Robinson remains on the Board of Directors.

• On June 2, 2013 the Network added Erich and Teresa Anderson to the Board of Directors.

• In May of 2013 Network Chairman, Mary Schantag joined former Vietnam POWs, their families and friends for the 40th Anniversary of their Homecoming, celebrated at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA. Several days of events, BBQ's, tours and dinners made for a memorable event.

Our "Awards" and rewards ......

We have received many wonderful and heartfelt letters of support from former POWs, family members, and those that have browsed out site. We wanted to share some of them...

This is by far the most comprehensive and detailed pow/mia site I have ever seen. .......

Sincerely,
Michael

I have been able to find some peace after 27 years to find out exactly what happened to my 2nd cousin W1 John F Hummel, USA, 3-6-71, Laos....... I am proud of the work your group has and is doing........ Again I support your organizations works.

Bob, SEA 65,67

My name is Lillian Ringsdorf and I am the surviving daughter of Capt. Herbert Benjamin Ringsdorf who passed away this February.  I accessed his biographical information on this website. ....... God bless all the POW's and MIA's.  I wish our government would face what it has done and bring the rest home.  My father knew without a doubt that soldiers were abandoned by the U.S.  It haunted him as I know it haunts anyone who served in Vietnam or loved someone who did.

Thank you,
Lillian Ringsdorf
POW/MIA-Never forget!!

To all of the Dallas reunion committee members:

.... I want to also express my appreciation to Mary and Chuck Schantag and the other members of the POWNET group, for all of their efforts in compiling the most comprehensive data base that exists today on our group.....

GBU Duffy (former Vietnam POW)

Thanks so much for the help and information on my father, Jerry Degnan. It was more than I expected  and a good place to start. ...I will most definitely be advising everyone I know to visit your site often and get  interested, as I myself will do. What you do is beyond wonderful, keep it up. Thanks again so very much.

Lisa

I've been wanting to Thank You, so very much for all you have done to further the POW/MIA Issue.  You have made all this POW/MIA information available to us   common folks that are searching for the names on  their bracelets; or looking for information about  friends; or looking for ways to honor our Brave;  or those that are just searching for answers..... I am certain that there is a very special place in Heaven for you. You have done a great thing here and I just wanted to say Thank You.

God Bless!
Jen

Subject: Inquiry from British Broadcasting Corporation

.... I'm researching the possibility of a documentary on the women who served in Vietnam during the war  years........ I look forward to hearing from you and  congratulate you on a wonderful and moving website.....

Yours sincerely
Clare McGinn

....  As a former POW, I was impressed with the information you have available. Thanks for taking the time to keep up such a fine web page.  I am flattered to be a part of it.....

Bill Reeder
Doctoral Candidate, xxx  State University

I am the son (Jerry) of Robert Biss who is listed in your directory.  You have done a very nice job here and I as a family member thank you.  My dad is still alive and well and still works as a corporate pilot.

Thanks again,
Jerry Biss

I sent you an e-mail in June, trying to get information on a former POW (Tom Latendresse) whose bracelet I have had for 26 year.  You were very quick to respond to my request. I wrote him a letter, which you were kind enough to  forward.   Last week, I received a letter from him. It was an unbelievable experience to see his name on the envelope, after all these years of looking at it on the bracelet. It was wonderful to hear from him. Thank you for the part that you played in this process....

Best regards,
Pam

My name is Kirk Jenkins. My father is Capt. Harry Jenkins. I came across your page and really enjoyed reading the bios of so many men that I have heard so much about and some that I have had the honor to know. Thank you for The P.O.W. Network and for keeping visible the stories it tells.

GBU

I read an article in the local newspaper this morning about this site, to which I am forever grateful. It is the first time in more than 25 years that I have been able to find any information on my soldier, Maj. James E. Denanny.....

I understand at a much deeper level than one might think. My father-in-law is Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm,  who was shot down 27 Oct. 1967 and released 14 March 1973. I am so grateful to know and love this wonderful man (and his family - especially his son Robert, Jr, who is my husband and father of our three sons, Nick, Ryan and Cody).

Thank you to all who served and to all families who endured their tremendous and unselfish service. This American is truly grateful.

Sincerely,
Sharon

September 2, 1998
.... Another source for you is to contact Chuck and Mary Schantag of POW Network 
....They have a database  that more than equals mine. They have hundreds of biographies and  personal POW stories that I don't have.  They are a wealth of information...and I am sure that they have a lot of the information  that you seek. Time and resources might put a constraint on them,  but they are really wonderful folks who help a lot of others out.   I'm sure they will help you to the best of their ability and  resources..... it is really important for  us to document our history before it passes into memories and dust.

Mike McGrath,
President of NAM-POWs, Inc., a social and fraternal organization of the Vietnam era POWs.  
POW for 5 years, 9 months. 

18 February, 1999
.... it is my sincere pleasure to welcome you as one of our newest members and to forward the enclosed Certificate of Membership....  this certificate provides tangible evidence of your valued association with one of America's most respected military organizations... Once again, River Rat, Welcome aboard!!

         Check 6,
                    Steve Miller
                    President

Awesome. That is all I can say about what you are doing. I am a retired vet who never had to serve in a war because of what those on your site did for me and our country. It makes me proud. I am new to the web so I couldn't find the site right away, but be assured I am yelling loud and long about it. I am off to order some bracelets now and can't wait until they arrive.

Don
ASM1 USCG (ret)

I want to thank you for your website. Without it I probably would not have been able to return my POW bracelet to Cdr. James Bailey. Thank you so much for being here and for handling the forwarding of the bracelet.

Sincerely, 
Debbie

I just wanted to follow up with you to let you know that William Henderson called me. You were kind enough to forward my name and number to him. I work for Hoggard Films and we are making a documentary for Discovery Channel and want to interview people who were involved in the Bat-21 rescue. Thank you so much for putting me in contact with him. We are looking forward to talking to him. Your help was invaluable!  

Regards,
Monica Pinto
Hoggard Films

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I will treasure Frederick's picture always, and never misplace it. Now... another favor please ;)

ERIC J HUBERTH / USAF/ 13 May 70 / MIA CAMB

I have his bracelet too. I knew Rick personally, all I have are pictures from the high school yearbook, nothing since then. A million THANK YOU'S !

Lorraine


THANK YOU. You are terrific :) A million Blessings be yours.

Hello,

I was simply surfing around and found this site. All I can say is wow. I can't believe the depth of information available, and the amount of effort your organization put forth. I'm not sure why I'm writing, except to tell you, you are true people with good hearts, in many ways you are my hero.  I have no personal association with a POW, or anyone KIA, but I feel as an  American, I am DIRECTLY associated.

Thank you for opening my eyes even further.

Best,

John K