Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Tampa POW/MIA
Photographed By Dave W, February 4, 2023
1. Tampa POW/MIA Marker
our country's call to arms,
for freedom, for justice,
for self-determination of an ally,
we have served, and sometimes paid
in grim coin the price exacted,
Through no fault of ours,
somehow we are left
on foreign shores,
Some of us lie in unmarked graves,
some of us remain behind prison bars
and some of us serve as slave laborers;
Yet all of us yearn to be
returned to the land of our birth,
Whether to live out the remainder
of our lives in freedom,
or to rest in peace, at last
in our native soil -
America, America, bring us home - someday.
Missing in action
World War II - 78,751
Korea - 8,177
Vietnam [blank]
The Citizens of Tampa, Florida salute
Our American POW/MIAS
You Are Not Forgotten
February 19, 1987
Erected 1987 by Citizens of Tampa.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, Korean • War, Vietnam • War, World II.
Location. 27° 56.843′ N, 82° 27.462′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Memorial can be reached
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tampa's First Paved Sidewalk (within shouting distance of this marker); The Salvation Army (within shouting distance of this marker); Lt. Col. Frank S. Adamo, M.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); John F. Kennedy in Tampa (within shouting distance of this marker); Capt. James McKay, I (1808 - 1876) (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rough Riders Passed By Here (within shouting distance of this marker); William F. Poe Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Courthouse Square (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.
More about this marker. This section of Franklin St. is Pedestrian traffic only
Additional commentary.
1. About the marker designers
My daughter Michele and I designed this marker. We were surprised and honored that it was the winner in a 1986 City of Tampa contest for a tribute to American servicemen who were Missing in Action or POW's in the Vietnam War. My husband, Michael, was MIA after his F-4C plane was shot
Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 13, 2008
2. Tampa POW/MIA Marker
Designed by
Dana Chwan
Michele Chwan
MIA Widow & Daughter
Michele was 20 when she designed the bamboo and barbed wire border for the plaque verse which I wrote (apparently with help from 'the other side'.)
In these 50 years since Mike died, I have become more aware of the consequences of war and urge all now to work for peace in our lives, families and communities.
— Submitted October 29, 2015, by Dana Chwan of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 13, 2008
3. Tampa POW/MIA Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
4. Tampa POW/MIA Marker, N.Franklin St. side of Tampa Municipal Building
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,795 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 27, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 8, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
