Missing Man Table

Oil painting by Rick Lynn to visualize the concept of The Missing Man Table ceremony. Painting and prints are available for sale. The Missing Man Table is an organic phenomena honoring Prisoners of War and the Missing in Action by American troops during the Vietnam War. The term organic refers to the fact that the display was not designed or authorized by the Department of Defense or any other American agency. The men would set up a small table and chair with a place setting in honor of those who did not return. There are numerous and conflicting stories on who actually started the custom but there are no definitive documents proving heritage.