Do U.S. Released POW and Returning MIA get back pay?

Question

I was reading a fictional story today, completely unrelated to the war in Iraq. Actually, the story takes place in a completely fictional land and time. Anyway, a character in the story half jokingly asked his commanding officer if "dead" soldiers get paid - the characters were lost and thought dead for over a year. Regardless of the fictional nature of the story, it made me very curious and brought up a bunch of questions. Especially wondering if our own MIA/POW soldiers get paid for time they're unaccounted for?

So here are my questions.

If captured or lost and thought dead either in war time, training or general mission and then a soldier is released, found or returns does the soldier get back pay?

Do surviving family members get any kind of pay for MIA/POWS?

If a body isn't recovered are you automatically considered MIA?

How do death benefits work in these cases?

Lastly, what is active duty? Does it pertain to war time only? What other duty is there?

Thanks

Answer 1

Yes, POW/MIA's that are recovered are entitled to back pay. Families are entitled to compensation after MIA's are listed as such long enough to be considered dead. Technically, if your body is not recovered you are considered MIA until your remains are positively identified.
Active duty is someone actively serving within the armed forces, not the reserves.

Answer 2

Well, you gotta figure he's hiding something or he'd release them. He hasn't even released one full year yet! Much less the two he's promised. His Dad, George Romney, set the standard and released 12 years worth of tax returns when he ran for president. Why? Because he said a crooked man could manipulate his taxes for a year or two. Guess he wouldn't be very proud of Mitt, would he? We KNOW Mitt Romney has lied about his taxes. He claimed to be a resident of Utah when he lived in Boston and paid lower taxes. Then when he decided to run for governor of Mass, he had to amend those tax returns. And, as the Audit Chairman on the Board of the Marriott Corporation, he signed off on tax dodges that wound up costing the corporation big time. Mitt is a liar. Every time he opens his mouth, he lies. From the "you didn't build that" ad to the "gutting welfare to work" ad he is simply a liar. I'm still waiting for the media to admit it though. I think his embrace of the "birther" group yesterday is a sign the campaign has nothing left and it's very early.

Answer 3

POWs and soldiers who are MIA should still be getting paid even under those circumstances, but I'm sure if payment is stopped due to the soldier being presumed dead and then they were found to be alive I'm sure they would get back pay.

Answer 4

Pow Pow Pay

Answer 5

i would think if a pow/mia was discovered later on then yes they receive pay, they were never discharged, as for the families i dont know

Answer 6

For a start, you get credit for being on active duty, regardless of whether or not we are at war or at peace. You get credit regardless of where you are, you can be home on leave, or in Iraq, or undergoing basic training, stateside, overseas, at sea (Navy) it doesn't matter Healthy, ,light duty, sick or injured and hospitalized, . As long as you are where you're supposed to be and not under arrest, you are on duty. (and get paid too)
.


Others can answer the rest.

Answer 7

Yes they recieve pay.

Don't know.

You are MIA if your condition is unknown.

Don't know.

Means full time, vs Reserve (part time) No. Reserve/Nat. Guard

Answer 8

Yes, no, Yes, death benefits are paid after specified time of MIA, active duty refers to those that are non-reservists (active)

Answer 9

They should get paid plus interest if no drew the monthly check.