Newt Heisley

Newton Foust "Newt" Heisley (November 9, 1920 – May 14, 2009) was an American commercial artist who was responsible for the design of the POW/MIA flag for the National League of Families, which was officially recognized by the United States Congress in relation to the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue "as the symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation".

Biography

Heisley was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on November 9, 1920. He lived with his grandparents for much of his youth, following the death of his mother when he was four-years old. He attended Syracuse University, graduating with a degree in fine arts, after which he worked as a graphic artist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He enlisted during World War II, serving as a pilot in the United States Army Air Forces.

Graphic design and the POW/MIA flag