The Code of Conduct
I I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. II I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist. III If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy. IV If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way. V When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause. VI I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.
What it actually means
Six articles that govern how every U.S. service member — any branch — is expected to behave if captured. It is not a suggestion and it is not folklore: it is the moral and legal baseline for conduct as a prisoner of war. Article V is the famous one — the "name, rank, service number, date of birth" line people quote from movies. Note what it actually says: you give those four things, then you evade further questions "to the utmost of your ability." It does not say stay silent until you die; it acknowledges reality while drawing the line at disloyalty.
Where it came from
Signed by President Eisenhower as Executive Order 10631 in 1955, in direct response to the treatment and conduct of American POWs in the Korean War. It was amended under Carter (1977) and Reagan (1988), mostly to make the language gender-neutral and to clarify Article V. It applies to all six branches.
Executive Order 10631 (1955), as amended; DoD-wide — reference