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preussisch_blau) wrote2008-03-24 07:03 pm
preussisch_blau) wrote2008-03-24 07:03 pm
It is well that war is so terrible -- lest we should grow too fond of it.
In eight years of the American Revolution, approximately 8,000 Americans died of wounds received in combat. Approximately 17,000 more died of disease and non-combat injuries. Another 25,000 (approximately) were injured. *
In four years of the American Civil War, 212,938 men (140,414 Union and 72,524 Confederate) died of wounds received in combat. Another 224,097 Union soldiers died of disease and non-combat injuries. 281,881 more Union men were wounded. **
In one year of World War I, 53,402 Americans died of wounds received in combat. Another 63,114 died of disease and non-combat injuries. 204,002 more were injured, and 3,350 are still missing.
In four years of World War II, 291,557 Americans died of wounds received in combat. Another 113,842 died of disease and non-combat injuries. 670,846 more were injuried, and 30,314 are still missing.
In three years of the Korean War, 33,746 Americans died of wounds received in combat. 103,284 more were injured, and 8,177 are still missing. ***
In nine years of the Viet-Nam War, 47,355 Americans died of wounds received in combat. Another 10,796 died of disease and non-combat injuries. 153,303 more were injured, and 2,489 are still missing.
In seven years of fighting in Afghanistan, 305 Americans died of wounds received in combat. Another 183 died of other causes. 7,171 more were injured. ****
In five years of the Iraq War; 3,274 Americans have died of wounds received in combat. Another 753 died of other causes. 40,233 more were injured, and 4 are still missing.
* These are the highest figures I could find. There were no accurate records kept at that time, so all figures are guesses, and many historians would still say they are probably short by at least a thousand.
** There are no reports on how many Confederates died outside of combat or were injured, and again, the combat death number is likely incomplete. Also, these numbers may still be low. I again went with the highest reported figures I could find.
*** I could not find figures on how many died of causes other than combat injuries. If anyone could provide me with that information, it would be appreciated.
**** This sure seems low compared to Iraq, but these were the most quoted statistics.
In four years of the American Civil War, 212,938 men (140,414 Union and 72,524 Confederate) died of wounds received in combat. Another 224,097 Union soldiers died of disease and non-combat injuries. 281,881 more Union men were wounded. **
In one year of World War I, 53,402 Americans died of wounds received in combat. Another 63,114 died of disease and non-combat injuries. 204,002 more were injured, and 3,350 are still missing.
In four years of World War II, 291,557 Americans died of wounds received in combat. Another 113,842 died of disease and non-combat injuries. 670,846 more were injuried, and 30,314 are still missing.
In three years of the Korean War, 33,746 Americans died of wounds received in combat. 103,284 more were injured, and 8,177 are still missing. ***
In nine years of the Viet-Nam War, 47,355 Americans died of wounds received in combat. Another 10,796 died of disease and non-combat injuries. 153,303 more were injured, and 2,489 are still missing.
In seven years of fighting in Afghanistan, 305 Americans died of wounds received in combat. Another 183 died of other causes. 7,171 more were injured. ****
In five years of the Iraq War; 3,274 Americans have died of wounds received in combat. Another 753 died of other causes. 40,233 more were injured, and 4 are still missing.
* These are the highest figures I could find. There were no accurate records kept at that time, so all figures are guesses, and many historians would still say they are probably short by at least a thousand.
** There are no reports on how many Confederates died outside of combat or were injured, and again, the combat death number is likely incomplete. Also, these numbers may still be low. I again went with the highest reported figures I could find.
*** I could not find figures on how many died of causes other than combat injuries. If anyone could provide me with that information, it would be appreciated.
**** This sure seems low compared to Iraq, but these were the most quoted statistics.
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no subject
I agree the Afghanistan figures appear low next to the one's from Iraq but, then again, we are fighting a very different kind of war in Afghanistan than we are in Iraq and I guess that makes the difference. Also, the population is much sparser in Afghanistan, not as many people present=less chances for casualties to occur. Afghanistan is more of a search and locate operation with the main goal of crushing terrorist networks-fairly straightforward. Iraq, however, has turned into something much more complicated than I think many ever anticipated it would. Therefore, the level of sustained violence in that area tends to be significantly higher.
Sorry formy ramblings, your numbers got me thinking....
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The thing I was mostly thinking of with this post was that the media has been making the numbers from Iraq out to be this hugely horrible thing. I remember quotes from the beginning of the war about how we'd run out of bodybags/coffins. Really, the numbers are, compared to other wars, not that bad. The injury statistic is awful in relation to the others, but a great deal of those injuries are the results of accidents, not combat or terrorism.
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4000 for years of fighting is not an enormous toll. It's a sad one but not horrific on the same scale as in past conflicts.
no subject
Yeah.
That said, no, it's not as horrific as it could be. Hallelujah for modern medicine.
no subject
Gen. Robert E. Lee's words are as true as they come.