Numbers In Perspective

Now that we've reached the one thousandth US military death in Iraq, we can expect to hear and see constant emphasis on this sad statistic all week. We mourn for every one of our soldiers, sailors, and marines who have lost their lives in the conflict. But it is important to consider this number in the historical context of past wars that we have fought as well.

Here is a listing of military deaths through American history. The first number is combat deaths, the second is non-combat deaths during the conflict. (Sources: America's Wars Fact Sheet and Americans Killed in Action, Numbers, American War Library)

American Revolution:
4435
20,799

War of 1812:
2260 (total)

Mexican War:
1733
13,283

Indian Wars:
1000 (estimated total)

Civil War:
214,938
283,394

Spanish American War:
385
2893

Philippines War:
4273 (total)

World War I:
53,402
63,114

Various Interventions 1900-1932 (Boxer Rebellion, Moro Campaigns, Dominican Republic(2X), Mexico, Nicaragua(2X), Haiti, Russia):
1055 (total)

World War II:
291,557
113,842

Korea:
33,686
20,560

Vietnam:
47,410
10,788

Gulf War:
148
235

In addition there have been single days in American military history with significant loss of life. (Source: Twentieth Century Atlas - Casualty Statistics)

Battle of Antietam 1862:
4300 (estimated)

Pearl Harbor 1941:
2403

Battle of Chancellorsville 1863:
2358 (estimated)

Gettysburg 1863:
2353 (estimated average per day July 1-3)

D-Day 1944:
1465

Grieve for the men and women who have died in Iraq. Support and console their families through this most difficult time. But don't forget that this is a war. And all wars come with a heavy price.

Remember another number that probably will not get as much play this week as the one thousandth military death in Iraq.

2738 American citizens killed in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks.