The War on Terror has received unparalleled media attention since the September 11th attacks. Everyday, news outlets report the ever-increasing death toll in the Middle East, indicating in their subtle way of a skirmish that has failed. While the merits of military action in the region can be debated soundly on all positions, all of the poli-talk does not camouflage the fact that military personnel continue to serve in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Wiki Article: War on Terrorism
Wiki Article: Operation Enduring Freedom
Wiki Article: Operation Iraqi Freedom
A major focus of media coverage that can be attributed to a decline in popularity for the Global War on Terror is loss of life of military personnel. Many outspoken anti-war groups have taken on war casualties as their (perhaps most successful) cause célèbre for removal of U.S. forces from Iraq and Afghanistan, likening the campaigns to that of a previous 'failed' conflict - Vietnam. While the intent of each war is different, inferences and correlations between 'unpopular wars' made by talking heads welcomed further investigation into U.S. military deaths without opinion and manipulation:
Wiki Article: War on Terrorism
Wiki Article: Operation Enduring Freedom
Wiki Article: Operation Iraqi Freedom
A major focus of media coverage that can be attributed to a decline in popularity for the Global War on Terror is loss of life of military personnel. Many outspoken anti-war groups have taken on war casualties as their (perhaps most successful) cause célèbre for removal of U.S. forces from Iraq and Afghanistan, likening the campaigns to that of a previous 'failed' conflict - Vietnam. While the intent of each war is different, inferences and correlations between 'unpopular wars' made by talking heads welcomed further investigation into U.S. military deaths without opinion and manipulation:
Historical Overview of War Casualties
**Official Department of Defense Statistics**
Civil War (1861-1865)...................364,511
World War I (1917-1918).............116, 516
World War II (1941-1946)...........405,399
Korean War (1950-1953)..............36,574
Vietnam Conflict (1964-1973)......58,209
Persian Gulf War (1990-1991).....382
Civil War (1861-1865)...................364,511
World War I (1917-1918).............116, 516
World War II (1941-1946)...........405,399
Korean War (1950-1953)..............36,574
Vietnam Conflict (1964-1973)......58,209
Persian Gulf War (1990-1991).....382
Active Duty Military Deaths
**Tallies below were computed using DoD personnel statistics**
1981-1990:
21,344
81 due to hostile action
294 due to terrorist attack
12,532 due to accident
1991-2000:
10,580
148 due to hostile action
76 due to terrorist attack
5,560 due to accident
2001-2006 (*updated on November 22, 2007):
8,989
2,603 due to hostile action
55 due to terrorist attack
3,331 due to accident
Afterthought:
As a 'military brat' who had the honor of studying National Security at a military graduate school alongside officer heroes who undoubtedly serve in these military campaigns, soldiers hold a special place in my heart. I contend that any loss of life is a horrid result of war or service, and do not make light of what I felt compelled to report - placing into perspective casualties of war and service-connected deaths during times of peace.
