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Freedom Isn’t Free

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As one who has never been forced to experience the horrors of war first hand, I would like to extend my deepest thanks for those who have done so on my behalf. And to those who have lost loved ones or have suffered wounds in the process, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers on this solemn day. I include the words of Abraham Lincoln below, as they capture the thoughts of a grateful nation so perfectly.

Abraham Lincoln’s Letter of Condolence to Mrs. Bixby

Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.

Dear Madam,–

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

America’s Wars: U.S. Casualties and Veterans

The table below has information about the total number of service members, battle deaths, and non-mortal woundings in wars from 1775 to 2012; such as the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War I and II, Vietnam, and more.

American Revolution (1775–1783)
Total service members	217,000
Battle deaths	4,435
Non-mortal woundings	6,188
War of 1812 (1812–1815)
Total service members	286,730
Battle deaths	2,260
Non-mortal woundings	4,505
Indian Wars (approx. 1817–1898)
Total service members	106,0001
Battle deaths	1,0001
Mexican War (1846–1848)
Total service members	78,718
Battle deaths	1,733
Other deaths in service (non-theater)	11,550
Non-mortal woundings	4,152
Civil War (1861–1865)
Total service members (Union)	2,213,363
Battle deaths (Union)	140,414
Other deaths in service (non-theater) (Union)	224,097
Non-mortal woundings (Union)	281,881
Total service members (Conf.)	1,050,000
Battle deaths (Conf.)	74,524
Other deaths in service (non-theater) (Conf.)	59,2972
Non-mortal woundings (Conf.)	unknown
Spanish-American War (1898–1902)
Total service members	306,760
Battle deaths	385
Other deaths in service (non-theater)	2,061
Non-mortal woundings	1,662
World War I (1917–1918)3
Total service members	4,734,991
Battle deaths	53,402
Other deaths in service (non-theater)	63,114
Non-mortal woundings	204,002
Living veterans	0
World War II (1940–1945)3
Total service members	16,112,566
Battle deaths	291,557
Other deaths in service (non-theater)	113,842
Non-mortal woundings	671,846
Living veterans	1,711,0001
Korean War (1950–1953)
Total service members	5,720,000
Serving in-theater	1,789,000
Battle deaths	33,739
Other deaths in service (theater)	2,835
Other deaths in service (non-theater)	17,672
Non-mortal woundings	103,284
Living veterans	2,275,000
Vietnam War (1964–1975)
Total service members	8,744,000
Serving in-theater	3,403,000
Battle deaths	47,434
Other deaths in service (theater)	10,786
Other deaths in service (non-theater)	32,000
Non-mortal woundings	153,303
Living veterans	7,391,0001,6
Gulf War (1990–1991)
Total service members	2,322,000
Serving in-theater	694,550
Battle deaths	148
Other deaths in service (theater)	235
Other deaths in service (non-theater)	1,565
Non-mortal woundings	467
Living veterans	2,244,5831,6
America’s Wars Total (1775–1991)
Military service during war	41,892,128
Battle deaths	651,031
Other deaths in service (theater)	308,800
Other deaths in service (non-theater)	230,254
Non-mortal woundings	1,430,290
Living war veterans	16,962,0004
Living veterans	23,234,000
Global War on Terror 5
Total Service members (Worldwide) (as of Sept. 2011)	1,468,364
Deployed to Iraq (Operation New Dawn) (as of Dec. 31, 2011)	0
Deployed to Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) (as of June 2011)	45,000
Battle Deaths	5,078
Other Deaths (In Theater)	1,378
Non-mortal Woundings	48,104

1. Estimate based upon new population projection methodology.

2. Estimated figure. Does not include 26,000–31,000 who died in Union prisons.

3. Years of U.S. involvement in war.

4. Total will be more than sum of conflicts due to no “end date” established for Persian Gulf War.

5. October 7, 2001 through May 29, 2012 (unless otherwise indicated). Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn.

6. Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) estimate, as of 4/09, does not include those still on active duty and may include veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Source: Department of Defense and Veterans Administration.

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