Memorial Day: Honoring America’s more than 1 million fallen
- More than 1 million American service members have died in wars
- The Civil War had the highest death toll, with at least 500,000 fatalities
- WWII was the first war with more battlefield deaths than other causes
(NewsNation) — On Memorial Day, Americans will honor those who gave their lives in service of their country. Since the American Revolution, more than 1 million men and women have died while serving.
Of all the wars, the highest number of deaths came from the Civil War, with at least 500,000 fatalities. The precise number of Americans who died in the war isn’t known.
Wartime deaths include those who died in battle, as well as those who died of accidents, injuries or illness while fighting. World War II marks the first war in which battlefield deaths outnumbered all other causes.
Here are the number of service members who have sacrificed their lives in America’s wars.
- American Revolution: 4,435
- Civil War: 500,000
- Spanish-American War: 2,446
- World War I: 116,516
- World War II: 405,399
- Korean War: 54,246
- Vietnam Era: 90,220
- Desert Shield/Desert Storm: 1,948
- Global War on Terror: 7,076