The Human Cost Of War: Examining Us Military Deaths In Iraq And Afghanistan

The War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan has resulted in a significant loss of life. As of 2021, there have been over 7,000 US troop deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the number potentially exceeding 7,300 as of 2023. The true figure is likely to be even higher, as the Pentagon's official numbers do not include suicides resulting from PTSD and other psychological wounds. The number of suicides among post-9/11 war service members is estimated to be over 30,000—over four times the number of deaths in combat. In addition to the human cost of active military personnel, thousands of private contractors have also lost their lives, with estimates placing the number at over 8,000.

US military fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan by state

The number of US military fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan has passed 7,000 as of 2019. The US military recruits heavily from low-income and minority communities, and certain states and towns have borne higher human costs than others.

California suffered the highest number of fatalities, with 759 deaths as of October 2021. However, the source does not provide a breakdown of the number of deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan specifically.

In 2020, 11 US soldiers died in Iraq, a significant decrease from the peak of 904 casualties in 2007. The invasion of Iraq by US and coalition forces in 2003 marked the beginning of the conflict, with fatalities highest in the first five years as soldiers grappled with Al Qaeda and civil war.

The US military suicide rate has climbed significantly since 2004, with four times as many service members dying by suicide than in combat in the post-9/11 wars. This signals a widespread mental health crisis among veterans.

The Pentagon and US State Department have been urged to record and make public all deaths and injuries in war zones, including those of US troops, contractors, civilians, and opposition fighters.

US military wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan

The US military has suffered significant casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, with a high number of wounded personnel in addition to those who have lost their lives.

In Iraq, it is reported that 31,454 US service members were wounded, with 32,226 wounded according to another source. In Afghanistan, 3,372 US forces were wounded, with another source citing a figure of 20,769. These figures represent a significant toll on US military personnel and their families.

The number of wounded US service members in Iraq and Afghanistan far exceeds the number of fatalities, with approximately 7.3 wounded for every death in Iraq and 4.5 wounded for each death in Afghanistan. This ratio is much higher than the average of 2 wounded per death across all principal US wars. The high number of wounded personnel highlights the devastating impact of these conflicts on the physical and mental health of US service members.

The true extent of injuries suffered by US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is likely even higher than reported, as the figures do not include those who suffered from combat fatigue, psychological issues, or other non-physical injuries. Many veterans have returned home with traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, hearing loss, and other long-term health issues. The impact of these 'invisible wounds' cannot be overstated, as they often result in lifelong challenges and difficulties for those affected.

The high number of wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, compared to previous wars, can be attributed to several factors. Improvements in body armour and medical care have increased the survival rates of injured personnel. However, this has also resulted in more service members living with severe injuries and disabilities. The nature of modern warfare, with its reliance on improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambush tactics, has also contributed to the high number of wounded.

US soldiers killed in Iraq

The US invasion of Iraq in March 2003 marked the beginning of the Iraq War, a conflict that would span well beyond the end of the decade. The number of US troops who died fighting in the Iraq War had surpassed 7,000 by the end of 2019.

US military deaths in Iraq reached a peak of 904 casualties in 2007, with the highest number of fatalities occurring in the first five years of the conflict. Soldiers contended with Al Qaeda and civil war between groups vying for power following the removal of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

The causes of death for US soldiers in Iraq were varied and included rocket-propelled grenade fire, improvised explosive devices, vehicle crashes, electrocutions, heatstroke, friendly fire, and suicides.

The Iraq War also resulted in a high number of suicides among US service members and veterans. Over 30,000 post-9/11 war veterans have died by suicide—a rate four times higher than those who died in combat. The true number of suicides is likely higher as official Pentagon numbers do not include troops who return home and later die by suicide due to psychological wounds such as PTSD.

The US military recruits heavily from low-income and minority communities, and certain US states and towns have borne higher human costs than others.

US soldiers killed in Afghanistan

The War in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, claimed the lives of 2,459 US military personnel. Of these, 1,922 deaths were a direct result of hostile action, with a further 534 non-hostile deaths recorded. In addition, 18 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives also lost their lives in Afghanistan, along with 1,822 civilian contractors.

The US Department of Defense lists 2,459 service members as having died in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom's Sentinel, with 1,922 of these attributed to hostile action. However, this figure differs from the iCasualties.org tally, which records 2,455 service members and 10 CIA operatives as having died in these operations, giving a total of 2,406 deaths of servicemen and women in support of operations in Afghanistan.

The war in Afghanistan has also had a significant impact on the mental health of US service members, with many veterans suffering from psychological problems that have led to high suicide rates. The exact number of suicides among veterans is unclear, but it is estimated to be in the thousands and significantly higher than the number of combat deaths.

The conflict in Afghanistan has resulted in a heavy toll on US military personnel, with thousands of deaths and even more suffering from physical and psychological wounds. The true cost of the war is ongoing and extends beyond the direct casualties, as the mental health crisis among veterans continues to exact a heavy toll.

US service members who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom

The War in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, saw 2,459 United States military deaths, with 1,922 of these being a result of hostile action. In addition, 18 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives also lost their lives in Afghanistan. The number of American fatalities reached 1,000 on February 19, 2010, when U.S. Marine Cpl. Gregory Stultz was killed by small arms fire in a battle with Taliban fighters.

The number of U.S. troops who died in the War in Iraq is estimated to be over 7,000. The last update on the DefenseLINK website on November 2, 2006, listed 2,624 American service members who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The causes of death for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan included rocket-propelled grenade fire, improvised explosive devices, vehicle crashes, electrocutions, heatstroke, friendly fire, and suicides.

• Spc. Steven R. Givens, 26, of Mobile, Alabama. Died in Balad, Iraq, from injuries sustained from enemy small arms fire.
• 1st Sgt. Joe J. Garza, 43, of Robstown, Texas. Fell out of a HMMWV and was struck by a civilian vehicle in Baghdad, Iraq.
• Spc. Adolfo C. Carballo, 20, of Houston, Texas. Died in Baghdad, Iraq, when shrapnel struck him.
• Staff Sgt. Edward W. Carman, 27, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Died in Baghdad, Iraq, when the tank he was in rolled off a bridge.
• Pfc. Elden D. Arcand, 22, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Died in Mosul, Iraq, when his M915A1 tractor pulling a 7,500-gallon tanker accidentally rolled over.

The following are some of the U.S. service members who died in Operation Enduring Freedom:

• Sgt. 1st Class Allen C. Johnson, of Los Molinos, California. Died in Khanaqin, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from enemy small arms fire.
• CWO Stanley L. Harriman, 34, of Wade, North Carolina. Killed in action as a result of enemy fire.
• Pfc. Jason D. Hasenauer, 21, of Hilton, New York. Died near Kandahar, Afghanistan, when his HMMWV accidentally rolled over during patrol operations.
• Spc. Robert J. Cook, 24, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Died west of Ghazni, Afghanistan, when a weapons cache prematurely exploded.
• Cpl. Jeremiah S. Cole, 26, of Hiawatha, Kansas. Died in Bermel, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

Frequently asked questions