The Cost of War

by Barbara Latta

As we honor our fallen heroes, taking a look at the numbers gives us a mental picture of the cost of

The cost of war

war. These paid the ultimate price to buy our freedom, protect that freedom from being taken, and to fight for those who couldn’t defend themselves. Many others paid a different price by coming home wounded and scarred or suffering from PTSD. We have lost too many to suicide because the experiences of the battlefield continued to haunt their minds.

Also, hundreds were missing in action and never found. The search continues to bring their remains home. Others were tortured and suffered tremendously in prisoner of war camps.

Remember each number in these statistics represents a person; a person who left grieving family members behind and who gave their all for their country.

Revolutionary War – Estimates of 25,000; 8,000 from battle and 17,000 from disease. George Washington’s decision to inoculate his troops against smallpox saved thousands.
Civil War - More than 600,000. This was the costliest war ever fought by Americans.

War of 1812 – 2,260 in battle, 15,000 from disease.

Spanish-American War – 3,289 of which 260 were on the USS Maine. The sinking of this ship started the war.

World War I – 116,516

World War II – 405,399

Korean Conflict – 36,574 (Congress hasn’t declared war since World War II so anything after that time is considered a conflict. However, ask those who fought. I’m sure they consider these times a war.)

Vietnam Conflict – 58,220

Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm – 293

Operation Iraqi Freedom – 4,422

Operation New Dawn – 66

Operation Enduring Freedom – 2,355

Operation Inherent Resolve – 7

Operation Freedom’s Sentinel – 3

Vietnam Memorial

We are still engaged in a battle against terrorism and these numbers continue to climb.

May we never forget the cost of what we have in our country and to thank those who are protecting us. America has been blessed by God because our roots were founded in His Word.  

If you would like to remember someone here, please leave a comment below.