United States military casualties in the War in Afghanistan

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There were 2,459 United States military deaths in the War in Afghanistan , which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021. 1,922 of these deaths were the result of hostile action. 20,769 American servicemembers were also wounded in action during the war. [1] In addition, 18 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives also died in Afghanistan. [2] Further, there were 1,822 civilian contractor fatalities. [3]

Contents

On February 19, 2010, the number of American fatalities reached 1,000 when U.S. Marine Reconnaissance Cpl. Gregory Stultz of Brazil, Indiana was killed by small arms fire in battle with Taliban fighters during the invasion of Marjah, dubbed Operation Moshtarak. [4] By April 11, 2011, the number of fatalities was 1,515. [5] By September 2012, the total number surpassed 2,000. [6]

The highest number of American fatalities recorded in a single incident occurred on August 6, 2011, in which a CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter was shot down in Wardak province, killing 30 Americans, including 22 Navy SEALs, plus seven Afghan soldiers and a civilian interpreter. [7] [8] [9]

The highest-ranking American servicemember killed by hostile action was Army Major General Harold J. Greene, who died in August 2014 during a fragging incident by an Afghan soldier. [10] [11]

Numbers of fatalities

The United States Department of Defense lists 2,459 servicemembers as having died in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Of these, 1,922 were due to hostile action and 534 non-hostile, and 3 status pending. [12] [1]

Of those killed, 60 were confirmed to have died in Africa, Southeast Asia or Cuba in support of OEF – Horn of Africa, OEF – Philippines, OEF – Trans Sahara, and in the detainment of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Five were killed due to hostile action. [13] Thus, a total of 2,402 United States servicemen were killed in the war in Afghanistan. [1]

The website iCasualties.org lists 2,455 servicemembers and 10 CIA operatives as having died in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom's Sentinel, including 49 who died in support of other OEF operations. This gives a total of 2,406 deaths of servicemen in support of operations in Afghanistan. [14]

The iCasualties.org figure of 2,406 is higher than the Department of Defense's officially stated figure, although according to the website all of the names listed at iCasualties.org have been confirmed by the Department of Defense. [15]

Many veterans have committed suicide as a result of psychological problems developed during their service. [16]

Fatalities by month and year

All fatalities

U.S. fatalities by month in all OEF/OFS theaters according to the US DoD
YearJFMAMJJASONDTotal
200134411
20021012951301151149
2003461121324126143
200492338523457152
2005216184272151263399
20061177111189106107198
20070145811121418910116118
2008718517282022281613156
200915151361224455140591813311
2010303125203460655542505333498
2011242030473447367139301716411
2012261719354129424120171512314
201331161322191312119310132
2014770451235513355
201500011203180621
201610000002033010
201700131313011115
201810010121215116
201910231333202123
202043001020001011
202100000001313

Grand Total: 2,456

Source: [13]

Note: Table omits the deaths of six Department of Defense civilian employees killed in support of operations in Afghanistan and other countries.

Killed in action only

U.S. KIA (hostile) in all OEF/OFS theaters according to the US DoD
YearJFMAMJJASONDTotal
20010033
200210841001020118
200300220104116017
200401216302343025
20052051325212932266
2006166111479595165
20070215101113137710483
2008716514231617261412133
20091215113920394735531710271
2010252922143149585430474731437
2011201624433141326434261613360
20121461126342335371713129237
201331661614911673991
2014350311123503339
201500010003000610
20161000000102419
201700031313001012
201810010021115113
201920230232200117
20202200000000004
202100000001313

Grand Total: 1,928

Source: [13]

Note: Table omits the deaths of four Department of Defense civilian employees killed in action in support of operations in Afghanistan and other countries.

Publicized incidents of multiple deaths of U.S. service members in the war

See also

Related Research Articles

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The following lists events from 2014 in Afghanistan.

The following lists events that happened in 2013 in Afghanistan.

The following lists events that happened during 2015 in Afghanistan.

The following lists events that happened during 2016 in Afghanistan.

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Events in the year 2017 in Afghanistan.

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