Iraq: U.S. Casualties
Susan G. Chesser
Information Research Specialist
May 28, 2009
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
RS21578
CRS Report for Congress
P
repared for Members and Committees of Congress

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Iraq: U.S. Casualties

he following casualty data were compiled by the Department of Defense (DOD), as tallied
from the agency’s press releases. Table 1 provides statistics on fatalities during Operation
T Iraqi Freedom, which began on March 19, 2003, and is ongoing, as well as on the number
of fatalities since May 1, 2003, plus statistics on those wounded, but not killed, since March 19,
2003. Statistics may be revised as circumstances are investigated and as all records are processed
through the U.S. military’s casualty system. More frequent updates are available at DOD’s
website at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/ under “Casualty Update.”
A detailed casualty summary that includes data on deaths by cause, as well as statistics on
soldiers wounded in action, is available at DOD’s website at http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/
personnel/CASUALTY/castop.htm.
Table 1. Operation Iraqi Freedom, U.S. Fatalities and Wounded
as of May 27, 2009, 10 a.m. EST
Fatalities
March 19, 2003,
May 1, 2003,
to the Present
to the Present
Wounded
March 19, 2003,
to the Present
Hostile 3,446
3,329
In
actiona 31,312
Non-hostile
857
823
Not Returned
13,784
to Duty
Total 4,303
4,152
—
—
Source: DOD press releases.
Note: The President’s statement about combat operations in Iraq having ended can be found in the Weekly
Compilation of Presidential Documents, May 1, 2003, p. 516.
a. Includes the “Not Returned to Duty” figure.

Author Contact Information

Susan G. Chesser

Information Research Specialist
schesser@crs.loc.gov, 7-9547




Congressional Research Service
1

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