Military deaths

USA Facts Suicide or self-inflicted injury has become the most common cause of death for active-duty military members. Of the 826 non-hostile military deaths in 2025, 322 service members died from suicide or self-inflicted injury. That was nearly 40% from 231 deaths in 1980.  The US began Operation Epic Fury in Iran on February 28. As of May 13, thirteen US service members have died in the operation: seven died from hostile action (meaning due to a combat mission or while traveling to/from one), six died in a helicopter crash that was not due to hostile or friendly fire. As of this month, the global war on terror — which began in October 2001 — has led to 7,073 military deaths. Another 53,560 service members have been wounded.   World War II was the deadliest conflict in US history. Approximately 405,400 American service members died, and another 670,800 were injured. That’s about 41% of US military casualties (wounded and dead) in major conflicts from 1775 to 1991