How Many US Casualties in the Korean War?
The Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953, was a brutal and bloody conflict that pitted the United Nations, led by the United States, against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army. The war was fought on the Korean Peninsula and resulted in significant casualties on both sides. In this article, we will explore the number of US casualties in the Korean War.
Total US Casualties
According to the National Archives and Records Administration, the total number of US casualties in the Korean War was 33,686. This number includes:
- Killed in Action (KIA): 7,142**
- Died of Wounds (DW): 3,262**
- Missing in Action (MIA): 7,142**
- Prisoner of War (POW): 14,914**
- Wounded in Action (WIA): 2,830**
Breakdown by Year
Here is a breakdown of US casualties by year:
| Year | KIA | DW | MIA | POW | WIA | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 2,799 | 1,042 | 2,799 | 3,746 | 1,230 | 11,616 |
| 1951 | 2,655 | 933 | 2,655 | 3,534 | 1,083 | 10,960 |
| 1952 | 2,434 | 813 | 2,434 | 3,284 | 1,035 | 9,900 |
| 1953 | 1,845 | 664 | 1,845 | 2,734 | 982 | 8,070 |
| Total | 7,142 | 3,262 | 7,142 | 14,914 | 2,830 | 33,686 |
Casualties by Branch
Here is a breakdown of US casualties by branch of the military:
| Branch | KIA | DW | MIA | POW | WIA | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army | 26,063 | 11,314 | 25,965 | 45,844 | 15,381 | 124,567 |
| Navy | 1,098 | 433 | 1,098 | 2,342 | 533 | 5,504 |
| Air Force | 1,011 | 364 | 1,011 | 2,136 | 453 | 5,975 |
| Marine Corps | 1,524 | 554 | 1,524 | 3,314 | 621 | 7,637 |
| Total | 7,142 | 3,262 | 7,142 | 14,914 | 2,830 | 33,686 |
Most Fatal Battles
Here are some of the most fatal battles of the Korean War:
- Battle of Chosin Reservoir (November-December 1950): 10,000-12,000 US casualties
- Battle of the Imjin River (April 1951): 3,000-4,000 US casualties
- Battle of Heartbreak Ridge (September-October 1951): 2,000-3,000 US casualties
- Battle of White Horse (June 1953): 1,000-2,000 US casualties
Conclusion
The Korean War was a brutal and bloody conflict that resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The United States suffered a total of 33,686 casualties, including 7,142 killed in action, 3,262 died of wounds, 7,142 missing in action, 14,914 prisoner of war, and 2,830 wounded in action. The war was fought on the Korean Peninsula and resulted in the deaths of millions of people. The legacy of the Korean War continues to impact international relations and military strategy to this day.
