I don't know the stats, but I doubt your assertion. As horrific as our Army Air Corp losses, I would think the Naval battles of the Pacific and especially the island-hopping by the Marines was worse. Of course then there was Normandy and the push through Europe by the Army. I'd be interested to see the total casualties in each theater.
It’s easy to find the numbers. But it would be very interesting to personalize it a bit by adding some color: “what was the most dangerous assignment for an American in World War II?” I think the Army and Army Air Force had higher casualties, but that’s because of the sheer numbers of men that were sent into those services. Were you more likely, percentage-wise, to get killed or wounded in the Marine Corps, Merchant Marine, submarines?
You’ve got me thinking.
Percentage wise, you were unlikely to make it to your 25 missions. Of the 12,000+ B17s produced, over 7000 were lost to enemy fire.