I’m pretty sure that more airmen died in the 8th AF alone, than Marines died in all of WW2.
During the war, keeping up the morale was part of the news/propaganda effort, so some subjects were just not touted.
Imagine what stressed out wrecks they must have been climbing into bombers for the 20th of 25 missions, after seeing half of your squadron mates go down in flames during that time?
And then climbing back into a bomber again and again?
How did they do that? Amazing. They were made of sterner stuff than we have today.
Plus, today the MSM (if it was a GOP president) would be screaming about the casualties....
USMC ( http://www.usmarinesbirthplace.com/US-Marine-Corps-Casualties.html ):
KIA: 19,733 WIA: 67,207
USAAF ( http://www.taphilo.com/history/8thaf/Air-Force-Casualaties-WWII-Summary.pdf )
KIA (Europe only): 23,805 WIA: 9,299
KIA (Europe, North Africa, Mediteranean): 44,785 WIA: 18,364
Died in captivity: 2,783
Died in aircraft accidents (Pearl Harbor through 1946): 25,844
One more thing - I ran across an assertion a while back (not sure if I believe it) that 70% of the men assigned to an aircrew in the 8th Air Force were either killed or shot-down and captured before the end of their 25 missions.
70%.
That’s why the “Memphis Belle” was such a big deal - they were the first crew to survive 25 missions.
You’re right - stern they were.