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A secret Pentagon study of 93 Marines who were killed in Iraq found that 74 died after they were hit by a bullet or shrapnel in the torso or shoulders — areas unprotected by the armor most are issued.

105th Congress 2d Session
Report 105-532
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 12, 1998

Land warrior

The budget request contained $51.4 million for initial procurement of Land Warrior dismounted combat soldier weapon systems, but no funds were included for all-torso body armor.

In its report on H.R. 1119 (H. Rept. 105-132), the committee noted that the effectiveness of modern all-torso body armor was aptly demonstrated during Operation Provide Hope in Somalia and that subsequent Army studies and analyses indicated more than 50 percent of all life-threatening wounds received in combat could be prevented by using such body armor. The committee believes that the medical expenses and loss of human life that could be avoided by employing this type of armor far outweigh the costs of procuring and fielding it; therefore, the committee recommends $56.4 million, an increase of $5.0 million, for the procurement of all-torso body armor.