US casualties, question (vanity)

7/21/2003 | me

[Britton J Wingfield]

Does anyone know of a list of American troops killed in Iraq? I'm wondering how they break down by branch of service, and by unit within a particular service. Every one I see on TV seems to be Army, but that may just be sloppy reporting. Thanks in advance.

[Ex-Dem]

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/forces/casualties/

[Ex-Dem]

About your question about the breakdown, I don't remember the exact number. Army has by far the largest number. Marines had a significant number (but fewer than Army). Navy and Air Force had about a handful.

[Britton J Wingfield]

The subject came up this weekend, and nobody could recall a report of Marines being killed in an ambush situation since major combat had wound down.

People wondered if Marines were just being more vigilant, if they had more passive areas under their control, or other factors.

[Stingray51]

I think most of the Marines have been redeployed and the folks left doing most of the patrolling and policing work are Army.

[grapeape]

I don't think that there are many Marines left there nor should there be. Marines are designed to kill everything. That is what I want them to do. These type of operations are for the Army.

[Ex-Dem]

It could depend on the areas they're patrolling. Marines are primarily assigned to the south, which is Shiite. That part's been fairly quiet. The Army's around Baghdad and in the "Sunni Triangle", which has been seeing a lot of action lately.

I wish I can remember where I found the casualty numbers for the different branches. If I come across it again, I'll let you know.

[Britton J Wingfield]

That makes sense.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Thanks.

[everyvotecounts]

actually, there are about 18,000 Marines still in Iraq. In fact, just talk to my son there. They are in a much more peaceful place - but they also handle situations that could be a problem more aggressively. There have been a few Marines that have lost their lives since major combat has been over - due to accidents. I haven't heard of any that were due to conflict.

[tbpiper]

From orbat.com:

[At 0330 GMT, July 18] 46,000 of the 65,000 Marines deployed to Iraq have left even before the Polish Multi National Division has effectively assembled [Orbat.com comment: The failure of the US media to keep the public informed on this massive withdrawal - with the converse implication that the US has succeeded over a large swath of Iraq - raises very serious questions as to how the media reports news, and what responsibilities it has to its public and to its nation]

[tbpiper]

Check armytimes.com

[Ex-Dem]

These are the numbers as of the 16th, so the actual army casualties are going to be slightly higher.

"The 213 deaths in Operation Iraqi Freedom include 124 from the Army, 80 from the Marine Corps, five from the Air Force and four from the Navy."

Link

[donozark]

"Marines are designed to kill everything?"

.More fiction than fact. The US Marines assigned to Combined Action Platoons in Vietnam were among the most effective units in Vietnam. They lived in villages and worked with Viet civilians. They hardly "killed everything."

No Marines have died in combat since major ops ended, as of a few days ago, according to an article I read here. But they (Marines)moved to Shite areas (mainly) after big ops ended. Army stayed in the "Sunni Triangle." Essentially Sadman's back yard. These guys have no where to run...that's why they are so dangerous. 3rd ID has been in almost constant contact with these holdouts, one unit or another.

In fact, many Marines are home now. I talked with one the other day. He had no desire to return to Iraq...any more than I had any desire to return to VN.

[grapeape]

I am talking about the real mission of taking a beach and holding it, island warfare and ship defense. I really don't like what the corps has evolved into. It is assigned missions that are geared for traditional Armies. I am just speaking for myself. I like the idea of Marines just doing those jobs.

[grapeape]

Thanks for the update. I was misinformed. I personally don't like the idea of Marines being in that type of situation.