Below are just a VERY FEW of the reasons we celebrate Veteran’s Day. So many have given so much so that we may be free. We missed many more wars and battles than we included here. But please, take a silent moment today and remember the many brave Americans, some of whom are listed below, who have kept our country free: from the American Revolution, through the Civil War and beyond.
The Omaha Beach Landing
Casualties: 2,000–5,000+
The Battle of Anzio
4,400 killed • 18,000 wounded • 6,800 prisoners.
D-Day: Normandy June 6th – July 1st
The U.S. VII Corps sustained 22,119 casualties • July, including 2,811 killed • 13,564 wounded • 5,665 missing (presumed dead) • 79 captured.
The Battle of Iwo Jima: 19 February – 26 March 1945
2,148 B-29 crewmen were killed • 26,000 American casualties, including 6,800 killed.
Vietnam
US and allied military deaths: 282,000.
Iran
As of June 29, 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Defense casualty website, there were 4,424 total deaths (including both killed in action and non-hostile) and 31,952 wounded in action (WIA).
Battle of Okinawa
From early April through mid-June 1945 • involved 5 U.S. Army & 2 Marine Corps divisions • 62,000 U.S. casualties, including over 12,000 who were killed or are missing and presumed dead.
Afghanistan
Casualties are 2,372. NB this figure is disputed, but we’ve used a reliable source for the number given.
