Charts & Graphs

Between the Devil and the Deep-Blue Sea

A U.S. serviceman’s chances of death in battle.

  • Revolutionary War: 1 in 50 (2 percent)
  • War of 1812: 1 in 127 (0.8 percent)
  • Indian Wars: 1 in 106 (0.9 percent)
  • Mexican-American War: 1 in 45 (2.2 percent)
  • Civil War: 1 in 15 (6.7 percent)
  • Spanish-American War: 1 in 798 (0.1 percent)
  • World War I: 1 in 89 (1.1 percent)
  • World War II: 1 in 56 (1.8 percent)
  • Korean War: 1 in 171 (0.6 percent)
  • Vietnam War: 1 in 185 (0.5 percent)
  • Persian Gulf War: 1 in 3,162 (0.03 percent)