Numbers Tell the Tale in Iraq

As US troop losses in Iraq near 4,000, USA Today profiles the dead: 98% were male, and the most common age among those killed was 21—but one in six was younger. The bloodiest day was Jan. 26, 2005, when a helicopter crash killed 31 and six died in combat; the bloodiest month was November 2004, which saw 137 deaths.

About half the casualties were the result of bombs, and 16% were killed by enemy fire. New York City is the hometown with the most deaths (62). The current total of 3,983 deaths is less than two-thirds the number of casualties during fighting at Iwo Jima in WWII, USA Today notes. And the milestone of 4,000 might not change the public’s view of the war, says an expert: “It’s not like the stock market. People are more affected by events in wars than numbers.” (More Iraq war stories.)