Saturday, April 23, 2011

More U.S. Soldiers Killed Themselves Than Died in Combat in 2010

Infographic, US Soldeir deaths, Military, Veterans, Afghanistan, Iraq

For the second year in a row, more American soldiers—both enlisted men and women and veterans—committed suicide than were killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Excluding accidents and illness, 462 soldiers died in combat, while 468 committed suicide. A difference of six isn't vast by any means, but the symbolism is significant and troubling. In 2009, there were 381 suicides by military personnel, a number that also exceeded the number of combat deaths.

"If you think you know the one thing that causes people to commit suicide, please let us know,” Army Vice Chief of Staff General Peter Chiarelli told the Army Times, "because we don't know what it is."  Story Here

1 comment:

Tom Sebourn said...

That is so sad. It does bring to light another hidden cost of war.

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