By the Numbers: 20 July 2020

By the Numbers: 20 July 2020

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17,645

The number of "active-duty personnel" who "have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces" between 2006 and 2020, according to an updated CRS In Focus report -- Trends in Active-Duty Military Deaths Since 2006. This includes mobilized Guard and Reserve members.

Of those that died, 26% were killed while serving in OCO operations—primarily within the territory of Iraq and Afghanistan. The remaining 74% died during operations classified in this In Focus as Non-Overseas Contingency Operations, or Non-OCO.

Generally, Service members died as the result of accident, self-inflicted wounds, or illness. Approximately 16% (1,915) involved vehicles. Alcohol was a factor in 14% of all accidental deaths. The data do not indicate whether alcohol was also involved in deaths due to self-inflicted wounds, illness, or vehicles.