troop deaths news stories on Newser

US to North Korea: Help Us Find Fallen Soldiers

Kevin Spak — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:15:38 CDT

The US recovered the remains of some 220 US troops killed in the Korean War when recovery teams were allowed access to North Korea from 1996 to 2005, but the Bush administration then ended the program over fears for the teams’ safety. Now, for the first time in six years,...

Marines: Let Us Wear Memorial KIA Bracelets

Evann Gastaldo — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:37:13 CDT

Lance Cpl. Glenn Payne used to wear a bracelet carrying the name of a close friend who was killed in action in Afghanistan—until he was ordered to take it off. Marine Corps policy sees such KIA bracelets as unauthorized jewelry, but the ban on them is enforced inconsistently—and...

A First: No US Deaths in Iraq in August

Evann Gastaldo — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:50:39 CDT

As the US approaches its end-of-year deadline for withdrawing all troops from Iraq, August saw a milestone: It was the first month since the US-led invasion began in March 2003 that saw no American military deaths. The previous record was one soldier death in December 2010, and a military spokesperson...

NATO: Taliban Rocket Likely Downed Helicopter

Evann Gastaldo — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:06:05 CDT

The helicopter that crashed over the weekend in Afghanistan, killing 30 US troops and eight others, was likely shot down by a Taliban rocket, NATO forces said today. Though the Taliban was quick to claim responsibility, Western officials had been tight-lipped until today's announcement, Reuters notes. The Navy SEALs and...

30 US Troops Die in Afghan Chopper Crash

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 05:40:19 CDT

A helicopter crash in Afghanistan's eastern Wardak province has killed 30 US special operation troops and seven Afghan soldiers, Hamid Karzai said today. (The US figure was revised from 31.) It was the highest number of casualties recorded in a single incident in the decade-long war. NATO confirmed the...

US Sees Iran's Hand in Iraq Violence

Kevin Spak — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:20:05 CDT

June was the deadliest month in two years for US troops in Iraq, with 15 killed in various attacks—and the US thinks Iran is to blame. Military officials think Iran is handing militia groups more sophisticated weapons, like rockets, armor-piercing grenades, and improved jam-resistant roadside bombs, the Washington Post...

2 US Troops Killed in Drone Friendly Fire

Rob Quinn — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 05:38:08 CDT

Two American servicemen were killed in Afghanistan last week in what is believed to be the first case of friendly fire deaths involving a Predator drone. The pair were killed by a Hellfire missile after Marines under fire called in a strike, military officials tell NBC. The Marines were viewing...

6 US Soldiers Killed Near Pakistan Border

Matt Cantor — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 09:53:05 CDT

Six US soldiers were killed during an attack on an insurgent hideout near Afghanistan’s border with Pakistan, the Washington Post reports. The deaths that resulted from the helicopter-driven assault are the latest reminder of the US struggle in the isolated Kunar province. The US has lately shifted its attention away...

US Military Awash in Deadly Prescription Drugs

Mark Russell — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 06:05:37 CST

When Senior Airman Anthony Mena was found dead in his apartment, he had eight prescription medications in his blood, including three antidepressants, a sleeping pill, a sedative, and two powerful painkillers—but it was the combination of those drugs that killed him, not his own hand. The US military's medical...