Operational and Hostile Action Deaths For the period 01 January 1948 to 31 December 2021, there were two (2) years where there were no operational deaths among UK Armed Forces personnel: For the same period, there were twelve (12) years where there were no hostile action deaths (see below) among UK Armed Forces personnel: Defence… Read More
Introduction Wounded in Action (WIA) describes combatants who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during wartime, but have not been killed. Background Typically, it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight. Generally, the Wounded in Action are far more numerous than those killed. Common… Read More
Introduction Missing in action (MIA) is a casualty classification assigned to combatants, military chaplains, combat medics, and prisoners of war who are reported missing during wartime or ceasefire. They may have been killed, wounded, captured, executed, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave has been positively identified. Becoming MIA has been an occupational… Read More
Introduction Killed in action (KIA) is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own combatants at the hands of hostile forces. Background The United States Department of Defence, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to hostile attack.… Read More
Introduction Duty Status – Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) is a transitory casualty status assigned to United States servicemembers who cannot be located but have not been confirmed dead or captured. A servicemember can have DUSTWUN status for only ten days. Refer to Desertion. Background US soldier Bowe Bergdahl came to national attention in the United States… Read More
“All, right – it’s instinctive. But the instinct can be fought. We’re human beings, with the blood of a million savage years on our hands. But we can stop it! We can admit we’re killers, but we’re not going to kill today. That’s all it takes. Knowing that we’re not going kill … today.” Captain… Read More
“Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death.” Miyamoto Musashi (1584 to 1645) Miyamoto Musashi was a famous Japanese soldier-artist of the early Edo (Tokugawa) period (1603 to 1867). He was also known for being a philosopher, writer, and Ronin. His original name was Miyamoto Masana, but he was also known… Read More
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