Casualty: Unveiling the Hidden Costs of Warfare

By Fouad Sabry

Discover the essence of "Casualty" in military operations with our gripping exploration in the "Military of Science" series. Unravel the intricacies of what it means to be a casualty, whether on the battlefield or behind the lines, through riveting insights and validations across ten illuminating chapters:

? Chapter 1: Delve deep into the definition of a casualty, exploring the impact on both combatants and non-combatants.

?️ Chapter 2: Uncover the storied history and significance of the Purple Heart, a symbol of valor and sacrifice.

? Chapter 3: Navigate the experiences of Vietnam veterans, understanding the toll of conflict on those who served.

⚔️ Chapter 4: Reflect on the staggering losses of World War I, examining the human cost of the Great War.

? Chapter 5: Broaden your perspective to include civilian casualties, shedding light on the collateral damage of warfare.

? Chapter 6: Journey through the annals of history to explore the immense casualties of World War II, a conflict that shaped generations.

⚰️ Chapter 7: Honor the fallen with a discussion on those killed in action, their bravery etched into the annals of military history.

⚕️ Chapter 8: Witness the evolution of battlefield medicine, from rudimentary care to advanced techniques that save lives on the front lines.

? Chapter 9: Gain insight into the experiences of those wounded in action, their resilience in the face of adversity.

? Chapter 10: Explore the vital role of casualty evacuation, ensuring the swift and safe transport of the injured from the battlefield.

This comprehensive guide goes beyond mere definitions, answering the top questions about casualties, providing clarity to professionals, students, enthusiasts, and anyone eager to deepen their understanding of this crucial aspect of military operations. Embrace a journey that transcends basic knowledge, delving into the heart of what it means to sacrifice for a cause greater than oneself. Dive into "Casualty" today and emerge enlightened.

• Language: English
• Publisher: One Billion Knowledgeable
• Release date: Jun 15, 2024

Book preview

Chapter 1: Casualty (person)

A person who is serving in the military, whether as a combatant or a non-combatant, and who becomes unavailable for duty due to any of a number of different causes, such as death, injury, illness, captivity, or desertion, is referred to as a casualty in the military.

A person who is killed, injured, or rendered unable as a result of an event is referred to as a casualty in civilian parlance. For the most part, the phrase is utilized to describe multiple deaths and injuries that are the result of violent acts or natural disasters. There are occasions when it is misconstrued to mean fatalities, however injuries that do not result in death are also considered casualties.

An individual who is killed in action, killed by disease, diseased, disabled by injuries, disabled by psychological trauma, captured, abandoned, or missing is considered a casualty in the context of the military. However, a person who sustains injuries that do not preclude them from fighting is not considered a casualty according to military terminology. The most important factor to take into account in combat is the number of casualties, which is simply the number of members of a unit who are not available for duty. Any casualty means that they are no longer available for the immediate battle or campaign. At the very least, the term has been utilized in a military setting from the year 1513.

Civilian casualties are civilians killed or injured by military personnel or combatants, sometimes instead referred to by the euphemistic expression collateral damage.

These are the definitions that are utilized by the military organization known as NATO:

In the context of personnel, any individual who is unavailable to his organization due to the fact that they have been reported deceased, injured, afflicted with a sickness, jailed, captured, or gone missing.

All casualties that are sustained as a direct result of hostile action, whether they are sustained in battle or in relation to it, or whether they are sustained while traveling to or returning from a combat mission.

A member of his organization who is not a casualty of war but who is lost to his organization owing to illness or injury, including those who pass away as a result of illness or injury, or due to being missing in a manner that does not appear to be voluntarily, due to enemy action, or due to being interned.

These are the definitions that are most commonly used by military historians.

In the context of personnel, any individual who was killed in battle, who went missing in action, or who passed away as a result of wounds or infections prior to being evacuated to a medical installation.

In the context of personnel, any individual who is rendered unable to perform their duties as a result of injuries or illnesses that they have acquired in a conflict zone, as well as any individual who has been admitted to a medical installation for treatment or recuperation for a period of more than one day. Each type of medical casualty—combat medical casualty and non-combat medical casualty—has its own unique characteristics. The former term refers to a medical casualty that is a direct result of combat action, whereas the later term refers to a medical casualty that is not a direct result of combat activity.

When we talk about civilian fatalities, we are referring to individuals who have been killed or injured as a direct reaction to military action.

It is a classification of casualty that is typically used to represent any individual who has been killed as a result of the actions of hostile forces.

This is a categorization of casualty that is typically used to represent any individual who has been reported missing during military operations. They may have deserted, been killed, wounded, or taken prisoner, or they may have been taken prisoner.

A casualty designation that is typically used to designate any individual who has sustained an injury as a result of the actions of enemy troops at any given time.

It is a classification of casualty that is typically used to describe any anyone who has been captured and is being held in custody by hostile forces.

When it comes to civilian life, the term casualty has been in use since the year 1844.

According to the World Health Organization's World Health Report from 2004, it was estimated that 2.8% of all deaths were caused by deliberate injuries, which included deaths caused by conflict, violence, and suicide.

{End Chapter 1}

Chapter 2: Purple Heart

Those who were injured or died while serving in the United States military on or after April 5, 1917, are eligible to receive the Purple Heart (PH), which is a military medal that is given in the name of the President of the United States. In comparison to its predecessor, the Badge of Military Merit, which was a heart fashioned of purple cloth, the Purple Heart is the oldest military honor that is currently presented to members of the United States Armed Forces. According to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, New Windsor, New York is the location of the hall.

On August 7, 1782, George Washington, who was serving as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army at the time, issued an order from his headquarters in Newburgh, New York, with the intention of establishing the first Purple Heart, which was subsequently designated as the Badge of Military Merit. Three men who served during the Revolutionary War were the only ones to receive the Badge of Military Merit from President George Washington. In accordance with the circumstances, Washington gave his subordinate commanders the authority to bestow Badges of Merit. Although the badge was never completely eliminated, it was not until after World War I that it was proposed for use once more in an official capacity.

With the intention of reviving the Badge of Military Merit, Army Chief of Staff General Charles Pelot Summerall issued a directive on October 10, 1927, directing that a draft bill be delivered to Congress from the United States. In spite of the fact that the bill was withdrawn and the investigation into the case was terminated on January 3, 1928, the office of the Adjutant General was given the instruction to file all of the papers that were collected for potential use in the future. One of the private organizations that advocated for the reintroduction of the medal into the Army was the board of directors of the Fort Ticonderoga Museum, which is located in Ticonderoga, New York.

The work on a new design that involved the Washington Commission of Fine Arts was resumed in a clandestine manner on January 7, 1931, by General Douglas MacArthur, who succeeded Summerall as Governor of the United States. Elizabeth Will, who is a heraldic specialist for the Army and works in the Office of the Quartermaster General, was given the responsibility of redesigning the newly resurrected medal, which had previously been known as the Purple Heart. Will prepared the design drawing for the present Purple Heart medal by making use of the general specifications that were handed to her. The new design, which features a bust and profile of George Washington, was released on the occasion of the bicentennial of Washington's birth by the United States.

In May of 1931, the Commission of Fine Arts chose the plaster model that was submitted by John R. Sinnock of the Philadelphia Mint. The Commission had invited plaster models from three prominent sculptors for the medal. In order to pay tribute to George Washington's memory and the accomplishments he made in the military, the Purple Heart was reintroduced on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of his birth. This was done in accordance with War Department General Order No. 3, which was issued on February 22, 1932.

The criteria were announced in a circular issued by the Department of War on February 22, 1932. It authorized the award to be given to soldiers, upon their request, who had been awarded the Meritorious Service Citation Certificate, Army Wound Ribbon, or Had been authorized to wear Wound Chevrons after April 5, 1917, which was the day before the United States entered World War I. The Purple Heart was presented to MacArthur for the very first time. Over the course of the early stages of the United States' engagement in World War II, which lasted from 8 December 1941 to 22 September 1943, the Purple Heart was bestowed upon service members not just for wounds sustained while fighting the enemy but also for their outstanding performance of their duties. The practice of awarding the Purple Heart for meritorious service was ended after an Act of Congress established the Legion of Merit. This was done in order to honor those who had served with distinction. In accordance with Executive Order 9277, which was issued on December 3, 1942, the decoration was implemented