(CNN) -- There are still more than 1.7 million Americans alive who served in World War II, but that number is dwindling fast.
With much of the "Greatest Generation" now in their 80s and 90s, hundreds of these veterans are dying every day, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
By the year 2036, the VA estimates, there will no longer be any living veterans from the conflict.
The last World War I veteran, Frank Buckles, died in February 2011.
Here's a look at who fought in past U.S. wars and who's still alive today:
American Revolution (1775-1783)
U.S. servicemembers: 184,000-250,000 (estimated)
Deaths: 4,435
Wounded: 6,188
Last veteran: Daniel F. Bakeman, died in 1869 at age 109
U.S. servicemembers: 184,000-250,000 (estimated)
Deaths: 4,435
Wounded: 6,188
Last veteran: Daniel F. Bakeman, died in 1869 at age 109
War of 1812 (1812-1815)
U.S. servicemembers: 286,730
Deaths: 2,260
Wounded: 4,505
Last veteran: Hiram Cronk, died in 1905 at age 105
U.S. servicemembers: 286,730
Deaths: 2,260
Wounded: 4,505
Last veteran: Hiram Cronk, died in 1905 at age 105
Indian Wars (approximately 1817-1898)
U.S. servicemembers: 106,000 (estimated)
Deaths: 1,000 (estimated)
Last veteran: Fredrak Fraske, died in 1973 at age 101
U.S. servicemembers: 106,000 (estimated)
Deaths: 1,000 (estimated)
Last veteran: Fredrak Fraske, died in 1973 at age 101
Mexican War (1846-1848)
U.S. servicemembers: 78,718
Deaths: 13,283
Wounded: 4,152
Last veteran: Owen Thomas Edgar, died in 1929 at age 98
U.S. servicemembers: 78,718
Deaths: 13,283
Wounded: 4,152
Last veteran: Owen Thomas Edgar, died in 1929 at age 98
Civil War (1861-1865)
Union servicemembers: 2,213,363
Confederate servicemembers: 600,000-1,500,000 (estimated)
Union deaths: 364,511
Confederate deaths: 133,821 (estimated)
Union wounded: 281,881
Confederate wounded: Unknown
Last veteran: John Salling, died in 1958 at age 112
Union servicemembers: 2,213,363
Confederate servicemembers: 600,000-1,500,000 (estimated)
Union deaths: 364,511
Confederate deaths: 133,821 (estimated)
Union wounded: 281,881
Confederate wounded: Unknown
Last veteran: John Salling, died in 1958 at age 112
Spanish-American War (1898-1902)
U.S. servicemembers: 306,760
Deaths: 2,446 (385 in battle)
Wounded: 1,662
Last veteran: Nathan E. Cook, died in 1992 at age 106
U.S. servicemembers: 306,760
Deaths: 2,446 (385 in battle)
Wounded: 1,662
Last veteran: Nathan E. Cook, died in 1992 at age 106
World War I (1917-1918)
U.S. servicemembers: 4,734,991
Deaths: 116,516 (53,402 in battle)
Wounded: 204,002
Last veteran: Frank Buckles, died in 2011 at age 110
U.S. servicemembers: 4,734,991
Deaths: 116,516 (53,402 in battle)
Wounded: 204,002
Last veteran: Frank Buckles, died in 2011 at age 110
World War II (1941-1945)
U.S. servicemembers: 16,112,566
Deaths: 405,399 (291,557 in battle)
Wounded: 670,846
Estimated living veterans: 1,711,000
U.S. servicemembers: 16,112,566
Deaths: 405,399 (291,557 in battle)
Wounded: 670,846
Estimated living veterans: 1,711,000
Korean War (1950-1953)
U.S. servicemembers: 5,720,000
Deaths: 54,246 (36,574 in theater)
Wounded: 103,284
Estimated living veterans: 2,275,000
U.S. servicemembers: 5,720,000
Deaths: 54,246 (36,574 in theater)
Wounded: 103,284
Estimated living veterans: 2,275,000
Vietnam War (1964-1975)
U.S. servicemembers: 8,744,000 (estimated 3,403,000 deployed)
Deaths: 90,220 (58,220 in theater)
Wounded: 153,303
Estimated living veterans: 7,391,000
U.S. servicemembers: 8,744,000 (estimated 3,403,000 deployed)
Deaths: 90,220 (58,220 in theater)
Wounded: 153,303
Estimated living veterans: 7,391,000
Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-1991)
U.S. servicemembers: 2,322,000 (694,550 deployed)
Deaths: 1,948 (383 in theater)
Wounded: 467
Estimated living veterans: 2,244,583 (2009 estimate, may include veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan)
U.S. servicemembers: 2,322,000 (694,550 deployed)
Deaths: 1,948 (383 in theater)
Wounded: 467
Estimated living veterans: 2,244,583 (2009 estimate, may include veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan)
Wow, it's really amazing how long some of those veterans lived. John Salling lived to be 112 years old. Thank you for such an interesting source of information.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome.
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