U.S. Deaths in Iraq Not Fully Reported

By: Seth Porges On Wednesday and Thursday, newspapers around the country have reported that the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq following the official end of major combat has exceeded the number killed during the war.

This, however, continues the pervasive pattern of downplaying U.S. deaths from all causes in Iraq, many related to official duties and the stress of combat.

USA Today's report is typical: "the 115 American troops killed in combat in Iraq since May 1 -- the day Bush declared major combat operations over -- exceeds the 114 killed by hostile fire during the war itself." But these reports continue to ignore the total death count.

In fact, 218 troops have been killed since May 1 from all causes (nearly doubling the combat-only count), and a total of 139 before May 1. This includes suicides, drownings, and the many military vehicle accidents.

In addition, the toll of injured U.S. soldiers has now reached 2,084, including well over 1,000 since May 1. In his New York Times column Thursday, Thomas L. Friedman corrected his column of Oct. 23 when he cited a figure of 900 wounded in Iraq since May 1.