Korean War Statistics
Moving the wounded
Personal note – The resources I have used throughout this Korean War project all vary in the total statistics; therefore I have been forced to give the readers the range [highest and lowest] or the only amount located.
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All the news fit to print, brings smiles
United States – of the 1,319,000 men that served – 33,629 to 54,246 were KIA – – 92,134 to 103,284 were WIA
Republic of Korea – 58,127 to 59,000 were KIA – – 175,743 were WIA and ~ 80,000 MIA
Great Britain – 1,109 were KIA – – 2,674 to 4,817 were WIA and 1,060 MIA
Canada – Of 25,000 who served – 516 were KIA and 1,042 were WIA
Australia – Of 17,000 served – 281 to 339 were KIA and 1, 050 were WIA
New Zealand – Of 3,794 who served – 33 were KIA – – 79 were WIA
Turkey – 717 to ~900 KIA – – 2,111 to 3,500 WIA and 168 MIA
South Africa – Of the 826 served – 28 were KIA – – 8 were MIA
Netherlands – 110 KIA
France – 300 were KIA or MIA
Philippines – 112 were KIA
Greece – 170 were KIA
Belgium – 100 were KIA
Thailand – 110 were KIA
Ethiopia – 120 KIA
Columbia – 140 were KIA
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The border road today
From Western resources – North Korea had 215,000 men KIA and 303,000 listed as WIA. Chinese troops were down as 400,000 as KIA and 486,000 as WIA.
From Chinese resources – North Korea suffered 290,000 KIA and China listed themselves as – 144,000 KIA – 340,000 WIA – 7,600 as MIA
Civilian casualties in both North and South Korea could only be estimated and those numbers ran from 400,000 to well into the millions.
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India had chosen not to participate in the fighting, but they did send the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance unit which was included in the 1st Commonwealth Division. The Indian Paratroop Battalion/315 Air Division were deployed later as part of the Custodial Forces sent to enforce the demilitarized zone.
374th’s Douglas C-124 Globemaster in Korea
The US Air Force 374th Troop Carrier Wing, throughout the war, performed air lifts and air drops; after the cease-fire, using the C-124 Globemaster, they moved the repatriated prisoners. By the end of the war, they had earned their 4th DUC.
Click on images to enlarge.
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Farewell Salutes – 
Samuel Applewhite III – Oakland, CA & Scottsdale, AZ; US Army, Korea
Vincente Blaz – Fairfax, VA; USMC (Ret.)
Donald Boyd – Boone, Iowa & Sun City, AZ; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Lawrence Hammar- Kerkeley, IL; US Army, WWII, PTO
Patrick A. Lindsay – born: Tipton, England, died: Village Point-Claire, Quebec; Royal Navy, WWII, HMS Brocklesby
Allan A.C. Riordan – Christchurch, NZ; RNZAF # 72855, WWII, Malaysia
Cyril Shaller – EauClaire, WI; US Navy, WWII
Albert Taylor (Burt) Taylor – Christchurch, NZ; NZEF # 290465
Joseph Vito – Chicago, IL; US Navy, WWII
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Posted on March 10, 2014, in Korean War, Uncategorized and tagged family history, History, India, Korea, Military, Military History, nostalgia, paratroopers, veterans, war. Bookmark the permalink. 71 Comments.
Pacific Paratrooper 
Is this the main Korean War page? Well I have been looking at many to your Korean War posts and your project looks well done G!
I also wanted to share a link for the page with the Korean War vet Robert Moss (the one I met last week and did a min interview) – I will post about later this month – but here is the page with the photo until I can get to the post;
And when I see Mr Moss again – I will give him your blog link- or show him right there on my pad or phone! And we will see what he thinks of the Korean War pages – 😉
Xxoo
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Korea’s flexing its muscles firing missiles. That guy is nutz and dangerous.
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YUP!!
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Greetings my friend, I had to check a few statistics, not to question your post, but just to get some idea of the overall commitment by Australia, 77,000 Aussies served and 339 Kia, that appears to be, with no disrespect, a small portion overall,I find 1216 Wia and captured 30.
The Kia figure seems small, but then I am comparing it to Vietnam figures.
Wonder what the outcome was of the 30 captured Aussies.
Great post.
Ian
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I would have to look into finding a list for the POWs. I went by what 5 different sources said on the figures, like I said, in some cases I had to give a range or estimate because of different reports. I’ll see what I can do.
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That was easy, Ian. Found a list that gives the name, rank, unit, date of capture and fate of the 30 men…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Australian_prisoners_of_war_in_the_Korean_War
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This gentleman might pop up on your next farewell salute: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9824147/Decorated-navy-veteran-dies
One of my goals for the rest of the month is to get caught up on your Korea series. I’ve been horribly behind on my reading!
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After reading “Cyclone”s story, I’ve decided to add it to one of the posts; I hope others watch the video and read his tale. I’ll be adding a link to your site as the contributor, so you might want to expect a few visitors. I was just into the N.Z. Herald 2 days ago, so I missed this – thanks for your contribution – that’s what I’ve been talking about – team work!!
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My pleasure, thank YOU for the wonderful resource you’ve created here. I’m glad he’ll get to be acknowledged by a few more people.
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Thank you so much for taking so much of your time to report on this war, though it probably wasn’t your original intention, I do appreciate it. I have learned so much because of your efforts.
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I greatly appreciate that comment Mrs P. It means a lot to know I’ve not only pleased a reader, but actually taught them something! Thanks!
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Thanks so much for the series, Gp. And for all of the work obviously put into it. –Curt
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Certainly my pleasure, Curt. I am just thrilled that so many enjoyed the posts, learning and remembering.
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“Turkey – 717 to ~900 KIA – – 2,111 to 3,500 WIA and 168 MIA”
This is interesting as I assumed that Turkey lost a lot more KIA as quite often they reportedly fought to the last man. Must be my memory playing games.
Whichever way we view it – needless loss of lives.
Damn the commies!
Pity the families.
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The Turkish troops were tough and did often refuse to back down – like you said they charged and continued fighting. A brave bunch to go in like that. I agree, Eric, the poor families.
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Part of the mind set that we had to stop the communist at all cost. Amazing that our friend in World War Two? became the enemy. And the enemy Japan became our friend.
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And in only 5 short years! This planet proves it has a lopsided orbit every day – doesn’t it! I can’t figure people out, Barry – can you?
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33,629 to 54,246 were KIA – for US why such a disparity and lack of accuracy?
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That’s what I asked myself – how could we NOT know who was there and how many came home – it’s beyond me, Carl. Thanks for coming by.
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GP, I appreciate you efforts. I learned much, that I didn’t know before. Especially, about futility, political interference, incompetence, and the list goes on. FYI, here’s the name of another Korean War Vet–86 year old Carroll Jordan, from Chickasaw, AL (near Mobile) died in January ’14 after his home was broken into by thieves and he was badly beaten. There’s more about this tragedy on the WKRG TV website.
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Thank you for your support and interaction during this series, Adam. I hope you continue to enjoy the Intermission Stories and return to WWII as well. I’ll look into That Mr. Jordon story.
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Very sobering information. It saddens me very much. Thank you for this series on the Korean war. I learned a lot as I am sure many others did. I appreciate your hard work.
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Thank you very much, Elaine. It makes me feel great to know people are still curious about this data.
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Yes there are many of us who do care.
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When I finally mustered the courage to actually visit the Wall, there were names. It is so sad and humbling to realize these men appear nameless… if not for good people like you, gpcox. Thank you so much…
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Seeing the names like that would making quite a blow; one minute they were numbers in a book and the next – you’re faced with the fact that they were real, flesh and blood men. I thank you for understanding what drives me; your loyalty to this site has been an inspiration.
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Don’t make my eye plumbing leak…
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Hey, Koji – some intermission stories and we go back to WWII, I expect you to be diligent and supply the link for the site on your father! Buck-up buddy, we have work to do!
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I think a lot of people are visual so we get more out of a graph or a listing in one place like this post. Seeing these statistics as well as seeing the memorial in DC forms an upsetting visual picture but one that is necessary to learn from. Thanks for a great series on the Korean War.
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Thank you, Maryann. It does become upfront and personal when you see statistics written under your country’s name.
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Thank you again for a great Korea series . Such tragic casualty numbers , and still we go on to the next war , and the next war ………. We humans have advanced in technology , including how to kill one another more efficiently , but not so much in getting along in this world with one another .( I almost wrote ” but not so much in humanity” , but maybe conflict is part of humanity .)
I am looking forward to future posts .
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Thank you, Dan – I’ll look forward to seeing you here and at your site!
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I tried not to read this post because I knew it would be depressing. And it was. Is. Good grief. I don’t know how we would have prevented this, though.
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You’re quite right, Jacqui. The incidents leading up to Korea started so long ago, I don’t think there would have been a way. Power, money and human error all rolled into one. Thank you for reading despite knowing how depressing it would be.
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Of course. We olders, we do what must be done, not what’s convenient. I bet you’re the same way.
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I try, Jacqui.
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Sobering to contemplate . . . and a little odd that military organizations would not know the exact numbers. Although, it might be how they classify personnel. Perhaps the numbers are all there, but in different listings.
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Quite possible or that they were collected at different times; there is always human error to contemplate as well. Thanks for reading.
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It is genuinely sad that so many lives are reduced to un-agreed upon statistics, isn’t it?
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Yes, Trapper. You would think each country knew how many were there and came home or didn’t – wouldn’t you?! Thanks for coming by.
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Whichever way you look at it, the losses are highly disturbing.
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So accurately phrased, Sarah. Thank you for coming by today.
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Perfect work, as always. One day perhaps, may we see your sweet face??
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No, for the same reason that there is no About page – NONE of this blog is about me, I am merely the researcher and voice behind the keyboard with a mission for keeping the memory of these men alive.
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Thank you.
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You do us all a favor in the education of us in the educational information you have been giving to us, thank you for doing this blog, you do great work.
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Thank you, Old and Grumpy. I appreciate you taking the time to read and become one of those who remember.
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Statistics in respect of those who died before their time. Necessary high impact stats from whichever angle you look. I guess that’s all there is without people like you keeping their memory alive.
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Thank you for that, Mike. I wish to have all the veterans remembered for their service.
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Interesting statistics GP. It’s a shame that that’s what the fallen become though 😦
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That is why I tried to mention names and units during the series – I knew the series would end with the heroes becoming numbers. A sad state of affairs. Thank you for being the loyal reader you are, Norma.
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Well you always made it interesting. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Norma. Are there more vacation photos for us on your site?
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More coming soon 🙂
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Terrific, I’ll be watching.
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The numbers hit hard when they are put together like that. And the figures don’t include those who suffered trauma and life long problems because of their war experiences.
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Very good point, Gallivanta. I’ve wondered if such statistics exist?
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They may keep them now but I am not sure about earlier years. I suppose they could be dug out via hospital records, but not all will have sought help.
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Absolutely mind boggling. I’ve made a real effort to give “statistics” perspective – each time my mind settles upon the numbers, my heart breaks as lives melt into numbers on a page. Thank you for all that you do in shaking my foundation to the core – the humanity you honour those figures with, gives their lives meaning 🙂
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Thank you, that was my intent.
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I haven’t commented in a while yet is was important you knew how valuable your conviction was, I hold your posts in the highest regard 🙂
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I can’t thank you enough. Just knowing you have read the post and share in remembering these brave men is enough thanks for me.
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I appreciate the fact you put those numbers from the highest to the lowest and not calculate an average.
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Thank you, who am I to judge how many there were? I’m only trying to figure out what the “experts” say about it all.
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The most cruel death in the Forgotten War was dying for your country in a foreign country, and being remembered as a statistic people can’t agree upon.
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Can you imagine? How could the numbers be so far off?
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This is why I wrote my comment. At least in a chess game you know how many pawns you lost…
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VERY well put!
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Thanks friend!
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