Jason Y

Depends on where you take the figures. Add up all the wars figures you listed and the civil war figures. In terms of military deaths the civil war is slightly below all other wars combined.( 679,000 all other wars and 624,511 civil war ).Quite a high number of pure military deaths for one war compared to all others in USA history. However, the civil war was fought on american soil. Their were over 10,000 different battles in the USA. Their are more then just Union and Confederate dead in the regular armies to count... Do you not think civilians died during the battle for Vicksburg , Atlanta, or Nashville? . Additionally , remember that many battles were fought with irregular troops that do not count in total Confederate figures

That is why the common postion is that the American Civil War produced more American dead then all other american wars combined.

The numbers I pulled were American soldier deaths officially recorded. But if you also count American citizen deaths then you are probably correct. But if you count any and all civilian deaths, then World War II is by far the worst. Think of the all the Jews, Russian civilians, and European civilians killed.  We are talking millions there.....

Good point Chuck. one of the things that many forget is that with a volunteer military, we have a much more professional military. The old two year conscription system may have worked when all you needed was cannon fodder. Our modern forces are much more complex and require more extensive training,and that takes time. We can not field a modern force without longer enlistments and a good retention rate. We have the best military in the world and the best in our history. I just hope that we don't gut it in the name of political expedience.