By the Numbers: Memorial Day

Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It originated following the Civil War and first known as Decoration Day, it didn’t become an official holiday until 1971.

58,315

Number of U.S. troops killed in Vietnam

23.1

Average age of U.S. troops killed in Vietnam

61

Percent who were 21 or younger

17,539

Number that were married

11,465

Number that were younger than 20 years old

2,356

Number of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan

4,497

Number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq

26

Average age of U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan

Sources:  New York Times; Military Times; USWings.com; National Archives

Compiled by Myles Dannhausen Jr.