United States Military Battle Streamers

usmc StreamersBattle Streamers are symbols of the dedicated service and often heroic deeds of men and women throughout history beginning with the Revolutionary War in 1775 and continuing through the present day War on Terrorism being fought in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Battle Streamers commemorate this service and are a tribute to the many gallant participants in our quest to retain our cherished freedoms for a grateful nation. The use of Battle Streamers began in antiquity when various emblems were carried into combat. Sacred objects were placed at the tops of poles, and then adorned with Streamers.


America's Wars


This list represents the number of active service members who participated in our various wars and the numbers of those killed in action but it doesn't include the many others who died of their injuries after the conflict.  It also does not include civilian support workers and innocent bystanders who lost their lives during the battle, or who died subsequently of their wounds.

War
American Revolution
(1775-1783)

War of 1812
(1812-1815)

Indian Wars
(About 1817-1898)

Mexican War
(1846-1848)

Civil War
(1861-1865)
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more information



Spanish-American War
(1898-1902)

World War I
(1917-1918)

World War II
(1940-1945)

Korean War
(1950-1953)

Vietnam War
(1964-1975)

Gulf War
(1990-1991)
Service members
184,000 to 250,000


286,730


106,000


78,718


2,213,363
(Union)
600,000 to 1,500,000
(Confederate)


306,760


4,734,991


16,112,566


5,720,000


9,200,000


2,322,223
Battle deaths
4,435


2,260


1,000


1,733


140,414
(Union)
74,524
(Confederate)


385


53,402


291,557


33,686,


47,410


147