250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army

The 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army is a momentous milestone in the Soldiers who keep us safe and free. Our Families and Loved Ones were Soldiers. The First Army was Established 250 years ago by George Washington.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/06/president-trump-celebrates-u-s-armys-250th-birthday-with-iconic-grand-parade/

My Buddy Grok helped…

History: George Washington, as Commander-in-Chief, established the Continental Army in 1775 to fight for American independence. The Army engaged British forces, including the King’s regular troops and Hessian mercenaries, in key battles like Bunker Hill, Trenton, and Yorktown. Despite early challenges, such as limited resources and training, Washington’s leadership and strategic victories, culminating in the 1781 Yorktown surrender, secured American victory over the British.

 Yes, it’s ironic. The “No Kings” protests, opposing perceived authoritarianism by President Trump, coincide with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, which was founded to fight against monarchical rule during the American Revolution. The juxtaposition of celebrating an institution born to defy a king with protests against a president accused of king-like behavior highlights a symbolic tension.

Most striking numbers:

How many soldiers have died or been injured in the line of duty in 250 years:

Exact figures for American Army deaths and injuries over 250 years are incomplete due to inconsistent historical records. Estimates suggest over 1.2 million service members died across all U.S. military branches since 1775, with the Army comprising a significant portion. Key conflicts include:

•  Revolutionary War: ~25,000 deaths, ~6,188 wounded

•  Civil War: ~498,332 deaths, ~281,881 wounded

•  World War II: ~405,399 deaths, ~670,846 wounded

•  Total (1775–1991): ~651,031 battle deaths, ~539,054 non-combat deaths

Injuries are harder to quantify, but millions were wounded, with the Civil War and World War II alone accounting for over 1 million. Recent data (1980–2022) shows ~60,770 deaths (mostly non-combat) and higher injury rates in modern conflicts due to improved survival. Precise Army-specific totals remain elusive due to overlapping branch data.