Wounding Patterns of United States Marines and Sailors During Operation Iraqi Freedom: Major Combat Phase

Abstract

This investigation examined the wounds incurred by 279 U.S. Navy-Marine personnel (97% Marines and 3% Sailors) identified as wounded in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 23 through April 30, 2003. The goal was to assess the potential impact of each causative agent by comparing the differences in anatomical locations, types of injuries caused, and the medical specialists needed to treat the casualties. The overall average number of diagnoses per patient was 2.2, and the overall average number of anatomical locations was 1.6. The mechanism of injury category was classified into 7 major categories: small arms, explosive munitions, motor vehicle accidents, falls, weaponry accidents, and other/unknown. Explosive munitions and small arms accounted for approximately 3 out of 4 combat-related injuries. Upper and lower extremities accounted for approximately 70% of all injuries, a percentage consistent for battlefield injuries since World War II.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 13, 2004
Accession Number
ADA431686

Entities

People

  • Gregory J. Walker
  • James M. Zouris
  • Judy Dye
  • Michael R. Galarneau

Organizations

  • Naval Health Research Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Casualties
  • Combat Injuries
  • Disability Administration
  • Explosives
  • Health Services
  • Lower Extremity
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Motor Vehicles
  • Munitions
  • Second World War
  • Small Arms
  • Warfare
  • Wounds And Injuries

Readers

  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Rocket Propulsion.
  • Trauma or Military Medicine