America's Wars: The 20th and 21st Centuries

World War I

Dates: 1914 - 1918 Where: The Atlantic Ocean and Europe How It Ended: Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. American Battle Deaths: 53,402 (approx.)

World War II

Dates: 1939 - 1945 Where: Europe, North Africa, Asia, Australia, and Pacific islands including Hawaii, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans How It Ended: Japan was the last Axis power to surrender on August 14, 1945, after the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki American Battle Deaths: 291,557 (approx.)

Korean War

Dates: 1950 - 1953 Where: North and South Korea How It Ended: The war reached a stalemate in June 1951. An armistice was finally reached on July 27, 1953. American Battle Deaths: 33,741 (approx.)

Vietnam War

Dates: 1954 - 1975 Where: Southeast Asia How It Ended: The U.S. withdrew after a ceasefire in 1973. American Battle Deaths: 47,424 (approx.)

Persian Gulf War

Dates: August 1990 - April 1991 Where: Iraq and Kuwait How It Ended: After a four-day ground war, an American-led coalition declared victory. A cease-fire agreement was signed on April 9, 1991. American Battle Deaths: 147 (approx.)

Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan

Dates: Oct. 7, 2001 (War begins with U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan, after the terrorist attacks against the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. Approximately 3,000 civilians and members of the military died as a result of the attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.) - Conflict continues... Where: An effort to combat terrorism world-wide begins in Afghanistan. American Deaths in Afghanistan: more than 670 as of April 30, 2009

Iraq War

Dates: March 19, 2003 - Conflict continues... Where: Iraq American Deaths: more than 4,250 as of April 30, 2009