1.4 Million American Men have Died Defending Our Nation

CHICAGO, IL, May 25, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ — The National Coalition for Men (NCFM) Chicago chapter today launched a public awareness campaign during Memorial Day week to recognize the profound and disproportionate sacrifices made by American men in defense of the nation.

The campaign features billboards in the Chicago area as well as locations in Los Angeles and Lemon Grove, California, with the direct message: “1.4 Million American Men Have Died Defending Our Nation.”

Speaking at the press conference, Richard Procida, Master of Ceremonies and Opening Speaker, stated: “We are here to honor a truth too often overlooked — the scale of what American men, as a group, have given across our history. This is not about diminishing anyone else’s service. It is simply about telling the truth. Genuine equality requires honest accounting of the areas where men have borne heavier burdens.”

According to Department of Defense and historical records cited by the organization, approximately 1.4 million American service members have died in wars from the Revolutionary War to the present, the overwhelming majority of whom were men. In addition, an estimated 2.2 to 3 million men returned home with lifelong physical disabilities, while between 1.7 and 3.5 million have carried the invisible wounds of war, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Bill Ritchie, M.D., a general and forensic psychiatrist, U.S. Air Force veteran, and former VA clinician, addressed the lasting impact of trauma. He discussed advancements in treating PTSD, including EMDR therapy and the use of certain medications to reduce nightmares and symptoms, drawing from his experience treating active duty personnel and veterans.

Tim Goldich, President of the NCFM Chicago chapter, emphasized the historical reality of male disposability in warfare. “Women throughout history have been exempt from the battlefield,” Goldich noted. “When we frame military service solely as something women were excluded from, we overlook the larger truth: it has been overwhelmingly men who have been sent to endure the horrors of combat.” He pointed to statistics such as only eight women among the 58,220 U.S. deaths in Vietnam and women comprising roughly 2% of casualties in more recent conflicts despite higher participation rates.

Harry Crouch, National President of NCFM, highlighted ongoing issues of gender discrimination in the military context, particularly the Selective Service System, which still requires only men to register. NCFM has a pending Supreme Court case on this issue scheduled for conference. Crouch also discussed challenges faced by veterans, including a high-profile case involving Christian “Kit” Martin, a decorated Army veteran they believe was wrongfully convicted.

“This campaign is the beginning of a broader national effort,” Procida added. “We plan to expand nationally for Veterans Day in November.”

The National Coalition for Men, founded in 1977, works to end discrimination and harmful stereotypes against boys, men, and their families. For more information, go to NCFM.Org.

To donate to the NCFM Men’s Holiday Billboard campaign, visit: https://www.ncfmmembers.org/donate/cgi-bin/form.pl

ABOUT THE NATIONAL COALITION FOR MEN (NCFM):
Since 1977, NCFM has been committed to ending harmful discrimination and stereotypes against boys, men, their families, and the women who love them. We are a gender-inclusive, nonpartisan, ethnically diverse organization that affects civil rights reform through advocacy, education, outreach, services, and litigation.

Media Contact:
Tim Goldich
National Coalition for Men – Chicago Chapter
(773) 960-8159
tagoldich99@gmail.com

—
For the original version of this press release, please visit 24-7PressRelease.com here