killed in action
Died while fighting
Killed in action describes a military service member who died during combat or as a direct result of hostile action.
The phrase is often abbreviated KIA in military communications and casualty reports: Three soldiers were killed in action during the ambush.
The designation affects benefits and honors accorded to the deceased and their families.
- casualtyPerson harmed in disaster
- fatalityDeath from accident
- Civil WarCountrymen fighting countrymen
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- cenotaphTomb without a body
next of kin · gold star family · death certificate · KIA · fallen soldier · bereavement · dog tags · ultimate sacrifice · body bag · tombstone · sacrifice · mourning · honor roll · in memoriam · obituary · grief · remembrance · World War I
- war casualtiescasualties, war casualties, war dead, fallen soldiers, fallen soldier
- warfarebattle, combat, attack, war, armed conflict
- military honorsMedal of Honor, Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Navy Cross
- military relationshipsally, enemy, comrade, commander, subordinate
- military statusenlisted, retired, deployed, veteran, reservist
- war memorialswar memorial, war monuments, war memorials, military cemeteries, veterans memorials
killed in actionwounded in action
Hurt during combat operations
missing in action · prisoner of war · captured · MIA · POW
kill, action, active, killing, killer, actions, killed, activate, interact