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MONEY

What were the 13 most expensive wars in U.S. history?

24/7 Wall Street
June 13, 2019, 6:00 a.m. ET
With the recent commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we are reminded once again of the human cost of freedom and liberty. While some attempt to rank wars by the number of casualties, others would consider the social, environmental, and political upheaval that comes with sustained conflict. And of course, there is always the financial cost.
With the recent commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we are reminded once again of the human cost of freedom and liberty. While some attempt to rank wars by the number of casualties, others would consider the social, environmental, and political upheaval that comes with sustained conflict. And of course, there is always the financial cost. 
Arlo K. Abrahamson / U.S. Navy / Getty Images
13. War of 1812 • U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $1.78 billion • Duration: 2 years, 8 months • U.S. military deaths: 15,000
13. War of 1812
• U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $1.78 billion
• Duration: 2 years, 8 months
• U.S. military deaths: 15,000
Traveler1116 / Getty Images
12. Mexican-American War • U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $2.72 billion • Duration: 1 year, 9 months • U.S. military deaths: 13,283
12. Mexican-American War
• U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $2.72 billion
• Duration: 1 year, 9 months
• U.S. military deaths: 13,283
Traveler1116 / Getty Images
11. American Revolution • U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $2.75 billion • Duration: 8 years, 5 months • U.S. military deaths: 4,435
11. American Revolution
• U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $2.75 billion
• Duration: 8 years, 5 months
• U.S. military deaths: 4,435
The Metropolitan Museum Of Modern Art / Wikimedia Commons
10. Spanish-American War • U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $10.33 billion • Duration: 4 months • U.S. military deaths: 2,446
10. Spanish-American War
• U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $10.33 billion
• Duration: 4 months
• U.S. military deaths: 2,446
Traveler1116 / Getty Images
9. American Civil War (Confederacy) • U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $22.99 billion • Duration: 4 years • U.S. military deaths: 750,000 (North and South)
9. American Civil War (Confederacy)
• U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $22.99 billion
• Duration: 4 years
• U.S. military deaths: 750,000 (North and South)
DoxaDigital / IStock
8. American Civil War (Union) • U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $68.17 billion • Duration: 4 years • U.S. military deaths: 750,000 (North and South)
8. American Civil War (Union)
• U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $68.17 billion
• Duration: 4 years
• U.S. military deaths: 750,000 (North and South)
U.S. National Archives And Records Administration / Wikimedia Commons
7. Persian Gulf War • U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $116.6 billion • Duration: 7 months • U.S. military deaths: 383
7. Persian Gulf War
• U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $116.6 billion
• Duration: 7 months
• U.S. military deaths: 383
Karenfoleyphotography / Getty Images
6. World War I • U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $381.8 billion • Duration: 1 year, 7 months • U.S. military deaths: 116,516
6. World War I
• U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $381.8 billion
• Duration: 1 year, 7 months
• U.S. military deaths: 116,516
Photos.com / Getty Images
5. Korean War • U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $389.81 billion • Duration: 3 years, 1 month • U.S. military deaths: 36,574
5. Korean War
• U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $389.81 billion
• Duration: 3 years, 1 month
• U.S. military deaths: 36,574
Work Of U.S. Soldier / Wikimedia Commons
4. Vietnam War • U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $843.63 billion • Duration: 17 years, 9 months • U.S. military deaths: 58,220
4. Vietnam War
• U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $843.63 billion
• Duration: 17 years, 9 months
• U.S. military deaths: 58,220
Creative Commons / Pixabay
3. War in Afghanistan • U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $910.47 billion • Duration: Since 2001 • U.S. military deaths: 2,285
3. War in Afghanistan
• U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $910.47 billion
• Duration: Since 2001
• U.S. military deaths: 2,285
Scott Olson / Getty Images
2. Iraq War • U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $1.01 trillion • Duration: 7 years, 5 months • U.S. military deaths: 4,410
2. Iraq War
• U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $1.01 trillion
• Duration: 7 years, 5 months
• U.S. military deaths: 4,410
Chief Mass Communication Specialist Michael B. W. Watkins / Getty Images
1. World War II • U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $4.69 trillion • Duration: 3 years, 9 months • U.S. military deaths: 405,399
1. World War II
• U.S. war spending (2019 dollars): $4.69 trillion
• Duration: 3 years, 9 months
• U.S. military deaths: 405,399
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
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