Where was the worst defeat in the US military history?

Answer 1

The Battle of Chosin Reservoir, the Chinese effectively ended UN (US) occupation of North Korea.

AnswerPearl Harbor AnswerActually, I would disagree. A strong case can be made that this distinction belongs to the Battle of Kasserine Pass, fought in western Tunisia from February 19-25, 1943. It was the first major engagement between the US Army and the Wehrmacht (the German army). Our relatively hastily trained, inexperienced troops led by an incompetent and arguably imbalanced commander faced what was then considered the best army and tank corps in the world, under the command of Erwin Rommel. The most dramatic event of the battle was a feigned retreat by the German Panzers, leading the US tanks into a kill zone with huge numbers of anti-tank guns ready and waiting. The American tank force was essentially annhialated. Without any significant numbers of Tanks, our forces were severely disadvantaged, and the battle would ultimately cost more than 6,500 American lives.

Yet our cosliest battles overall were actually victories. For Example, nearly 12,000 dead on Okinawa. ~26,000 dead during the Battle of the Meuse-Argonne, the 1918 engagement that effectively ended WW I.

AnswerI agree with the second part of this answer. Granted, Pearl Harbor was a horrible day for the Americans, but the major battle fought in North Africa was an even more severe loss for the United States military. Our inexperienced and ill- equipped troops were pummeled by the Germans who were under the command of Erwin Rommel. This German general was commonly referred to as " The desert fox" due to his excellent tactics when it came to desert warfare. In addition to having an outstanding general, the Germans were experienced, well trained and rolling in resources. AnswerThere are many ways of qualifying "the worst," but I would say the fall of Bataan in 1942. A US-Filipino army of 75,000 was forced to surrender, and a large number of them never saw home again. AnswerI disagree with all of these. Size of force or number of deaths does not necessarily equate to "worst" - the question is not "what was the largest defeat" nor was it "what was the defeat with the most casualties". As such, I would suggest that the worst defeat in US Military history was the Battle of Little Big Horn, or "Custer's Last Stand" - a hastily decided attack by Custer left his troops ripe for the picking by the Soux and Apache warriors. Due to lack of planning, unfamiliar terrain and a disorganized battle plan, Custer and his troops suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of modestly armed native Americans. In terms of embarrassment and scale of defeat in context, this was the worst defeat in US Military History - especially when one considers that it was at the hands of a non-military rag-tag group of native Americans who were loosely associated by their desperation to survive. A trained and organized unit of soldiers led by a civil war hero met defeat in the most humiliating manner imaginable.

Answer 2

There are two battles that might meet that criteria. Both occurred in WWII. 1. The 1942 "Battle of the Philippines", in which US Army General Wainwright surrendered the largest US military force in our history to the enemy. He, amongst his men, becoming POW's. 2. The "Battle of Savo Island", in which the US Navy lost three heavy cruisers in a surface action, with no losses to the enemy.

Answer 3

this is the topic of a large debate, most people say it was the Vietnam War. The US had to withdraw from their attempts to stop communism from spreading due to heavy losses. all in all it was an epic fail

Answer 4

The worst American defeat during the American Revolutionary War came at the Battle of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. The battle began on March 29 and ended on May 12, 1780.

Answer 5

dont QUITE know what your talking about but the most shamful defeat in american history was Vietnam

Answer 6

Vietnam..