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Wounded in action (WIA) describes combatants who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during wartime, but have not been killed. Typically, it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight.<ref>iCasualties: Iraq Coalition Casualty Count Template:Webarchive. See the middle of the page to see info on the types of wounded.</ref> Generally, the Wounded in Action are far more numerous than those killed. Common combat injuries include second and third-degree burns, broken bones, shrapnel wounds, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, paralysis, loss of sight and hearing, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and limb loss.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
For the U.S. military, becoming WIA in combat generally results in subsequent conferral of the Purple Heart, because the purpose of the medal itself (one of the highest awards, military or civilian, officially given by the American government) is to recognize those killed, incapacitated, or wounded in battle.
NATO's definitionsEdit
Wounded in actionEdit
A battle casualty other than killed in action who has incurred an injury due to an external agent or cause. The term encompasses all kinds of wounds and other injuries incurred in action, whether there is a piercing of the body, as in a penetrating or perforated wound, or none, as in the contused wound; all fractures, burns, blast concussions, all effects of biological and chemical warfare, the effects of exposure to ionizing radiation or any other destructive weapon or agent.<ref name="nato.int">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref>
Died of wounds received in actionEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} A battle casualty who later dies of wounds or other injuries received in action, after having reached a medical treatment facility.<ref name="nato.int"/> In the United States the acronym used is DOW, while NATO uses DWRIA.