A Deadly Month for U.S. Troops

American combat deaths in Iraq rose to 74 for August, the highest monthly total since November, according to Pentagon figures.

The total included the deaths of three soldiers announced Wednesday: one hit Wednesday by a roadside bomb near Samarra, a second struck by a roadside bomb Tuesday near Iskandariya and one slain by hostile fire Saturday while on patrol near Tall Afar.

They were not immediately identified.

There also were nine noncombat deaths during the month, the Pentagon said.

By either measure -- combat deaths or total deaths -- August was one of the worst months for U.S. troops since the invasion in March 2003. Only two months had more combat deaths: November 2004, with 125, and April 2004, with 126.

Aug. 3 was the deadliest day of the month for U.S. troops. That day, 14 Marine reservists from Ohio were killed when their amphibious assault vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb in western Iraq.

The total U.S. death toll since the start of the war is about 1,880.

There are about 138,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, and U.S. officials say they probably will increase the number temporarily to about 160,000 to provide extra security during an October referendum and a Dec. 15 national election.