Are those soldiers who are killed or injured whilst fighting illegally in Iraq and afghanistan?
For those whose death is as a result of hostile actions and occurred in a designated combat operation or combat zone or while training for combat or performing hazardous duty, the payment is $100,000. The death gratuity payment is made to survivors of the deceased in this order: In addition, if the soldier pays into what is known as Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI). The SGLI payment is $400,000 unless the member elected a lesser amount or declined coverage in writing. So yes, they get paid for fighting in what you call an illegal war. Far cry from what they paid us in Vietnam, just $10,000, but back then we were worth far less then today.