U.S. soldiers each cost $400,000 annually

WASHINGTON, April 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Congressional Research Service reports it costs an average of $361,000 to put a soldier, Marine, airman or sailor in Iraq or in the region.

Costs have risen almost 20 percent in 2006, making it likely the expense per service member has topped $400,000, the Houston Chronicle reported.

World War II, in which the United States deployed 75 times as many troops as in Iraq, cost the nation about $20,400 per soldier, adjusted for inflation, researchers said.