killed in action

killed while performing a military maneuver (generally pertaining to soldiers in a war)

Killed in action (or KIA) is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces by other hostile forces or by "friendly fire" during combat. The United States Department of Defense (DOD) says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to hostile attack. KIA's do not come from incidents such as accidental vehicle crashes, terrorism, or other "non-hostile" means. KIA can be applied both to front-line combat troops and to naval, air, and support troops.
See more at Wikipedia.org...

A battle casualty who is killed outright or who dies as a result of wounds or other injuries before reaching a medical treatment facility. See also battle casualty; died of wounds received in action; non- battle casualty. 1/12/79

Combattant tué sur le champ ou décédé des suites de ses blessures, ou d'autres atteintes, avant d'avoir rallié une formation médicale. Voir aussi décédé des suites de blessures de guerre; pertes hors combat; perte au combat. 1/12/79

UCCISO IN AZIONE. UCCISO IN COMBATTIMENTO