Can anyone explain this sentence to me?
As a non-native English speaker with English as my secondary professional language, this is a challenge I can't resist
"Data presented at a conference in August revealed that 8.8 percent of the U.S. combat casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan died, either on the battlefield or later of wounds."
So either they died immediately or later?
They died. Some died immediately, some died later.
"80% of the time it works every time."
Translates to: 80% of the time it works. Plain and simple. The "every time" is superfluous and does not add anything but confusion.
Yes, the KISS principle absolutely applies to writing as well.
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