Final answer:
In the Vietnam War, which was extensively covered on television, the number of American lives lost was 58,000. This conflict is known for its significant impact on American society due to the real-time coverage of the war.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question relates to the Vietnam War, which is often referred to as America's first "living-room war", due to its extensive coverage on television. The correct answer to how many Americans lost their lives in this war is 58,000. This number is a significant part of the conflict's history and reflects the national concern and the impact the war had on American society, as the real-time media coverage brought the realities of the distant battlegrounds into American homes with unprecedented vividness.