Red Cross History - Supporting Our Nation’s Military

Wednesday, July 24, 2019 — The American Red Cross has been helping members of our country’s armed forces, our veterans and civilians for more than a century. Today the Red Cross provides about 422,000 services to members of the military and veterans every year.

From the Spanish-American War to the recent conflicts in the Middle East, the Red Cross has served alongside America’s military personnel and cared for veterans and families back home. During the Spanish-American War Red Cross President Clara Barton recruited nurses across the country to help the Army at medical camps in Florida and Cuba. 

During World War I, Red Cross employees and volunteers provided medical and recreational services for the military at home and abroad and established a Home Service Program to help military families. Eighteen thousand Red Cross nurses provided much of the medical care for the American military during World War I, and 4,800 Red Cross ambulance drivers provided first aid on the front lines. During World War I, 296 American Red Cross nurses and 127 American Red Cross ambulance drivers died in service to humanity.

In World War II, more than 104,000 nurses recruited by the American Red Cross served in military hospitals at home and overseas. Red Cross employees and volunteers provided emergency message services. Twenty-seven million Red Cross packages were distributed to American and Allied prisoners of war, and staff and volunteers helped out in rest and recreation areas in the field and at military hospitals, hospital ships and trains. The Red Cross blood donor project added a new dimension to Red Cross services and collected 13.3 million units of blood for American servicemen. 78 Red Cross workers died while serving overseas during World War II.

During the Korean Conflict, Red Cross services grew. The blood program for the military was expanded.  The emergency mobile recreation service served not only American troops, but all United Nations forces.  Red Cross provided emergency communications from family members, a “first call home” program for the wounded and stationery so wounded service members could write home. When the 1953 armistice was signed, the American and Korean Red Cross ensured the transfer of nearly 90,000 prisoners of war. Two Red Cross workers gave their lives in service during the Korean Conflict. Red Cross staff is in South Korea today and has been serving continuously since 1953, providing emergency communications to members of the military and their families.

In 1962, the Red Cross sent its first field staff to Vietnam to assist the growing number of service members at various bases and hospitals. At the height of its involvement, 480 American Red Cross field directors, hospital personnel and recreation workers served throughout Southeast Asia. Red Cross workers brought recreation to an average of 280,500 service members each month. They logged more than 2 million miles in jeeps, trucks and helicopters during the program's seven-year history. Five Red Cross staff members gave their lives and many others were injured as they helped service members in Vietnam.

During Operation Desert Shield, Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) staff carried 215,000 emergency messages to and from the troops. Back home, American Red Cross employees and volunteers aided more than 4,700 service members and their families with $1.72 million in emergency financial assistance and other services. In fulfilling their duties in the Persian Gulf area, seven American Red Cross workers received the Bronze Star for meritorious service.

Today, Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces volunteers provide comfort and critical services on military bases and in military hospitals around the world. They support military families during deployments and emergencies. And they serve our nation’s veterans after their service ends. Find out more about how the Red Cross supports our country’s military, veterans and their families here.