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THE AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS
CLASSIFICATION AND CODIFICATION
OF
REGULATIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
OF AWARDS FOR SERVICE
WORLD WAR II
Office of Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards
National Headquarters
February 1946
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
DESIGNATION OF AUTHORITY OF:
Central Committee
3
National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms,
4
and Awards
Office of Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards
7
GENERAL AUTHORIZATION OF WORLD WAR II AWARDS
8
DETAILED LIST OF WORLD WAR II AWARDS
Certificates
10
Pins and Buttons
19
Ribbon Bars
24
Sleeve Bars and Chevrons
41
Medals
49
DOCUMENTARY APPENDIX
1
CENTRAL COMMITTEE
3.
CENTRAL COMMITTEE
Reservation of Authority
The following recommendation contained in the report of the
Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards of November 13, 1944 (see
Appendix, page 1) was approved by the Central Committee at its meeting
of November 13, 1944:
That the adoption and production of Red Cross
insignia for all purposes is the sole responsibil-
ity of the Central Committee; Chapters and all
Services to be notified to that effect and advis-
ed to make their needs known to the national
organization, and that no action be taken on their
own account.
The Central Committee at its meeting of June 18, 1945 re-
affirmed the following action concerning insignia which was approved
at its meeting November 13, 1944:
That the adoption and production of Red Cross
insignia for all purposes is the sole respon-
sibility of the Central Committee; Chapters and
all Services to be notified to that effect and
advised to make their needs be known to the na-
tional organization, and that no action be taken
on their own account.
The Committee directed that further notice of this policy be
sent to all chapters with instructions that they are to discontinue the
issuance of any insignia, except that authorized by the Central Committee.
(This directive was given effect by NHQ 68 dated July 24, 1945,
which directed that thereafter no Service or Office or any representative
thereof was authorized to approve (1) new insignia, (2) changes in exist-
ing insignia, or (3) discontinuance of insignia now in use.)
NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON
INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AWARDS
4.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS
Central Committee Action of:
December 3, 1918:
Committee on Awards was appointed to make awards of
medals and certificates in recognition of Red Cross
service throughout the entire organization, at home
and abroad. The committee originally consisted of
Mr. Douglas Stewart, Chairman, Mrs. Belmont, Mrs.
Draper and Mr. Walling. On April 12, 1919 Mr. H. J.
Hughes became a member in place of Mr. Stewart who
had severed his connection with the Red Cross. On
June 27, 1919, Mr. Eliot Wadsworth was appointed to
the committee to increase its membership to five.
Mr. McClintock was secretary for this committee.
The committee did not go out of existence until
November 25, 1929 although it was inactive from
1921 until it was dissolved. Its primary function
was to make awards of certificates, badges, and medals
for World War I service.
November 15, 1940:
Committee consisting of Mrs. Belmont, Miss Boardman,
and Mr. Fortune was appointed to consider the question
of some appropriate form of national recognition for
those who had rendered long and distinguished service
to the Red Cross, particularly in the chapters.
September 14, 1942:
A new committee to be known as the Committee on
Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, was appointed to act
on broader questions of Red Cross insignia, uniforms,
and awards. Its five members were to be appointed
by the Chairman. (A staff committee was also to be
appointed to work with this committee.) The Committee
on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards was to pass upon
and approve designs for all Red Cross insignia and
uniforms, to prescribe the rules and regulations for
the issuance and use of all Red Cross insignia and
uniforms in accord with existing policies and proced-
ures of the Central Committee, and recommend to
the Central Committee such changes in general policies
and procedures with reference to insignia, uniforms,
and awards as might, from time to time, be deemed
wise and necessary.
January 11, 1943:
The following members of the Committee on Insignia,
Uniforms, and Awards were appointed by the Chairman:
Mrs. Dwight F. Davis, Chairman, Mrs. August Belmont,
Mr. James B. Forgan, Mr. Charles H. Kellstadt, and
Mr. Lloyd B. Wilson.
5.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS
(continued)
August 14, 1944:
The Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards,
authorized September 14, 1942 now consisted of the
following members: Mrs. Belmont, Chairman, Mr. Forgan,
and Mr. Kellstadt.
April 9, 1945:
Mrs. William 0. Rowland, Jr. was announced as the new
chairman of the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and
Awards.
May 1, 1945:
A reorganized National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms,
and Awards, combining the membership of the Central
Committee subcommittee and the staff committee, was
recommended by Mrs. Rowland and approved by the Chair-
man. The Chairman named the following members: Mrs.
William O. Rowland, Jr., Chairman, Mrs. Dwight F. Davis,
Mrs. Mason Colt, Mr. James B. Forgan, Mrs. Richard M.
Bissell, Mr. Charles H. Kellstadt, Mrs. Archibald MacLeish,
Miss Virginia M. Dunbar, Mr. Harold L. Houle, Mr. Walter
Davidson, Secretary.
June 18, 1945:
The Central Committee approved the report of the National
Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards of June 15,
1945, in which were given the names of the members (as
listed above) of the committee following its reorganization
of May 1, 1945.
October 8, 1945:
The committee now consisted of nine members, five from
the Central Committee: Mrs. William O. Rowland, Jr.
Chairman, Mrs. Mason Colt, Mrs. Bwight F. Davis, Mr.
James B. Forgan, Mr. Charles H. Kellstadt: and four
representing the services at national headquarters:
Miss Virginia M. Dunbar, Mrs. Joe Hume Gardner, Mr.
Harold Houle, and Mr. Chester H. Whelden, Jr. In addi-
tion a staff member, Mrs. Margaret L. Van Houten was
secretary of the committee.
With the additional powers granted to it on this date,
the National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards
now has the authority to pass upon and approve designs
for all Red Cross insignia and uniforms; prescribe the
rules and regulations for the issuance and use of all
Red Cross insignia and uniforms in accord with the pol-
icies and procedures authorized by the Central Committee;
recommend to the Central Committee such changes in
general policies and procedures with reference to
6.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS
(continued)
insignia, uniforms, and awards as may from time to time
be deemed wise and necessary; to fix and from time to
time amend the prices to be charged for such pins,
buttons, and other insignia as are to be sold to those
entitled to receive them; and to select the materials
and approve the designs for authorized American Red
Cross insignia.
February 18, 1946:
The Committee now consists of the following members:
Mrs. William 0. Rowland, Jr., Chairman, Mrs. Mason Colt,
Mr. James B. Forgan, Mr. Charles H. Kellstadt, Mrs. Joe
Hume Gardner, Mr. Harold Houle, and Mr. Chester H. Whelden,
Jr.
OFFICE OF INSIGNIA
UNIFORMS AND AWARDS
7.
OFFICE OF INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS
The Office of Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards was, by direction
of the Chairman, delegated the administration of approved policies and
regulations on insignia, uniforms, and awards, and is to be maintained as
a general service for the benefit of the entire organization.1
Within this authority, the Office maintains a codified record
of all policy decisions, regulations, and instructions on the form and
use of insignia, uniforms, and awards, and provides information concern-
ing them to all Services and Offices. On inquiry or on its own initiative
the Office interprets and applies regulations and instructions on eligibil-
ity for and the use of all insignia, uniforms, and awards and recommends
changes in policy or in rules and procedures governing their use. The
Office, upon request, reviews and discusses all suggestions for changes
in regulations or instructions, or for the adoption or discontinuance or
modification of insignia, uniforms, and awards, and recommends appropriate
action thereon; suggests procedures or other means for controlling or
correcting reported misuse of insignia or uniforms; and handles all inquiries
concerning them received from persons or agencies outside of the organ-
ization. The Office directs the development of samples or reproductions
of designs, styles, or format of insignia, uniforms, and awards; approves
all requisitions for the procurement thereof; and issues from time to
time, as necessary, specific regulations affecting their approval, pro-
curement, issuance, and use.
1. DO 10, Supplement No. 12, September 5, 1945.
GENERAL AUTHORIZATION
WORLD WAR II AWARDS
8.
AUTHORIZATION FOR AWARDS
Central Committee, September 18, 1944
The general authorization of awards for World War II service
was given by the following votes of the Central Committee at its meet-
ing of September 18, 1944:
That special medals or awards not be issued in
recognition of special service in the present war.
That the Central Committee hereby authorizes the
Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards to
design and select suitable certificates and in-
signia to be issued in recognition of service
rendered to the Red Cross during this war, includ-
ing the personnel of the National Organization and
the Chapters, and the citizens of foreign countries
who have served in American Red Cross operations
abroad; and to recommend to the Central Committee
the rules and regulations for the issuance of such
certificates and insignia.
LIST OF
WORLD WAR II AWARDS
9.
LIST OF WORLD WAR II AWARDS
Each item below is treated under the following sub-headings:
Action of Central Committee
Action of National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards
Official Interpretations
Administrative Precedents and Rulings
Eligibility
Origin
Identification
Page
CERTIFICATES
For Members of National Staff (Domestic)
10
For Workers in Chapters
10
For Members of National Staff (Overseas)
10
For Foreigners serving American Red Cross Abroad
11
PINS AND BUTTONS
For Members of National Staff (Domestic) and
Workers in Chapters
19
For Members of National Staff (Overseas)
19
RIBBON BARS
Volunteer Service Ribbon Bars
24
Theatre Ribbon Bars for American Red Cross Personnel Overseas
31
Ribbon Bars for Foreigners
36
SLEEVE BARS AND CHEVRONS
Silver Bars for Overseas Service
41
Red Bars and Chevrons for Domestic Service
45
MEDALS
Bronze
49
Silver
53
CERTIFICATES
10.
CERTIFICATES
Action of Central Committee
In accordance with the authorization given to it by the vote of
the Central Committee at its meeting of September 18, 1944 (see page 8),
the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards submitted a report dated
November 13, 1944 which detailed the plan for certificates and insignia
and recommended the rules and regulations for their issuance (see Appendix,
page 1). This report was approved by the vote of the Central Committee at
its meeting of November 13, 1944:
That the report of the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms,
and Awards, dated November 13, 1944 be, and it is hereby
accepted and the recommendations therein are approved.
The Central Committee at its meeting of October 8, 1945 approved
the following revised statement on eligibility to be substituted for Section
III as it appeared in the report dated November 13, 1944:
Section III. That certificates be issued to volunteers
and paid workers as follows:
1. Volunteers:
(a) Each person who within the war period,
January 1, 1940 to the official close
of the war, has given 200 hours or more
in organized volunteer service, which
service has been rendered overseas.
(b) Each person who, within the same period,
has given 200 hours or more in organized
volunteer service, which service has been
rendered in the continental United States.
2. Staff Members:
(a) Each person who within the same period has
been employed by the National Organization
or a Chapter and has served overseas for
a period of 12 months or more and has given
satisfactory service.
(b) Each person who within the same period has
been employed by the National Organization
or a Chapter and has served in the conti-
nental United States for a period of 12
months or more, and has given satisfactory
service.
11.
CERTIFICATES
Action of Central Committee (continued)
3. Provision for Special Service:
Each person who has given effective
service of special significance of
less than 200 hours or twelve months
as volunteer or paid worker respect-
tively shall receive a certificate on
the approval of the Executive Committee
of the chapter or appropriate represent-
ative of the national organization.
(Citizens of foreign countries who have served in American Red
Cross operations abroad may, in accordance with the Central Committee author-
ization of September 19, 1944, qualify for certificates under any of the three
provisions stated above.)
The Central Committee at its meeting on November 13, 1944,
approved the following recommendation submitted, in its report of the
same date, by the National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards:
That certificates to be issued to workers on the
national staff and in chapters and to the citizens
of foreign countries who have served in American
Red Cross operations abroad be printed in two
colors on heavy weight paper, size approximately
8½" by 11" bearing the following inscriptions and
signatures, with the Red Cross emblem at the head:
(For inscriptions and signatures herein mentioned, see Appendix, page 1)
12.
CERTIFICATES
Action of Central Committee (continued)
Junior Red Cross
The Central Committee at its meeting on October 8, 1945,
approved the following recommendation from the report of the National
Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, dated October 5, 1945:
Your Committee submits for your consideration
a resolution concerning the position of the
Central Committee with respect to the issuance
of certificates for services in World War II
to members of the Junior Red Cross.
A question has arisen as to the intention of the
Central Committee with respect to issuing certif-
icates for service during the war to members of the
American Junior Red Cross. The report of the
Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, approved
by the Central Committee on November 13, 1944, pro-
vided that each person who had given 200 hours or more
of volunteer service should receive a certificate,
without specifically including or excluding members
of the Junior Red Cross.
The national director of Junior Red Cross has
advanced reasons for confining the issuance of these
certificates to adults (copy of his statement attached).
To make the intention of the Central Committee clear
in this respect, it is recommended that the following
resolution be adopted:
The American National Red Cross is sincere
in its appreciation and commendation of the
extensive work and valuable service performed
by the Junior Red Cross during the Second
World War. Since the measurement of Junior
Red Cross service in hours, however, has
never been imposed upon the schools, and
since the majority of Junior Red Cross services
are rendered in the schools, no certificates
for service during World War II shall be issued
to Junior Red Cross workers.
13.
CERTIFICATES
Action of Central Committee (continued)
Prisoner of War Packaging Centers
Blood Donor Centers
The Central Committee at its meeting on June 18, 1945, authorized
the following with respect to the recommendation quoted below from the
report of the National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, dated
June 15, 1945:
The certificate recommended by the former Committee
on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards for distribution
to volunteers who have served two hundred hours more
or less since January 1, 1940, it was decided will
be issued to those who have completed their service
in Prisoner of War Food Packing Centers and in Blood
Donor Centers.
Certificates in recognition of domestic wartime service (Form 1867) were
made up in July 1945, specially inscribed, for workers in Prisoners of
War Packaging Centers who had served the required length of time. Workers
in Blood Donor Centers did not receive specially inscribed certificates,
but, upon completion of the required hours of service, became eligible
for a certificate (Form 1867).
14.
CERTIFICATES
Official Interpretations
The following interpretations by the Chairman govern the issuance
of certificates:
In connection with the awarding of certificates
and insignia for (1) national staff workers serving over-
seas, (2) the national staff serving in the United States
and the workers in chapters, and (3) foreign workers asso-
ciated with the American Red Cross operations abroad, the
Chairman has ruled that any volunteer is, for this partic-
ular purpose, a member of an American Red Cross organized
volunteer service.
The Chairman also has ruled that all workers
otherwise qualified for a certificate of wartime service
and not separated from. the service for prejudice will be
presumed to have rendered the kind of service referred to
in the particular certificate. Unless this presumption
is affirmatively rebutted the certificate will be issued. 1
Certificates or insignia to be awarded to the
national staff for less than 200 hours or 12 months on
the basis of "effective service of special significance"
must be approved by the National Chairman.
The following statement covers the interpretation of the National
Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, regarding the period covering
eligibility for certificates:
January 1, 1940 was fixed arbitrarily because it marked
the first year in which the American Red Cross began
in any volume to engage in foreign war relief. Some work
was done between September 1, and December 31, 1939, but
on the whole it was only preliminary to the big under-
takings of 1940 and 1941
the American Red Cross
will be governed by the Government's announcement of the
"official close of the War. 112
1. Memorandum, James T. Nicholson to Dr. Harry A. Wann, September 21, 1945.
2. Memorandum, Walter Davidson to Mrs. Margaret L. Van Houten, August 28, 1945.
15.
CERTIFICATES
Administrative Precedents and Rulings
In respect to provision for the award of certificates on the
basis of effective service of special significance (see page 11), re-
commendations for the award of certificates for this type of service
must have the approval of the Chairman in the case of the national staff,
or of the executive committee of a chapter for chapter workers. Cer-
tificates for citizens of foreign countries are issued in all cases as
directed by the overseas official in charge of each area. 1
The case of a worker who is considered to have rendered es-
pecially significant service is referred to the Chairman upon recommen-
2
dation of the Service concerned with the concurrence of Personnel Service.
1. Information Circular, page 3, December 1, 1945.
2. Memorandum, Mr. Chester H. Whelden, Jr. to Dr. Harry A. Wann, January
14, 1946
16.
CERTIFICATES
Eligibility
In accordance with the revised statement on eligibility approved
by the Central Committee on November 13, 1944 (see Appendix, page 2) certif-
icates are to be awarded to the following groups of workers who have served
within the period from January 1, 1940, to the official close of the war:
1. Volunteers who have given 200 hours or more in
organized volunteer service rendered either in
the continental United States or overseas.
2. Staff members who have given satisfactory service
for a period of 12 months or more in the paid em-
ployment of the national organization or a chapter,
either in the continental United States or overseas.
3. Citizens of foreign countries, associated with Amer-
ican Red Cross operations abroad, who have given 200
hours or more in organized volunteer service or satis-
factory service for a period of 12 months or more in
the paid employment of the organization.
Workers in all three classifications, with the approval of the
executive committee of a chapter, the National Chairman, or the appropriate
representative of the organization overseas (for groups 1, 2, and 3 respect-
ively) may be awarded certificates for effective service of special signif-
icance of less than 200 hours of volunteer or 12 months of paid service.
17.
CERTIFICATES
Origin
There are no special considerations known to have contributed to
the adoption of the certificates, beyond the Central Committee vote of Sep-
tember 18, 1944, quoted on page 8.
18.
CERTIFICATES
Identification
The Central Committee vote of November 13, 1944, authorizing is-
suance of certificates in recognition of service in World War II, is imple-
mented by means of the following certificates, samples of which appear
immediately hereafter:
For the national staff serving in the United States
Form 1867
For workers in Prisoner of War Packaging Centers
If 1867
For chapter workers
It 1868
For the national staff serving overseas
" 1869
For foreign workers associated with American Red Cross
operations abroad
" 1870
The American Pational Red Cross
to
recognition of meritorious personal service
performed in behalf of the nation, her armed
forces, and suffering humanity in
the Second World Mar.
PRESIDENT
ISSUED
Basil Others
CHAIRMAN
1867
The American Pational Red Cross
to
recognition of meritorious personal service
performed in behalf of the nation, her armed
forces, and suffering humanity in
the Second World War.
CHAPTER CHAIRMAN
PRESIDENT
ISSUED
CHAPTER
Basil
CHAIRMAN
1868
+
Cole The American National Red Cross
Overseas Service to Certificate
Ll
In recognition and appreciation of the faithful and meritorious
performance of humanitarian service overseas in the Second World
Mar as a representative of the American Red Cross
Is
PRESIDENT
Baril O'Caun
ISSUED
CHAIRMAN
1869
HURRI NIHIL ALLENUM
The American Dational Red Cross
Certificate of Appreciation
If
to
In recognition of faithful and meritorious service rendered
in connection with the humanitarian work of the
American Red Cross in the Second World Mar.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
IN
PRESIDENT
ISSUED
Basil O'Caun
CHAIRMAN
1870
PINS AND BUTTONS
19.
PINS AND BUTTONS
Action of Central Committee
The Central Committee, with reference to the issuance of
certificates (see page 10) on November 13, 1944, voted:
That the holder of a certificate may obtain a
pin or button either by purchase or award.
That insignia be presented gratis to all national
staff members serving overseas and also to all
foreign workers associated with American Red Cross
operations abroad, who in each instance qualify
to receive certificates.
The Central Committee at its meeting on October 8, 1945, in
order more clearly to define the functions of the Committee on Insignia,
Uniforms, and Awards took the following action:
That the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and
Awards is authorized to fix, and from time to
time amend, the prices to be charged for such
pins, buttons, and other insignia as are to be
sold to those entitled to wear them.
20.
PINS AND BUTTONS
Action of National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards
The National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards on
October 3, 1945 considered the matter of awarding pins and buttons with-
out cost to the domestic national staff, since they are to be so awarded
to the overseas staff.
In November Mrs. Rowland wrote each member of the Committee
on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, enclosing in her letter a form upon
which the committee member could register his vote. The mail vote,
received by December 1, 1945, authorized:
That the distribution of pins and buttons in recog-
nition of service in World War II should be without
charge to all members of the national staff and with-
out discrimination between members of the staff
assigned in the United States and overseas.
(This policy was given effect by NHQ 76, dated January 7, 1946.)
21.
PINS AND BUTTONS
Administrative Precedents and Rulings
On October 22, 1945, certificates and insignia were
presented by the Chairman to all paid staff members at national
headquarters who had served the organization for the full period
from December 1941 through August 14, 1945.
The fact that these insignia were awarded without charge
in effect constituted a precedent in support of the vote of the National
Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards authorizing free distribution
of pins and buttons in recognition of World War II service, which was
given effect by NHQ 76, dated January 7, 1946.
These pins and buttons are intended for wear on ordinary
dress only. They are not part of the uniform and cannot be worn with
it.
22.
PINS AND BUTTONS
Eligibility
Any employee eligible (according to the provision stated on
page 10) to receive a certificate for domestic or overseas service may
obtain a corresponding pin or button (pins for women and buttons for men).
The insignia are awarded without charge to domestic or overseas
staff members, and are available for purchase by chapter workers.
23.
PINS AND BUTTONS
Origin
There are no special considerations known to have contributed
to the adoption of the certificates, beyond the Central Committee vote
of September 18, 1944 quoted on page 8.
WARE
WORLD WARY
WORLD WAR II PINS AND BUTTONS
FOR DOMESTIC PERSONNEL
OVERSEAS
OVERSEAS
WORLD WAR II PINS AND BUTTONS
FOR OVERSEAS PERSONNEL
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
RIBBON BAR
24.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR
Action of Central Committee
The first action of the Central Committee took place at its meet-
ing on April 9 1945, when it voted:
That the Central Committee hereby approves the
insignia which has heretofore been authorized
for use in Volunteer Special Services in rec-
ognition of the number of hours served, and
this matter is referred to the Committee on
Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards for such further
consideration of the use of this insignia as
may be appropriate and wise.
On June 18, 1945 the Central Committee took the following action
on the report of the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards dated June
15, 1945 (see Appendix, page 4):
That the Central Committee hereby authorizes the
following with respect to the recommendations
quoted below from the report of the Committee on
Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards dated June 15, 1945:
4. At the last meeting of the Central Committee,
approval was given for the issuance of a ser-
vice ribbon bar for volunteers. Your Committee
recommends the distributio of this insignia
as the "Red Cross World War II Service Ribbon
Bar" to any volunteer who has served with the
American Red Cross for twelve months within
the period beginning December 7, 1941.
In recognition of continuous volunteer service,
it is proposed that for every additional five
hundred (500) hours served or their equivalent
a silver stripe may be attached to the ribbon
bar, each silver stripe representing five
hundred hours. A gold stripe will replace a
silver stripe to represent one thousand (1,000)
hours.
The eligibility of each volunteer to add stripes
to the service ribbon bar, either on the basis
of hours served or their equivalent, is to be
determined by the chairman of the service con-
cerned in each chapter or the head of the ser-
vice in each office.
25.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR
Action of Central Committee (continued)
Recommendation No. 4 was approved and the
Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards
was authorized to work out the details for
the issuance of this insignia. There was
referred to the Committee, with power, the
suggestion that the gold stripe might be
issued after service of more than 1,000
hours.
Following the recommendation made by the National Committee on
Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, in recognition of the volume of garment
production engaged in by volunteers for foreign war relief shortly after
the outbreak of the World War, the Central Committee at its meeting on
July 9, 1945, voted:
That the resolution of the Central Committee concern-
ing the distribution of "the Red Cross World War II
Service Ribbon Bar to any volunteer who has served
with the American Red Cross for twelve (12) months
within the period beginning December 7, 1941, be
amended to read "beginning January 1, 1940."
26.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR
Action of National Committee on
Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards
In accordance with the authority delegated by the Central
Committee vote of June 18, 1945, Mrs. Rowland, as Chairman of the
National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, revised the
regulations governing the numbers of hours of service to be repre-
sented by the various stripes (see page 28).
27.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR
Administrative Precedents
and Rulings
The bar may be worn on both uniforms and ordinary dress. It
is worn over the left breast.
Ribbon bars are worn on uniforms over the left breast in the
sequence shown below, starting on the the top row nearest the center of the
body and reading toward left arm. Rows of service ribbons are spaced
1/8 inch apart.
Army, Navy, or other military decorations
Decorations from foreign governments
Decorations from foreign Red Cross societies
American Red Cross 5-40 year service bars
World War II service ribbon and badge
World War II overseas ribbon bar (theatre bar)
World War II volunteer ribbon bar.
28.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR
Eligibility
Any volunteer worker who has served with the American Red Cross
for 12 months within the period beginning January 1, 1940 until the official
close of the war, may wear the Red Cross World War II Volunteer Service
Ribbon Bar.
Chapter officers will have to use discretion in determining who are
regular workers in Red Cross activities for 12 months within the war period
and thus eligible for the volunteer service bar. Volunteers who have served
conscientiously and faithfully a total of 12 months, and have met the requests
made of them by the chapter whether it be a few or many hours a week should
be considered eligible. Each chapter should set the standard which fits best
the conditions in the community. The minimum number of hours required by a
Volunteer Special Services corps might well be used as the standard for obtain-
ing bars by members of that corps. Since at least 12 months of service must
be given, however, any number of hours served over a period of less than 12
months would not entitle a volunteer to the ribbon bar.
Volunteers may also count hours for volunteer service bars on the
basis of service performed in programs conducted by other agencies, provided
the Red Cross unit (whether national, area, or chapter) of which they are
members specifically assigned them to such duties. Volunteers who render
service to the American Red Cross in their capacity as members of other
organizations, but not by specific assignment and under the general direction
of the Red Cross, will not be individually recognized for that work.
The ribbon bar in its plain form is available for purchase by any
volunteer who has been certified by the chapter officers as having been a
regular worker in American Red Cross activities for 12 months, without ref-
erence to the hours of service, whether or not the service was continuous or
was rendered in one or more activities.
There are affixed to the volunteer service ribbon bar stripes
representing:
1. Hours of service actually recorded, as is customary
in Volunteer Special Services, or:
2. Estimated hours of service as attested to by the
chairman of a chapter or director of different
Services or activities to whom the volunteer
reports when the actual hours of service are not
recorded. For example, periods of service in the
War Fund Campaign, Blood Donor Service, Camp and
Hospital Council Service, and as volunteer instructors
of Red Cross courses may be estimated. All estimates
should be based upon the best information obtainable as
to the appropriate number of hours worked. Every
effort should be made to give full credit to volunteer
workers whose hours are not regularly recorded, but
caution should be exercised to see that the estimated
hours are consistent with actual service rendered.
29.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR
Eligibility (continued)
Each unit of 500 hours will be represented by a silver stripe
affixed to the bar, which will accommodate a total of nine silver stripes
representing a total of 4,500 hours of service.
Upon completion of 5,000 hours of service, all nine silver stripes
should be replaced by a broad gold stripe, the symbol of 5,000 hours.
Beyond 5,000 hours, there should be affixed next to the broad gold
stripe, one narrow gold stripe for each additional 1,000 hours served. A
total of four narrow gold stripes along side of one broad gold stripe rep-
resents a grand total of 9,000 hours.
When a total of 10,000 hours has been completed, the four narrow
gold stripes should be replaced by a second broad gold stripe. This pro-
cedure can be repeated as far as it is required.
30.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR
Origin
Mrs. Richard M. Bissell, Administrator of Volunteer Special Ser-
vices, had been asked by many volunteers why the American Red Cross gave
no recognition for hours served. In the absence of such recognition, at
least two chapters in the North Atlantic Area had initiated bars of their
own. Mrs. Bissell, therefore, proposed adoption of a ribbon bar for Vol-
unteer Special Services, which was approved by the Staff Committee on
Insignia at its meeting on January 25, 1945.
Volunteer Service Ribbon Bar
Volunteer Bar denoting 4,500
hours of service
+
+
Volunteer Bar denoting 9,000
Volunteer Bar denoting 14,000
hours of service
hours of service
WORLD WAR II VOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR
THEATRE I
BARS
31.
THEATRE RIBBON BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE
Action of Central Committee
At its meeting on July 9, 1945, the Central Committee, follow-
ing discussion of the desirability of providing some form of ribbon bar
for issuance to ARC personnel who have served overseas in this war voted:
That the Central Committee hereby approves the
issuance of a ribbon bar for ARC personnel who
have served overseas in the present war; the bar
to consist of 3 equal sections colored red, white
and blue respectively from left to right and having
the letters "ARC" in blue in the left section, a
small red cross in the center section and the ini-
tials of the appropriate foreign theater in red in
the right section.
32.
THEATRE RIBBON BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE
Administrative Precedents and Rulings
This ribbon bar is worn on the uniform only.
Ribbon bars are worn over the left breast in the sequence
shown below, starting on the top row nearest the center of the body
and reading toward left arm. Rows of service ribbons are spaced
1/8 inch apart.
Army, Navy, or other military decorations
Decorations from foreign governments
Decorations from foreign Red Cross societies
American Red Cross 5-40 year service bars
World War I service ribbon and badge
World War II overseas ribbon bar (theatre bar)
World War II volunteer ribbon bar
33.
THEATRE RIBBON BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE
Official Interpretations of Eligibility
On September 18, 1945 the Chairman approved a statement
defining eligibility:
Any American who has served with the American
Red Cross overseas is eligible upon the recommenda-
tion of the American Red Cross commissioner,
delegate, or representative in the theatre
concerned, to receive a ribbon bar for each
overseas theatre in which he has served.
On September 20, 1945, the Office of Insignia, Uniforms, and
Awards, with the approval of Mrs. Rowland, Chairman of the National Committee
on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, further interpreted eligibility for the
ARC overseas ribbon bar:
Anyone assigned to a theatre is eligible to receive
the bar for that theatre as soon as he begins to serve
in it. Commissioners are not to set time limits of
their own. Passing through a theatre en route to
another does not count, but service of any length
in a theatre does. In other words, the rule which
applies to Army personnel has general application
here: "An individual's eligibility to wear the
appropriate ribbon of a theatre, except the American
theatre, is automatically established upon arrival
therein under permanent change of station orders.
I. Memorandum, Mrs. Margaret L. Van Houten to Mr. Walter Wesselius
November 1, 1945.
34.
THEATRE RIBBON BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE
Origin
At its meeting on June 18, 1945, the Central Committee took
the following action on the recommendation of the National Committee
on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, in its report of June 15, 1945:
2. Consideration was given to the question of
the eligibility of the staff of the American
Red Cross serving in the various war theaters
to wear the military overseas service ribbons
issued to servicemen and women by the theatre
commanding officers. An examination of the
situation revealed that the distribution of
these ribbons is regulated by executive order
and that their use is confined exclusively to
those actually in military service.
It was the sense of the Central Committee (a)
that the Chairman, through appropriate channels,
should ascertain whether the War Department would
approve the issuance of military service ribbons
to all American Red Cross personnel serving in
the various theatres, and (b) that if it is not
possible to issue these service ribbons to all
ARC personnel in the theatres, the practice of
issuing them to a limited number of personnel
should be discontinued.
It was verified that, in accordance with War Department
Circular No. 62, February 11, 1944, supported by Executive Order of
the President No. 9265, six November, 1942, Campaign ribbons are
authorized only for members of the Armed Forces. The resulting
interpretation, that theatre ribbons could not be authorized for
wear by American Red Cross personnel aroused considerable resent-
ment on the part of those serving overseas. The matter was accord-
ingly referred to the National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and
Awards, and this committee's recommendation of the desirability of
providing some form of ribbon bar, for issuance to American Red
Cross personnel serving overseas, led to the Central Committee's
vote of July 9, 1945.
Consideration of the design for the ribbon bar was
immediately instituted, and the design finally adopted was essent-
ially that of the ETO ribbon bar mentioned in the following cable
of July 28, 1945, to the Chairman from Mr. Allen:
35.
THEATRE RIBBON BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE
Origin (continued)
American ribbon for American Staff having
served in ETO and designed and ordered by
Gibson and approved by Commanding General
several months ago, have now been delivered.
Carroll and all here feel ribbon should be
given out. View Central Committee ruling,
they are holding up distribution but I hope
you can approve. Ribbon is red, white, and
blue, with emblems in white section with
wording ARC in blue letters on red section
and ETO is red on blue section. Morale
here will be lifted if ribbon can be given
promptly.
+
European Theatre of Operations
China-Burma-India
+
MTO
Mediterranean Theatre of Operations
Southwest Pacific
+
Middle East Operations
Pacific Ocean Area
+
Insular and Foreign Operations
Miscellaneous small stations (not under the jurisdiction
of any of the above theatres)
WORLD WAR II RIBBON BARS TO DESIGNATE THEATRES OF SERVICE
FOR OVERSEAS PERSONNEL OF AMERICAN RED CROSS
RIBBON BAR
FOR FOREIGNERS
36.
RIBBON BAR FOR FOREIGNERS
Action of Central Committee
The Central Committee at its meeting of November 13, 1944
was informed by Mrs. Belmont, Chairman of the National Committee on
Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards that her committee had given prelim-
inary consideration and tentative approval to a proposal that some
form of special insignia should be provided in recognition of the
exceptional service which citizens of other countries had rendered
in connection with the operations of the American Red Cross overseas.
The Central Committee thereupon voted:
That the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and
Awards is authorized to approve the design for
a special insignia in the form of a ribbon bar
to be issued for exceptional service rendered
to the American Red Cross by citizens of foreign
countries who have aided in the work of the
organization; and the regulations governing the
issuance of such special insignia are to be
recommended by the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms,
and Awards and become effective upon the approval
of the Chairman.
The Central Committee at its meeting of October 8, 1945 voted:
That the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and
Awards is authorized to select the materials
and approve the designs for authorized insignia.
In this connection, the Central Committee suggested
that a service bar of metal for citizens of for-
eign countries who have served the American Red
Cross would be preferable to the present ribboned
bar for this purpose.
37.
RIBBON BAR FOR FOREIGNERS
Action of the National Committee on
Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards
The National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, by
mail vote, agreed that work should go forward on the ribbon bar for
foreigners without further consideration of the change suggested by the
Central Committee as preferable.
This decision was reached after consideration of the facts
presented to the national committee. The Office of Insignia, Uniforms,
and Awards had determined that it would take some time to secure approval
of design, completion of sketch, production, and delivery of the proposed
metal bar. On the basis of the analysis of this Office, the Office of
the Vice Chairman in charge of Insular and Foreign Operations had indicat-
ed its preference for proceeding with the ribbon bar since speed in
making the awards to foreigners is a factor of great importance.
38.
RIBBON BAR FOR FOREIGNERS
Official Interpretations
On September 18, 1945, the Chairman approved the following statement
defining eligibility for the ribbon bar for foreigners:
The ribbon bar authorized by the Central Committee at
its meeting on November 13, 1944, may be issued to cit-
izens of foreign countries who, within the war period,
January 1, 1940 to the official close of the war, have
been associated with American Red Cross operations abroad;
and have given 200 hours or more in organized volunteer
service, or have given satisfactory service for twelve
months or more in the paid employment of the American Red
Cross, or have given, in the opinion of the American Red
Cross commissioner, delegate, or representative in the
country concerned, effective service of special signif-
icance of less than 200 hours or twelve months. All
such persons are to be selected by and all such ribbon
bars are to be given by the American Red Cross commission-
er, delegate, or representative in the country concerned.
The above definition was approved by the Chairman following his
consideration of the recommendation of the Office of Insignia, Uniforms,
and Awards, dated September 15, 1945. This Office based its recommend-
ation, that the ribbon bar for exceptional service rendered by foreign
citizens be made available to all foreigners eligible for certificates,
on the following reasons:
(1) The ribbon bar has been replaced by the silver
medal for especially distinguished foreign workers.
(2) It would be most difficult to distinguish among
any foreign workers except on some more or less
clear basis such as that adopted for awards among
our own workers.
(3) In theaters where insignia have already been issued
to large numbers of foreign workers, it would be
particularly unpolitic to attempt to distinguish
among those already recognized, especially upon the
basis of some vague or much higher standard of
qualifications.
The proposed regulation would permit a commissioner considerable
latitude in recognizing persons who have performed especially significant
service without regard to the element of time.
The ribbon bar for foreigners would not have to be awarded in
theatres where awards had already been made unless the commissioner felt
that such a duplication was actually desirable.
39.
RIBBON BAR FOR FOREIGNERS
Eligibility
There are no provisions governing eligibility for the ribbon
bar for foreigners additional to those described on page 38.
40.
RIBBON BAR FOR FOREIGNERS
Origin
There are no special considerations known to have contributed
to the adoption of the ribbon bar for foreigners, beyond the Central
Committee vote of November 13, 1944, quoted on page 36.
ARC
RIBBON BAR FOR FOREIGNERS
BAR
41.
SILVER BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE
Administrative Precedents
and Rulings
Adoption of the silver bar designating six months of overseas
service was authorized administratively following its approval by the
National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, as described on
page 44.
"Six months' service" is interpreted to mean actual service
outside the continental limits of the United States and is dated from
and including the day of actual departure to and including the day of
actual return. 1
On women's suit jackets, the first silver bar is worn 3/2 inches
from and parallel to the end of the left sleeve. Upon completion of an
additional six months' service overseas, another silver bar may be added
above the first, the space between being formed by the felt background
of the bars. Additional periods of overseas service of six months each
may be denoted in a similar manner.
On men's uniforms, the same regulations apply except that
the first bar is placed 4 inches above the end of the sleeve.
If both the red bars and chevrons for service in the continen-
tal United States and the silver sleeve bars for overseas service are worn,
the silver bars are worn immediately above the red bars and chevrons in
accordance with instructions detailed in Appendix, page 9.
I. Multiple letter, Robert S. Wilson, December 21, 1944.
42.
SILVER BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE
Eligibility
"One silver bar is authorized for wear for each period of six
months' service outside the continental limits of the United States. In
computing overseas service, the territory of Alaska will be considered out-
side the continental limits of the United States. 111
Upon completion of twelve months of actual service overseas the
worker is entitled to a second bar. Additional bars may be worn for each
six months' additional service overseas.
1. Multiple letter, Robert S. Wilson, December 21, 1944.
43.
SILVER BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE
Identification
The silver bar for six months' overseas service is a horizontal
bar of silver bullion measuring 1/4 inch wide and 1 3/8 inches long, on a
dark olive drab felt background for issue to men and a grey felt background
for issue to women.
44.
SILVER BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE
Origin
The adoption of this form of designation was proposed by the
Uniform Committee of Services to the Armed Forces on September 4, 1944
at the meeting of the Staff Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards:
Whereas the use of overseas theatre ribbons issued by
the Army and Navy is restricted by federal law to the
armed forces;
Whereas there is an especial desire on the part of
overseas workers for an appropriate designation of
participation in service with the men on active
overseas service:
It is recommended that --
A silver bar of the same dimensions as the red
bar now authorized domestically for length of
service be made available to be worn on the left
sleeve of the uniform by both men and women who
are or have been on overseas duty; the first bar
to be worn after the completion of six months'
overseas service; upon completion of twelve
months of actual overseas service the worker to
be entitled to a second bar; and additional bars
to be worn for each six months of additional
service overseas; service overseas to date from
the time of debarkation upon return to the United
States.
1
It was not felt that adoption of the silver bar required action
by the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards. It was, however,
approved by the chairman of this committee, and thereafter given admin-
istrative authorization.²
I. Staff Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, September 13, 1944.
2. Memorandum, Walter Davidson to Mr. Christopher, October 18, 1944.
for men
for women
WOVEN SILVER BAR
RED BAR AND CHEVRON
I
45.
RED BAR AND CHEVRON FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE
Administrative Precedents and Rulings
The red bars and chevrons were adopted by the National Committee on
Volunteer Service in 1937 for use on the volunteer uniform. No other offici-
al action was taken. At that time most action on insignia was taken on a
Service level; there was no specially appointed committee on insignia, and
the Central Committee rarely voted on these matters. By 1942, the use of
Volunteer Special Services uniform had been expanded to unenrolled volunteers
as well as the paid staff and at a meeting of the Volunteer Special Services'
staff it was voted to extend the use of the bars and chevrons to these members
of the organization. Administrative approval was given this resolution (see
page 47) when it was communicated to the area managers by James L. Fieser,
Vice Chairman in charge of Domestic Operations, in AM 179, October 20, 1942.
The red bars and chevrons are worn on the lower left sleeve of
the uniform.
On women's uniforms, the first red bar is placed 3/2 inches above
and parallel to the end of the left sleeve. The next two red bars are placed
at intervals of 1/4 inch above the first. At the end of the fourth year the
bars are replaced by a red chevron 5 inches from the end of the sleeve, point
upward. Bars for additional years are placed below the chevron at inch
intervals. At the end of the eighth year, the bars are replaced by a second
chevron, 1/4 inch above the first. With short sleeves, service bars and chevrons
start 1 inch from end of sleeve, or 1/4 inch above cuff on sleeve of Hospital
and Recreation Corps uniform.
On men's uniforms, the above rules apply with the exception that
the first bar is placed 4 inches above and parallel to the end of the left
sleeve and the first chevron 51/2 inches above the end of the sleeve.
If both the red bars and chevrons for service in the continental
United States and the silver sleeve bars for overseas service are worn, the
silver bars are worn immediately above the red bars and chevrons in accord-
ance with instructions detailed in Appendix, page 9.
46.
RED BAR AND CHEVRON FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE
Eligibility
Both volunteer and paid workers, men and women, are eligible to
purchase red bars and chevrons, representing one year and four years, respec-
tively, of domestic service. The number of hours required for a "year's
service" is determined by the individual chapters. The total length of
service is computed from the actual date of employment on or after January
1, 1928 (see page 47) and regardless of whether it is performed continuously
or at intervals.
47.
RED BAR AND CHEVRON FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE
Origin
The red bar and chevron was originally adopted by the National
Committee on Volunteer Services at its meeting of December 9, and 10, 1937,
when it was voted that:
Bars and chevrons, bright red in color, shall
be adopted for use in connection with the uni-
forms of the Volunteer Special Services, to
indicate periods of service of the wearers. A
bar shall represent one year's service; a chev-
ron, four years' service.
When first authorized, the red bars and chevrons were to be worn
only by members of Volunteer Special Services. Permission to wear bars and
chevrons could not antedate January 1, 1928 (which is the time when actual
count of hours of service given by volunteers was begun). Furthermore, the
bars and chevrons were worn only on the uniform of the corps in which the
service was given. If a volunteer belonged to one or more corps she wore
bars and chevrons on the corps uniform according to the length of service
in each particular corps. The bars and chevrons were not transferable
from one corps to another. This ruling was revised in 1941, however, when
the Volunteer Special Services General Manual, ARC 415, revised October
1941, provided that if a volunteer transferred from one corps to another,
she was entitled to transfer her bars and chevrons to the uniform of the
new corps in which she was enrolled.
In October 1942, at a meeting of the Volunteer Special Services'
staff it was voted to extend the use of the bars and chevrons to unenrolled
volunteers and paid staff:
Whereas, at the December, 1937 meeting of the
National Committee on Volunteer Service, bars
and chevrons, bright red in color, to indicate
periods of service, were adopted for use in
connection with the uniforms of the Volunteer
Services, etc., be it resolved that with the
increased and valuable work of the staff and vol-
unteers not members of a Volunteer Special Serv-
ice Corps the bars and chevrons may also be worn
by them as passed by the National Committee on
Volunteer Service and approved by the Chairman.
48.
RED BAR AND CHEVRON FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE
Identification
The red bar for one year's domestic service consists of a hori-
zontal bar 3/8 inch in width and 1/2 inch in length. The red chevron is
1 1/2 inches from tip to tip and 3/8 inch wide.
Originally both the bar and chevron were 5/16 inch wide - their
length has always remained the same.
When first authorized a silk lustre, mercerized tape was used.
However, in December 1938, the present woven bar and chevron came into stock.
for four years' service
for one years' service
RED BAR AND CHEVRON FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE
BRONZE MEDAL
49.
BRONZE MEDAL
Action of Central Committee
The Central Committee at its meeting of June 18, 1945 approved
the recommendation quoted below from the report of the Committee on Insignia,
Uniforms, and Awards dated June 15, 1945:
3. The issuance of an award to the next-of-kin of
those workers who have died while in the service of
the American Red Cross overseas has been considered
and is recommended. The committee on Insignia, Uniforms,
and Awards requests authorization to submit a type of medal
or other form of recognition to the next meeting of the
Central Committee.
The Central Committee likewise approved the use for this purpose of the
same design bronze medal which was issued after the War of 1917-18.
The Central Committee at its meeting of July 9, 1945 further
voted:
That with the approval of the National Chairman, any
person, volunteer or paid worker, full or part time,
who has died in the service of the American Red Cross
during the Second World War anywhere in this country
or overseas, and who died as the result of service
rendered on behalf of the American Red Cross, shall
be awarded posthumously a Bronze Medal, provided it
is shown that death occurred during his or her active
war service with the American Red Cross. Nurses
recruited or enrolled by the American Red Cross will
be eligible for this award provided that their death
occurred during their active war service in World
War II.
That the ribbon attached to the Bronze Medal shall
be in red, corresponding to the red in the emblem,
and bordered with white.
50.
BRONZE MEDAL
Eligibility
Any volunteer or paid worker, full or part time who died in
the service of the American Red Cross during World War II, in this country
or overseas, and who died as a result of that service, provided it is shown
that death occurred during his or her active war service with the American
Red Cross. This medal is awarded posthumously and subject to the approval
of the National Chairman.
Nurses recruited or enrolled by the American Red Cross are eligible
for this award provided that their death occurred during their active war
service in World War II.
51.
BRONZE MEDAL
Origin
The recommendation of a medal or some other device to the
next-of-kin as a gift in recognition that a member of the family died
while serving with the American Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces
during World War II originated in a committee meeting of three members
of the staff of Services to the Armed Forces on March 2, 1944. Their
recommendation was referred to Mr. Walter Davidson, secretary of the Com-
mittee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards.
In its report dated June 15, 1945 to the Central Committee the
Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards states:
3. The issuance of an award to the next-of-kin of those
workers who have died while in the service of the
American Red Cross overseas has been considered and
is recommended. The Committee on Insignia, Uniforms,
and Awards requests authorization to submit a type
of medal or other form of recognition to the next
meeting of the Central Committee.
52.
BRONZE MEDAL
Identi fication
The bronze medal is of the same design as the bronze medal which
was awarded after World War I. The bronze is to be as bright as possible,
and Red Cross red is to be used in the color of the cross. The back of the
medal is inscribed:
To
For Service
The American National Red Cross
The ribbon attached to the bronze medal is Red Cross red (gros-
grain ribbon) edged with white. The overall measurement is 1 1/2 inches by
1 1/2 inches. The white edging is 1/8 inch on each side.
The medal will be suitably encased in a leather box.
BRONZE MEDAL
SILVER MEDAL
53.
SILVER MEDAL
Action of Central Committee
The Central Committee's only action on the silver metal is
recorded in the following vote of July 9, 1945:
That with approval of the National Chairman, any
citizen or resident, other than an American, of
countries in which the operations of the American
Red Cross have been carried on during the Second
World War who has assisted with special distinction
and in an outstanding manner the work of the
American Red Cross shall be awarded a Silver Medal
of the type used following World War I, persons
eligible for this award to be recommended by the
responsible commissioner, delegate or represent-
ative of the American Red Cross in the country
concerned.
54.
SILVER MEDAL
Eligibility
The silver medal may be awarded to any citizen or resident of
a foreign country who has participated with special distinction and in
an outstanding manner in operations of the American Red Cross overseas
during World War II, subject to the approval of the National Chairman.
55.
SILVER MEDAL
Origin
Mrs. Belmont, Chairman of the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and
Awards stated on December 13, 1944 at the Central Committee meeting that
following the last War the American Red Cross had awarded a silver medal to
citizens of foreign countries who had rendered exceptional and distinguished
service in assisting the work of the American Red Cross.
After discussion on the subject by the Central Committee, it was
decided to postpone action until a later meeting and it was suggested that
the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards present a report covering
definite recommendations on this matter.
The Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards presented the recom-
mendation which constitutes the action taken by the Central Committee on July
9, 1945 with regard to the silver medal.
56.
SILVER MEDAL
Identification
The silver medal is of the same design as the silver medal awarded
following World War I, and on its reverse side carries the inscription:
To
For Distinguished Service
The American National Red Cross
The ribbon attached to the medal is white, with red edge and blue
stripes.
The medal will be suitably encased in a leather box.
SILVER MEDAL
APPENDIX
1.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS
Re Recognition of Service Rendered during Second World War
At its meeting September 18, 1944, the Central Committee took the
following action --
"VOTED: That the Central Committee hereby authorizes
the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms and Awards to de-
sign and select suitable certificates and insignia to
be issued in recognition of service rendered to the
Red Cross during this war, including the personnel
of the National Organization and the Chapters, and
the citizens of foreign countries who have served in
American Red Cross operations abroad; and to recommend
to the Central Committee the rules and regulations for
the issuance of such certificates and insignia."
In accordance with the above resolution, the Committee on Insignia,
Uniforms and Awards submits the following recommendations--
I. That the adoption and production of Red Cross insignia for all
purposes is the sole responsibility of the Central Committee;
Chapters and all services to be notified to that effect and
advised to make their needs known to the national organiza-
tion, and that no action be taken on their own account.
Re Certificates
II. That certificates to be issued to workers on the national staff
and in chapters and to the citizens of foreign countries who
have served in American Red Cross operation abroad be printed
in the colors on heavy weight paper, size approximately
by 11" bearing the following inscriptions and signatures,
with the Red Cross emblem at the head:
1. For national staff serving in the United States --
The American National Red Cross
to
in recognition of meritorious personal
service performed in behalf of the nation,
her armed forces, and suffering humanity
in the Second World War.
(Signed) President
(Signed) Chairman, Central Committee
Issued
2.
2. For chapter workers --
(Same wording as for national staff but the
certificate to be countersigned by the chapter
chairman with space for name of chapter.)
3. For national staff serving overseas
The American National Red Cross
Overseas Service Certificate
to
in recognition and appreciation of the
faithful and meritorious performance of
humanitarian service overseas in the
Second World War as a representative of
the American National Red Cross.
(Signed) President
(Signed) Chairman, Central Committee
Issued
4. For foreign workers associated with American Red Cross
operations abroad --
Humani Nihil Alienum
The American National Red Cross
Certificate of Appreciation
to
in recognition of faithful and meritorious
service rendered in connection with the
humanitarian work of the American Red Cross
in the Second World War.
(Signed) President
(Signed) Chairman, Central Committee
(Counter
signed)
in charge
American Red Cross Operations
in
Issued
III. That certificates be issued to volunteers and paid workers as follows:
(a) Each person who within the war period, January 1, 1940 to
the official close of the war, has given 200 hours or more
in organized volunteer service; or to
(b) Each person who, within the same period, has been employed
by the national organization or a chapter for twelve months
or more and has given satisfactory service; or to
(c) Each person who has given effective service of special
significance of less than 200 hours or twelve months, as
volunteer or paid worker respectively shall receive a
certificate on the approval of the Executive Committee of
the chapter or appropriate representative of the national
organization.
3.
Re Insignia
IV. That the holder of a certificate may obtain a pin or
button either by purchase or award --- especially prepared
for the purpose according to the following design--
1. For national staff workers serving overseas ---
Description: Insigne circular in shape, edged
with gold bands; band broken at bottom with mon-
ogram, "ARC" dropping slightly below gold band;
internal circle divided, approximately 2/3 upper
portion of circle in white with raised red cross,
lower 1/3 in red with "Overseas" in gold letters.
2. For national staff serving in the United States and for
workers in chapters --
Description: Insigne circular in shape, edged
with gold band; broken at bottom with monogram,
"ARC", dropping slightly below gold rim, inter-
nal circle in white with raised red cross centered.
3. For Foreign workers associated with American Red Cross
operations abroad --
Description: Insigne rectangular in shape,
with sides slightly curved, red cross centered
on white ground, surrounded by blue band on
which "American" is inscribed at the top and
"Red Cross" at the bottom.
V. That insignia be presented gratis to all national staff members
serving overseas and also to all foreign workers associated with
American operations abroad, who in each instance qualify to re-
ceive certificates.
Respectfully submitted.
Chairman
Committee on Insignia, Uniforms,
and Awards
Central Committee
As approved by the Central Committee
November 13, 1944
4.
June 15, 1945
REPORT OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS
(Mrs. William O. Rowland, Jr., Chairman)
To the Members of the Central Committee, American Red Cross:
Your Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards was re-organized on
May 1, 1945, and its membership now comprises --
Mrs. William O. Rowland, Jr., Chairman
Mrs. Dwight F. Davis
Mrs. S. Sloan Colt
Mr. James B. Forgan
Mr. Charles H. Kellstadt
Mrs. Richard M. Bissell
Mrs. Archibald MacLeish
Miss Virginia M. Dunbar
Mr. Harold L. Houle
Mr. Walter Davidson, Secretary
Several conferences and two formal meetings of the committee have
been held since re-organization. Matters of varying importance have been
dealt with, including the following:
1. On the recommendation of Commissioner Stanton Griffis of the
Pacific Ocean Area, approval was given to a change in the
wording "Military Welfare Service" on the arm patch worn by
uniformed workers in Military and Naval Welfare Service to
"Service to the Armed Forces".
2. Consideration was given to the question of the eligibility of
the staff of the American Red Cross serving in the various war
theatres to wear the military overseas service ribbons issued to
servicemen and women by the theatre commanding officers. An
examination of the situation revealed that the distribution of
these ribbons is regulated by executive order and that their
use is confined exclusively to those actually in military service.
3. The issuance of an award to the next-of-kin of those workers who
have died while in the service of the American Red Cross overseas
has been considered and is recommended. The Committee on Insignia,
Uniforms, and Awards requests authorization to submit a type of
medal or other form of recognition to the next meeting of the
Central Committee.
4. At the last meeting of the Central Committee, approval was given
for the issuance of a service ribbon bar for volunteers. Your
Committee recommends the distribution of this insigne as the
"Red Cross World War II Service Ribbon Bar" to any volunteer who
has served with the American Red Cross for twelve months within
the period beginning December 7, 1941.
5.
In recognition of continuous volunteer service, it is proposed
that for every additional five hundred (500) hours served or
their equivalent a silver stripe may be attached to the ribbon
bar, each silver stripe representing five hundred (500) hours.
A gold stripe will replace a silver stripe to represent one
thousand (1,000) hours.
The eligibility of each volunteer to add stripes to the service
ribbon bar, either on the basis of hours served or this equiv-
alent, is to be determined by the chairman of the service concern-
ed in each chapter or the head of the service in each office.
5. The certificate recommended by the former Committee on Insignia,
Uniforms, and Awards for distribution to volunteers who have
served two hundred hours more or less since January 1, 1940, it
was decided will be issued to those who have completed their
service in Prisoners of War Food Packing Centers and in Blood
Donor Centers.
Respectfully submitted,
(Mrs. William O. Rowland, Jr.)
Chairman
National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms,
and Awards
6.
October 5, 1945
REPORT OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS
To the Members of the Central Committeee, American Red Cross
Your Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards met on October 3,
1945.
1. The Committee discussed a proposal for bringing the designs of pins
issued by Volunteer Special Services corps into conformity with the speci-
fications controlling the use of the Red Cross emblem, and a proposal to
provide pins for the Volunteer Dietitian's Aide Corps and Arts and Skills
Corps.
Seven of the eight Volunteer Special Services corps pins now in
use do not meet the specifications for the emblem contained in the Geneva
and Hague Conventions and the vote of the Executive Committee of the American
Red Cross on April 8, 1922, since the red cross is not on a plain white back-
ground but is surrounded by embellishments. Your committee has directed that
when manufacture of these pins is resumed, they will be made after the style
of the Administration Corps pin, with a red cross on.a plain white background
encircled by a band of color representing the respective corps. The present
pins will not be withdrawn from the persons who have received them, but all
new production will be in the corrected designs.
The Committee on Insignia, Iniforms, and Awards has selected designs
for pins for the Volunteer Dietitian's Aide Corps and the Arts and Skills
Corps. These corps have never had pins of their own because manufacture was
prevented by the shortage of materials during the war. It is desirable to
provide pins for members now serving in these two corps. The design of these
pins will follow the design now to be used on all other corps pins.
2. The Committee considered a proposal for a sleeve patch to be worn by
field directors in Veterans Administration Hospitals. A patch carrying the
legend "Services to Veterans" was recommended by the Uniform Committee of
Services to the Armed Forces and Services to Veterans. The Committee
approved the manufacture of the recommended patch, subject to favorable
consideration of the wording "Services to Veterans" by appropriate officials
of the Veterans Administration.
3. Your Committee submits for your consideration a resolution concerning
the position of the Central Committee with respect to the issuance of certi-
ficates for service in World War II to members of the Junior Red Cross.
A question has arisen as to the intention of the Central Committee
with respect to issuing certificates for service during the war to members
of the American Junior Red Cross. The report of the Committee on Insignia,
Uniforms, and Awards, approved by the Central Committee on November 13, 1944,
provided that each person who had given 200 hours or more of volunteer service
should receive a certificate, without specifically including or excluding
members of the Junior Red Cross.
7.
The national director of Junior Red Cross has advanced reasons
for confining the issuance of these certificates to adults (copy of his
statement attached). To make the intention of the Central Committee clear
in this respect, it is recommended that the following resolution be
adopted:
The American National Red Cross is sincere
in its appreciation and commendation of the
extensive work and valuable service performed
by the Junior Red Cross during the Second
World War. Since the measurement of Junior
Red Cross services in hours, however, has
never been approved and has never been imposed
upon the schools, and since the majority of
Junior Red Cross services are rendered in the
schools, no certificates for service during
World War II shall be issued to Junior Red
Cross workers.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. William O. Rowland, Jr.
Chairman, Committee on Insignia,
Uniforms, and Awards
Central Committee
8.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
INSIGNIA TO DENOTE DOMESTIC AND OVERSEAS SERVICE
FOR PERSONNEL IN SERVICES TO THE ARMED FORCES
1. Authorization
A red bar denoting one year of service in the American Red Cross, a red
chevron denoting four years of service in the American Red Cross, and a
silver bar denoting six months' oversea service during the present war,
are authorized for wear by uniformed members of Services to the Armed
Forces. The wearing of these insignia is optional.
2. Description
The red bar for one year's domestic service consists of a horizontal bar
3/8" in width and 1½" in length. The red chevron is 1/2" from tip to tip
and 3/8" wide. The silver bar for oversea service is a horizontal bar of
silver bullion 3/8" in width and 1½" in length on a pearl gray cloth back-
ground forming a border 1/8" wide around the bar. These insignia are for
wear on the service coat only of the uniform for both men and women.
3. Eligibility
a. One red bar is authorized for each period of one year's service in the
American Red Cross. One red chevron is authorized for each period of
four years' service in the American Red Cross. One silver bar is
authorized for wear for each period of six months' service outside the
continental limits of the United States. In computing oversea service,
the territory of Alaska will be considered outside the continental
limits of the United States.
b. Length of service in connection with the red bar and red chevron is
computed from actual date of employment on or after January 1, 1928.
Total length of service is computed regardless of whether performed
continuously or at intervals. For the silver bar, the expression "six
months' service" is interpreted to mean actual service outside the
continental limits of the United States and is dated from and including
the day of actual departure to and including the day of actual return.
4. How Worn
a. Women - Domestic Service (see sketches A and B)
1. One red bar is authorized for one year's service. It is worn on
the left sleeve of the suit jacket 3½" from and parallel to the
end of the sleeve.
2. Two additional bars may be added at 1/" intervals to denote additional
years of service.
3. Upon completion of four years of service, the bars should be removed
and replaced by a red chevron 5" from the end of the sleeve, with the
point upward.
4. Three bars may be placed below the chevron to denote additional years
of service.
77072
9.
5. Upon completion of eight years of service, these bars should be re-
moved and be replaced by a second red chevron 1/4 above the first.
6. Additional years of service may be denoted in a similar manner.
b. Women - Oversea Service (see sketch C)
1. One silver bar is authorized for six months of service overseas. It
is worn on the left sleeve of the suit jacket 3/1/2" from and parallel
to the end of the sleeve.
2. Upon completion of an additional six months of service overseas,
another silver bar may be added above the first, the space between
being formed by the background.
3. Additional periods of oversea service of six months each may be
denoted in a similar manner.
C. Women Oversea and Domestic Service
1. When the oversea service bar is worn with domestic service bars and
chevrons, the oversea service bar will be worn above the uppermost
bar or chevron.
d. Men Domestic Service (see sketches A and B)
1. Red bars and chevrons may be worn in the same manner as prescribed
for women except that the first bar shall be placed 4" from and
parallel to the end of the sleeve and the first chevron shall be
placed 5½" from the end of the sleeve.
e. Men Oversea Service (see sketch C)
1. One silver bar is authorized for six months of service overseas. It
is worn on the left sleeve, parallel to the end, with the lower edge
of the bar 4" above the end of the sleeve.
2. Upon completion of an additional six months of service overseas,
another silver bar may be added above the first, the space between
being formed by the background.
3. Additional periods of overseas service of six months each may be
denoted in a similar manner.
f. Men Oversea and Domestic Service
1. When the oversea service bar is worn with domestic service bars and
chevrons, the oversea service bar will be worn immediately above the
uppermost bar or chevron.
8. Men World War I and Present War (see sketch D)
1. When the oversea service bar is worn with chevrons indicating oversea
service with the armed forces of the United States in the first world
war, the oversea service bar will be worn immediately above the
uppermost chevron.
77072
10.
h. Men - Oversea Service in Both Wars and Domestic Service
1. When the oversea service bar is worn with chevrons indicating over-
sea service with the armed forces of the United States in the first
world war and bars or chevrons indicating domestic service, the
domestic service bars or chevrons will be placed at the lower end of
the left sleeve, the chevrons for World War I service will be placed
immediately above, and the oversea service bars for the present war
will be placed uppermost.
77072
11.
DOMESTIC SERVICE BARS AND CHEVRONS
(A)
(B)
11/2"
/
11/2"
it
4
in
Women 3/1/2" - Men 4"
from bottom of sleeve
3"
00
4
Women 5" - Men 5½"
3
8
from bottom of sleeve
OVERSEA SERVICE BARS AND CHEVRONS
(C)
(D)
/
AKU
3"
H
Ifw
3"
/
1"
4
"/8"
4
,
8
8
8
8
8
8
4
8
8
8
Women 3½" - Men 4"
8
from bottom of sleeve
3
91
to
=
/
intoo
in
8
Men 4" from bottom of sleeve
77072
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"ocrText": "THE AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS\nCLASSIFICATION AND CODIFICATION\nOF\nREGULATIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS\nOF AWARDS FOR SERVICE\nWORLD WAR II\nOffice of Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards\nNational Headquarters\nFebruary 1946\nTABLE OF CONTENTS\nPage\nDESIGNATION OF AUTHORITY OF:\nCentral Committee\n3\nNational Committee on Insignia, Uniforms,\n4\nand Awards\nOffice of Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards\n7\nGENERAL AUTHORIZATION OF WORLD WAR II AWARDS\n8\nDETAILED LIST OF WORLD WAR II AWARDS\nCertificates\n10\nPins and Buttons\n19\nRibbon Bars\n24\nSleeve Bars and Chevrons\n41\nMedals\n49\nDOCUMENTARY APPENDIX\n1\nCENTRAL COMMITTEE\n3.\nCENTRAL COMMITTEE\nReservation of Authority\nThe following recommendation contained in the report of the\nCommittee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards of November 13, 1944 (see\nAppendix, page 1) was approved by the Central Committee at its meeting\nof November 13, 1944:\nThat the adoption and production of Red Cross\ninsignia for all purposes is the sole responsibil-\nity of the Central Committee; Chapters and all\nServices to be notified to that effect and advis-\ned to make their needs known to the national\norganization, and that no action be taken on their\nown account.\nThe Central Committee at its meeting of June 18, 1945 re-\naffirmed the following action concerning insignia which was approved\nat its meeting November 13, 1944:\nThat the adoption and production of Red Cross\ninsignia for all purposes is the sole respon-\nsibility of the Central Committee; Chapters and\nall Services to be notified to that effect and\nadvised to make their needs be known to the na-\ntional organization, and that no action be taken\non their own account.\nThe Committee directed that further notice of this policy be\nsent to all chapters with instructions that they are to discontinue the\nissuance of any insignia, except that authorized by the Central Committee.\n(This directive was given effect by NHQ 68 dated July 24, 1945,\nwhich directed that thereafter no Service or Office or any representative\nthereof was authorized to approve (1) new insignia, (2) changes in exist-\ning insignia, or (3) discontinuance of insignia now in use.)\nNATIONAL COMMITTEE ON\nINSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AWARDS\n4.\nNATIONAL COMMITTEE ON INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS\nCentral Committee Action of:\nDecember 3, 1918:\nCommittee on Awards was appointed to make awards of\nmedals and certificates in recognition of Red Cross\nservice throughout the entire organization, at home\nand abroad. The committee originally consisted of\nMr. Douglas Stewart, Chairman, Mrs. Belmont, Mrs.\nDraper and Mr. Walling. On April 12, 1919 Mr. H. J.\nHughes became a member in place of Mr. Stewart who\nhad severed his connection with the Red Cross. On\nJune 27, 1919, Mr. Eliot Wadsworth was appointed to\nthe committee to increase its membership to five.\nMr. McClintock was secretary for this committee.\nThe committee did not go out of existence until\nNovember 25, 1929 although it was inactive from\n1921 until it was dissolved. Its primary function\nwas to make awards of certificates, badges, and medals\nfor World War I service.\nNovember 15, 1940:\nCommittee consisting of Mrs. Belmont, Miss Boardman,\nand Mr. Fortune was appointed to consider the question\nof some appropriate form of national recognition for\nthose who had rendered long and distinguished service\nto the Red Cross, particularly in the chapters.\nSeptember 14, 1942:\nA new committee to be known as the Committee on\nInsignia, Uniforms, and Awards, was appointed to act\non broader questions of Red Cross insignia, uniforms,\nand awards. Its five members were to be appointed\nby the Chairman. (A staff committee was also to be\nappointed to work with this committee.) The Committee\non Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards was to pass upon\nand approve designs for all Red Cross insignia and\nuniforms, to prescribe the rules and regulations for\nthe issuance and use of all Red Cross insignia and\nuniforms in accord with existing policies and proced-\nures of the Central Committee, and recommend to\nthe Central Committee such changes in general policies\nand procedures with reference to insignia, uniforms,\nand awards as might, from time to time, be deemed\nwise and necessary.\nJanuary 11, 1943:\nThe following members of the Committee on Insignia,\nUniforms, and Awards were appointed by the Chairman:\nMrs. Dwight F. Davis, Chairman, Mrs. August Belmont,\nMr. James B. Forgan, Mr. Charles H. Kellstadt, and\nMr. Lloyd B. Wilson.\n5.\nNATIONAL COMMITTEE ON INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS\n(continued)\nAugust 14, 1944:\nThe Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards,\nauthorized September 14, 1942 now consisted of the\nfollowing members: Mrs. Belmont, Chairman, Mr. Forgan,\nand Mr. Kellstadt.\nApril 9, 1945:\nMrs. William 0. Rowland, Jr. was announced as the new\nchairman of the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and\nAwards.\nMay 1, 1945:\nA reorganized National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms,\nand Awards, combining the membership of the Central\nCommittee subcommittee and the staff committee, was\nrecommended by Mrs. Rowland and approved by the Chair-\nman. The Chairman named the following members: Mrs.\nWilliam O. Rowland, Jr., Chairman, Mrs. Dwight F. Davis,\nMrs. Mason Colt, Mr. James B. Forgan, Mrs. Richard M.\nBissell, Mr. Charles H. Kellstadt, Mrs. Archibald MacLeish,\nMiss Virginia M. Dunbar, Mr. Harold L. Houle, Mr. Walter\nDavidson, Secretary.\nJune 18, 1945:\nThe Central Committee approved the report of the National\nCommittee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards of June 15,\n1945, in which were given the names of the members (as\nlisted above) of the committee following its reorganization\nof May 1, 1945.\nOctober 8, 1945:\nThe committee now consisted of nine members, five from\nthe Central Committee: Mrs. William O. Rowland, Jr.\nChairman, Mrs. Mason Colt, Mrs. Bwight F. Davis, Mr.\nJames B. Forgan, Mr. Charles H. Kellstadt: and four\nrepresenting the services at national headquarters:\nMiss Virginia M. Dunbar, Mrs. Joe Hume Gardner, Mr.\nHarold Houle, and Mr. Chester H. Whelden, Jr. In addi-\ntion a staff member, Mrs. Margaret L. Van Houten was\nsecretary of the committee.\nWith the additional powers granted to it on this date,\nthe National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards\nnow has the authority to pass upon and approve designs\nfor all Red Cross insignia and uniforms; prescribe the\nrules and regulations for the issuance and use of all\nRed Cross insignia and uniforms in accord with the pol-\nicies and procedures authorized by the Central Committee;\nrecommend to the Central Committee such changes in\ngeneral policies and procedures with reference to\n6.\nNATIONAL COMMITTEE ON INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS\n(continued)\ninsignia, uniforms, and awards as may from time to time\nbe deemed wise and necessary; to fix and from time to\ntime amend the prices to be charged for such pins,\nbuttons, and other insignia as are to be sold to those\nentitled to receive them; and to select the materials\nand approve the designs for authorized American Red\nCross insignia.\nFebruary 18, 1946:\nThe Committee now consists of the following members:\nMrs. William 0. Rowland, Jr., Chairman, Mrs. Mason Colt,\nMr. James B. Forgan, Mr. Charles H. Kellstadt, Mrs. Joe\nHume Gardner, Mr. Harold Houle, and Mr. Chester H. Whelden,\nJr.\nOFFICE OF INSIGNIA\nUNIFORMS AND AWARDS\n7.\nOFFICE OF INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS\nThe Office of Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards was, by direction\nof the Chairman, delegated the administration of approved policies and\nregulations on insignia, uniforms, and awards, and is to be maintained as\na general service for the benefit of the entire organization.1\nWithin this authority, the Office maintains a codified record\nof all policy decisions, regulations, and instructions on the form and\nuse of insignia, uniforms, and awards, and provides information concern-\ning them to all Services and Offices. On inquiry or on its own initiative\nthe Office interprets and applies regulations and instructions on eligibil-\nity for and the use of all insignia, uniforms, and awards and recommends\nchanges in policy or in rules and procedures governing their use. The\nOffice, upon request, reviews and discusses all suggestions for changes\nin regulations or instructions, or for the adoption or discontinuance or\nmodification of insignia, uniforms, and awards, and recommends appropriate\naction thereon; suggests procedures or other means for controlling or\ncorrecting reported misuse of insignia or uniforms; and handles all inquiries\nconcerning them received from persons or agencies outside of the organ-\nization. The Office directs the development of samples or reproductions\nof designs, styles, or format of insignia, uniforms, and awards; approves\nall requisitions for the procurement thereof; and issues from time to\ntime, as necessary, specific regulations affecting their approval, pro-\ncurement, issuance, and use.\n1. DO 10, Supplement No. 12, September 5, 1945.\nGENERAL AUTHORIZATION\nWORLD WAR II AWARDS\n8.\nAUTHORIZATION FOR AWARDS\nCentral Committee, September 18, 1944\nThe general authorization of awards for World War II service\nwas given by the following votes of the Central Committee at its meet-\ning of September 18, 1944:\nThat special medals or awards not be issued in\nrecognition of special service in the present war.\nThat the Central Committee hereby authorizes the\nCommittee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards to\ndesign and select suitable certificates and in-\nsignia to be issued in recognition of service\nrendered to the Red Cross during this war, includ-\ning the personnel of the National Organization and\nthe Chapters, and the citizens of foreign countries\nwho have served in American Red Cross operations\nabroad; and to recommend to the Central Committee\nthe rules and regulations for the issuance of such\ncertificates and insignia.\nLIST OF\nWORLD WAR II AWARDS\n9.\nLIST OF WORLD WAR II AWARDS\nEach item below is treated under the following sub-headings:\nAction of Central Committee\nAction of National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards\nOfficial Interpretations\nAdministrative Precedents and Rulings\nEligibility\nOrigin\nIdentification\nPage\nCERTIFICATES\nFor Members of National Staff (Domestic)\n10\nFor Workers in Chapters\n10\nFor Members of National Staff (Overseas)\n10\nFor Foreigners serving American Red Cross Abroad\n11\nPINS AND BUTTONS\nFor Members of National Staff (Domestic) and\nWorkers in Chapters\n19\nFor Members of National Staff (Overseas)\n19\nRIBBON BARS\nVolunteer Service Ribbon Bars\n24\nTheatre Ribbon Bars for American Red Cross Personnel Overseas\n31\nRibbon Bars for Foreigners\n36\nSLEEVE BARS AND CHEVRONS\nSilver Bars for Overseas Service\n41\nRed Bars and Chevrons for Domestic Service\n45\nMEDALS\nBronze\n49\nSilver\n53\nCERTIFICATES\n10.\nCERTIFICATES\nAction of Central Committee\nIn accordance with the authorization given to it by the vote of\nthe Central Committee at its meeting of September 18, 1944 (see page 8),\nthe Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards submitted a report dated\nNovember 13, 1944 which detailed the plan for certificates and insignia\nand recommended the rules and regulations for their issuance (see Appendix,\npage 1). This report was approved by the vote of the Central Committee at\nits meeting of November 13, 1944:\nThat the report of the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms,\nand Awards, dated November 13, 1944 be, and it is hereby\naccepted and the recommendations therein are approved.\nThe Central Committee at its meeting of October 8, 1945 approved\nthe following revised statement on eligibility to be substituted for Section\nIII as it appeared in the report dated November 13, 1944:\nSection III. That certificates be issued to volunteers\nand paid workers as follows:\n1. Volunteers:\n(a) Each person who within the war period,\nJanuary 1, 1940 to the official close\nof the war, has given 200 hours or more\nin organized volunteer service, which\nservice has been rendered overseas.\n(b) Each person who, within the same period,\nhas given 200 hours or more in organized\nvolunteer service, which service has been\nrendered in the continental United States.\n2. Staff Members:\n(a) Each person who within the same period has\nbeen employed by the National Organization\nor a Chapter and has served overseas for\na period of 12 months or more and has given\nsatisfactory service.\n(b) Each person who within the same period has\nbeen employed by the National Organization\nor a Chapter and has served in the conti-\nnental United States for a period of 12\nmonths or more, and has given satisfactory\nservice.\n11.\nCERTIFICATES\nAction of Central Committee (continued)\n3. Provision for Special Service:\nEach person who has given effective\nservice of special significance of\nless than 200 hours or twelve months\nas volunteer or paid worker respect-\ntively shall receive a certificate on\nthe approval of the Executive Committee\nof the chapter or appropriate represent-\native of the national organization.\n(Citizens of foreign countries who have served in American Red\nCross operations abroad may, in accordance with the Central Committee author-\nization of September 19, 1944, qualify for certificates under any of the three\nprovisions stated above.)\nThe Central Committee at its meeting on November 13, 1944,\napproved the following recommendation submitted, in its report of the\nsame date, by the National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards:\nThat certificates to be issued to workers on the\nnational staff and in chapters and to the citizens\nof foreign countries who have served in American\nRed Cross operations abroad be printed in two\ncolors on heavy weight paper, size approximately\n8½\" by 11\" bearing the following inscriptions and\nsignatures, with the Red Cross emblem at the head:\n(For inscriptions and signatures herein mentioned, see Appendix, page 1)\n12.\nCERTIFICATES\nAction of Central Committee (continued)\nJunior Red Cross\nThe Central Committee at its meeting on October 8, 1945,\napproved the following recommendation from the report of the National\nCommittee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, dated October 5, 1945:\nYour Committee submits for your consideration\na resolution concerning the position of the\nCentral Committee with respect to the issuance\nof certificates for services in World War II\nto members of the Junior Red Cross.\nA question has arisen as to the intention of the\nCentral Committee with respect to issuing certif-\nicates for service during the war to members of the\nAmerican Junior Red Cross. The report of the\nCommittee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, approved\nby the Central Committee on November 13, 1944, pro-\nvided that each person who had given 200 hours or more\nof volunteer service should receive a certificate,\nwithout specifically including or excluding members\nof the Junior Red Cross.\nThe national director of Junior Red Cross has\nadvanced reasons for confining the issuance of these\ncertificates to adults (copy of his statement attached).\nTo make the intention of the Central Committee clear\nin this respect, it is recommended that the following\nresolution be adopted:\nThe American National Red Cross is sincere\nin its appreciation and commendation of the\nextensive work and valuable service performed\nby the Junior Red Cross during the Second\nWorld War. Since the measurement of Junior\nRed Cross service in hours, however, has\nnever been imposed upon the schools, and\nsince the majority of Junior Red Cross services\nare rendered in the schools, no certificates\nfor service during World War II shall be issued\nto Junior Red Cross workers.\n13.\nCERTIFICATES\nAction of Central Committee (continued)\nPrisoner of War Packaging Centers\nBlood Donor Centers\nThe Central Committee at its meeting on June 18, 1945, authorized\nthe following with respect to the recommendation quoted below from the\nreport of the National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, dated\nJune 15, 1945:\nThe certificate recommended by the former Committee\non Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards for distribution\nto volunteers who have served two hundred hours more\nor less since January 1, 1940, it was decided will\nbe issued to those who have completed their service\nin Prisoner of War Food Packing Centers and in Blood\nDonor Centers.\nCertificates in recognition of domestic wartime service (Form 1867) were\nmade up in July 1945, specially inscribed, for workers in Prisoners of\nWar Packaging Centers who had served the required length of time. Workers\nin Blood Donor Centers did not receive specially inscribed certificates,\nbut, upon completion of the required hours of service, became eligible\nfor a certificate (Form 1867).\n14.\nCERTIFICATES\nOfficial Interpretations\nThe following interpretations by the Chairman govern the issuance\nof certificates:\nIn connection with the awarding of certificates\nand insignia for (1) national staff workers serving over-\nseas, (2) the national staff serving in the United States\nand the workers in chapters, and (3) foreign workers asso-\nciated with the American Red Cross operations abroad, the\nChairman has ruled that any volunteer is, for this partic-\nular purpose, a member of an American Red Cross organized\nvolunteer service.\nThe Chairman also has ruled that all workers\notherwise qualified for a certificate of wartime service\nand not separated from. the service for prejudice will be\npresumed to have rendered the kind of service referred to\nin the particular certificate. Unless this presumption\nis affirmatively rebutted the certificate will be issued. 1\nCertificates or insignia to be awarded to the\nnational staff for less than 200 hours or 12 months on\nthe basis of \"effective service of special significance\"\nmust be approved by the National Chairman.\nThe following statement covers the interpretation of the National\nCommittee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, regarding the period covering\neligibility for certificates:\nJanuary 1, 1940 was fixed arbitrarily because it marked\nthe first year in which the American Red Cross began\nin any volume to engage in foreign war relief. Some work\nwas done between September 1, and December 31, 1939, but\non the whole it was only preliminary to the big under-\ntakings of 1940 and 1941\nthe American Red Cross\nwill be governed by the Government's announcement of the\n\"official close of the War. 112\n1. Memorandum, James T. Nicholson to Dr. Harry A. Wann, September 21, 1945.\n2. Memorandum, Walter Davidson to Mrs. Margaret L. Van Houten, August 28, 1945.\n15.\nCERTIFICATES\nAdministrative Precedents and Rulings\nIn respect to provision for the award of certificates on the\nbasis of effective service of special significance (see page 11), re-\ncommendations for the award of certificates for this type of service\nmust have the approval of the Chairman in the case of the national staff,\nor of the executive committee of a chapter for chapter workers. Cer-\ntificates for citizens of foreign countries are issued in all cases as\ndirected by the overseas official in charge of each area. 1\nThe case of a worker who is considered to have rendered es-\npecially significant service is referred to the Chairman upon recommen-\n2\ndation of the Service concerned with the concurrence of Personnel Service.\n1. Information Circular, page 3, December 1, 1945.\n2. Memorandum, Mr. Chester H. Whelden, Jr. to Dr. Harry A. Wann, January\n14, 1946\n16.\nCERTIFICATES\nEligibility\nIn accordance with the revised statement on eligibility approved\nby the Central Committee on November 13, 1944 (see Appendix, page 2) certif-\nicates are to be awarded to the following groups of workers who have served\nwithin the period from January 1, 1940, to the official close of the war:\n1. Volunteers who have given 200 hours or more in\norganized volunteer service rendered either in\nthe continental United States or overseas.\n2. Staff members who have given satisfactory service\nfor a period of 12 months or more in the paid em-\nployment of the national organization or a chapter,\neither in the continental United States or overseas.\n3. Citizens of foreign countries, associated with Amer-\nican Red Cross operations abroad, who have given 200\nhours or more in organized volunteer service or satis-\nfactory service for a period of 12 months or more in\nthe paid employment of the organization.\nWorkers in all three classifications, with the approval of the\nexecutive committee of a chapter, the National Chairman, or the appropriate\nrepresentative of the organization overseas (for groups 1, 2, and 3 respect-\nively) may be awarded certificates for effective service of special signif-\nicance of less than 200 hours of volunteer or 12 months of paid service.\n17.\nCERTIFICATES\nOrigin\nThere are no special considerations known to have contributed to\nthe adoption of the certificates, beyond the Central Committee vote of Sep-\ntember 18, 1944, quoted on page 8.\n18.\nCERTIFICATES\nIdentification\nThe Central Committee vote of November 13, 1944, authorizing is-\nsuance of certificates in recognition of service in World War II, is imple-\nmented by means of the following certificates, samples of which appear\nimmediately hereafter:\nFor the national staff serving in the United States\nForm 1867\nFor workers in Prisoner of War Packaging Centers\nIf 1867\nFor chapter workers\nIt 1868\nFor the national staff serving overseas\n\" 1869\nFor foreign workers associated with American Red Cross\noperations abroad\n\" 1870\nThe American Pational Red Cross\nto\nrecognition of meritorious personal service\nperformed in behalf of the nation, her armed\nforces, and suffering humanity in\nthe Second World Mar.\nPRESIDENT\nISSUED\nBasil Others\nCHAIRMAN\n1867\nThe American Pational Red Cross\nto\nrecognition of meritorious personal service\nperformed in behalf of the nation, her armed\nforces, and suffering humanity in\nthe Second World War.\nCHAPTER CHAIRMAN\nPRESIDENT\nISSUED\nCHAPTER\nBasil\nCHAIRMAN\n1868\n+\nCole The American National Red Cross\nOverseas Service to Certificate\nLl\nIn recognition and appreciation of the faithful and meritorious\nperformance of humanitarian service overseas in the Second World\nMar as a representative of the American Red Cross\nIs\nPRESIDENT\nBaril O'Caun\nISSUED\nCHAIRMAN\n1869\nHURRI NIHIL ALLENUM\nThe American Dational Red Cross\nCertificate of Appreciation\nIf\nto\nIn recognition of faithful and meritorious service rendered\nin connection with the humanitarian work of the\nAmerican Red Cross in the Second World Mar.\nAMERICAN RED CROSS\nIN\nPRESIDENT\nISSUED\nBasil O'Caun\nCHAIRMAN\n1870\nPINS AND BUTTONS\n19.\nPINS AND BUTTONS\nAction of Central Committee\nThe Central Committee, with reference to the issuance of\ncertificates (see page 10) on November 13, 1944, voted:\nThat the holder of a certificate may obtain a\npin or button either by purchase or award.\nThat insignia be presented gratis to all national\nstaff members serving overseas and also to all\nforeign workers associated with American Red Cross\noperations abroad, who in each instance qualify\nto receive certificates.\nThe Central Committee at its meeting on October 8, 1945, in\norder more clearly to define the functions of the Committee on Insignia,\nUniforms, and Awards took the following action:\nThat the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and\nAwards is authorized to fix, and from time to\ntime amend, the prices to be charged for such\npins, buttons, and other insignia as are to be\nsold to those entitled to wear them.\n20.\nPINS AND BUTTONS\nAction of National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards\nThe National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards on\nOctober 3, 1945 considered the matter of awarding pins and buttons with-\nout cost to the domestic national staff, since they are to be so awarded\nto the overseas staff.\nIn November Mrs. Rowland wrote each member of the Committee\non Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, enclosing in her letter a form upon\nwhich the committee member could register his vote. The mail vote,\nreceived by December 1, 1945, authorized:\nThat the distribution of pins and buttons in recog-\nnition of service in World War II should be without\ncharge to all members of the national staff and with-\nout discrimination between members of the staff\nassigned in the United States and overseas.\n(This policy was given effect by NHQ 76, dated January 7, 1946.)\n21.\nPINS AND BUTTONS\nAdministrative Precedents and Rulings\nOn October 22, 1945, certificates and insignia were\npresented by the Chairman to all paid staff members at national\nheadquarters who had served the organization for the full period\nfrom December 1941 through August 14, 1945.\nThe fact that these insignia were awarded without charge\nin effect constituted a precedent in support of the vote of the National\nCommittee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards authorizing free distribution\nof pins and buttons in recognition of World War II service, which was\ngiven effect by NHQ 76, dated January 7, 1946.\nThese pins and buttons are intended for wear on ordinary\ndress only. They are not part of the uniform and cannot be worn with\nit.\n22.\nPINS AND BUTTONS\nEligibility\nAny employee eligible (according to the provision stated on\npage 10) to receive a certificate for domestic or overseas service may\nobtain a corresponding pin or button (pins for women and buttons for men).\nThe insignia are awarded without charge to domestic or overseas\nstaff members, and are available for purchase by chapter workers.\n23.\nPINS AND BUTTONS\nOrigin\nThere are no special considerations known to have contributed\nto the adoption of the certificates, beyond the Central Committee vote\nof September 18, 1944 quoted on page 8.\nWARE\nWORLD WARY\nWORLD WAR II PINS AND BUTTONS\nFOR DOMESTIC PERSONNEL\nOVERSEAS\nOVERSEAS\nWORLD WAR II PINS AND BUTTONS\nFOR OVERSEAS PERSONNEL\nVOLUNTEER SERVICE\nRIBBON BAR\n24.\nVOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR\nAction of Central Committee\nThe first action of the Central Committee took place at its meet-\ning on April 9 1945, when it voted:\nThat the Central Committee hereby approves the\ninsignia which has heretofore been authorized\nfor use in Volunteer Special Services in rec-\nognition of the number of hours served, and\nthis matter is referred to the Committee on\nInsignia, Uniforms, and Awards for such further\nconsideration of the use of this insignia as\nmay be appropriate and wise.\nOn June 18, 1945 the Central Committee took the following action\non the report of the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards dated June\n15, 1945 (see Appendix, page 4):\nThat the Central Committee hereby authorizes the\nfollowing with respect to the recommendations\nquoted below from the report of the Committee on\nInsignia, Uniforms, and Awards dated June 15, 1945:\n4. At the last meeting of the Central Committee,\napproval was given for the issuance of a ser-\nvice ribbon bar for volunteers. Your Committee\nrecommends the distributio of this insignia\nas the \"Red Cross World War II Service Ribbon\nBar\" to any volunteer who has served with the\nAmerican Red Cross for twelve months within\nthe period beginning December 7, 1941.\nIn recognition of continuous volunteer service,\nit is proposed that for every additional five\nhundred (500) hours served or their equivalent\na silver stripe may be attached to the ribbon\nbar, each silver stripe representing five\nhundred hours. A gold stripe will replace a\nsilver stripe to represent one thousand (1,000)\nhours.\nThe eligibility of each volunteer to add stripes\nto the service ribbon bar, either on the basis\nof hours served or their equivalent, is to be\ndetermined by the chairman of the service con-\ncerned in each chapter or the head of the ser-\nvice in each office.\n25.\nVOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR\nAction of Central Committee (continued)\nRecommendation No. 4 was approved and the\nCommittee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards\nwas authorized to work out the details for\nthe issuance of this insignia. There was\nreferred to the Committee, with power, the\nsuggestion that the gold stripe might be\nissued after service of more than 1,000\nhours.\nFollowing the recommendation made by the National Committee on\nInsignia, Uniforms, and Awards, in recognition of the volume of garment\nproduction engaged in by volunteers for foreign war relief shortly after\nthe outbreak of the World War, the Central Committee at its meeting on\nJuly 9, 1945, voted:\nThat the resolution of the Central Committee concern-\ning the distribution of \"the Red Cross World War II\nService Ribbon Bar to any volunteer who has served\nwith the American Red Cross for twelve (12) months\nwithin the period beginning December 7, 1941, be\namended to read \"beginning January 1, 1940.\"\n26.\nVOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR\nAction of National Committee on\nInsignia, Uniforms, and Awards\nIn accordance with the authority delegated by the Central\nCommittee vote of June 18, 1945, Mrs. Rowland, as Chairman of the\nNational Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, revised the\nregulations governing the numbers of hours of service to be repre-\nsented by the various stripes (see page 28).\n27.\nVOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR\nAdministrative Precedents\nand Rulings\nThe bar may be worn on both uniforms and ordinary dress. It\nis worn over the left breast.\nRibbon bars are worn on uniforms over the left breast in the\nsequence shown below, starting on the the top row nearest the center of the\nbody and reading toward left arm. Rows of service ribbons are spaced\n1/8 inch apart.\nArmy, Navy, or other military decorations\nDecorations from foreign governments\nDecorations from foreign Red Cross societies\nAmerican Red Cross 5-40 year service bars\nWorld War II service ribbon and badge\nWorld War II overseas ribbon bar (theatre bar)\nWorld War II volunteer ribbon bar.\n28.\nVOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR\nEligibility\nAny volunteer worker who has served with the American Red Cross\nfor 12 months within the period beginning January 1, 1940 until the official\nclose of the war, may wear the Red Cross World War II Volunteer Service\nRibbon Bar.\nChapter officers will have to use discretion in determining who are\nregular workers in Red Cross activities for 12 months within the war period\nand thus eligible for the volunteer service bar. Volunteers who have served\nconscientiously and faithfully a total of 12 months, and have met the requests\nmade of them by the chapter whether it be a few or many hours a week should\nbe considered eligible. Each chapter should set the standard which fits best\nthe conditions in the community. The minimum number of hours required by a\nVolunteer Special Services corps might well be used as the standard for obtain-\ning bars by members of that corps. Since at least 12 months of service must\nbe given, however, any number of hours served over a period of less than 12\nmonths would not entitle a volunteer to the ribbon bar.\nVolunteers may also count hours for volunteer service bars on the\nbasis of service performed in programs conducted by other agencies, provided\nthe Red Cross unit (whether national, area, or chapter) of which they are\nmembers specifically assigned them to such duties. Volunteers who render\nservice to the American Red Cross in their capacity as members of other\norganizations, but not by specific assignment and under the general direction\nof the Red Cross, will not be individually recognized for that work.\nThe ribbon bar in its plain form is available for purchase by any\nvolunteer who has been certified by the chapter officers as having been a\nregular worker in American Red Cross activities for 12 months, without ref-\nerence to the hours of service, whether or not the service was continuous or\nwas rendered in one or more activities.\nThere are affixed to the volunteer service ribbon bar stripes\nrepresenting:\n1. Hours of service actually recorded, as is customary\nin Volunteer Special Services, or:\n2. Estimated hours of service as attested to by the\nchairman of a chapter or director of different\nServices or activities to whom the volunteer\nreports when the actual hours of service are not\nrecorded. For example, periods of service in the\nWar Fund Campaign, Blood Donor Service, Camp and\nHospital Council Service, and as volunteer instructors\nof Red Cross courses may be estimated. All estimates\nshould be based upon the best information obtainable as\nto the appropriate number of hours worked. Every\neffort should be made to give full credit to volunteer\nworkers whose hours are not regularly recorded, but\ncaution should be exercised to see that the estimated\nhours are consistent with actual service rendered.\n29.\nVOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR\nEligibility (continued)\nEach unit of 500 hours will be represented by a silver stripe\naffixed to the bar, which will accommodate a total of nine silver stripes\nrepresenting a total of 4,500 hours of service.\nUpon completion of 5,000 hours of service, all nine silver stripes\nshould be replaced by a broad gold stripe, the symbol of 5,000 hours.\nBeyond 5,000 hours, there should be affixed next to the broad gold\nstripe, one narrow gold stripe for each additional 1,000 hours served. A\ntotal of four narrow gold stripes along side of one broad gold stripe rep-\nresents a grand total of 9,000 hours.\nWhen a total of 10,000 hours has been completed, the four narrow\ngold stripes should be replaced by a second broad gold stripe. This pro-\ncedure can be repeated as far as it is required.\n30.\nVOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR\nOrigin\nMrs. Richard M. Bissell, Administrator of Volunteer Special Ser-\nvices, had been asked by many volunteers why the American Red Cross gave\nno recognition for hours served. In the absence of such recognition, at\nleast two chapters in the North Atlantic Area had initiated bars of their\nown. Mrs. Bissell, therefore, proposed adoption of a ribbon bar for Vol-\nunteer Special Services, which was approved by the Staff Committee on\nInsignia at its meeting on January 25, 1945.\nVolunteer Service Ribbon Bar\nVolunteer Bar denoting 4,500\nhours of service\n+\n+\nVolunteer Bar denoting 9,000\nVolunteer Bar denoting 14,000\nhours of service\nhours of service\nWORLD WAR II VOLUNTEER SERVICE RIBBON BAR\nTHEATRE I\nBARS\n31.\nTHEATRE RIBBON BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE\nAction of Central Committee\nAt its meeting on July 9, 1945, the Central Committee, follow-\ning discussion of the desirability of providing some form of ribbon bar\nfor issuance to ARC personnel who have served overseas in this war voted:\nThat the Central Committee hereby approves the\nissuance of a ribbon bar for ARC personnel who\nhave served overseas in the present war; the bar\nto consist of 3 equal sections colored red, white\nand blue respectively from left to right and having\nthe letters \"ARC\" in blue in the left section, a\nsmall red cross in the center section and the ini-\ntials of the appropriate foreign theater in red in\nthe right section.\n32.\nTHEATRE RIBBON BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE\nAdministrative Precedents and Rulings\nThis ribbon bar is worn on the uniform only.\nRibbon bars are worn over the left breast in the sequence\nshown below, starting on the top row nearest the center of the body\nand reading toward left arm. Rows of service ribbons are spaced\n1/8 inch apart.\nArmy, Navy, or other military decorations\nDecorations from foreign governments\nDecorations from foreign Red Cross societies\nAmerican Red Cross 5-40 year service bars\nWorld War I service ribbon and badge\nWorld War II overseas ribbon bar (theatre bar)\nWorld War II volunteer ribbon bar\n33.\nTHEATRE RIBBON BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE\nOfficial Interpretations of Eligibility\nOn September 18, 1945 the Chairman approved a statement\ndefining eligibility:\nAny American who has served with the American\nRed Cross overseas is eligible upon the recommenda-\ntion of the American Red Cross commissioner,\ndelegate, or representative in the theatre\nconcerned, to receive a ribbon bar for each\noverseas theatre in which he has served.\nOn September 20, 1945, the Office of Insignia, Uniforms, and\nAwards, with the approval of Mrs. Rowland, Chairman of the National Committee\non Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, further interpreted eligibility for the\nARC overseas ribbon bar:\nAnyone assigned to a theatre is eligible to receive\nthe bar for that theatre as soon as he begins to serve\nin it. Commissioners are not to set time limits of\ntheir own. Passing through a theatre en route to\nanother does not count, but service of any length\nin a theatre does. In other words, the rule which\napplies to Army personnel has general application\nhere: \"An individual's eligibility to wear the\nappropriate ribbon of a theatre, except the American\ntheatre, is automatically established upon arrival\ntherein under permanent change of station orders.\nI. Memorandum, Mrs. Margaret L. Van Houten to Mr. Walter Wesselius\nNovember 1, 1945.\n34.\nTHEATRE RIBBON BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE\nOrigin\nAt its meeting on June 18, 1945, the Central Committee took\nthe following action on the recommendation of the National Committee\non Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, in its report of June 15, 1945:\n2. Consideration was given to the question of\nthe eligibility of the staff of the American\nRed Cross serving in the various war theaters\nto wear the military overseas service ribbons\nissued to servicemen and women by the theatre\ncommanding officers. An examination of the\nsituation revealed that the distribution of\nthese ribbons is regulated by executive order\nand that their use is confined exclusively to\nthose actually in military service.\nIt was the sense of the Central Committee (a)\nthat the Chairman, through appropriate channels,\nshould ascertain whether the War Department would\napprove the issuance of military service ribbons\nto all American Red Cross personnel serving in\nthe various theatres, and (b) that if it is not\npossible to issue these service ribbons to all\nARC personnel in the theatres, the practice of\nissuing them to a limited number of personnel\nshould be discontinued.\nIt was verified that, in accordance with War Department\nCircular No. 62, February 11, 1944, supported by Executive Order of\nthe President No. 9265, six November, 1942, Campaign ribbons are\nauthorized only for members of the Armed Forces. The resulting\ninterpretation, that theatre ribbons could not be authorized for\nwear by American Red Cross personnel aroused considerable resent-\nment on the part of those serving overseas. The matter was accord-\ningly referred to the National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and\nAwards, and this committee's recommendation of the desirability of\nproviding some form of ribbon bar, for issuance to American Red\nCross personnel serving overseas, led to the Central Committee's\nvote of July 9, 1945.\nConsideration of the design for the ribbon bar was\nimmediately instituted, and the design finally adopted was essent-\nially that of the ETO ribbon bar mentioned in the following cable\nof July 28, 1945, to the Chairman from Mr. Allen:\n35.\nTHEATRE RIBBON BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE\nOrigin (continued)\nAmerican ribbon for American Staff having\nserved in ETO and designed and ordered by\nGibson and approved by Commanding General\nseveral months ago, have now been delivered.\nCarroll and all here feel ribbon should be\ngiven out. View Central Committee ruling,\nthey are holding up distribution but I hope\nyou can approve. Ribbon is red, white, and\nblue, with emblems in white section with\nwording ARC in blue letters on red section\nand ETO is red on blue section. Morale\nhere will be lifted if ribbon can be given\npromptly.\n+\nEuropean Theatre of Operations\nChina-Burma-India\n+\nMTO\nMediterranean Theatre of Operations\nSouthwest Pacific\n+\nMiddle East Operations\nPacific Ocean Area\n+\nInsular and Foreign Operations\nMiscellaneous small stations (not under the jurisdiction\nof any of the above theatres)\nWORLD WAR II RIBBON BARS TO DESIGNATE THEATRES OF SERVICE\nFOR OVERSEAS PERSONNEL OF AMERICAN RED CROSS\nRIBBON BAR\nFOR FOREIGNERS\n36.\nRIBBON BAR FOR FOREIGNERS\nAction of Central Committee\nThe Central Committee at its meeting of November 13, 1944\nwas informed by Mrs. Belmont, Chairman of the National Committee on\nInsignia, Uniforms, and Awards that her committee had given prelim-\ninary consideration and tentative approval to a proposal that some\nform of special insignia should be provided in recognition of the\nexceptional service which citizens of other countries had rendered\nin connection with the operations of the American Red Cross overseas.\nThe Central Committee thereupon voted:\nThat the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and\nAwards is authorized to approve the design for\na special insignia in the form of a ribbon bar\nto be issued for exceptional service rendered\nto the American Red Cross by citizens of foreign\ncountries who have aided in the work of the\norganization; and the regulations governing the\nissuance of such special insignia are to be\nrecommended by the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms,\nand Awards and become effective upon the approval\nof the Chairman.\nThe Central Committee at its meeting of October 8, 1945 voted:\nThat the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and\nAwards is authorized to select the materials\nand approve the designs for authorized insignia.\nIn this connection, the Central Committee suggested\nthat a service bar of metal for citizens of for-\neign countries who have served the American Red\nCross would be preferable to the present ribboned\nbar for this purpose.\n37.\nRIBBON BAR FOR FOREIGNERS\nAction of the National Committee on\nInsignia, Uniforms, and Awards\nThe National Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, by\nmail vote, agreed that work should go forward on the ribbon bar for\nforeigners without further consideration of the change suggested by the\nCentral Committee as preferable.\nThis decision was reached after consideration of the facts\npresented to the national committee. The Office of Insignia, Uniforms,\nand Awards had determined that it would take some time to secure approval\nof design, completion of sketch, production, and delivery of the proposed\nmetal bar. On the basis of the analysis of this Office, the Office of\nthe Vice Chairman in charge of Insular and Foreign Operations had indicat-\ned its preference for proceeding with the ribbon bar since speed in\nmaking the awards to foreigners is a factor of great importance.\n38.\nRIBBON BAR FOR FOREIGNERS\nOfficial Interpretations\nOn September 18, 1945, the Chairman approved the following statement\ndefining eligibility for the ribbon bar for foreigners:\nThe ribbon bar authorized by the Central Committee at\nits meeting on November 13, 1944, may be issued to cit-\nizens of foreign countries who, within the war period,\nJanuary 1, 1940 to the official close of the war, have\nbeen associated with American Red Cross operations abroad;\nand have given 200 hours or more in organized volunteer\nservice, or have given satisfactory service for twelve\nmonths or more in the paid employment of the American Red\nCross, or have given, in the opinion of the American Red\nCross commissioner, delegate, or representative in the\ncountry concerned, effective service of special signif-\nicance of less than 200 hours or twelve months. All\nsuch persons are to be selected by and all such ribbon\nbars are to be given by the American Red Cross commission-\ner, delegate, or representative in the country concerned.\nThe above definition was approved by the Chairman following his\nconsideration of the recommendation of the Office of Insignia, Uniforms,\nand Awards, dated September 15, 1945. This Office based its recommend-\nation, that the ribbon bar for exceptional service rendered by foreign\ncitizens be made available to all foreigners eligible for certificates,\non the following reasons:\n(1) The ribbon bar has been replaced by the silver\nmedal for especially distinguished foreign workers.\n(2) It would be most difficult to distinguish among\nany foreign workers except on some more or less\nclear basis such as that adopted for awards among\nour own workers.\n(3) In theaters where insignia have already been issued\nto large numbers of foreign workers, it would be\nparticularly unpolitic to attempt to distinguish\namong those already recognized, especially upon the\nbasis of some vague or much higher standard of\nqualifications.\nThe proposed regulation would permit a commissioner considerable\nlatitude in recognizing persons who have performed especially significant\nservice without regard to the element of time.\nThe ribbon bar for foreigners would not have to be awarded in\ntheatres where awards had already been made unless the commissioner felt\nthat such a duplication was actually desirable.\n39.\nRIBBON BAR FOR FOREIGNERS\nEligibility\nThere are no provisions governing eligibility for the ribbon\nbar for foreigners additional to those described on page 38.\n40.\nRIBBON BAR FOR FOREIGNERS\nOrigin\nThere are no special considerations known to have contributed\nto the adoption of the ribbon bar for foreigners, beyond the Central\nCommittee vote of November 13, 1944, quoted on page 36.\nARC\nRIBBON BAR FOR FOREIGNERS\nBAR\n41.\nSILVER BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE\nAdministrative Precedents\nand Rulings\nAdoption of the silver bar designating six months of overseas\nservice was authorized administratively following its approval by the\nNational Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, as described on\npage 44.\n\"Six months' service\" is interpreted to mean actual service\noutside the continental limits of the United States and is dated from\nand including the day of actual departure to and including the day of\nactual return. 1\nOn women's suit jackets, the first silver bar is worn 3/2 inches\nfrom and parallel to the end of the left sleeve. Upon completion of an\nadditional six months' service overseas, another silver bar may be added\nabove the first, the space between being formed by the felt background\nof the bars. Additional periods of overseas service of six months each\nmay be denoted in a similar manner.\nOn men's uniforms, the same regulations apply except that\nthe first bar is placed 4 inches above the end of the sleeve.\nIf both the red bars and chevrons for service in the continen-\ntal United States and the silver sleeve bars for overseas service are worn,\nthe silver bars are worn immediately above the red bars and chevrons in\naccordance with instructions detailed in Appendix, page 9.\nI. Multiple letter, Robert S. Wilson, December 21, 1944.\n42.\nSILVER BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE\nEligibility\n\"One silver bar is authorized for wear for each period of six\nmonths' service outside the continental limits of the United States. In\ncomputing overseas service, the territory of Alaska will be considered out-\nside the continental limits of the United States. 111\nUpon completion of twelve months of actual service overseas the\nworker is entitled to a second bar. Additional bars may be worn for each\nsix months' additional service overseas.\n1. Multiple letter, Robert S. Wilson, December 21, 1944.\n43.\nSILVER BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE\nIdentification\nThe silver bar for six months' overseas service is a horizontal\nbar of silver bullion measuring 1/4 inch wide and 1 3/8 inches long, on a\ndark olive drab felt background for issue to men and a grey felt background\nfor issue to women.\n44.\nSILVER BAR FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE\nOrigin\nThe adoption of this form of designation was proposed by the\nUniform Committee of Services to the Armed Forces on September 4, 1944\nat the meeting of the Staff Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards:\nWhereas the use of overseas theatre ribbons issued by\nthe Army and Navy is restricted by federal law to the\narmed forces;\nWhereas there is an especial desire on the part of\noverseas workers for an appropriate designation of\nparticipation in service with the men on active\noverseas service:\nIt is recommended that --\nA silver bar of the same dimensions as the red\nbar now authorized domestically for length of\nservice be made available to be worn on the left\nsleeve of the uniform by both men and women who\nare or have been on overseas duty; the first bar\nto be worn after the completion of six months'\noverseas service; upon completion of twelve\nmonths of actual overseas service the worker to\nbe entitled to a second bar; and additional bars\nto be worn for each six months of additional\nservice overseas; service overseas to date from\nthe time of debarkation upon return to the United\nStates.\n1\nIt was not felt that adoption of the silver bar required action\nby the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards. It was, however,\napproved by the chairman of this committee, and thereafter given admin-\nistrative authorization.²\nI. Staff Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards, September 13, 1944.\n2. Memorandum, Walter Davidson to Mr. Christopher, October 18, 1944.\nfor men\nfor women\nWOVEN SILVER BAR\nRED BAR AND CHEVRON\nI\n45.\nRED BAR AND CHEVRON FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE\nAdministrative Precedents and Rulings\nThe red bars and chevrons were adopted by the National Committee on\nVolunteer Service in 1937 for use on the volunteer uniform. No other offici-\nal action was taken. At that time most action on insignia was taken on a\nService level; there was no specially appointed committee on insignia, and\nthe Central Committee rarely voted on these matters. By 1942, the use of\nVolunteer Special Services uniform had been expanded to unenrolled volunteers\nas well as the paid staff and at a meeting of the Volunteer Special Services'\nstaff it was voted to extend the use of the bars and chevrons to these members\nof the organization. Administrative approval was given this resolution (see\npage 47) when it was communicated to the area managers by James L. Fieser,\nVice Chairman in charge of Domestic Operations, in AM 179, October 20, 1942.\nThe red bars and chevrons are worn on the lower left sleeve of\nthe uniform.\nOn women's uniforms, the first red bar is placed 3/2 inches above\nand parallel to the end of the left sleeve. The next two red bars are placed\nat intervals of 1/4 inch above the first. At the end of the fourth year the\nbars are replaced by a red chevron 5 inches from the end of the sleeve, point\nupward. Bars for additional years are placed below the chevron at inch\nintervals. At the end of the eighth year, the bars are replaced by a second\nchevron, 1/4 inch above the first. With short sleeves, service bars and chevrons\nstart 1 inch from end of sleeve, or 1/4 inch above cuff on sleeve of Hospital\nand Recreation Corps uniform.\nOn men's uniforms, the above rules apply with the exception that\nthe first bar is placed 4 inches above and parallel to the end of the left\nsleeve and the first chevron 51/2 inches above the end of the sleeve.\nIf both the red bars and chevrons for service in the continental\nUnited States and the silver sleeve bars for overseas service are worn, the\nsilver bars are worn immediately above the red bars and chevrons in accord-\nance with instructions detailed in Appendix, page 9.\n46.\nRED BAR AND CHEVRON FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE\nEligibility\nBoth volunteer and paid workers, men and women, are eligible to\npurchase red bars and chevrons, representing one year and four years, respec-\ntively, of domestic service. The number of hours required for a \"year's\nservice\" is determined by the individual chapters. The total length of\nservice is computed from the actual date of employment on or after January\n1, 1928 (see page 47) and regardless of whether it is performed continuously\nor at intervals.\n47.\nRED BAR AND CHEVRON FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE\nOrigin\nThe red bar and chevron was originally adopted by the National\nCommittee on Volunteer Services at its meeting of December 9, and 10, 1937,\nwhen it was voted that:\nBars and chevrons, bright red in color, shall\nbe adopted for use in connection with the uni-\nforms of the Volunteer Special Services, to\nindicate periods of service of the wearers. A\nbar shall represent one year's service; a chev-\nron, four years' service.\nWhen first authorized, the red bars and chevrons were to be worn\nonly by members of Volunteer Special Services. Permission to wear bars and\nchevrons could not antedate January 1, 1928 (which is the time when actual\ncount of hours of service given by volunteers was begun). Furthermore, the\nbars and chevrons were worn only on the uniform of the corps in which the\nservice was given. If a volunteer belonged to one or more corps she wore\nbars and chevrons on the corps uniform according to the length of service\nin each particular corps. The bars and chevrons were not transferable\nfrom one corps to another. This ruling was revised in 1941, however, when\nthe Volunteer Special Services General Manual, ARC 415, revised October\n1941, provided that if a volunteer transferred from one corps to another,\nshe was entitled to transfer her bars and chevrons to the uniform of the\nnew corps in which she was enrolled.\nIn October 1942, at a meeting of the Volunteer Special Services'\nstaff it was voted to extend the use of the bars and chevrons to unenrolled\nvolunteers and paid staff:\nWhereas, at the December, 1937 meeting of the\nNational Committee on Volunteer Service, bars\nand chevrons, bright red in color, to indicate\nperiods of service, were adopted for use in\nconnection with the uniforms of the Volunteer\nServices, etc., be it resolved that with the\nincreased and valuable work of the staff and vol-\nunteers not members of a Volunteer Special Serv-\nice Corps the bars and chevrons may also be worn\nby them as passed by the National Committee on\nVolunteer Service and approved by the Chairman.\n48.\nRED BAR AND CHEVRON FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE\nIdentification\nThe red bar for one year's domestic service consists of a hori-\nzontal bar 3/8 inch in width and 1/2 inch in length. The red chevron is\n1 1/2 inches from tip to tip and 3/8 inch wide.\nOriginally both the bar and chevron were 5/16 inch wide - their\nlength has always remained the same.\nWhen first authorized a silk lustre, mercerized tape was used.\nHowever, in December 1938, the present woven bar and chevron came into stock.\nfor four years' service\nfor one years' service\nRED BAR AND CHEVRON FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE\nBRONZE MEDAL\n49.\nBRONZE MEDAL\nAction of Central Committee\nThe Central Committee at its meeting of June 18, 1945 approved\nthe recommendation quoted below from the report of the Committee on Insignia,\nUniforms, and Awards dated June 15, 1945:\n3. The issuance of an award to the next-of-kin of\nthose workers who have died while in the service of\nthe American Red Cross overseas has been considered\nand is recommended. The committee on Insignia, Uniforms,\nand Awards requests authorization to submit a type of medal\nor other form of recognition to the next meeting of the\nCentral Committee.\nThe Central Committee likewise approved the use for this purpose of the\nsame design bronze medal which was issued after the War of 1917-18.\nThe Central Committee at its meeting of July 9, 1945 further\nvoted:\nThat with the approval of the National Chairman, any\nperson, volunteer or paid worker, full or part time,\nwho has died in the service of the American Red Cross\nduring the Second World War anywhere in this country\nor overseas, and who died as the result of service\nrendered on behalf of the American Red Cross, shall\nbe awarded posthumously a Bronze Medal, provided it\nis shown that death occurred during his or her active\nwar service with the American Red Cross. Nurses\nrecruited or enrolled by the American Red Cross will\nbe eligible for this award provided that their death\noccurred during their active war service in World\nWar II.\nThat the ribbon attached to the Bronze Medal shall\nbe in red, corresponding to the red in the emblem,\nand bordered with white.\n50.\nBRONZE MEDAL\nEligibility\nAny volunteer or paid worker, full or part time who died in\nthe service of the American Red Cross during World War II, in this country\nor overseas, and who died as a result of that service, provided it is shown\nthat death occurred during his or her active war service with the American\nRed Cross. This medal is awarded posthumously and subject to the approval\nof the National Chairman.\nNurses recruited or enrolled by the American Red Cross are eligible\nfor this award provided that their death occurred during their active war\nservice in World War II.\n51.\nBRONZE MEDAL\nOrigin\nThe recommendation of a medal or some other device to the\nnext-of-kin as a gift in recognition that a member of the family died\nwhile serving with the American Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces\nduring World War II originated in a committee meeting of three members\nof the staff of Services to the Armed Forces on March 2, 1944. Their\nrecommendation was referred to Mr. Walter Davidson, secretary of the Com-\nmittee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards.\nIn its report dated June 15, 1945 to the Central Committee the\nCommittee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards states:\n3. The issuance of an award to the next-of-kin of those\nworkers who have died while in the service of the\nAmerican Red Cross overseas has been considered and\nis recommended. The Committee on Insignia, Uniforms,\nand Awards requests authorization to submit a type\nof medal or other form of recognition to the next\nmeeting of the Central Committee.\n52.\nBRONZE MEDAL\nIdenti fication\nThe bronze medal is of the same design as the bronze medal which\nwas awarded after World War I. The bronze is to be as bright as possible,\nand Red Cross red is to be used in the color of the cross. The back of the\nmedal is inscribed:\nTo\nFor Service\nThe American National Red Cross\nThe ribbon attached to the bronze medal is Red Cross red (gros-\ngrain ribbon) edged with white. The overall measurement is 1 1/2 inches by\n1 1/2 inches. The white edging is 1/8 inch on each side.\nThe medal will be suitably encased in a leather box.\nBRONZE MEDAL\nSILVER MEDAL\n53.\nSILVER MEDAL\nAction of Central Committee\nThe Central Committee's only action on the silver metal is\nrecorded in the following vote of July 9, 1945:\nThat with approval of the National Chairman, any\ncitizen or resident, other than an American, of\ncountries in which the operations of the American\nRed Cross have been carried on during the Second\nWorld War who has assisted with special distinction\nand in an outstanding manner the work of the\nAmerican Red Cross shall be awarded a Silver Medal\nof the type used following World War I, persons\neligible for this award to be recommended by the\nresponsible commissioner, delegate or represent-\native of the American Red Cross in the country\nconcerned.\n54.\nSILVER MEDAL\nEligibility\nThe silver medal may be awarded to any citizen or resident of\na foreign country who has participated with special distinction and in\nan outstanding manner in operations of the American Red Cross overseas\nduring World War II, subject to the approval of the National Chairman.\n55.\nSILVER MEDAL\nOrigin\nMrs. Belmont, Chairman of the Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and\nAwards stated on December 13, 1944 at the Central Committee meeting that\nfollowing the last War the American Red Cross had awarded a silver medal to\ncitizens of foreign countries who had rendered exceptional and distinguished\nservice in assisting the work of the American Red Cross.\nAfter discussion on the subject by the Central Committee, it was\ndecided to postpone action until a later meeting and it was suggested that\nthe Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards present a report covering\ndefinite recommendations on this matter.\nThe Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards presented the recom-\nmendation which constitutes the action taken by the Central Committee on July\n9, 1945 with regard to the silver medal.\n56.\nSILVER MEDAL\nIdentification\nThe silver medal is of the same design as the silver medal awarded\nfollowing World War I, and on its reverse side carries the inscription:\nTo\nFor Distinguished Service\nThe American National Red Cross\nThe ribbon attached to the medal is white, with red edge and blue\nstripes.\nThe medal will be suitably encased in a leather box.\nSILVER MEDAL\nAPPENDIX\n1.\nREPORT OF COMMITTEE ON INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS\nRe Recognition of Service Rendered during Second World War\nAt its meeting September 18, 1944, the Central Committee took the\nfollowing action --\n\"VOTED: That the Central Committee hereby authorizes\nthe Committee on Insignia, Uniforms and Awards to de-\nsign and select suitable certificates and insignia to\nbe issued in recognition of service rendered to the\nRed Cross during this war, including the personnel\nof the National Organization and the Chapters, and\nthe citizens of foreign countries who have served in\nAmerican Red Cross operations abroad; and to recommend\nto the Central Committee the rules and regulations for\nthe issuance of such certificates and insignia.\"\nIn accordance with the above resolution, the Committee on Insignia,\nUniforms and Awards submits the following recommendations--\nI. That the adoption and production of Red Cross insignia for all\npurposes is the sole responsibility of the Central Committee;\nChapters and all services to be notified to that effect and\nadvised to make their needs known to the national organiza-\ntion, and that no action be taken on their own account.\nRe Certificates\nII. That certificates to be issued to workers on the national staff\nand in chapters and to the citizens of foreign countries who\nhave served in American Red Cross operation abroad be printed\nin the colors on heavy weight paper, size approximately\nby 11\" bearing the following inscriptions and signatures,\nwith the Red Cross emblem at the head:\n1. For national staff serving in the United States --\nThe American National Red Cross\nto\nin recognition of meritorious personal\nservice performed in behalf of the nation,\nher armed forces, and suffering humanity\nin the Second World War.\n(Signed) President\n(Signed) Chairman, Central Committee\nIssued\n2.\n2. For chapter workers --\n(Same wording as for national staff but the\ncertificate to be countersigned by the chapter\nchairman with space for name of chapter.)\n3. For national staff serving overseas\nThe American National Red Cross\nOverseas Service Certificate\nto\nin recognition and appreciation of the\nfaithful and meritorious performance of\nhumanitarian service overseas in the\nSecond World War as a representative of\nthe American National Red Cross.\n(Signed) President\n(Signed) Chairman, Central Committee\nIssued\n4. For foreign workers associated with American Red Cross\noperations abroad --\nHumani Nihil Alienum\nThe American National Red Cross\nCertificate of Appreciation\nto\nin recognition of faithful and meritorious\nservice rendered in connection with the\nhumanitarian work of the American Red Cross\nin the Second World War.\n(Signed) President\n(Signed) Chairman, Central Committee\n(Counter\nsigned)\nin charge\nAmerican Red Cross Operations\nin\nIssued\nIII. That certificates be issued to volunteers and paid workers as follows:\n(a) Each person who within the war period, January 1, 1940 to\nthe official close of the war, has given 200 hours or more\nin organized volunteer service; or to\n(b) Each person who, within the same period, has been employed\nby the national organization or a chapter for twelve months\nor more and has given satisfactory service; or to\n(c) Each person who has given effective service of special\nsignificance of less than 200 hours or twelve months, as\nvolunteer or paid worker respectively shall receive a\ncertificate on the approval of the Executive Committee of\nthe chapter or appropriate representative of the national\norganization.\n3.\nRe Insignia\nIV. That the holder of a certificate may obtain a pin or\nbutton either by purchase or award --- especially prepared\nfor the purpose according to the following design--\n1. For national staff workers serving overseas ---\nDescription: Insigne circular in shape, edged\nwith gold bands; band broken at bottom with mon-\nogram, \"ARC\" dropping slightly below gold band;\ninternal circle divided, approximately 2/3 upper\nportion of circle in white with raised red cross,\nlower 1/3 in red with \"Overseas\" in gold letters.\n2. For national staff serving in the United States and for\nworkers in chapters --\nDescription: Insigne circular in shape, edged\nwith gold band; broken at bottom with monogram,\n\"ARC\", dropping slightly below gold rim, inter-\nnal circle in white with raised red cross centered.\n3. For Foreign workers associated with American Red Cross\noperations abroad --\nDescription: Insigne rectangular in shape,\nwith sides slightly curved, red cross centered\non white ground, surrounded by blue band on\nwhich \"American\" is inscribed at the top and\n\"Red Cross\" at the bottom.\nV. That insignia be presented gratis to all national staff members\nserving overseas and also to all foreign workers associated with\nAmerican operations abroad, who in each instance qualify to re-\nceive certificates.\nRespectfully submitted.\nChairman\nCommittee on Insignia, Uniforms,\nand Awards\nCentral Committee\nAs approved by the Central Committee\nNovember 13, 1944\n4.\nJune 15, 1945\nREPORT OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS\n(Mrs. William O. Rowland, Jr., Chairman)\nTo the Members of the Central Committee, American Red Cross:\nYour Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards was re-organized on\nMay 1, 1945, and its membership now comprises --\nMrs. William O. Rowland, Jr., Chairman\nMrs. Dwight F. Davis\nMrs. S. Sloan Colt\nMr. James B. Forgan\nMr. Charles H. Kellstadt\nMrs. Richard M. Bissell\nMrs. Archibald MacLeish\nMiss Virginia M. Dunbar\nMr. Harold L. Houle\nMr. Walter Davidson, Secretary\nSeveral conferences and two formal meetings of the committee have\nbeen held since re-organization. Matters of varying importance have been\ndealt with, including the following:\n1. On the recommendation of Commissioner Stanton Griffis of the\nPacific Ocean Area, approval was given to a change in the\nwording \"Military Welfare Service\" on the arm patch worn by\nuniformed workers in Military and Naval Welfare Service to\n\"Service to the Armed Forces\".\n2. Consideration was given to the question of the eligibility of\nthe staff of the American Red Cross serving in the various war\ntheatres to wear the military overseas service ribbons issued to\nservicemen and women by the theatre commanding officers. An\nexamination of the situation revealed that the distribution of\nthese ribbons is regulated by executive order and that their\nuse is confined exclusively to those actually in military service.\n3. The issuance of an award to the next-of-kin of those workers who\nhave died while in the service of the American Red Cross overseas\nhas been considered and is recommended. The Committee on Insignia,\nUniforms, and Awards requests authorization to submit a type of\nmedal or other form of recognition to the next meeting of the\nCentral Committee.\n4. At the last meeting of the Central Committee, approval was given\nfor the issuance of a service ribbon bar for volunteers. Your\nCommittee recommends the distribution of this insigne as the\n\"Red Cross World War II Service Ribbon Bar\" to any volunteer who\nhas served with the American Red Cross for twelve months within\nthe period beginning December 7, 1941.\n5.\nIn recognition of continuous volunteer service, it is proposed\nthat for every additional five hundred (500) hours served or\ntheir equivalent a silver stripe may be attached to the ribbon\nbar, each silver stripe representing five hundred (500) hours.\nA gold stripe will replace a silver stripe to represent one\nthousand (1,000) hours.\nThe eligibility of each volunteer to add stripes to the service\nribbon bar, either on the basis of hours served or this equiv-\nalent, is to be determined by the chairman of the service concern-\ned in each chapter or the head of the service in each office.\n5. The certificate recommended by the former Committee on Insignia,\nUniforms, and Awards for distribution to volunteers who have\nserved two hundred hours more or less since January 1, 1940, it\nwas decided will be issued to those who have completed their\nservice in Prisoners of War Food Packing Centers and in Blood\nDonor Centers.\nRespectfully submitted,\n(Mrs. William O. Rowland, Jr.)\nChairman\nNational Committee on Insignia, Uniforms,\nand Awards\n6.\nOctober 5, 1945\nREPORT OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON INSIGNIA, UNIFORMS, AND AWARDS\nTo the Members of the Central Committeee, American Red Cross\nYour Committee on Insignia, Uniforms, and Awards met on October 3,\n1945.\n1. The Committee discussed a proposal for bringing the designs of pins\nissued by Volunteer Special Services corps into conformity with the speci-\nfications controlling the use of the Red Cross emblem, and a proposal to\nprovide pins for the Volunteer Dietitian's Aide Corps and Arts and Skills\nCorps.\nSeven of the eight Volunteer Special Services corps pins now in\nuse do not meet the specifications for the emblem contained in the Geneva\nand Hague Conventions and the vote of the Executive Committee of the American\nRed Cross on April 8, 1922, since the red cross is not on a plain white back-\nground but is surrounded by embellishments. Your committee has directed that\nwhen manufacture of these pins is resumed, they will be made after the style\nof the Administration Corps pin, with a red cross on.a plain white background\nencircled by a band of color representing the respective corps. The present\npins will not be withdrawn from the persons who have received them, but all\nnew production will be in the corrected designs.\nThe Committee on Insignia, Iniforms, and Awards has selected designs\nfor pins for the Volunteer Dietitian's Aide Corps and the Arts and Skills\nCorps. These corps have never had pins of their own because manufacture was\nprevented by the shortage of materials during the war. It is desirable to\nprovide pins for members now serving in these two corps. The design of these\npins will follow the design now to be used on all other corps pins.\n2. The Committee considered a proposal for a sleeve patch to be worn by\nfield directors in Veterans Administration Hospitals. A patch carrying the\nlegend \"Services to Veterans\" was recommended by the Uniform Committee of\nServices to the Armed Forces and Services to Veterans. The Committee\napproved the manufacture of the recommended patch, subject to favorable\nconsideration of the wording \"Services to Veterans\" by appropriate officials\nof the Veterans Administration.\n3. Your Committee submits for your consideration a resolution concerning\nthe position of the Central Committee with respect to the issuance of certi-\nficates for service in World War II to members of the Junior Red Cross.\nA question has arisen as to the intention of the Central Committee\nwith respect to issuing certificates for service during the war to members\nof the American Junior Red Cross. The report of the Committee on Insignia,\nUniforms, and Awards, approved by the Central Committee on November 13, 1944,\nprovided that each person who had given 200 hours or more of volunteer service\nshould receive a certificate, without specifically including or excluding\nmembers of the Junior Red Cross.\n7.\nThe national director of Junior Red Cross has advanced reasons\nfor confining the issuance of these certificates to adults (copy of his\nstatement attached). To make the intention of the Central Committee clear\nin this respect, it is recommended that the following resolution be\nadopted:\nThe American National Red Cross is sincere\nin its appreciation and commendation of the\nextensive work and valuable service performed\nby the Junior Red Cross during the Second\nWorld War. Since the measurement of Junior\nRed Cross services in hours, however, has\nnever been approved and has never been imposed\nupon the schools, and since the majority of\nJunior Red Cross services are rendered in the\nschools, no certificates for service during\nWorld War II shall be issued to Junior Red\nCross workers.\nRespectfully submitted,\nMrs. William O. Rowland, Jr.\nChairman, Committee on Insignia,\nUniforms, and Awards\nCentral Committee\n8.\nAMERICAN RED CROSS\nINSIGNIA TO DENOTE DOMESTIC AND OVERSEAS SERVICE\nFOR PERSONNEL IN SERVICES TO THE ARMED FORCES\n1. Authorization\nA red bar denoting one year of service in the American Red Cross, a red\nchevron denoting four years of service in the American Red Cross, and a\nsilver bar denoting six months' oversea service during the present war,\nare authorized for wear by uniformed members of Services to the Armed\nForces. The wearing of these insignia is optional.\n2. Description\nThe red bar for one year's domestic service consists of a horizontal bar\n3/8\" in width and 1½\" in length. The red chevron is 1/2\" from tip to tip\nand 3/8\" wide. The silver bar for oversea service is a horizontal bar of\nsilver bullion 3/8\" in width and 1½\" in length on a pearl gray cloth back-\nground forming a border 1/8\" wide around the bar. These insignia are for\nwear on the service coat only of the uniform for both men and women.\n3. Eligibility\na. One red bar is authorized for each period of one year's service in the\nAmerican Red Cross. One red chevron is authorized for each period of\nfour years' service in the American Red Cross. One silver bar is\nauthorized for wear for each period of six months' service outside the\ncontinental limits of the United States. In computing oversea service,\nthe territory of Alaska will be considered outside the continental\nlimits of the United States.\nb. Length of service in connection with the red bar and red chevron is\ncomputed from actual date of employment on or after January 1, 1928.\nTotal length of service is computed regardless of whether performed\ncontinuously or at intervals. For the silver bar, the expression \"six\nmonths' service\" is interpreted to mean actual service outside the\ncontinental limits of the United States and is dated from and including\nthe day of actual departure to and including the day of actual return.\n4. How Worn\na. Women - Domestic Service (see sketches A and B)\n1. One red bar is authorized for one year's service. It is worn on\nthe left sleeve of the suit jacket 3½\" from and parallel to the\nend of the sleeve.\n2. Two additional bars may be added at 1/\" intervals to denote additional\nyears of service.\n3. Upon completion of four years of service, the bars should be removed\nand replaced by a red chevron 5\" from the end of the sleeve, with the\npoint upward.\n4. Three bars may be placed below the chevron to denote additional years\nof service.\n77072\n9.\n5. Upon completion of eight years of service, these bars should be re-\nmoved and be replaced by a second red chevron 1/4 above the first.\n6. Additional years of service may be denoted in a similar manner.\nb. Women - Oversea Service (see sketch C)\n1. One silver bar is authorized for six months of service overseas. It\nis worn on the left sleeve of the suit jacket 3/1/2\" from and parallel\nto the end of the sleeve.\n2. Upon completion of an additional six months of service overseas,\nanother silver bar may be added above the first, the space between\nbeing formed by the background.\n3. Additional periods of oversea service of six months each may be\ndenoted in a similar manner.\nC. Women Oversea and Domestic Service\n1. When the oversea service bar is worn with domestic service bars and\nchevrons, the oversea service bar will be worn above the uppermost\nbar or chevron.\nd. Men Domestic Service (see sketches A and B)\n1. Red bars and chevrons may be worn in the same manner as prescribed\nfor women except that the first bar shall be placed 4\" from and\nparallel to the end of the sleeve and the first chevron shall be\nplaced 5½\" from the end of the sleeve.\ne. Men Oversea Service (see sketch C)\n1. One silver bar is authorized for six months of service overseas. It\nis worn on the left sleeve, parallel to the end, with the lower edge\nof the bar 4\" above the end of the sleeve.\n2. Upon completion of an additional six months of service overseas,\nanother silver bar may be added above the first, the space between\nbeing formed by the background.\n3. Additional periods of overseas service of six months each may be\ndenoted in a similar manner.\nf. Men Oversea and Domestic Service\n1. When the oversea service bar is worn with domestic service bars and\nchevrons, the oversea service bar will be worn immediately above the\nuppermost bar or chevron.\n8. Men World War I and Present War (see sketch D)\n1. When the oversea service bar is worn with chevrons indicating oversea\nservice with the armed forces of the United States in the first world\nwar, the oversea service bar will be worn immediately above the\nuppermost chevron.\n77072\n10.\nh. Men - Oversea Service in Both Wars and Domestic Service\n1. When the oversea service bar is worn with chevrons indicating over-\nsea service with the armed forces of the United States in the first\nworld war and bars or chevrons indicating domestic service, the\ndomestic service bars or chevrons will be placed at the lower end of\nthe left sleeve, the chevrons for World War I service will be placed\nimmediately above, and the oversea service bars for the present war\nwill be placed uppermost.\n77072\n11.\nDOMESTIC SERVICE BARS AND CHEVRONS\n(A)\n(B)\n11/2\"\n/\n11/2\"\nit\n4\nin\nWomen 3/1/2\" - Men 4\"\nfrom bottom of sleeve\n3\"\n00\n4\nWomen 5\" - Men 5½\"\n3\n8\nfrom bottom of sleeve\nOVERSEA SERVICE BARS AND CHEVRONS\n(C)\n(D)\n/\nAKU\n3\"\nH\nIfw\n3\"\n/\n1\"\n4\n\"/8\"\n4\n,\n8\n8\n8\n8\n8\n8\n4\n8\n8\n8\nWomen 3½\" - Men 4\"\n8\nfrom bottom of sleeve\n3\n91\nto\n=\n/\nintoo\nin\n8\nMen 4\" from bottom of sleeve\n77072"
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