I'm currently customizing some LEGO minifigs to American (and German) WWII troops, and I wanted to make my last American a medic. I was wondering, what weapons did the American Medics carried? The same as Infantry (Thompson, M1 Garand, etc.)or a sidearm (like the Colt .45) or just nothing at all? And another question: where did they have their 'red cross' signs? In movies I usually see them at their bag, and at their left upper arm. Is this correct?
A lot of words and a photo that I hope helps you!! The medical service emblem (Red Cross or Geneva Cross) MUST be displayed on all flags, brassards, equipment (if feasable), used by the medical service . This emblem cannot be used by any other branch of the military service ! Uniform Insignia: attached medical personnel retained identical clothing as the infantrymen – only branch insignia and piping could identify the aidmen; they wore the maroon/white piping on their headdress in lieu of Infantry light blue, and the caduceus replaced the Infantry crossed muskets on the collar disks . Being attached to the Infantry Regiment; they were considered to be part of this organization, and as such medical personnel displayed the enameled Regimental Distinctive Insignia (D.I.) on both lapels of their service dress (i.e. E.M.) or on the shoulder loops of the service coat (i.e. Officers) . As such, the standard bearer of the attached medical personnel used a guidon similar to that of the main Infantry group, i.e. a dark blue guidon with, the Regiment’s number high up, the standard crossed muskets in the middle, and the capital letters MED in the lower part, all in white bunting . Identification of Medical Personnel, Background Information: It was important to clearly identify Medical personnel in the field. One of the early documents, such as the "Amelioration of the Conditions of the Wounded in Armies in the Field" signed August 22, 1864, by a number of Governments, already instructed that Flag and Arm Badges worn by Medical personnel would bear a Red Cross on a White Field. Both symbols when used on Hospitals, Ambulances, Evacuation and Aid Centres, were to be proof of their neutral status! These signs provided for neutrality of military and civilian protected personnel (it gave them non-belligerent status) exclusively engaged in removal, transportation, and treatment of wounded and sick, or the administration of sanitary formations and establishments, and entitled them to respect and protection from their enemies. The "1929 Geneva Convention" which superseded the former agreement, was signed on July 27, 1929 by forty-seven countries (including the Axis countries, Germany, Italy, and Japan) and comprised numerous articles, among which Articles 9 and 21, recognizing that bearers of special identification cards and civilian protected personnel identified by armbands, and vehicles, and installations wearing Geneva Convention markings and markers, were all exclusively engaged in medical care activities, and consequently protected and respected by the Geneva Convention. The term Geneva Convention, derived from the Convention itself, applied to a number of documents and items of identification and/or recognition, used by Medical personnel while active in the field. We will discuss a number of ‘official’ items, as well as non-official means initiated to enhance identification and recognition of medical personnel, medical vehicles, and medical installations. | Medical Department Geneva Convention Identification Card: The Geneva Convention I.D. Card, first pattern, introduced in 1942, was distributed to medical personnel in accordance with instructions of the "1929 Geneva Convention" (requiring that medical and civilian protected personnel should wear the necessary ID in order to be recognized as non-belligerents). The document looks very similar to the existing War Department I.D. Document in use during WW2; this was however a threefold document, whereas the Geneva Convention document was only a twofold document! The front cover is medium brown with black markings, stating UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT, Coat of Arms, MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, RED CROSS, Identification Card, except for the No.+ sequence of digits, which are red. The back cover, bears a special text, i.e. Loss of this card will be reported through channels to the Force Commander without delay., followed by a printed Red Cross and another short text, Issued in accordance with Article 21, Geneva Treaty, July 27, 1929., with signature, and indication, Major General, The Adjutant General of the Army., and, W.D., A.G.O. Form No. 65-10, May 20, 1942, GPO 16-25005-1. The double page inside folds in the middle, and contains headings to be filled out, such as; THIS IS TO IDENTIFY- Agency, First Name, Middle Name, Last Name, Race, Birth Date, Color Eyes, Height, Signature of Bearer, Military Authorization-Signature, Date, Place – the rest of the page is reserved for Fingerprints (Right Hand, Thumb, Index and Middle Finger), a B/W picture of the card bearer and reference 16-28605-1. A new and improved Geneva Convention I.D. Card followed, this is the second pattern version (laminated). It was introduced later in the war and was not only easier to carry and handle, moreover it was coated with transparent plastic for enhanced protection. The document obverse side is an ivory-white rectangular card with a red frame, red headings and indications e.g. the frame itself bears following statement, NOT A PASS - FOR IDENTIFICATION ONLY, PROPERTY OF U.S. GOV’T., LOSS OF THIS CARD MUST BE REPORTED AT ONCE and further WAR DEPARTMENT, THE ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D.C., followed by the US War Office Coat of Arms and CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY TO BE ISSUED TO MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PROTECTED PERSONNEL, with indication of Name, Designation, Signature, Date Issued, Countersignee, and reference W.D. A.G.O. 65-10. It also holds sufficient space for a black and white picture of the card holder. The reverse side has following indications in black; Height, Weight, Hair, Eyes, Date of Birth, Fingerprints, Left Index, Right Index, Identification No., with sufficient space, while the larger part (right) is covered by a red cross over which a black text is superimposed defining the duties of the card bearer, as well as a note related to possible loss of the card and a public warning. The number of digits preceded by a block letter, is the same one as stamped on the inside of the medical brassard, authorized by the Geneva Convention. It is estimated that approximately 830,000 cards were distributed to medical personnel in the course of WW2. After the war, a new (smaller) Geneva Convention Identification Card was issued by the US Government bearing reference to the following Geneva Convention, which took place August 12, 1949. In order to comply with the Geneva Convention and Army Regulations a Medical Brassard was introduced November 25, 1924 for general wear by all medical personnel active in the field. As was the case with other armbands, this one was also to be worn on the left sleeve, above the elbow. It represented a red percale cross (3 inches x 3 inches) stitched on a white rectangular cotton (4 inches x 18 inches) armband, which was fixed to the clothing by a large safety pin. Every official brassard had a black ink stamped text on the inside stating “issued by Medical Department, U.S. Army, in conformity with Article 21, International Red Cross Convention, Geneva, 1929” – furthermore there was another stamped text showing the Identity Card number (of the holder) i.e. a black block letter, followed by a number of digits. This number was also reflected on the Medic’s Geneva Convention Identification Card, which he had to carry with him at all times, in order to remain protected as a non-combatant or neutral member of the Armed Forces by the terms of the Geneva Convention applicable in time of war. A similar means of identification (item #9913700) was introduced for the Veterinary Corps December 13, 1939; it carried a green cross on a white rectangular field, but its members were however not protected by the Geneva Convention. Sgtleo
Just as a side note here Sgtleo. Usually people post the link where they cited their info from so people can find additional info if they like. It looks like your info you copied came from this great site which I had forgotten to add . WW2 US Medical Research Centre :: Identification of Medical Personnel
JFalkenbergIII I'm sorry if I broke protocol but as you know I am still a Newbie here. With what I have on my plate it's a wonder I get my own name right and my postings are few and far between so all I can say is Mea Culpa. Maybe I should stay quiet until I am better educated about the site!! Sgtleo
No Prob. Just a heads up. Makes it easier for people to know where the info came from and not assume that the poster was the one who authored it.
Thank you for the information. So this means crosses on helmet, bag, left arm and all their stuff? But I couldn't find what weapons they carried in combat?
