Original Item: Only One Available. During the eight years of American combat activity in the war (1965-1972), the Red Cross handled more than 2,168,000 emergency communications
between servicemen and their families. Red Cross field directors and chapter staff at home assisted an average of 27,800 servicemen each month with personal and family problems. An average of over 280,000 servicemen a month participated in recreation activities at Red Cross centers and in SRAO programs in Vietnam and neighboring countries.

Military commanders expressed high praise for the Red Cross, calling the services of the organization “indispensable” and “prime factors” in their efforts to maintain the high morale of their men and to look after their welfare. Writing to Red Cross national headquarters in 1968, General William Westmoreland, then commander of the U.S. forces in Southeast Asia, stated, “Serving our men on the battlefields here in Vietnam, the American Red Cross is a hotline to the folks back home, an oasis in the heat of battle, and a comfort during hospitalization.” The excellence of this service stemmed from the generation of skilled leadership and experience that the Red Cross developed during World War II, the Korean War and the intervening years to help millions of servicemen and women cope with personal and family emergencies and hardships.

The first American Red Cross field director arrived in South Vietnam in February 1962. Red Cross assistance to the armed forces expanded rapidly as the number of American service personnel increased, especially after the introduction of combat troops in 1965. The number of Red Cross workers in Vietnam and support areas in Southeast Asia peaked at nearly 500 in the 1968-1969 period, at the same time that American troop strength was at its height. The American Red Cross moved its personnel out of Vietnam when the United States withdrew its fighting forces in March 1973. For a time afterwards, the Red Cross used Bangkok, Thailand, as the base for its reduced operations in the region. Throughout the time Red Cross workers were in Vietnam, they shared the hardships and dangers of war with the military personnel they were there to serve. Five American Red Cross staff members lost their lives in Vietnam and many others were injured.

The Red Cross logo was designed by Henri Dunant in 1863. The emblem of a red cross with arms of equal length on a white background is the visible sign of protection under the 1949 Geneva Conventions. As such, it is the emblem of the armed forces’ medical services.

The Red Cross emblem is an inversion of the Swiss flag (the flag is a white cross on a red background). This recognises the historic connection between Switzerland and the original Geneva Convention of 1864.

But while the emblem has no intentional religious meaning, the symbol reminded soldiers from the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey) of the crusaders of the Middle Ages, and so in 1876 they began using a Red Crescent instead.

This American Red Cross flag measures 27” x 18” and is in near unissued condition. There is minor age toning present on the white field, but no staining. Inside the pocket on the hoist side still retains the leather securing tabs as well as manufacturer information:

Flag, Ident, Red Cross
Nyl/Wl, Amb & Marker
DSA100-68-C-1648
1’ 6” x 2’ 3”
Valley Forge Flag Co. Inc.

Valley Forge Flag Company was founded in 1882, and remains a family-owned business to this day. Steeped in history, the company began as a burlap sack business, and then moved on to World War I surplus, including American flags. With increasing demand the company opened a small sewing factory in Spring City, PA in 1932. The opening of this factory was the beginning of the Valley Forge Flag brand.

This is a wonderful example of a genuine Vietnam War dated Red Cross Flag, produced by a sought after company! Comes more than ready for display.