August 22, 1864: International Red Cross founded
144 years ago today, The Geneva Convention of 1864 for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick of Armies in the Field is adopted by 12 nations meeting in Geneva.
The agreement, advocated by Swiss humanitarian Jean-Henri Dunant, called for nonpartisan care to the sick and wounded in times of war and provided for the neutrality of medical personnel. His birthday, May 8, is celebrated as the "World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day."
Dunant's grave in Zurich
It also proposed the use of an international emblem to mark medical personnel and supplies. In honor of Dunant's nationality, a red cross on a white background--the Swiss flag in reverse--was chosen.
US combat medics at Normandy during WWII wearing the internationally recognized symbol. The red cross marked them as non-combatants who should not be targeted under the Geneva Convention, but medics learned quickly it was no guarentee of their safety as evidenced by the fact these two medics are treating a fallen medic. By the end of WWII, it became clear it was probably better not to wear the symbol in combat because it tended to attract the attention of enemy sharpshooters. Without doubt, combat medics are among the very bravest and toughest people on the modern battlefield.
In 1901, Dunant was awarded the first Nobel Peace Prize.
The Red Cross remains among the very finest organizations to which you can donate money to help relieve human suffering both at home and abroad in peace and war.
In 1881, American humanitarians Clara Barton and Adolphus Solomons founded the American National Red Cross, an organization designed to provide humanitarian aid to victims of wars and natural disasters in congruence with the International Red Cross.
Appalled at the lack of care provided wounded soldiers, Barton had provided excellent service during our Civil War. She was instrumental in establishing a cadre of nurses and other personnel to deliver care and services to the wounded during our Civil War that ended approximately fifteen years before the official founding of the American Red Cross.
Clara Barton
When she began work on this project in 1873, most Americans thought the U.S. would never again face a calamity like the Civil War, but Barton finally succeeded during the administration of President James Garfield, using the argument that the new American Red Cross could respond to crises other than war.
As Barton expanded the original concept of the Red Cross to include assisting in any great national disaster, this service brought the United States the "Good Samaritan of Nations" label.
Barton served as the first president of the American Red Cross. Fabulously wealthy oil man John D. Rockefeller donated the funds for the construction of ARC headquarters one block from the White House.
Closer to home, Barton County KS northwest of Wichita in south-central Kansas is named in honor of Clara Barton.
FOB BRASSFIELD-MORA, Iraq (January 29, 2007) - U.S. Army Spc. Blake Wise, a combat medic with 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, receives a Combat Medical Badge from Col. Bryan Owens, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division commander, at Forward Operating Base Brassfield-Mora, Iraq, Jan. 28, 2007. The two stars on the badge indicate Spc. Wise has completed his second tour as a combat medic. Photo by Spc. Amanda Morrissey, U.S. Army.
