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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- TOPICS

Nurses and the U.S. Navy, 1917-1919 --
Red Cross and Army Nurses' Uniforms

During the First World War, the American Red Cross served as a nursing reserve for the U.S. Army and Navy and maintained its own extensive presence in the War Zone. Red Cross nurses' uniforms were also worn, with appropriate changes of insignia, by nurses of both the armed services and provided the initial patterns for the new outdoor uniforms adopted by the Army and Navy.

This page features views of Red Cross and Army Nurses' uniforms during the World War I era.

For other photographs of World War I era Nurses' uniforms, see:

  • Nurses and the U.S. Navy, 1917-1919 -- Navy Nurses' Uniforms.

    For additional pictorial coverage on Nurses and the United States Navy, see:

  • Nurses and the U.S. Navy -- Overview and Special Image Selection.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 52964

    World War I U.S. Army Nurse's Outdoor Uniform


    The Army Nurse wears the caduceus, the winged staff and serpents of the Medical Corps, with the letters "U.S.", on her outdoor uniform. If she entered the Army Nurse Corps from the Red Cross Reserve for that Corps, she is permitted to retain the red cross insignia on her service cap.
    Photographed by Joel Feder.

    Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 57KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-178338

    World War I Nurse's Uniform


    The famous red-lined cape of dark blue, worn by the Red Cross nurse with the red lining exposed over one shoulder.
    Photographed by Joel Feder.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 56KB; 590 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-180181

    World War I Red Cross Nurse's Uniform


    Halftone photograph, showing ward uniform with Red Cross brassard, cap insignia and pin.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 124KB; 415 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-178334

    World War I Nurse's Ward Uniform


    Grey cotton crepe uniforms were made necessary by the laundry problem in France. The American Red Cross brassard was worn only by those nurses serving directly under the Red Cross.
    This Red Cross nurse is holding a booklet entitled "America Needs You".
    Photographed by Joel Feder.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 78KB; 585 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 52963

    War Nurse Uniform


    During World War I, in the operating room and in dressing work in the hospital wards, the War Nurse wore this white utility apron. It was a most unromantic apron, adopted to simplify the ever-present French laundry problem, but it was a badge of service coveted by thousands of untrained women.
    Photographed by Joel Feder.

    Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 84KB; 595 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-178336

    World War I Nurse's Uniform


    Stormy weather attire, which was the same for Army, Navy and Red Cross nurses, except for insignia. The American Red Cross arm patch seen here was worn only by nurses serving directly under the Red Cross.
    Photographed by Joel Feder.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 60KB; 580 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-178337

    World War I Nurse's Uniform


    Rubber boots and southwesters were an essential part of the equipment of every nurse serving in Europe.
    Photographed by Joel Feder.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 59KB; 575 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 52965

    World War I Red Cross Public Nurse's Uniform


    When she is at work in her district, the Red Cross Public Nurse wears the practical gray cotton crepe working uniform, with regulation hat and cape.
    Photographed by Joel Feder.

    Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 76KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 52966

    World War I Red Cross Nurse's Uniform


    Gray summer outdoor uniform, with white American Red Cross brassard.
    Photographed by Joel Feder.

    Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 78KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     

    For other photographs of World War I era Nurses' uniforms, see:

  • Nurses and the U.S. Navy, 1917-1919 -- Navy Nurses' Uniforms.

    For additional pictorial coverage on Nurses and the United States Navy, see:

  • Nurses and the U.S. Navy -- Overview and Special Image Selection.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    14 April 2000