World War II and the American Red Cross The American Red Cross involvement in World War II preceded the entrance of the United States into the conflict. When hostilities began in Europe in 1939, the Red Cross became the chief provider of relief supplies for the civilian victims of conflict distributed by the Geneva-based International Red Cross Committee. In February 1941, the Red Cross responded to a request by the U.S. government to begin a Blood Donor Service to produce lifesaving plasma for the armed forces in anticipation of America’s entry into the war. After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Red Cross quickly mobilized a volunteer and staff force to fulfill the mandates of its 1905 congressional charter requiring that the organization “furnish volunteer aid to the sick and wounded of armies in time of war” and to “act in matters of voluntary relief and in accord with the military and naval authorities as a medium of communication between the people of the United States of America and their Army and Navy.”
Citation: “World War II and the American Red Cross .” American Red Cross, n.d. https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/National/history-wwii.pdf
NCO club card for Edward J. Sheridan... I wonder if John had something like this
link; https://www.ebay.com/itm/254677382497
The following object description information includes basic elements from the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI). An additional notes field is included to list dates from the actual letter, envelope postmark locations, and any other identifying details.
Notes – Handwritten letter dated June 23, 1943, two pages. Includes envelope, postmarked June 24, 1943, 11AM, from Dale Mabry Field, Tallahassee Fla..
"During WWI, the U.S. struggled to supply “the comforts of home” to the Doughboys. The Red Cross and various other groups helped, but it wasn’t enough. During WWII, the U.S. government was determined to do a better job and reserved a certain percentage of comfort items, such as beer and cigarettes, for the servicemen."
Citation: Beer & the military in WWII. Pacific Paratrooper. (2020, April 13). Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/2020/04/13/beer-the-military-in-wwii/
Article from a base paper advertising a free beer night like what John mentions in his letter. This was commonly hosted by the Red Cross or other local organizations.
Citation: Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point N.C. (1947, March 21). Staff Nco Club Bulletin-One Free Beer Night Each Week. Cherry Point The Wind Sock. Retrieved from https://www.cherrypoint.marines.mil/Portals/86/Windsock/1947/19470321.pdf.