Brief History: in order to comply with the Geneva Convention and the Army Regulations a Medical Brassard was introduced November 25, 1924 for general wear by all medical personnel active in the field . As usual, the M-24 brassard was to be worn on the left sleeve, above the elbow . It represented a red percale cross (3" x 3") stitched on a white rectangular cotton (4" x 18") 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, the medic) i.e. a black capital letter + number of digits . This same number was also reflected on the medic’s Geneva Convention Identification Card, which he had to carry with him, in order to remain protected as a non-combatant or neutral member of the Armed Forces by the terms of the Geneva Convention in time of war . A similar brassard (item #99137) was introduced for the Veterinary Corps December 13, 1939, it carried a green cross on a white rectangular field, however its members were NOT protected by the Geneva Convention) .

(Geneva Convention Brassards – period 1924-1944 – the parts illustrated are from the collection of Alain Batens)

From L to R and horizontally: on top of 1 X Tabard, Geneva Convention, and 1 X Flag, Ambulance & Marker lies 1 X I.D. Card, Geneva Convention, 1st pattern (holder=Mason M. OLMSTED), 1 X Brassard, Geneva Convention (reverse side) showing black I.D. Number ("M" 196683) as well as the official stamp w/reference to the 1929 Geneva Convention Treaty, on top of same is, 1 X I.D. Card, Geneva Convention, 2nd Pattern (holder=Jennings D. BANNER), 1 X Brassard, Geneva Convention (reverse side) showing black I.D. Number (M 327088) as well as the official text related to the Geneva Convention, 1 X Brassard, Geneva Convention (reverse side) showing another different I.D. Number (M 398221) and also the std. text, 1 X Brassard, Geneva Convention (obverse side) showing Red Cross, 1 X Brassard, Geneva Convention (obverse side) showing Red Cross emblem

NOTE:: arrangement & order of the black stamped texts can vary, and furthermore, they are not always to be found in the same spot, the M-1924 Brassard is item #99135 and is usually fixed to the left sleeve by means of a single large safety pin, it is to be noted that ‘official’ armbands have been found w/o or with partial stamping only, also the stitching pattern of the Red Cross varies

(General Medical Items w/Geneva Convention Emblem – period 1924 – 1944 – the parts illustrated are from the collection of Alain Batens)

From L to R and horizontally: 1 X Tabard, Geneva Convention (apparently introduced in 1944, and based on German model, for enhanced visibility of medical personnel - replica item based on a period photograph, White Field 18" x 18", Red Cross 13" x 5"), 1 X Flag, Ambulance & Marker (Army Stock No. 5-F-2150, White Field 18" x 27", Red Cross 12" x 4"), 1 X Brassard, Geneva Convention (half obverse & reverse side) partly showing I.D. Number ("M" 112376) w/Safety Pin, 1 X Brassard, Geneva Convention (reverse side) showing I.D. Number ("M" 196683) and stamped text, 1 X I.D. Card, Geneva Convention, 1st pattern, 1 X Brassard, Geneva Convention (reverse side) showing I.D. Number (M 327088) and stamped text, 1 X Brassard, Geneva Convention (reverse side) showing I.D. Number (M 398221) and stamped text with, 1 X I.D. Card, Geneva Convention, 2nd pattern, 1 X Brassard, Geneva Convention (partly obverse side) showing Red Cross, 1 X Bag, Kraft Paper, Brown (stamped Union Tiger 3, dated Aug 43) and w/Red Markings Don du peuple des ETATS UNIS DE L’AMERIQUE with Red Cross, par l’intermediaire de LA CROIX ROUGE AMERICAINE (Lend-Lease item ?), 1 X Bag, Paper, White (dated Sep 30, 1942) plain white paper w/Red Cross emblem on obverse side