American Red Cross

On December 2, 1905, Mrs. Tunis G. Bergen brought together a group of Brooklyn residents at the Barnard Club House on Remsen Street to form New York City's first borough-based Red Cross organization. With an initial membership roster of 300, the Brooklyn Chapter of the American Red Cross embarked on its first major campaign to aid victims of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, collecting over $100,000 and thousands of articles of clothing to contribute to the relief effort. From this point on, the Brooklyn Chapter continued to provide disaster relief on both a local and national level in the form of relief funds, emergency first aid, first aid materials, and access to social services. As of 2010, the American Red Cross, Brooklyn Chapter is located at 200 Schermerhorn Street in Downtown Brooklyn.

Group of twenty-two American Red Cross Gray Ladies and one man outside a train depot; "A. R. C. Canteen Service" inscribed on a banner and shield attached to the wall. Photograph taken by Gildersleeve, Waco [Texas]

Biographical / Historical Notes

The American Red Cross (ARC) was founded 1881 in Washington, D.C. by Clara Barton, who visited Europe after the Civil War and learned of the International Red Cross. She headed the newly-formed ARC for the next 23 years, overseeing its domestic and international relief efforts which included the provision of nursing services to the United States military during the Spanish-American War. It was during this time, in 1898, that the San Diego Chapter of the Red Cross was formed, sending lemons and dried fruit to Cubans held in Spanish concentration camps in Cuba. They were also responsible for collecting donations, making garments, and shipping carloads of lemons to fever stricken soldiers quarantined at Montauk Point, New York. The San Diego Chapter was originally organized as a member of the California Red Cross State Association, but with the reorganization of the American National Red Cross under a congressional charter in 1906, the branch became a chapter of the Pacific Area office of ARC with headquarters in San Francisco.

Between 1900 and 1906, the American Red Cross was active, but the San Diego Chapter was not. The San Francisco earthquake of April 1906, however, spurned life back into the Chapter and an earthquake relief committee was established, sending money and boxes of clothing as well as other supplies to earthquake victims. The Chapter also helped the numerous victims who took refuge in San Diego, helping them find permanent housing and employment. Subsequent projects were similar, such as assisting victims of natural disasters in the U.S., Italy, Mexico, China, and France. When there were no disasters to attend to, the Chapter’s members joined in the national branch’s efforts in selling Christmas seals for tuberculosis prevention, as well as teaching courses in hygiene, first aid and disease treatment and prevention. Service by the San Diego Red Cross peaked in 1917 with the start of U.S. involvement in WWI and the influx of military activity in San Diego. The list of the board of directors and of committee chairmen during this period reveals names of the city’s most prominent men and women.

The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) also played a large part in the Chapter’s early history, as volunteers provided medical services to soldiers and refugees. Over 1,000 Americans who had been living in Mexico fled back across the border and were aided by the Red Cross in establishing new lives.

During WWII, the Chapter operated its War Fund, aggressively soliciting funds to assist soldiers, military families, and the war effort in general. At this time, its headquarters were located in Balboa Park, where female volunteers gathered to knit garments for servicemen and war refugees. The American Junior Red Cross also had a large membership during this period. Members assisted in hospitals and wrote letters to children in other countries. Local leaders stressed the importance of American Junior Red Cross work in general school life.

The San Diego Chapter of the American Red Cross remains an active organization, continuing its role in the health and well-being of San Diegans and the global community.

Formed shortly after the United States declared war on Germany in 1917, the 91st Division (the "Wild West Division") trained for 10 months at Camp Lewis in Washington State before their deployment to France in June 1918. In August of that year, Major General William H. Johnston took over the command of the Division. Their first combat experience was in the area between the Meuse River and Argonne Forest, France, where they distinguished themselves by breaking through the German lines and helping to secure several strong points including Gesnes, Eclis-fontaine, Very, Epinonville, and Tronsol farm. The charge on Gesnes on September 29, 1918, resulted in heavy casualties. The 91st remained in and around Gesnes and Bois de Cierges during the second phase of the battle. Despite their lack of combat experience, the 91st "captured more artillery, machine guns, and prisoners, and advanced a greater distance under fire than many divisions with much longer combat experience." (I-E Section, 3)

On October 16, 1918, the 91st were ordered to fight as part of the armies in Flanders, under King Albert. They traveled by train to Belgium, where they assisted in pushing back the enemy, October 31-November 11. The 91st fought in the Ypres-Lys offensive and captured Audenande, Welden, Petegem, and Kasteelwijk. The Division remained in France and Belgium until the first men sailed for home, January 1919. The Division was demobilized May 14, 1919.