Badge made by the French Army to be worn by the volunteer ambulance drivers of the American Field Service.
This volunteer ambulance service was comprised almost entirely of college and university students from the United States. The service began in 1915, two years prior to America entering the war as a belligerent. The French and British armies, have suffered catastrophically during the first years of the war, were desperate for additional medical and ambulance assistance. The American Field Service answered the call and were adored by the allies. Approximately 2,000 men were part of the American Field Service during the war, making these badges, and any other AFS equipment, quite scarce.
This volunteer ambulance service was comprised almost entirely of college and university students from the United States. The service began in 1915, two years prior to America entering the war as a belligerent. The French and British armies, have suffered catastrophically during the first years of the war, were desperate for additional medical and ambulance assistance. The American Field Service answered the call and were adored by the allies. Approximately 2,000 men were part of the American Field Service during the war, making these badges, and any other AFS equipment, quite scarce.