Vigo County Historical Society

Red Cross served nation well during World War II

On August 12, 1916, an interested group of Terre Haute citizens met with a representative from the central division of the American Red Cross with the idea of starting a chapter here.

This was done on February 11, 1917 when a constitution was adopted and directors elected. The chairman of the board of directors was William C. Ball; vice chairman, Mrs. Lewis J. Cox; Treasurer, R.N. Filbeck; and secretary, Fannie A. Blake.

Among the purposes set out in the revised 1905 Congressional Charter of the American Red Cross were: "to furnish volunteers to aid the sick and wounded of the Armed Forces in time of war" and "to act in matters of voluntary relief in accord with the military authorities as a medium of communication between the people of the United States of American and their Armed Forces."

Never have these objectives been carried out more fully than by Red Cross volunteers during the years when World War II was being fought. In Terre Haute, volunteers spent hundreds of hours fulfilling these purposes.

The uniform of one of these volunteers is this week’s Historical Treasure. It was worn by Mary Ross McMillan who gave it to the Historical Society. It is light blue cotton and on it are two pins designating the wearer as an American Red Cross volunteer. This uniform has become a part of the museum’s exhibit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.

During the wartime period, Mrs. Frank Pierson , Sr. was the local chairwoman of Red Cross volunteers. The Red Cross office was at 415 N. Ninth St.

While volunteers were involved in many services, Mary McMillan was a vital part of the Social Services division. She devoted nearly every day to working under the supervision of Mildred Schmidt.

The goal of those working in this division was to help the serviceman and his family with problems at home. Mary related that when a serviceman or his commanding officer wrote of family concerns, a Red Cross volunteer would investigate, go to the home and help in every way possible to solve the problem, whether it be illness, domestic, transportation or financial. If referrals needed to be made to other agencies, this was done.

Though 50 years have passed since Mary McMillan’s uniform was worn, she and many other Terre Haute Red Cross volunteers can look back with pride, remembering their patriotism on the home front during a critical time in our nation’s history.