Medical Corps | U.S. Citizens Defense Corps

A blue circle with a red medical symbol inside a white triangle.

The Medical Corps insignia was the well-recognised caduceus. The corps was manned by trained doctors and nurses and dealt with the casualties caused by enemy air raids or other disasters.

At the scene of an air raid (or any other disaster), the Medical Corps (sometimes referred to as Medical Field Units) handled all casualties. These units were organized through local hospitals and consisted of various squads of doctors, nurses, nursing auxiliaries, and nurses’ aides.

Doctors would wear the Civil Defence caduceus emblem with ‘M.D.’ initials above or below. Registered nurses would wear the same insignia but with ‘R.N.’ initials.

When called upon by a Control Center, a squad (or squads) will travel to the scene of the disaster and set up a Casualty Station. If required, a separate unit may set up a First Aid Post at another location.

Casualties would be treated at the scene and transported to local hospitals for further treatment if required.

Open to

Doctors, nurses, nursing auxiliaries and men and women who held the Red Cross First Aid Certificate.

Black and white photo of a man in a suit with a Medical Corps armband, standing in front of an American flag.
Young woman in nurses uniform and Medical Corps armband standing in front of a partially visible American flag.
A woman paramedic and a male doctor attend to a patient in an ambulance. The woman is using a stethoscope, and both are focused on the patient lying on a stretcher.