American Field Service
The American Field Service came into being in April 1915. A number of young
American men, Americans living in France at first, then college students from the U.S., wanted
to serve in the war in Europe. They did not want to jeopardize their citizenship, and the college
students their education by joining a foreign army “for the duration”. The American Field
Service offered an opportunity to serve as an ambulance driver for the duration of a summer, a
semester taken off from their studies, and sometimes longer.
These men paid their own passage to the war zone, although for the college students, the
Alumni of their college often raised the money. Once in France, they wore the uniform of the
French army and received the same pay. Their American made vehicles were a common sight on
the battlefields of France.
Eventually, as many as 2,500 men served in the American Field Service. Most served in
France, but others – notably Ernest Hemingway – served in Italy and elsewhere.
In September, 1917, after the United States entered the war, the current members of the
American Field Service were told they would be inducted into the US Army if they wished to
stay. Most stayed (not all were happy about it), but others returned to the US, often to join the
armed services in other roles.
The American Field Service came into being in April 1915. A number of young
American men, Americans living in France at first, then college students from the U.S., wanted
to serve in the war in Europe. They did not want to jeopardize their citizenship, and the college
students their education by joining a foreign army “for the duration”. The American Field
Service offered an opportunity to serve as an ambulance driver for the duration of a summer, a
semester taken off from their studies, and sometimes longer.
These men paid their own passage to the war zone, although for the college students, the
Alumni of their college often raised the money. Once in France, they wore the uniform of the
French army and received the same pay. Their American made vehicles were a common sight on
the battlefields of France.
Eventually, as many as 2,500 men served in the American Field Service. Most served in
France, but others – notably Ernest Hemingway – served in Italy and elsewhere.
In September, 1917, after the United States entered the war, the current members of the
American Field Service were told they would be inducted into the US Army if they wished to
stay. Most stayed (not all were happy about it), but others returned to the US, often to join the
armed services in other roles.