SERVICES TO THE ARMED FORCES WITH NEARLY 3,500,000 men and women in our far-flung military forces, and the number still mounting, the vital Red Cross job of providing service to Americans in uniform is an ever¬growing responsibility of the organization. Field directors at military installations and with field units, skilled hospital workers helped by trained volunteers, and chapter Home Service workers in the local community combine to maintain a world-wide network of communica¬tion and help wherever it is needed. And it was needed on an unprecedented peacetime scale last year as reserves were called back into uniform, military communities mushroomed, rapid troop movements broke up normal routines, and family life was disrupted by the military march of events. In the Far East alone it was necessary to double the Red Cross staff needed to serve our fighting men. In Korea, a staff of nearly 70 veteran 4 SERVICES TO THE ARMED FORCES workers was built up within the first 6 months. The first field director into Korea accompanied the earliest contingent of American troops to reach the war area. In Japan, in addition to a sharply increased professional staff, hundreds of volunteers were organized to provide the thou¬sands of services required by the wounded, the able-bodied, and their dependents. Back home the Defense Department called on the Red Cross to coordinate the collection of blood for use in the military emergency. During the last fiscal year the Red Cross responded by providing more than half a million pints for military use, much of which was flown to the combat area to meet the urgent needs of our wounded. In the United States the number of military installations staffed by Red Cross workers rose from 142 to 170 and the number of field staff in¬creased from 578 to 1039. The number of volunteers serving at such posts doubled. By the end of the fiscal year a total of 138 military hospitals in the United States and overseas were ANSWER THEIR CALL An army sergeant 2,000 miles from home needs help to fly to the bedside of his critically ill mother. A sailor's wife and children must have rent and grocery money until a family allowance check comes through. A reservist recalled to active duty needs expert counsel in planning for his family. Through your help— the Red Cross can answer their call. 5