American Red Cross

The American Red Cross grew exponentially during World War I and established a number of services to support the troops serving at home and abroad. As part of the "Home Service," the Red Cross helped provide communication between troops and their families.
The attached postcard was provided by the Red Cross and sent to the father of Thornton Petty--a soldier from Kearney, Mo., who served overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces during the war. The card was sent shortly after Petty arrived back in the United States in June 1919 informing his family that he would soon be sent to a military post (likely Jefferson Barracks) and discharged from the Army.  (Photo courtesy of Jeremy P. Ämick)