Story perspectives

Volunteers Brave War's Toll: AFS Heroes in France

3/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

In 1914, the American Field Service was established to evacuate wounded soldiers in France.
The volunteer ambulance initiative grew to over two thousand members, including Ernest Hemingway, an artist.
John Masefield, a British poet, served as an ambulance driver who described harrowing front-line conditions.
Their accounts reveal the emotional toll and dangers volunteers faced transporting the injured, showing commitment to aiding France during its time of need.

History

Historical Context

Founded in 1914, the American Field Service (AFS) mobilized over 2,000 volunteers, including notable figures like Ernest Hemingway, to assist in evacuating wounded soldiers during World War I. Initially operating under French command, the AFS evolved into a vital support unit, influencing public perceptions of volunteerism and the realities of war, ultimately integrating into the U.S. Army by 1917.

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Story summary

In 1914, the American Field Service was established to evacuate wounded soldiers in France.
The volunteer ambulance initiative grew to over two thousand members, including Ernest Hemingway, an artist.
John Masefield, a British poet, served as an ambulance driver who described harrowing front-line conditions.
Their accounts reveal the emotional toll and dangers volunteers faced transporting the injured, showing commitment to aiding France during its time of need.

1 / 2