Bethlehem Steel Co. Hoboken Yard 'Red Cross' identification badge. Stamped metal button, 2" diameter, with pin back; handpainted red cross on white field inserted in window with clear acetate cover. Lettering on front filled with green paint; text on back as per standard badges of the era.
The company had manuals and standard procedures in place for emergency response services including a fire house on the site. This badge is unassigned (no employee identification number or similar) and may have been part of medical kit (such as a stretcher and other typical field items) for use during training or practice drills for possible emergencies. Some Shipyard staff would have had training and assignment to duty stations as needed.
Note that during World War II, a significant part of the site that is considered the Shipyard was a U.S. Navy facility. The whole site operated under wartime military security regulations and other naval procedures and operations were likely part of the operations including preparedness for medical emergencies.
Acquisition
Accession
2011.005
Source or Donor
Lukacs, Claire
Acquisition Method
Gift
Credit Line
Museum Collections. Gift of a friend of the Museum.
