OOD
FOR THE FIGHTING FORCES
Blood like ammuni
tion has become a ne
cessity in modern war
fare.
On July 22, 1950, the Secretary of Defense
designated the American National Red Cross as
the official procurement agency for blood and
blood derivatives for the armed forces.
The first call by the military establishment for
blood for Korean combat forces was made Aug
ust 21, 1950 and the Red Cross.was requested to
step up immediately blood collections to meet
rapidly growing needs of the armed services.
Shipments of whole blood are flown regularly
from the West Coast to receiving depots in Japan
by Military Air Transport Service. Distribution to
Korea is made from there. Blood in excess of that
required in the combat areas will be utilized for
stockpiling plasma and other derivatives for mili
tary use.
Speedy and massive blood transfusions have
proven extremely valuable in combatting shock
suffered by the wounded in Korea. Shock usually
results from loss of fluid from the blood circula
tion. It can also be caused by severe injuries or
continued hemorrhage. Transfusions of whole
blood usually overcome shock, when given soon
enough. This healing medicine is being given in
advance first aid stations, often under enemy fire;
sometimes, as many as 20 pints of whole blood,
or blood and plasma, have been administered to
one man.
Combat victims of fire and explosion also re
quire quantities of blood. In deep burns, the body
fluid leaks out of the capillaries. The remaining
blood tends to become thickened and requires the
addition of plasma to replace the escaping fluid.
In severe cases, whole blood may also be needed
to replace damaged blood cells and increase cir
culating blood volume. Lacking red blood cells to
carry oxygen to vital parts of the body, the tis
sues around a wound let more fluid leak out. To
restore an adequate blood volume, blood transfu-
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