Public Health Service
(PHS)
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III. Uniforms
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-. Insignia
-. Service and Dress Uniform
-. Work Attire
 
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Work Attire
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Before 1944, most of the female PHS personnel wore civilian work clothes at their job. Only PHS nurses had a special indoor uniform consisting of a ward dress with nurse's cap. For extra warmth a sweater could be added. The nurse's white uniform was also worn by dietitians and nurse's aids.
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PHS Nurse's Working Uniform
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Courtesy of the National Library of Medicine
PHS nurses wearing
the white ward dress (c. 1920)
Copyright protected
Copyright Collection of
Shelby L. Stanton

Following civilian fashion, the original length of the white uniform (as shown in the pictures above) was shortened to 12 inches from the floor to the hem of the skirt at the begin of 1941.
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Copyright protected
Copyright Collection of 
Shelby L. Stanton
..v Outside the hospital, a navy blue cape made of all wool broadcloth with maroon flannel lining and a matching navy blue beret with maroon piping could be worn.

The beret had a special design as illustrated in the drawing on the left side.
 

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Commissioned Corps Working Uniform
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In 1944, the working uniform of the SPARS was adopted for all female PHS personnel belonging to the commissioned corps. This working uniform consisted of a gray and white striped one-piece seersucker dress with matching jacket and garrison cap.
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Gray Working Uniform 
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Seersucker dress worn with matching garrison cap. Note the small PHS collar insignia worn on the left collar and miniature pin-on rank insignia worn on the right collar.

The gray working uniform was worn with a black SPARS tie, beige hose, black shoes and black gloves (optional). Additionaly, the black SPARS handbag could be worn with this outfit. If desired, the shoulder straps of this handbag could be removed 
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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY

Seersucker dress worn with matching jacket.
The sleeve stripes on the jacket and pin-on rank insignia on the cap indicate the grade of assistant officer.

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Copyright by BLITZKRIEGBABY
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Army-Style Work Clothing
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The field uniform for PHS officers detailed the Army or OSS consisted of Army hospital work attire or, in combat areas, Army field clothing and gear worn with distinctive PHS insignia. For more information and pictures about female Army field attire take a look under:
 
Army Nurse Corps
(for a PHS nurse)
- Work Attire
- Cold-Weather Clothing

(Note: PHS nurses wouldn't be issued the
early-war blue uniforms and overcoats.)

.v Women's Army Corps
(for other PHS personnel)
- Work Attire
- Cold-Weather Clothing 
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continue to:
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 Insignia
Service and Dress Uniform
Work Uniform 
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[ I. Development ]..[ II. Facts about the PHS ]..[ III. PHS Uniforms ]..[ IV. Sources ]
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