AFS began its operations in an auxiliary military hospital, located in the high school building of Lycée Pasteur in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris during World War I. This volunteer-run, civilian-financed American Ambulance, an extension of the nearby American Hospital of Paris, opened its doors in September of 1914.
The drivers did not bear arms. Theirs was a mission of compassion, not conflict. By the end of the war, 2,500 men had served in the American Field Service with the French Armies.
127 AFS ambulance drivers lost their lives while saving the lives of wounded soldiers during the battles of WWI. AFS volunteers were decorated with 2 Legion d’Honneur, 5 Medaille Militaire, 245 Croix de Guerre and 21 Section Citations.
By 1917, AFS had grown to 2,500 drivers who had carried more than 500,000 wounded.
Between the Wars
Upon A. Piatt Andrew’s death, Stephen Galatti became Director General of the organization in 1936.
1939-1945
In September 1939 when World War II began, Stephen Galatti re-organized AFS as a volunteer ambulance corps which served in France, North Africa, Middle East, and Italy.
2,196 AFS volunteers served with the armies of many nations, alongside French, British, Polish, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, Indian and South African troops and carried over a million casualties. 36 AFS drivers were killed, 68 were wounded and 13 were taken as POW’s in WWII.
After WWII
After the war, Stephen Galatti and 250 AFS drivers pledged to sustain their tradition of international service and created the AFS International Scholarships.
Beginnings of High School Exchange
The AFS tradition of world understanding and service would continue through cross-cultural educational exchanges. With the encouragement from the State Department, AFS started the AFS German program which grew to involve students from such "enemy" nations as Japan and Germany.
1950s - 1960s
At the time of Stephen Galatti’s death in 1964, the AFS programs included 60 countries.
1970s - 1980s
Multinationalization of the program was realized in 1971 with the introduction of multinational students exchanges between countries other than the U.S.
In 1972, AFS initiated the AFS Educators’ Program in the Soviet Union and Poland.
In the 1980’s, AFS extended these programs to China, Thailand, Latin America, Jordan and Ghana.
In 1989 AFS received a special testimonial from the United Nations in recognition of its dedicated service to youth around the world.
1990s
In the 1990’s AFS began its Community Service Programs and extended its network to 52 countries.
Today
Today 350,000 participants and host families have taken part in AFS exchanges facilitated by 100,000 volunteers.
A profound idea born of war, AFS today is a leader in the field of international cultural exchange.
