National Association of Army Nurses oval brooch pin from the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) 38th National Encampment, Boston, MA in 1904. The center of the pin reads "38th Nat. Enc. GAR 1904" and around the outer circle "Comrades to Army Nurses." Reverse is marked by J.K. Davison of Philadelphia, PA.
To recognize the nurses who took care of Union soldiers during the American Civil War, the 38th National Encampment voted to create a badge to present to each member of the National Association of Army Nurses. The badge was designed by the commander in chief, John C. Black, and the adjutant general, Charles A. Partridge, with the help of Fanny T. Hazen of the National Association of Army Nurses. The badges were sent to all nurses in the association. See the Journal of the Thirty-Eighth National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic for more information.