Camp Shelby in Forrest County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
The Spirit of the Red Cross
World War I
| | 1918 | |
Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026
1. The Spirit of the Red Cross Marker
Camp Shelby became an early part of movie history when it was used as a filming location for the 1918 film The Spirit of the Red Cross. Starring silent film stars Raymond McKee and Claire Adams, the film was written and directed by the well-known illustrator James Montgomery Flagg.
The film is about an American soldier in World War I France who, after being injured on the battlefield, is nursed back to health by his Red Cross sweetheart. The film's goal was to support the war effort and help raise money for the American Red Cross.
The French battlefront scenes were filmed on location in the late winter of 1918 at Camp Shelby, where the 113th Engineering Battalion's training trenches had been constructed along the Mississippi Central Railroad's "Camp Shelby Branch," with soldiers from the 113th performing as extras in the film. To mimic Paris, non-action scenes were filmed in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The film was released on April 28, 1918.
Captions
(Photo #1) Stars Ray McKee and Claire "Peggy" Adams
(Photo #2) Production still taken at Camp Shelby featuring Ray McKee as the soldier in The Spirit of the Red Cross.
(Photo #3) Production photo showing one of the battlefront scenes being filmed at Camp Shelby. The track of the Mississippi Central Railroad can be seen in the left center.
(Photo #4) James Montgomery Flagg, writer and director of the film, is best known for creating the infamous "I WANT YOU FOR U.S. ARMY" poster featuring "Uncle Sam"
Erected by Camp Shelby Historic Trail.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music •
this page online
Location. 31° 11.817′ N, 89° 13.411′ W. Marker is in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in Forrest County. It is at the intersection of Forrest Ave W and Museum Street on Forrest Ave W. The marker is located on the grounds of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 850 Forrest Ave W, Hattiesburg MS 39401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Mississippi’s Pine Belt. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Piney Woods. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: OH-6 Cayuse Light Observation Helicopter (a few steps from this marker); First Marine Division / Mississippi Medal of Honor Recipients (a few steps from this marker); AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter (a few steps from this marker); M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); Honoring all Mississippians who served in the Airborne (within shouting distance of this marker); M60 Patton Medium Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); Fourth Marine Division of World War II (within shouting distance of this marker); Elton Mac Huddleston, U.S. Army Aviator (within shouting distance of this marker).
Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026
2. The Spirit of the Red Cross Marker
More about this marker. The marker and the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum are located at the historic Camp Shelby, an active Mississippi National Guard military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access.
Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026
3. The Spirit of the Red Cross Marker
The view of the marker on the grounds of the museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 67 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 9, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
