text: Civilians
  MARKINGS
  5-39. It may be appropriate to identify protected persons and objects, as such, through the use of distinctive
  and visible signs. For example, for cultural property, this may include use of the distinctive blue and white
  shield described by 1954 Hague (1954 Hague arts. 6, 16) and displayed in figure 5-1 below. This may also
  include identifying civilian hospitals (see paragraphs 5-41 through 5-43 concerning markings for civilian
  hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected). The parties to the conflict must, in so far as
  military considerations permit, take the necessary steps to make the distinctive emblems clearly visible to the
  enemy land, air, and naval forces in order to prevent intentional hostile action on the protected sites. Even if
  not so marked, however, an attacking force may not knowingly target a building or other facility known to
  enjoy special protection under LOAC. Similarly, attacking forces are not required to observe signs indicating
  inviolability of buildings if such buildings are known to be used for military purposes, such as quarters for
  military personnel, warehouses for military equipment and supplies, observation posts, or military
  communications installations.
  Figure 5-1. The distinctive emblem for the protection of cultural property
  PROTECTION OF CIVILIAN SICK AND WOUNDED, HOSPITALS, AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL
  5-40. LOAC requires particular protection and respect for the wounded and sick, as well as the infirm and
  expectant mothers (GC art. 16). The infirm and expectant mothers are given special consideration along with
  the sick and wounded because they are vulnerable so long as they do not take part in hostilities. As far as
  military considerations allow, each party to the conflict must facilitate the steps taken to search for the killed
  or wounded, to assist the shipwrecked and other persons exposed to grave danger, and to protect them against
  pillage and ill-treatment (GC art. 16). Even though civilian authorities would often be responsible for
  collecting and bringing in civilian casualties, the armed forces may be asked to lead such efforts or to carry
  out a joint relief operation with civilian authorities (DOD Law of War Manual, 7.16.1). Parties to the conflict
  may appeal to the civilian population and local aid societies to assist in collecting the sick and wounded and
  locating the dead (consider AP I art. 17).
  Civilian Hospitals
  5-41. Civilian hospitals organized to give care to the wounded and sick, the infirm, and maternity cases, may
  in no circumstances be the object of attack but must at all times be respected and protected by the parties to
  the conflict (GC art. 18; consider AP I art. 12). The protection to which civilian hospitals are entitled shall
  not cease unless they are used to commit, outside their humanitarian duties, acts harmful to the enemy.
  Civilian hospitals must avoid any interference, direct or indirect, in military operations, such as the use of a
  hospital as a shelter for able-bodied combatants, as an arms or ammunition store, as a military observation