Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Civilian Defense Road Repair Unit Helmet, c. 1942-1945 |
Object Name |
Hat, Hard |
Description |
Civilian Defense Road Repair Unit Helmet, c. 1942-1945. This metal is round in shape and in gray. In front center of the helmet's head, there is a blue circle with a white triangle with a symbol of a red shovel in the middle, which is the insignia for Civil Defense Road Repair Unit. On the back of the helmet on the outside border, it is surrounded by metal bracket ends with each of them are tied to a brown cloth strap, which is connected to a black fabric circle in the middle, and a metal nail in each one holding each individual strap together. Surrounding in the middle, above the black fabric circle, is a brown leather head strap, which covers the portion of the head in the helmet. On the left and right metal ends of the helmet, the brown cloth straps are connected to a brown small leather chinstrap with a small metal loop bracket used for adjusting the strap on to the chin. In the middle of the inside of the helmet, in a red circle with a single white star, the painted text in blue says "Mfd. by / LOS ANGELES". The words "LOS ANGELES" are in bold. In between the red circle, in white outer border with a blue background, in white, the painted text says "B.F. McDonald CO." The words "McDonald" is disproportionately bigger than the rest of the text above. |
Date |
c. 1942-1945 |
Creator |
Unknown |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Catalog Number |
1971.226.004 |
Dimensions |
H-12 W-10.75 D-0.25 inches |
Collection |
3D - Clothing |
Inscription Text |
"Mfd. by / B.F. McDonald CO. / LOS ANGELES" (painted in blue and white text on a red circle with a white inside border with a blue background with a white star in the inside of the back of the helmet, with the words "B.F. McDonald" are disproportionately bigger, and "LOS ANGELES" is in bold) |
Notes |
"Civil defense, civil defence or civil protection is an effort to protect the citizens of a state (generally non-combatants) from military attacks and natural disasters. It uses the principles of emergency operations: prevention, mitigation, preparation, response, or emergency evacuation and recovery. Programs of this sort were initially discussed at least as early as the 1920s and were implemented in some countries during the 1930s as the threat of war and aerial bombardment grew. It became widespread after the threat of nuclear weapons was realized." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_defense- 12/27/2016] "CITIZENS’ DEFENSE CORPS ORGANIZATION: United States. World War II. The Citizens’ Defense Corps was the organization within Civil Defense responsible for actual operations to protect a community from air raids. At the local jurisdiction level this organization was lead by a Commander, assisted by a staff consisting of the Chiefs of Fire and Police, the Chief Air Raid Warden, the Chief of Emergency Medical Services, the Chief of Emergency Work Services, and the Chief of Utilities. The Commander’s deputy was the Executive Officer. This staff managed the 15 enrolled volunteer services that provided the volunteer Civil Defense force for the community: ... Road Repair Crews – crews assigned to restore the roads and normal traffic movement as quickly as possible. The Road Repair emblem was a blue disc with a red shovel." [http://snyderstreasures.com/pages/homefront.htm-12/27/2016] "Street or road repair crews, augmented by civilian volunteers, restore normal flow of traffic as rapidly as possible after an air raid. These crews operate ordinarily under the Street or Public Works Department following up the rough clearance of the demolition squads. They smooth the road surfaces, repave with available material and restore road markings. They wear "the shovel" insignia." [http://www.alternatewars.com/WW3/Civil_Defense/CD_Organization.htm-12/27/2016] |
Search Terms |
Civil Defense Civilian Defense Helmet War World War II World War Two |
Subjects |
Civil defense Helmets Soldiers Volunteers War World War II |
Credit line |
SMCHA Collection |