citizens defense corps Helmet | c. 1941

2008.24.1

Donor: Dorothy E. Deslongchamps

Natick resident Robert E. McGee wore this helmet when he served in the U.S. Citizens Defense Corps during World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Office of Civilian Defense in 1941.

The OCD recruited and trained civilian volunteers for over 25 wartime jobs, including fire watcher, nurses’ aide, chaplain, and auxiliary policeman. The hand-painted insignia on this helmet indicates that Mr. McGee was an air raid warden.

Robert P. McGee was the father of Dorothy Deslongchamps, who donated the helmet. Mr. McGee was born in Natick in 1890 and worked as a photo engraver. He and his family lived at 91 West Central Street in Natick during World War II.

The Dorothy Deslongchamps papers are in the NHS archival collection.