Civilian Defense Block Leaders

Local community organizers and mobilizers

By late 1942, the threat of a direct assault on the US mainland had lessened. Nevertheless, to sustain the war effort, numerous Americans stepped forward within their communities to initiate salvage drives, campaigns for purchasing war bonds, and other home front initiatives.

A nationwide "Block Plan" was established to coordinate volunteers and disseminate information regarding how local communities could contribute to the war effort. "Block leaders" were volunteers dedicated to organizing and managing home front war service initiatives.

These volunteer block leaders acted as mobilizers and coordinators within their neighborhoods, ensuring that residents participated in the war effort and remained connected to the larger civil defense framework.

“The Block Plan of community organization is beyond doubt the best mechanism yet
devised to enroll every household in the war effort.”
— James M. Landis, Director, Office of Civilian Defense

Key responsibilities of a civil defense block leader

A vertical white fabric banner with an embroidered logo at the top, featuring a blue circle with a white triangle and red letters 'C V D' inside, and the words 'BLOCK LEADER' embroidered in red below.

  • neighborhood contact: block leaders were the personal connection between the Civilian Defense Volunteer Offices and the residents living in their ‘block’

  • shared information: they passed on news via meetings from the Office of Civilian Defence regarding war-related programs and initiatives

  • built morale: fostered a sense of community and morale among local residents

  • encouraged participation: through the active promotion of participation in war programs, such as child care, blood donations, salvage drives, and Victory Gardens

  • recruited volunteers: a core part of every block leaders position was to encourage more volunteers to join the various defense council programs

A cloth armband featuring a blue circle with a white triangle inside, containing small red letters C and D, and a larger V in the center.

Block Leaders’ Alert

The Block Leaders’ Alert was a pamphlet of information aimed at encouraging people to be Block Leaders and the qualifications sought by the State or local defense council.

It’s a rare piece of OCD paperwork to find these days.

Historical pamphlet titled 'Block Leaders' Alert!' featuring a woman in a business suit holding a folder, with a neighborhood map below. Highlights key community roles and is published by the U.S. Office of Civilian Defense.