Office of Civilian Defense Noncombatant Gas Mask MI2A-I-I

With poison and chemical weapons expected to be used by the enemy, the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) arranged for a mass-produced non-combatant gas mask to be manufactured. The initial cost to manufacture the thousands of gas masks required the government to set aside almost $30 million.

Randolph Monro (1890-1954) designed the gas mask, and it was first issued in 1942 (with a patent issued in 1944). Monro designed many of the protective gas masks issued by the US government during World War II.

The gas mask (issued as the MI2A-I-I) featured a rubberized fabric frontispiece with integral circular celluloid eyeholes, an exhale valve and elastic six-point head harness. For children, the M2-2-1 gas mask had a singular celluloid eyepiece plus an exhale valve directly under it.

The gas masks featured an aluminum filter casing filled with activated charcoal. Instructions for use were printed on the casing. It was estimated the gas mask could be worn for four hours before the filter was exhausted.

The gas masks were issued in a cardboard box along with a small 16-page booklet. A canvas carrier was also issued with an adjustable shoulder strap. The carrier featured ‘US’ letters, the US Chemical Warfare Service emblem of two chemical retorts and a benzene ring and a gas mask size.

Adult sizes were LARGE ADULT and MEDIUM ADULT only. Most found these days are marked MEDIUM ADULT.

Children’s gas masks were marked CHILD.

A large number of the MIA2 gas masks were never issued. New and boxed examples can still be found today.

Note: gas masks from the period must never be worn or used due to the risk of particles in the filter being released.

A tan non-combatant gas mask bag with black text and a gas mask canister with a mask inside, all placed on a white surface.
A US non-combatant gas mask and its carrying bag placed on a white surface.
A gas mask with a gray filter canister, clear eye lenses, and attached fabric straps
A cylindrical canister with a respirator mask on top. The label on the canister provides safety instructions for the mask, including warnings for chemical protection, proper handling, and cleaning procedures.
A respirator mask with brown paper inside, attached to a cylindrical canister with warning labels.
A gray and black cleaning or industrial mask with a connected filter, placed on a gray surface.
A military-style military robotic prosthetic hand with a gray glove, mounted on a gray base.
A gas mask with a strap and filter canister, filled with crumpled brown paper, placed on a white surface.
A gasmask with a plastic facepiece and a metal filter at the front..
U.S. military non-combatant gas mask bag in tan fabric, labeled for medium adult size, with straps and a snap button.
A tan cloth bag with black text that reads 'US NONCONBATANT GAS MASK MIA2-1-1 MEDIUM ADULT PROPERTY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT OCD'.
A tan brown canvas pouch with a strap and grommets on each end.
Text on a box indicating it contains a noncombatant gas mask, including instructions for use, storage, and safety precautions.
A booklet titled "Your Gas Mask" with instructions about using a gas mask, including examining, wearing, removing it quickly, and reading it thoroughly.