Elected by secret ballot, 19-year-old Eileen Larson was crowned "Miss Second Division" on Saturday, May 11, 1946 at the grand military ball held in the National Guard Armory, 715 South 11th Street. Miss Larson, the daughter of Bernie and Inger Larson, competed against four other Tacoma beauties. Mayor Harry P. Cain officiated at the military ball, which was broadcast live over KMO radio, and had the honor of placing a full-dress Indian war bonnet on Miss Larson's head. The ball concluded a week of activities marking the arrival of the famed Second, known as the "Indianhead" Division, to Fort Lewis. The dance was informal and all Tacoma girls were invited. Almost 2,000 Second Division men planned to attend. (T. Times, 5/13/46, p. 1).

Evening gowns; Hairstyles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jewelry; Larson, Eileen;