In February of 1952, Miss Mary Lou Gunnell, center, was named "The Girl of the Year" by the USO in Tacoma for her outstanding service as USO hostess and for logging in the most volunteer hours for the year. She was presented with roses by Beatrice N. (Mrs. William B.) Nobles, left. USO Chairman Robert Hage holds her framed portrait under his arm. It would soon be mounted in a position of honor on the wall. The trio were photographed at the USO building at 415 So. 13th St., now the home of the Beacon Senior Center. Ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune. Mary Lou Gunnell was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.S. Gunnell. (TNT, 2/6/1952, p.10)

Hage, Robert; Nobles, Beatrice N.; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gunnell, Mary Lou;

Free dinners offered to servicemen at Tacoma's USO club by the Pierce County Restaurant Owners' Association. Servicemen from different branches of the military are being served hot dogs, bananas and vegetables by volunteers in aprons. This USO club had been in continual operation since 1941, providing a "Home away from Home" for American Servicemen. Even in 1951 when funding from the national organization stopped, Pierce County agencies kept the door open on this club.

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Military personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Korean War, 1950-1953--Military personnel;

Free dinners offered to servicemen at Tacoma's USO club by the Pierce County Restaurant Owners' Association. This appears to be a face-off in the milk drinking duel as spectators cheer the duo on. Names attached to photograph identify servicemen as front row, left to right, Sgt. Wendell O'Daunis of Texas, Pvt. Charles Esmont of Kentucky, Pfc. Walter Reid of North Carolina, Pvt. Theodre Wynn of Maryland, and Pvt. George E. Preston of Kentucky. Back row, left to right, Pvt. Harris Weathington of New York, S.A. Arthur Shivel of Indiana and Cpl. Bobby J. Russell of Florida. TPL-9615

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Military personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Korean War, 1950-1953--Military personnel; Milk;

Free dinners offered to servicemen at Tacoma's USO club by the Pierce County Restaurant Owners' Association. Servicemen from different branches of the military stand in line for dinner as female volunteers smile back over their shoulders at the camera.The dairy snack bar sponsored by Medosweet can be seen in the background. This USO club, in operation since 1941, was one of several in Tacoma during wartime. In 1951, when financial backing from the national organization stopped, Tacoma kept this club open by generous contributions by Pierce County residents and organizations. All service at the club was performed on a volunteer basis, to provide a "home away from home" for American servicemen.

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Military personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Korean War, 1950-1953--Military personnel;

In August of 1951, sailors from the Tacoma Navy Station found the Tacoma U.S.O. at South 13th and Fawcett to be an ideal place to relax, and test their skills with a pool cue or a ping pong paddle. During the summer of 1951 Fort Lewis, McChord Air Force Base and all the nearby military bases were jammed to wartime troop levels due to the conflict in Korea. The Tacoma Community Chest donated funds to the U.S.O. to help provide wholesome recreational actives for servicemen stationed here. During the previous year, over 20,000 military personnel had used U.S.O. facilities in Tacoma. (TNT 10-4-51, D-5) TPL-10387

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Charitable organizations; Billiards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Korean War, 1950-1953--Military personnel;

One of the Arista Club's many projects was to furnish refreshments and table decorations and serving for parties at the Armed Forces Recreation center every month. Three women are serving coffee to three men in military uniforms. They are, L-R, Villa A. (Mrs. Ronald) Boyles, Richard Manning of Buchanan, N.Y., Bob Snyder of Francksville, Pa., Harry Filsinger of Akron, Ohio, Grace M. (Mrs. F.W.) McMahon and Alice E. (Mrs. Ernest) Cornils. They are grouped in front of a fireplace that has photographs of women set along the wall above the fireplace. Ordered by the Arista Club. (TNT, 5/8/1951, p.16)

Arista Club (Tacoma); Korean War, 1950-1953--Social aspects--Tacoma; Boyles, Villa A.; Manning, Richard; Snyder, Bob; Filsinger, Harry; McMahon, Grace; Cornils, Alice E.; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1950-1960;