On August 4, 1942, servicemen and their hostesses from the Tacoma Junior Women's Club danced the night away at the Tuesday Night Dance held at the U.S.O. Club at 13th and Fawcett (415 So. 13th St.) A dance was hosted by a different Tacoma women's club at this U.S.O. every Tuesday night . The members of the U.S. Coast Guard were the special guests at this Tuesday's dance, celebrating the 152nd anniversary of their military branch. August 4th is now celebrated as Coast Guard Day to honor the establishment on that day in 1790 of the Revenue Cutter Service, the precursor of today's Coast Guard.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Dance--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--1940-1950;

During WWII, the USOs in Tacoma did much more then sponsor dances and provide "r and r" for the troops at home - as important as those services were. This photograph from January 1943 shows "mending night" at the Tacoma USO at 415 So. 13th St. Trousers were hemmed, patches were sewn on, and caps were mended with a motherly touch and a warm smile. Left to right, back row: Mrs. John Troutt is doing some mending for Seaman Chuck McCoy while PFC Richard Botelho looks on; next is Pvt. Andrew Motes. Front row: Seaman 1st Class Dean McCullough holds the spool of thread while Mrs. Ethyle Ferris mends his cap. Marcella (Mrs. Frank) LaFleur is seen at the sewing machine and Corp. Allen Hults stands on a box while Mrs. Ruth Christensen mends the hem of his trousers. (T.Times 2/3/1943 p.16)

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; McCoy, Chuck; Botelho, Richard; Motes, Andrew; McCullough, Dean; Ferris, Ethyle; LaFleur, Marcella; Hults, Allen; Christensen, Ruth; Sewing;

During WWII, the USOs in Tacoma did much more then sponsor dances and provide "r and r" for the troops at home - as important as those services were. This photograph from January 1943 shows "mending night" at the Tacoma USO at 415 So. 13th St. Trousers were hemmed, patches were sewn on, and caps were mended with a motherly touch and a warm smile. Left to right, back row: Mrs. John Troutt is doing some mending for Seaman Chuck McCoy while PFC Richard Botelho looks on; next is Pvt. Andrew Motes. Front row: Seaman 1st Class Dean McCullough holds the spool of thread while Mrs. Ethyle Ferris mends his cap. Marcella (Mrs. Frank) LaFleur is seen at the sewing machine and Corp. Allen Hults stands on a box while Mrs. Ruth Christensen mends the hem of his trousers. (T.Times 2/3/1943 p.16)

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; McCoy, Chuck; Botelho, Richard; Motes, Andrew; McCullough, Dean; Ferris, Ethyle; LaFleur, Marcella; Hults, Allen; Christensen, Ruth; Sewing;

Salvation Army volunteers serve up some sweet treats and java with a smile at the lunch counter located at the 13th & Fawcett USO Club. The USO depended heavily on volunteer labor and organizations, as well as individuals, were happy to help out entertaining the boys who would be going "over there."

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

During the war, different organizations and companies would take turns entertaining the military men at the USO Clubs. On the last day in February, 1943, Northern Pacific played host at the 13th and Fawcett USO. Soldiers appear to be crowding behind a piano for a sing-a-long. (photograph damaged at right side)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);

A man dressed as a train engineer has captured the attention of many soldiers crowding the room as Northern Pacific plays host at 13th and Fawcett USO.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);

Northern Pacific hosteses at 13th & Fawcett U.S.O. [Also dated 02-28-1943]

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Group portraits--1940-1950;