Plumbers and Fitters Local Union No. 82. Ladies Auxiliary was hosting their very first "Silver Tea" in honor of Mother's Day. The tea was being held at the old USO building on 13th Street and Fawcett Avenue. The program will include Claire R. Winslow of the Story Tellers League and other vocal and instrumental selections. Dorcas Sundberg and Martha M. Reuter are the program chairmen. View of ladies who attended the "Silver Tea" party (T. Times, 5/6/48, p. 11).

Tea--Tacoma; Tea parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Plumbers & Fitters Union Local No. 82 (Tacoma);

On February 28, 1943, the Kappa Delta sorority alumnae presented a Sunday afternoon coffee hour at the USO center at 13th and Fawcett as their February war project. Each month during the war years, the group came up with a different war- related service project. Mrs. Louis P. Smith, president of the organization, was pictured left presiding over the silver coffee service surrounded by appreciative members of the military. The woman on the right holding the tray of cookies is Ethel Corfield. The lace covered collation table had a silver coffee service at either end, spring flowers and candles in crystal holders. (T.Times 3/5/1943, pg. 8)

Alumni & alumnae--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smith, Louis P.--Family; Corfield, Ethel;

Publicity for U.S.O. Open House. Three enlisted men, one sailor and two soldiers, on the steps outside the U.S.O. The sign on the building reads "Federal Recreation Building." Tacomans were invited to tour the four USO Clubs in celebration of the one year anniversary of the completion of two of the clubs. The sailor in the center is believed to be Charles Bryant of Tacoma.

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

ca. 1943. The Grassi brothers, Nello and Julio, sponsored a U.S.O. radio broadcast on KTBI in 1943. All were welcome to attend. The brothers owned a used car lot in town.

Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Communications; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Grassi, Nello; Grassi, Julio;

The newly promoted USO Program Director at 13th & Fawcett, Bernice O'Denny, poses outside the USO Club. Miss O'Denny was promoted from secretary to the director to director in September of 1942. She was born in Seattle and graduated from Washington State College. The USO hired her away from H.J. Heinz & Co.'s advertising department. (T. Times 9/16/1942, pg. 18)

O'Denny, Bernice; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Pvt. W. L. (Jerry) Parker accepts a world globe on behalf of the men in the Armed Forces at the USO Center at 13th and Fawcett on Tuesday, July 21, 1942. The globe is a gift to the Center from the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ray C. Roberts Post 969, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ray C. Roberts Post # 969, Women's Auxiliary (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Gifts; Parker, W.L.;

Several service men were photographed in January of 1943 leaving the USO building at 13th and Fawcett carrying skiing gear. They were on their way to Mount Rainier for a day of winter recreation. The women in the photograph may have been USO hostesses. This building is now the home of the Beacon Senior Center.

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

Despite wartime rationing, service men on leave could stop by the USO Club at 415 South 13th Street and get a soda fountain treat prepared by on of the Junior Hostess volunteers who worked behind the counter. In December of 1942 Jean Beardemphl (2nd from right) practiced her sundae making techniques with E. Barlow standing at her side. Junior hostess volunteers kept the fountain open 65 hours a week. Learning how to make concoctions despite the shortages of ice cream and sugar are: (left to right) Mary Jasper, Catherine Dougherty, Reh Robinson, Anne Pirger, Janet Picard, Eileen Fletcher, Marion Bartley, and Elaine Maurice. (TNT 1/6/1943, pg. 7) TPL-1998

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Soda fountains--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ice cream & ices;

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;

21 women in evening gowns pose at the USO Center on May 17, 1960, along with one military officer. These women belonged to the Navy Mothers Club, a national organization, and quite active here.

Navy Mothers Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Co-ed Club sponsored a social evening at the USO Club at 13th and Fawcett on Tuesday, July 21, 1942. Each Tuesday evening a different group took charge of the evening's entertainment and the late supper. Pictured around the punch bowl were club members and honored guests, left to right, Mrs. Kenneth Bourke, Mrs. Victor Vine, Pfc. LeRoy Strangeland, Marjorie Stewart, Peggy Shaw and Pvt. Sidney Jones. (TNT 7/25/1942, pg. 5)

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Strangeland, LeRoy; Shaw, Peggy; Jones, Sidney; Stewart, Marjorie;

Pvt. W. L. (Jerry) Parker accepts a world globe on behalf of the men in the Armed Forces at the USO Center at 13th and Fawcett on Tuesday, July 21, 1942. The globe is a gift to the Center from the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ray C. Roberts Post 969, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Pictured, left to right, are Georgia Butler, Ella McDonald, Ina Fletcher, Clara D'Olivo, Pvt. Parker, Norman Stensager (USCG), Sgt. Dick Hogan (USAC) and Jack Wilson (USN). (T. Times 7/22/1942, pg. 2)

Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ray C. Roberts Post # 969, Women's Auxiliary (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

USO 13th and Fawcett. The United Service Organization Travelers Aid Service had different activities going on every day of the week. Servicemen regularly visited the centers and spent time with USO volunteers. View of unidentified female artist sketching unidentified serviceman.

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Sketches; Military personnel--Tacoma;

Northern Pacific Railway hosts and hostesses at 13th & Fawcett U.S.O. Several of the hosts and hostesses are holding lanterns and Northern Pacific logo signs. Different social organizations and companies would take turns acting as hosts at the USO Clubs. [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;

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;

After an evening of dancing at the U.S.O. Clubhouse at 13th and Fawcett, Pvt. Robert Joseph (left) and PFC. Roy Blakeston enjoyed a quiet moment with Miss Dorothy Nelson, biting into a piece of cake, and Miss Grace Kamp. In 1942, the U.S.O. sponsored regular Tuesday evening parties, planned by Mrs. Calvin W. Stewart, with a different young women's organization serving as hostesses each week. On August 4, 1942 the hostesses were all members of the Tacoma Junior Woman's Club. (T.Times 8/7/1942 p.8)

Joseph, Robert; Blakeston, Roy; Nelson, Dorothy; Kamp, Grace; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

USO program director at 13th & Fawcett club Bernice O'Denny. This photograph accompanied the Tacoma Times story of Miss O'Denny's promotion from secretary to director in September of 1942. She was born in Seattle and graduated from Lincoln High School. She attended Washington State College and majored in physical education and math. After college, she worked for H. J. Heinz Co. in advertising. The news article described the Irish lass as being cheerful, full of fun, energetic and well-liked by the servicemen. (T. Times 9/16/1942, pg. 18)

O'Denny, Bernice; United Service Organizations (Tacoma);

February 7, 1943 was the first anniversary of the completion of two of Tacoma's four USOs. To celebrate, special programs were scheduled at all of the centers. The four USOs were at So. 13th and Fawcett (415 So. 13th), 4851 South Tacoma Way, So. 13th and Pacific (1221-23 Pacific Ave.) and 713-715 Commerce. Tacomans were urged to attend so that they could see for themselves the results of their contributions to the War Chest. The sailor at the far left is Yeoman Third Class Charles Bryant of Tacoma. The other two military men are Sgt. Mike Bachik of Trenton, N.J. and Pvt. Thomas F. Downes of Camden, N.J. (TNT 02/07/1943 p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Bryant, Charles; Bachik, Mike; Downes, Thomas F.;

Kenneth Grover, formerly of New York, and now with the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, issued a challenge to Tacoma's checker players - he would compete against 40 players simultaneously and would even take on 4 of the 40 blindfolded at the U.S.O. club at 415 13th Street. Mr. Grover, author of "Chess" and "Let's Play Checkers" and the US crossboard checker champ, opened the competition to chess aficionados as well. He is pictured (standing, far left) on September 21, 1943, examining the checker moves of Pierce County Sheriff Lee Croft, member of a local checker club. Several other opponents await their turn. Unfortunately, the results of this challenge were apparently not reported in the local newspapers. (T.Times, 9-20-43, p.3- article) TPL-9845

Board games--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Grover, Kenneth; Croft, Lee;

Publicity for Community Chest. Tuesday Night Dance at U.S.O. Club at 13th and Fawcett. Some military personnel and the hostesses of the evening, from the Tacoma Junior Women's Club, belly up to the bar- an ice cream bar, that is. Every Tuesday, a dance was hosted by a different women's club.

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

U.S.O. Costume Dance. Taken from slightly above, the dance floor is filled with couples, some close and some swing style. Crepe paper streamers are strung across the ceiling.

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

On November 10, 1943, the U.S. Navy was the guest of honor at a formal dance held at the USO Center at 13th & Fawcett. The Lady Lions hosted the event as a belated Navy Day celebration. Table decorations were supplied by Walt Sutter and they represented a miniature Guadalcanal, complete with boats, sand and water. In this photograph, an unidentified sailor pointed out places of interest on the "replica of a Solomon Island Coral Reef Naval repair station," while other unidentified military men and junior hostesses looked on. The location of the repair station was a "Military Secret." The Solomon Island Campaign took place from January of 1942 to August of 1945, with much of the fighting taking place on Guadalcanal and surrounding islands. (T.Times 11/8/1943, pg. 8- info. only)

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

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;

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;

ca. 1943. Grassi brothers, Nello and Julio, center, with group of men from various military services at 1943 U.S.O. broadcast on radio station KTBI. The Grassi's operated a used car lot in Tacoma.

Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Communications; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Grassi, Nello; Grassi, Julio; Military personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ten members of the Co-Ed Club were responsible for planning a social evening at the USO Club at 13th and Fawcett on July 21, 1942. Five members of the planning committee are pictured, left to right, Rosemary Stewart, Mimi Howell, Mrs. Mack Coon (Dorothy LaGasa), Sabine Phelps and Grace (Mrs. C. Nathan) Lynn. (T. Times)

USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Stewart, Rosemary; Howell, Mimi; LaGasa, Dorothy; Phelps, Sabine; Lynn, Grace;

Publicity for Community Chest. Tuesday Night Dance at U.S.O. Club at 13th and Fawcett. Members of the armed forces and their hostesses for the evening, from the Tacoma Junior Women's Club, take a breather between dances, sitting on the apron of the Club's stage. Every Tuesday evening a dance was hostessed by a different women's club. The dance on August 4, 1942 was also a special celebration of the 152nd anniversary of the Coast Guard.

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

Publicity for Community Chest; Tuesday Night Dance at U.S.O. Club at 13th and Fawcett. Every Tuesday evening at the Club, a dance was organized and hosted by a different club. Doing the honors on August 4, 1942 was the Tacoma Junior Women's Club. Several formally dressed young ladies stand behind a table holding a large cake commemorating the 152nd anniversary of the Coast Guard, the special guest at this dance.

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