Unidentified soldiers says goodbye to two female friends as they prepare to take part in a military convoy. In mid May of 1941, 36,000 Fort Lewis troops set out for California to participate in war games. The logistics were the equivalent of moving a small city. 23,000 men and officers travelled in 4,000 motor vehicles of all sizes, from big 6 wheelers to jeeps. There would be two separate caravans on 2 routes, US Hwy 97 and US 99. Departures would begin May 19 and continue through the 23. The remaining troops would travel on 25 trains. The war games would be held on the Hunter Liggett Reservation, about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, near Fort Ord. (T. Times 5/14/1941, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

Five women offer first aid assistance to a "patient" with an injured leg during practice drills for the Women's Emergency Motor Corps at the Woodbrook Hunt Club.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

In April of 1941, the 30 members of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps were taking part in drills held at the Woodbrook Hunt Club grounds. In this photograph, they are practicing field first aid, rendering medical attention and constructing a rough dray for transport. The group had gotten off to a rocky start when their founder Harriet Virginia was charged with Grand Larceny. The group decided that there was a need for a female branch of the Home Defense Corps and they elected Iris Bryan to guide the group. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

In April of 1941, members of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps practice First Aid on the grounds of the Woodbrook Hunt Club. Pictured, left to right, are Martha Corliss, Elsie Heritage, Helen Glans, Lt. Gertrude Stevens, Helen Corbin, Sgt. Margory Hannum and patient Minnie Groeper. The 30 members of the group also studied emergency transportation, Morse code, semaphore, motor mechanics, map reading and emergency communication. They were training to offer aid as needed in an emergency. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 1) (photo copy courtesy of the collection of Faye Langston)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

The Women's Emergency Motor Corps drills at Woodbrook. After an inauspicious beginning with a bogus group, the National Service League Motor Corps for Women, Tacoma's unit split from the parent organization and became part of the Home Defense Corps. The local group, under the leadership of Capt. Iris Bryan, was called out for field maneuvers at Woodbrook Hunt Club. The exercises would cover motor transportation, ambulance driving, First aid and semaphore. (T. Times 4/5/1941, pg. 4)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

Members of the Tacoma Home Defense Corps take a break and enjoy some coffee. Pictured, left to right, are Sgt. Claire Janacek, Capt. Iris Bryan, Florence Madsen, Lt. Helen Glans, Helen Corbin and Peggy Swenson. Photograph was taken on April 29, 1941. TPL-3852.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma); Janacek, Claire; Bryan, Iris; Madsen, Florence; Glans, Helen; Corbin, Helen; Swenson, Peggy;

Father Gordon Toner, S.J. of Bellarmine High School and "wounded" Don Spurgin attend an unidentified victim as they practise for a possible Japanese attack on Tacoma in the emergency aid center at Bellarmine. By April of 1942, Tacoma had made extensive plans in case we became the target of Japanese bombers. Emergency hospitals were set up in each of the city's three high schools, six junior high schools and the College of Puget Sound. Funds were raised in the areas that the hospitals would serve to purchase medical supplies and equipment. (T. Times 4/25/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Emergency medical services; Disaster relief; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); War casualties; World War, 1939-1945--Medical aspects--Tacoma; Toner, Gordon; Spurgin, Don; Priests--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On June 12, 1942, the first meeting of War Chest admissions committee was held at (Old) City Hall to decide which groups the fund raising drive would benefit. L to R: Leona (Mrs. Edwin C.) Yoder, Fern (Mrs. Clay C.) Pratt, Freeman Cochran, Mayor Harry P. Cain, George Firth, Walter West, Guy T. Thompson, Hazel (Mrs. J.P.) Simpson. Mayor Cain headed the drive as chairman while Guy T. Thompson served as War Chest secretary. The group would examine appeals for war relief funds. The request from the USO had already being approved. (TNT 6-15-42, p. 7) ALBUM 13.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma's Japanese Americans board a train at Union Station. Thirty six hours later they will arrive at the Pinedale "Assembly Center" where they will wait out the war, their presence on the coast considered a threat to national security. The relocation was peaceful, with uniformed soldiers answering questions and helping with baggage. Only a few of the Japanese Americans complained about the process. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1+)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

An unidentified army soldier goes over some last minute information with two Japanese American women being transported by train from Union Station to the Pinedale "Assembly Center" near Fresno, California. Smiles hide the fear and confusion these women must be feeling as they pack up their families and few approved possessions, locking up the homes that they are leaving behind and heading into an uncertain future. The Japanese were detained under the umbrella of Executive Order 9066, allowing people considered potentially dangerous to be banned from areas considered risky. The Japanese were be detained for "the duration," until the end of the war. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

A uniformed soldier checks the baggage of the Japanese Americans boarding a train at Union Station to be shipped to Pinedale "Assembly Center." The adults are dressed in their best clothing for the trip and wear smiles, hiding the uncertainty that they must be feeling. On May 17-18th, 859 Tacomans were sent by train to the internment camp, in accordance with Executive Order 9066. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1+)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

On May 17, 1942, 418 Tacoma residents of Japanese ancestry were shipped, in accordance with Executive Order 9066, to Pinedale Assembly Center near Fresno California. Tsuyoshi Horike, left, and Hanako Horike reach out the train window to Miya Fukuyama. An unidentified youth reaches for the hand of Salem Yagawa. Isamu Kawakumi & Charles Miyoshi bid farewell to Noboru Taki, in uniform. The 418 departing on the 17th would be joined with their friends in California as 441 more departed on Monday. All four of the young men in the photograph grew up in the White River Valley area near Auburn. The Taki family owned a parking garage in downtown Tacoma and the young men were helping their friend Noboru, 22, with the business. In early 1942, Noboru was drafted and, in March, inducted into the army. The same day as he departed, his father was arrested by the Department of Justice for suspected anti-American affiliations. He was later released to reunite with his incarcerated family. Norboru Taki, after serving his country at war as his family resided in a detention camp, settled in Auburn. He and his wife later moved to Seattle where they raised five children. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1; TNT 5/18/2003, pg. B8+ by Stan Flewelling)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Horike, Tsuyoshi; Horike, Hanako; Fukuyama, Miya; Kawakumi, Isamu; Miyoshi, Charles; Taki, Noboru; Yagawa, Salem;

Members of the Yoshigiro Yamada family gather around a radio on the train departing Tacoma's Union Station for Fresno's Pinedale Assembly Center on May 17, 1942. During the late 30's and early 40's, the Yamada family was separated. The six children lived with their mother Chiyeko Yamada in Seattle; their father ran the Vasa Hotel on Pacific Avenue in Tacoma. In June of 1941, Mrs. Yamada died and the children came to live with their father in Tacoma. Several months after President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, the children were uprooted a second time and sent to the internment camp.The group are, left to right, twins Teddy and Kathryn (12), Robert (8) and Eddie (19.) (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1, 14; TNT 5/18/2003, pg. B8+ by Stan Flewelling)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Yamada, Teddy; Yamada, Kathryn; Yamada, Robert; Yamada, Eddie; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Members of the USO and the Salvation Army are shown stocking the interior of Washington's first mobile canteen. The canteen, one of 10 donated by Henry Ford to the USO, arrived in Tacoma on April 8, 1942 and was immediately put into use. It would be operated jointly by the USO and the Salvation Army and would offer military personnel in the smaller stations games, magazines, writing materials, coffee and doughnuts. Mrs. A.M. Holbrook makes coffee left. (T. Times 4/9/1942, pg. 9)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Canteens (Wartime, emergency, etc.)--Tacoma; Salvation Army (Tacoma) ;

Barn dance at South Tacoma U.S.O. The back of the building provides some space for a little archery practice range.

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

Barn dance at South Tacoma U.S.O. Two couples pull up a bale of hay for a seat between dances.

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

Barn dance held at South Tacoma U.S.O. in June of 1942. One clarinet player plays a swinging solo, surrounded by bales of hay.

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

Loading of troops and departure of U.S. Army transport "Republic" for California. About 200 soldiers crowd to the ship's railing to wave goodbye. (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

Mrs. Robert Schlee, right, a native of London, England, poses with Mrs. George Hellyer of Interlaaken at the home of the Hellyers. Mrs. Schlee has accompanied her two youngest sons to the Hellyer home. The boys will remain at the Hellyer home during the duration of the European war. The Schlee home in England is near a Vickers airplane factory and frequently is the target of bombs. The family sleeps in the cellar. The boys are the end of a wave of English children who have sought refuge in the US and the first to come to Tacoma. They will also probably be the last, as the English government has forbidden future sailings of refugee children. (T. Times 10/26/1940, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma;

War Finance. Two women look at the window display for the 7th War Loan, Fashion and Auction Show to be held May 4th at the Crystal Ballroom, Hotel Winthrop. Items displayed, which will be auctioned include an alarm clock, fly spray, clothing, lamps, a vase, a globe, paper products and canned goods.

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950;

War Finance. Eight men and women stand in front of the "Mighty 7th" war bond house trailer holding a sign advertising the 7th Pierce County War Loan effort. The house trailer, loaned by the Sober Trailer Company, is the center of bond auctions and other events. L-R, Fred C. Osmer, Arthur A. Cook, D.O. Shepardson, Olive A. Thies, Viola C. Davis, Ruth Bethel, Frank S. Evans and Leo A. McGavick.

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Sober Trailer Co.; Osmer, Fred C.; Cook, Arthur A.; Shepardson, D.O.; Thies, Olive A.; Davis, Viola C.; Bethel, Ruth; Evans, Frank S.; McGavick, Leo A.;

Progress photographs at 86th Street and South Tacoma Way for Wick & Dahlgren. War housing project Washington 45326. Approximately So. 86th & Warner. This is the site of the proposed Lakeview Housing Project. So. 84th St. is running diagonally across the lower portion. (T.Times, 7/10/1945, p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Lakeview Housing Project (Tacoma);

The Lutheran Service Center. One soldier selects a recording while another is seated reading the paper. A phonograph player is shown.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Phonographs; Lutheran Service Center (Tacoma);

Miss Mary Conolly, at the center wearing a nurse's cap, helped care for the 50 refugee children that were brought to Tacoma on the S.S. Admiral Eberle on September 25, 1945. The ship carried over 4,500 army officers and men, Red Cross workers, liberated American civilians, Filipino immigrants and a USO troupe back from the Pacific war theater. The Tacoma Red Cross took in, and cared for the children that were on the ship by converting their bandage and dressings room into a nursery for them. The Junior Red Cross arranged for donations of new toys so that each child took away a toy when they left - the first toy many of them had ever owned. (TNT, 9/29/1945, p.9)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Refugees; Conolly, Mary

On April 17, 1943, the women of the Edward B. Rhodes Post American Legion Auxiliary stepped to the plate at Fisher's Department Store to do their part to raise money for the war loan drive. The national goal was to raise $13 billion. In two days, the women sold $2,525 in bonds and $209 in stamps. Pictured left to right are Lillian (Mrs. Wilfred) Burrows, Maude (Mrs. Ben) Overdahl, Maud (Mrs. Harold) Hofford and Mrs. George Allen. Mrs. Hofford stood inside a booth advertising "Buy War Stamps Here" and a poster of a woman and child with the caption, "For Their Future, Buy War Bonds." (T.Times, 4/21/1943, p.3- picture; TNT 4/21/1943, pg. 18-picture)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Group portraits--1940-1950; Burrows, Lillian; Overdahl, Maude; Hofford, Maud;

The Federal Government began a major war bond drive on April 12, 1943 to raise $13 billion. Volunteer workers by the thousands set out throughout the United States to garner signatures and sell bonds, while newspapers and radios proclaimed from coast to coast: "Uncle Sam needs the money to help pay for the war." An unidentified woman worker at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., located on Tacoma's waterfront, is shown receiving a bond from a volunteer bond drive worker. [Also dated 04-12-1943] TPL-792

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma;

Four young marble players at Central School practice for the Tacoma Times City Marble Championship. The winner received a $25 war bond. Left to right: Sun Chow Ling, Carl Jackson, Earl Carroll and Vertis Barrett. (T. Times, 5/3/43, p. 12)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Children playing with marbles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In 1943, Marilyn Field (far left), Betty Hall, Doris Sunnen and Suzanne Marion were members of the first battalion of the Tacoma Girl Scout "Safety Pin Brigade". Because of the war, there was a shortage of safety pins in Tacoma. Expectant and new mothers were having difficulty finding fasteners for dipers. Tacoma's Girl Scouts collected pins and attached them to paper cards. The donated pins were made available to all mothers in need. (T. Times, 4/30/43, p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Girls--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A trio pose in front of the Hotel Winthrop during the March 21, 1943 civil defense drill. The man in the center is believed to be Fire Chief Emory Whitaker.

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

Man with hard hat labeled "Incident Officer" writes information on a pad for the other man kneeling on a truck bed.

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;