In August of 1944, many servicemen of color turned out for dance night in the main auditorium of the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. During World War II, the US military was still segregated and USO #2 was sponsored by the YMCA for the entertainment of African American servicemen and women. The main auditorium was decorated with transparencies by the Washington State Progress Commission. The project was under the supervision of Bert Smyser. The auditorium was a large space that could be adapted for many uses. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma) (information provided by USO #2 brochure for Recognition Ceremony)

A dance event at the USO #2, 713-715 Commerce Street. Helen B. Stafford is on the far right. The other people in the picture are unidentified. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma))

On Sunday February 3, 1946, USOs across the nation celebrated the fifth anniversary of USO (United Service Organization) operation by opening to the public. In Tacoma, all of the USO clubs had open houses but the main event was held at the USO #2, the club reserved for servicemen of color at 713-15 Commerce St. Guests of honor were Tacoma's Mayor Harry Cain (center back table) and Earl Marble, the chairman of the Tacoma USO Council. The anniversary program included performances by the Special Service Band from Fort Lewis, concert pianist Pvt. Glen Michaels and tenor Sgt. Soto Andrews. (TNT 2/3/1946, pg. A-7, 2/4/1946, pg. 1; photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

The 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest perform at the annual USO Music Festival, held at Point Defiance Park on July 28, 1946. The orchestra, conducted by Dr. Francis Aranyi, was photographed on the temporary bandstand erected in the natural amphitheater at the entrance to the park. The concert was attended by over 7,000 people. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2; Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)

This photograph from the Helen Stafford collection is dated July 29, 1945, meaning it was taken at the first USO music festival at Point Defiance. Six thousand attendees sat on the grass to listen to the 362nd Army Band from Fort Lewis play Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Also performing were the 29th Special Service Band directed by Sgt. Earnest Hayden and the 25 voice Naval choir from Bremerton. (TNT 7/29/1945, PG. 1; Photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

ca. 1946. One of the purposes of the USO was to make the holidays more festive for servicemen stationed away from home and their families. This picture of a local pair, left, and four servicemen was taken around Christmas at the USO Club #2. All of the people in the picture are unidentified. The Club was reserved for servicemen of color; at this time, the military was still segregated. (Photograph by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma).

ca. 1946. A group of at a refreshment table at the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St., around 1946. The border in the background is formed of a line of thumbtacked photographs of the USO Club. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

Volunteers of USO No. 2 shown in this undated World War II era photograph include community activist Helen Stafford, second from right. USO No. 2 opened at 713 Commerce Street in September 1942 to serve Tacoma's African American servicemen and closed in March 1947. This location also served servicemen during World War I as the Army-Navy Club. TPL-5977

ca. 1946. One of the functions of the United Service Organizations (USO) was to create a welcoming atmosphere for servicemen and women away from home, especially during the holidays. From the look of the guests' hats and leis, the social event in this undated photograph was held during the holidays in the main hall of the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. The military was still segregated during World War II, so USO #2 was provided for the entertainment of African American soldiers.

Camp Draper, the June 1934 training encampment for the Washington National Guard, held at Camp Murray. Artillery is lined up on a plain for training exercises.

Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel; Arms & armament; Artillery (Weaponry)--1930-1940;

Military personnel lounge on the grass listening to a speaker located under the tent at the June 1934 Washington National Guard encampment at Camp Murray. The encampment was held each year to train the guard in military exercises. In 1934, the encampment was named "Camp Draper." The Wa. National Guard was established in 1884 under Territorial Governor Watson C. Squire to protect the state, preserve law and order and support the national armed forces.

Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel; Washington National Guard (Wash.);

A show of Washington National Guard military force for what appear to be invited guests at the 1934 training encampment at Camp Murray. A tractor pulls a wagon loaded with artillery operators, all seated with their arms crossed in the same way, and also the cannon mounted on a wheeled carriage. Three of these units cross the parade grounds.

Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel; Arms & armament; Artillery (Weaponry)--1930-1940; Washington National Guard (Wash.); Caissons (Vehicles);

Military parade of might at the 1934 Washington National Guard encampment at Camp Murray, the "Camp Draper." These vehicles appear to be early tanks. A military band stands at one side of the parading vehicles.

Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel; Washington National Guard (Wash.); Military bands; Armored vehicles; Arms & armament--1930-1940;

Exterior of recently completed brick quarters for bachelor officers at Fort Lewis. Colonial-style architecture with pedimented entry and keystone element above windows. Over a period of six years, the federal government has expended $5,500,000 at the Fort and provided employment for thousands. The development program is scheduled to be completed by the end of 1934. Over 80 buildings, in brick, stucco and steel, have replaced the ramshackle wooden structures at the Fort, making it one of the principal US encampments. (T. Times 11/23/1934, pg. 1) (WSHS)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.; Officers' quarters--Fort Lewis; Barracks--Fort Lewis;

Newly constructed officers' housing at Fort Lewis. Cluster of Colonial-style, two-story brick houses with covered entries and side bays. Each home will be occupied by one officer and his wife. The construction of this housing was part of a six year, five and one half million dollar development program at Ft. Lewis. All construction was scheduled to be completed by the end of 1934, making Ft. Lewis one of the principal U.S. encampments. (T. Times 11/23/1934, pg. 1; 11/24/1934, pg. 5) (WSHS)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.; Officers' quarters--Fort Lewis;

Baseball Team, Battery "F," 143rd Field Artillery California National Guard, Camp Lewis. July 17, 1925. (WSHS)

Camp Lewis (Wash.); Military camps--Tacoma--1920-1930; California National Guard, Battery F, 143rd Field Artillery (Camp Lewis); Baseball players--Camp Lewis--1920-1930;

1938 Army Day at Fort Lewis. A soldier demonstrates the use of a rifle to several people attending the World War I anniversary event. Once a year, the army base threw open its doors to show their current state of national preparedness to defend the country. (T. Times 4/6/1938, pg. 1)

Arms & armament--Tacoma--1930-1940; Artillery (Weaponry); Fort Lewis (Wash.);

C.M.T.C. awards ceremonies at Fort Lewis. Four young soldiers carrying ceremonial flags, the color guard, prepare to leave tent area. 250 youths lived in the tents while enrolled in the Citizens Military Training Camp. The goal of the annual encampment was to educate a ready group of young men, trained to serve in the military if needed. The nation could maintain a state of military readiness without a large standing army. (T.Times, 8/4/1938, p. 1).

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Citizens Military Training Camp--Fort Lewis;

C.M.T.C. awards ceremonies. The Citizens Military Training Camp at Fort Lewis attracted an enrollment of 250 youths. Here, a mother and two young women watch as three trainees make adjustments in the field artillery. (T. Times, 8/4/1938, p. 1).

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Citizens Military Training Camp--Fort Lewis;

Army Day at Fort Lewis marks the 21st anniversary of the United States entry into the World war. Corporal Gerald Roeder, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, explains how the theodolite instrument determines wind velocity. (T.Times, 4/6/1938, p.1).

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Meteorology; Meteorological instruments--1930-1940;

Young men in a trench are trained in the use of artillery during the July 1934 Citizen's Military Training Camp (CMTC) at Camp Murray. During the 20's and 30's, young men interested in military careers could receive training in summer camps. These camps filled the gap between a large standing army and totally untrained volunteers. In 1934, for the first time, the camp combined training for the CMTC, ROTC and Officers' Reserve Corps. (T. Times 7/13/1934, pg. 1) TPL-8614

Citizens Military Training Camp--Tacoma; Camp Murray (Wash.); Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Military camps--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Tacoma's famous Troop B demonstrates some trick riding at the 1935 Washington National Guard encampment at Camp Murray, Camp A.H. Hankins. A guardsman on a horse jumps over three of his fellow national guard members, posing mischievously under umbrellas. Troop B is actually designated as the Headquarters Troop, 24th Cavalry Division, Washington National Guard and it is the oldest military organization in the state. This group is part of the 7,000 enlisted men and 600 officers taking part in the 15 day field training. (T. Times 6/12/1935, pg. 1)

Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940; Horseback riding; Horses--Jumping (Horsemanship); Horses--Show jumping; Washington National Guard, 24th Cavalry Division (Tacoma);

Army Day at Fort Lewis, April 6, 1936. 30,000 visitors were expected to take advantage of this annual opportunity to view Ft. Lewis peacetime activities. Included in the festivities was a review of the troops. Soldiers assembling for parade. Groups are gathering on street lined with young trees and 3-story, brick buildings. Wooden buildings are in the background. (T. Times 4/6/1936 & 4/7/1936, pg 1)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Soldiers;

Army Day at Fort Lewis. Military unit on parade grounds. Memorial monument and several 2-story, brick buildings in background. (T. Times 4/6 & 4/7/1936, pg.1)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Soldiers;

Field artillery. Four radio operators with equipment set-up in an open field.

Military - U. S. Army - Military Units - Field Artillery - Radio OperatorsEquipment - Military Equipment - Communication Equipment - Radio Equipment

The massed colors of all the regiments in the Third Division are held at attention before the crowd at the Third Div. Review at Fort Lewis on May 13, 1937. (T.Times 5/14/1937, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Military standards;

Fort Lewis Third Division Review, held May 13, 1937. Front view of military tank, with two soldiers visible through openings beneath the gun turret.

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Tanks (Military science)--Fort Lewis;

As part of the annual Army-Navy parade this battalion of Marines marched north on Pacific Avenue at 10th Street on Thursday morning, July 30, 1936. Thousands of spectators lined the sidewalks beneath the rows of flags that adorned the downtown streets. For the parade, in honor of Fleet Week, military personnel and motorized equipment were provided by Fort Lewis, as well as the Navy and Marines from nine visiting cruisers at anchor in Commencement Bay. Marching bands came both from Fort Lewis and the flagships. Some 2,000 men thrilled the crowds as an example of the nation's military might. (T. Times 7/30/1936, pg. 1-article; T.Times 7-29-36, p. 1-article).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma); Riviera Theatre (Tacoma); Marines (Military personnel);

Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Parade. Marine unit carrying rifles turns West on South 9th Street from Pacific Avenue. They will proceed up the hill to Broadway. Spectators line the street and sidewalks. The parade was being held in honor of Fleet Week. (T. Times 7/30/1936, pg. 1).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma); Riviera Theatre (Tacoma); Marines (Military personnel);

Military personnel, provided by Fort Lewis, the US Navy and the Marines, parade down the 900 block of Pacific Ave. for the Fleet Week parade. Two flag bearers march in front, flags whipping in the breeze. The Riviera Theater, Rust Building and other 900 Pacific Avenue block buildings are in background. (T. Times 7/30/1936, pg. 1).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma); Riviera Theatre (Tacoma); Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;