The Tacoma, Washington State Guard units were hosts to the Seattle, Washington State Guard units at the State Armory in late May of 1946. This was the last official ceremony for both units. The re-establishment of the Washington National Guard is expected in the near future. Seated left to right are: Nelson, Hamilton, McMorris and White. In back we have, left to right, Middlesworth and Cronander (T. Times, 5/28/46, p. 1).

Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Veterans' organizations--Tacoma; Washington State Guard (Tacoma); Military uniforms;

Audrey Moon and Morris Mahoney with two unidentified people, possibly their best man and maid of honor, get their photograph taken at Richard's Studio. Audrey is wearing a wedding band, Audrey and Morris were possibly married recently. The women are wearing corsages and knee length dresses. Morris is wearing his Navy uniform.

Military uniforms; Portrait photographs; Couples--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Moon, Audrey; Mahoney, Morris;

Audrey Moon and Morris Mahoney were possibly married recently. She is wearing a corsage and Morris is wearing his Navy uniform (See photo D25635-5).

Military uniforms; Portrait photographs; Couples--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Moon, Audrey; Mahoney, Morris;

The Washington National Guard had just received government supplies and weapons, which would be used by the National Guard in future military maneuvers. The large shipment was sent to Camp Murray, and more equipment was expected to arrive. View of hundreds of jeeps which would be used to transport National Guardsmen and government supplies (T. Times, 10/9/47, p. 2).

Military vehicles--Tacoma; Jeep automobile; Militias; Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

Washington National Guard had just received 155mm howitzers, cannons and other large firing weapons, from the government. Guardsmen would receive training on how to use the new equipment at Camp Murray. The weapons would be used by the National Guard in future maneuvers. View of two Guardsmen inspecting the newly arrived four barreled firing weapon (T. Times, 10/9/47, p. 2).

Militias; Artillery (Weaponry)--Tacoma; Artillery (Troops)--Tacoma; Arms & armament--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

Washington National Guard window display at Sears. Mannequin dressed as a Guardsman, stacked rifles, posters and flag are all intended to recruit young men into joining the National Guard. The Guard offered training in many areas and monetary compensation for the days that you served in the National Guard. Interested parties were asked to enroll at the local armory on South 11th Street and Yakima Avenue.

Military Organizations; Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Flags; Militias; Arms & armament--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Window Displays;

Renamed Veterans Day in 1953, November 11 was first proclaimed as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I. That year, on November 13, John Philip Sousa's band played in the Washington National Guard Armory in Tacoma and President Woodrow Wilson spoke there two months earlier. In 1947, a Military Ball was held on Armistice Day at the Armory, where more than 1,500 people were expected to attend. The presentation of colors to the local reserve units of the Army and Army Air Corps highlighted the evening. Army and Navy dignitaries and prominent civilian guests attended the event. View of ceremonies under way at the Armory (T. Times, 11/12/47, p. 7).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

Aerial view of the "General M. M. Patrick", military personnel, possibly the Marines or Navy are on board the troop ship, life boats are aligned on the upper area of ship. The majority of the crew can be seen on the ship's deck, the men are wearing their uniforms, some are wearing hats and caps.

Military personnel--Tacoma; Lifeboats--Tacoma; Sailors--Tacoma; Government vessels--Tacoma; Ships--Tacoma; Aerial photographs; Aerial views;

General Kaiser coming down gang plank from ship, Mt. McKinley, Chamber of Commerce, Armed Services Committee, Col. James Stack. The Second Infantry division troops have returned from "Operation Miki" maneuvers in Hawaii. Approximately 15,000 Fort Lewis men participated in the "invasion". A Red Cross stand provided milk, coffee, and doughnuts through the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. One of the Fort Lewis Dairy delivery trucks and another vehicle with loudspeakers on top of the cab stand behind the tables with apples and milk for the service men. (TNT,11/17/1949, p.1) TPL-10358

Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms--United States;

General Kaiser coming down gang plank from ship, Mt. McKinley, Chamber of Commerce, Armed Services Committee, Col. James Stack. A group of G.I.'s disembark from the U.S.S. Mount McKinley at the McCormick dock. They are members of the 2nd infantry division from Fort Lewis who have just returned from "Operation Miki" in Hawaii. The Mount McKinley brought home 191 Army officers and men home from the 15,000 who were involved in the training. Several other ships were expected over the next three days, bringing home more soldiers. (TNT, 11/17, 1949, p.1)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms--United States; Homecomings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Arrivals & departures--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Military police for layout story, Times, Earl Floathe. A man wears the arm band and helmet of the Military Police while talking on a specialized telephone and reviewing notes in this photograph from February of 1949.

Military police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Communication devices; Telephones;

View of L. H. Stevens, Adj. General at AGO Camp Murray, Washington National Guard, Washington State Military Department. L. H. Stevens is leaning against an automobile in his National Guard uniform.

Military personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms; Insignia--Tacoma; Military decorations--Tacoma; Military organizations; Men--Military service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Stevens, L.H.;

Members of the Radiological Defense Division of the Tacoma Civil Defense Corps gather at the home of Dr. Stevens S. Sanderson (center), division chief, to plan their work in the event of an atomic attack. The Division was responsible for designing a procedure for defense against radioactivity should Tacoma be hit by an atomic bomb. Training classes were designed and implemented for local personnel to lead technicians into radioactive areas, offer medical aid, monitor radioactivity, and defend against atomic attacks. The Division was responsible for immediate survey work following an attack and control of decontamination monitoring instruments. US involvement in Korea had only heightened the fear of atomic attack and civil defense organizations were active all over Tacoma. (TNT 1/9/1951, pg. 10-see article for names)

Korean War, 1950-1953--Civil defense--Tacoma; Sanderson, Stevens S.;

A volunteer offers advice during the servicemen's game of checkers at the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific, sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Churches. The center, under the direction of Rev. Loyal H. Vickers, was in its seventh year of operation and provided recreation for about 12,000 persons a month. In addition to recreation, the center also offered religious instruction for the young people of Tacoma. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Checkers; Board games;

Activities at the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific. High school seniors and college girls volunteered at the center that offered recreational activities for servicemen and religious instruction for young Tacomans. A group of young people play billiards in this photo. The center was open seven days a week and offered information to servicemen on local church services, but also had facilities for television viewing, a library, ping pong, billiards, snack bar, a wide variety of table games, a music room, and bowling. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Billiards--Tacoma; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma);

A volunteer hands out pool cues and billiard balls to servicemen at the United Churches Service Center, sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Churches, at 9th and Pacific. The center, under the direction of the Rev. Loyal H. Vickers, provided religious instruction for young Tacomans and recreational facilities for the area's 30,000 servicemen. The Council allotted $12,000 from its budget to support the center. In addition to providing recreation, the center arranged banquets, skating parties, cruises and provided weekday Bible study for Tacoma young people. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Billiards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Billiard balls; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma);

John Lyman, Fort Lewis soldier from Chicago, plays tunes while servicemen and teenage volunteers gather around the piano to sing popular songs at the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific. In its seventh year, the center was providing recreation for 12,000 people a month. It was open from 10 a.m. to midnight every day, and all night on Saturday to provide overnight housing for servicemen. A waffle party at 9:30a.m. Sunday morning was provided for the servicemen along with transportation to the church of their choice. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4) TPL-10386

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Pianos; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma); Lyman, John;

Mary Jackson and Nadine Kensler serve a group of servicemen and young ladies sodas, malts and soup at the lunch counter in the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific Ave. As many as 3,000 young people visited the center over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The center was open seven days a week and had facilities for bowling, billiards, ping pong, a library, a music room and overnight accommodations for servicemen on Saturdays. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Counters--Tacoma--1950-1960; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma); Jackson, Mary; Kensler, Nadine;

Two units of segregated U.S. Army troops. An African American unit is followed by a white unit in the Armed Forces Parade on May 20, 1950. This was the first Armed Forces Day parade. It was a combination of the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. It was estimated that 6,000 persons participated in the parade. Over 2,500 infantrymen of the 9th regimental combat team of the Second division and other units from Fort Lewis passed in review. Reserve units also played an important part in the event including the National Guard, Marine Corps, Naval Reserve, Army Reserve and Bellarmine R.O.T.C. (TNT, 5/22/1950, p.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; African Americans--Tacoma--1950-1960; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Armed Forces Day was created in 1949 to allow citizens to come together on a single holiday to thank our men in uniform for their service to our country. In this photograph of the May 1950 Armed Forces Day parade military units from Fort Lewis are marching south on Pacific Avenue. The camera's image offers a view of the facades of the buildings in the 900 block of Pacific. The Rust Building with 12 stories is at the end of the block. Awnings and fire escapes hang from many of the buildings. All the buildings in the 900 block of Pacific were demolished in the late 1960s to make way for the Park Plaza North Parking Garage.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Members of an all-African American unit from the United States Army turn the corner onto Pacific as they march down South 9th Street as part of the first Armed Forces Day Parade held on May 20, 1950. Over 2,500 infantrymen of the 9th regimental combat team of the Second division and other units from Fort Lewis took part in the huge display of military might. The troops from Fort Lewis were joined by representatives of the Navy, Marines and Air Force as well as non-military groups from local schools, fraternal and civic organizations. It was estimated that over 6,000 persons participated in the parade. Although President Harry Truman had signed Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948 calling for the desegregation of the United States' armed forces, the army did not formally announce its plans to implement the order until July of 1951. (TNT, 5/19/1950, p.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

New reserves in uniform stand on bleachers at Fort Lewis in late June of 1950. They would undergo refresher training on combat techniques taught by seasoned veterans.

Military reserves; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

New reserves pose for the camera at Fort Lewis in June 1950. Nineteen men stand at ease awaiting the photographer's instructions. By October of that year, Fort Lewis was a major enlisted reservist training center, the only one of its kind on the West Coast. Reservists were given intensive combat refresher training by combat veterans. (TNT 10-22-50, p. A-11)

Military; Military reserves; Photographers;

On July 29, 1950, the Tacoma Naval Station was the scene of the recommissioning of the escort carrier U.S.S. Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86), twenty days after the orders came through to "take her out of mothballs". Captain H.B. Butterfield, representing the Commander Pacific Reserve Fleet, read the directive placing the ship in commission. Captain C.W. Lord accepted command of the ship from Captain Butterfield. The Sitkoh Bay, named for a small bay in southeastern Alaska, was originally commissioned in Astoria, Oregon, on March 28, 1944. The escort carrier participated in many engagements during World War II, including Palau, the Philippines, Okinawa, and Japan. The Sitkoh Bay transported a total of 2032 aircraft, 10,716 passengers and traveled 182,618 miles before being decommissioned at the end of the war. (TNT 7-30-50, p.1)

U.S.S. Sitkoh Bay; Aircraft carriers;

Cpl. Goro Tomisato, Battalion D, 11th AAA, poses for this sepia studio portrait on August 19, 1950. Tomisato, a Japanese American stationed at Fort Lewis, is wearing dress khakis.

Military personnel--Tacoma; Military uniforms; Men--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacoma formed a Civilian Defense force, proposed for a force of 150 individuals. Here, Tacoma City Clerk Josephine Melton, left, administered the oath of office to 30 auxilliary police. The men had completed a six-week training course, including first aid, police, and firearms courses. Names are listed in the newspaper. Ordered by Frank Evans. (TNT, 10/29/1950, p.15)

Korean War, 1950-1953--Civil defense--Tacoma; Melton, Josephine; People associated with health & safety;

Two of the Canadian troops at Fort Lewis wear berets while they carve several hams on November 24, 1950. The main body of the 25th Canadian infantry brigade and the Canadian Army's Special Force came to Tacoma aboard toop trains starting in October 1950. The troops, all volunteers, were scheduled to stay at Fort Lewis through the winter barring an assignment by the United Nations. The 2nd battalion of the Princess Patricias, a Calgary-based Canadian light infantry outfit of 900 men, were scheduled for overseas departure late in November. The unit continued its training at Fort Lewis before leaving for Korean duty. (TNT, 10/20/1950, p.C-3; 11/15/1950, p.24)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Soldiers--Canadian; Meat; Korean War, 1950-1953--Military life;

Civil Defense Night, sponsored by Elks Lodge 174, at the Elks Club. Lloyd Wynans, Exalted Ruler, appointed Harold Duncan, Leading Knight, to preside at the meeting intended to help coordinate civil defense divisions and further the Elks aim to support, uphold, and defend the American way of life. Wynans stated that adequate civil defense requires thousands of residents volunteering time and energy to minimize death and casualties in the event of a disaster. The film "Pattern for Survival" was shown. Civil defense officials, headed by Mayor John Anderson and Civil Defense Director Frank S. Evans, were in attendance. The Elks Temple underwent a $80,000 remodel the previous Fall, with over half of it going to renovations on this hall. One of the changes was the new wall to wall Saxony Wilson broadloom carpet in green and ivory. (TNT 1-22-1951, pg. 5) TPL-8450

Korean War, 1950-1953--Civil defense--Tacoma; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Studio portrait of Gilbert Moorehead, U.S. Navy, of the USS Essex CV 9, stationed at Bremerton, Washington. He was photographed in uniform on February 10, 1951.

Military personnel--United States--1950-1960; Sailors--United States--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States--1950-1960; Moorehead, Gilbert;

Mass meeting of drug store owners for Tacoma Civil Defense. The local druggists and pharmacists completed final civil defense plans to aid in maintaining a flow of medical supplies to secondary hospitals and clearing centers in the event of a disaster. Seated, left to right, are key members of the organization Frank S. Evans (Director), J.E. Sohlberg (President of the Tacoma Association of Pharmaceutical Service), Don Heerema, Dorothy Haaga, Dr. J. Morrison Brady, R.A. Taylor, Bob Failor and Everett Riser. Standing are drug store owners and pharmacists of the area. (TNT 2/23/1951, pg. B-4)

Korean War, 1950-1953--Civil defense--Tacoma; Pharmacists--Tacoma--1950-1960; Drugstores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Evans, Frank S.; Sohlberg, J.E.; Heerema, Don; Haaga, Dorothy; Brady, J. Morrison; Taylor, R.A.; Failor, Bob; Riser, Everett;