Community Chest Travelers Aid at Union Depot. Women are cleaning the location for the new men's lounge. The women's lounge will contain a nursery where mothers can care for their children's needs. (T.Times, 11/10/1943, p10)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); USO clubs (Tacoma)--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;

During WWII, Mrs. William Wiley kept her most treasured mementos of her husbands service in Iran in a leather-bound folder. The clipping from the U.S. Army Dispatch that she received in December of 1943 went right into the folder the day she received it. The clipping showed her husband, Pvt. William Wiley, meeting the Commander in Chief of the American Military Forces, President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Pvt. Wiley had fractured his leg while on duty with the Persian Gulf Service Command. The President visited the hospital in which he was recuperating. (T.Times, 12/22/1943, p.1)

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

Thelma Derrickson was one of the many women hired by the Tacoma Transit Company to drive the cities busses during WWII. She was hired in September of 1942. The Transit Department was looking for women 21 to 40, preferably with a high school education, some previous driving experience and an aptitude for mechanics. They fully expected that within a short time 3/4 of their drivers would be women. (T.Times, 9/10/1943, p.1; 9/13/1943, p.5) TPL-4559

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bus drivers--Tacoma;

University Union Club Honor Roll, Mr. Ireland. An outdoor plaque lists the names of the University Union Clubs members in service titled "Honor Roll".

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

On January 3, 1940, 1,800 troops stationed at Fort Lewis boarded the "U.S.S. Republic". They were being shipped to California to take part in the largest army-navy "war game" ever held in the United States. Six troop ships carried thousands of soldiers and marines and their field artillery for a lighting sea attack on the Monterey peninsula. The navy was responsible for teaching to troops how to load, lower away, row and land a fleet of small boats through the California breakers. (T. Times 1/3/1940 p.1 & 1/4/1940 p.1)

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

Loading of troops and departure of U.S. Army transport "Republic" for California. View of side of ship departing from Tacoma. (T. Times)

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

Loading of troops and departure of U.S. Army trasport "Republic" for California. About 200 soldiers wait in line on dock to enter wooden plank walkway into ship. (T. Times)

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