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;

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;

An interior view at the Veterans Administration Hospital at American Lake showing an office with two desks, a typewriter, telephone and a rolling cart with patient records. A window at the far end of the narrow office has been covered with a protective wire mesh.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Offices--Lakewood; Office furniture; Typewriters; Telephones;

Three men in military uniforms.

Military uniforms--United States--1950-1960;

This view of the construction of the new barracks at Fort Lewis shows the reinforcing steel from Bethlehem Steel used in the foundation floor. Ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Reinforced concrete construction--Fort Lewis; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Barracks--Fort Lewis; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);

Posing on June 24, 1969, with an array of medals is Mark Phun. In addition to the medals, his wool jacket has gold epaulets. The young man also sports an impressive handlebar mustache. Photograph ordered by Mrs. John Schall, Puyallup.

Phun, Mark; Medals; Military decorations; Mustaches;

Lt. Cdr. H.L. White, Chief Engineer, and U.S.S. Lexington commander, Capt. Frank D. Berrien, flank Tacoma Mayor James G. Newbergin on the deck of the massive aircraft carrier in December, 1929. The ship is berthed at Baker Dock and shortly will be pouring electricity into Tacoma's power lines. By the time the Lexington left in mid-January, it had generated over 4 million kilowatt hours.

Submarine S-27 visits Tacoma in July, 1926, along with several warships. Skippered by Lt. Carlye Craig, one of the country's newest submarines paid a visit to Tacoma in early July, 1926. The 219-foot long submarine, pictured above probably resurfacing, carried a crew of four officers and 39 enlisted men. It was capable of reaching depths of 300 feet. 38 members of the Tacoma Engineers Club were lucky enough to tour the bottom of Commencement Bay, 50 feet below the surface, courtesy of the S-27 on July 1st. Most of the engineers concurred with the opinion of a relieved member who was happy to take the tour but happier to be once again on top of the water and breathing in fresh air. (TNT 7-2-26, p. 1, 13)

The U.S. Navy submarine S-27 paid a visit to Tacoma in early July 1926 along with several warships. The 219-foot long submarine was one of the newest in the Navy's fleet having been commissioned in January 1924. It carried 12 torpedoes and had a top designed underwater speed of 11 knots. It was helmed by Lt. Carlye Craig. (TNT 7-2-26, p. 1, 13)

ca. 1929. U.S.S. Lexington at Baker Dock. This photograph is undated but was probably taken in the winter, mid-December to mid-January, of 1929-30 when the Lexington steamed into Commencement Bay and tied up at Baker Dock. The aircraft carrier was summoned to help Tacoma in their power shortage; it was the first time that a ship was used in this capacity. She would generate over 4 million kilowatt hours of electrical power. Bowen # 310-129

ca. 1929. U.S.S. Lexington in Puget Sound. This photograph is undated but may have been taken roughly in the winter of 1929-30 when the Lexington streamed into Commencement Bay and tied up at Baker Dock. The small dory alongside the ship possibly carried the mayor of Tacoma, James Newbegin, and other dignitaries. The aircraft carrier was summoned to help Tacoma in their power shortage; it was the first time that a ship was used in this capacity. She would generate over 4 million kilowatt hours of electrical power. The Lexington, known as the "Queen of the Flattops," was launched in 1925 and was armed with twelve five-inch .25 calibre anti-aircraft guns, 4 six-pounder saluting guns and eight three-inch .55 calibre breechloading rifles. She performed humanitarian relief efforts during the Nicaraguan earthquake of 1931 and also made a futile search for Amelia Earhart when the aviatrix disappeared in 1937. The ship was sunk during the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942. (Marine Digest, 6-9-73, p. 11-16) TPL-009

Bremerton Navy Yard in July of 1930.

Bremerton Navy Yard in July of 1930. USS New York in dry dock. The battleship New York saw service in both WWI and WWII.

Supply Co., 5th Ga. INF. U.S.N.G. at Camp "COTTON"; El Paso, TX; 1st Sgt. C.R. Smith, R.P. Wright, W.A. Waldrop, W.G. Garrett, R.J. Faulk, H.W.Crabb, D.A. Reagen, C.H. Fitchett, W.L. Howell, J.L. Brooks, Sgt.C.H. Hood, B.C. Bibbs, G.D. Burtchaell, A.M. Pierson, J. Mcclure, G.R. Brook, C.R. Herrin, L.A. Gary, W.H. Duren, Leroy Bentine, H.H. Jamison, John Bannister, L.H. Strickland, Corp.J.B. Beck, Col.A.M. Davis, Capt. S.P. Cronheim, Lt.M.M. Burns, A.J. Manning, R.F. Calloway, G.L. Howell, Reg. Supply Sargents

Groups; Military personnel--1910-1920; Mules; Wagons; Tents; National Guard

June 23, 1919, "Rose Show at Base Hospital." This room at the Camp Lewis hospital is decorated with greenery and displays of roses. Convalescing soldiers and guests enjoy the bloom-filled setting. Roses of all kinds were sent to the hospital after the 8th annual Rose Show held at the Armory. This ensured that the wounded and recovering soldiers would still be able to enjoy the sight and beautiful scents of the flowers. G70.1-013 (TNT 6-21-19, p. 9-article)

Roses--Camp Lewis; Sick persons; Soldiers--Camp Lewis; Hospitals--Camp Lewis;

All Aboard! On June 16, 1927, members of the 148th Field Artillery, Tacoma's own National Guard unit, crowded into three coaches at Union Station. They would be shoving off at 8:30 a.m. for the National Guard encampment at Camp Murray for summer training. (TNT 6/16/1927, pg. 1) BGN-687

Washington National Guard, 148th F.A. (Tacoma); Military uniforms; Military personnel; Railroad cars;

Members of the Washington Guard, Company H, First Regiment, stand at attention for a crowd gathered along the 1100 block of Tacoma Avenue South on July 5, 1900. Two notable large buildings are in the background: Parker Hall, 1111-17 Tacoma Avenue South at left and Alpha Hall, 1131-33 Tacoma Avenue South on the right (with furniture advertisement) . Tacoma had planned a huge celebration for the first 4th of July in the 1900s. It was estimated that 50,000 people poured into town for the big event. Festivities turned to disaster on the morning of the 4th when an overcrowded streetcar plunged into the ravine at South 26th and C Streets instantly killing 37 passengers and maiming many others on board. Many of the planned activities proceeded including this military drill on the 5th.

Military training; Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1900-1910; Fourth of July celebrations; Washington State Guard (Tacoma); Parker Hall (Tacoma); Alpha Hall (Tacoma);

ca. 1904. Col. Patterson (seated) of Vashon Island led the fifth annual encampment of Cadets at Camp Murray, American Lake, in 1904. Cadets from several Washington state high schools including Tacoma (now called Stadium) High School and Seattle High School posed with their commanding officer. Some of the Tacoma boys have been identified as : Harry Van Eaton (standing, second from left); Ray Baker (kneeling, far left); Walter Schwarz (Schwartz)(second from right). Ray Baker was the 2nd Lt. for the 1903-04 school year. Harry Van Eaton was elected Captain of the Tacoma High School Cadets the following June, replacing Walter Schwarz (Schwartz) who was Captain at the time of the encampment.

Cadets--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1900-1910; Van Eaton, Harry; Baker, Ray; Schwarz, Walter; Schwartz, Walter; Military training--Camp Murray;

10th Field Artillery, Battalion F at the Western Washington Fair, Puyallup, Washington. Soldiers with horsedrawn wagons and cannon. Fair buildings and track in background. Friday, September 17, 1926, was both Tacoma and Army Day at the Western Washington Fair. Camp Lewis sent the 10th Artillery and military band as representatives of the Army. The Firing squad gave an exhibition of field gun practice at a mark in woods south of Puyallup. All soldiers at the camp were released by General Robert Alexander except for a few to garrison the post. Hundreds of soldiers thus helped to boost attendance on the very wet day to 37,000, topping Seattle Day's total. (TNT 9-18-26, p. 1) TPL-7087

Artillery (Troops)--Tacoma; Artillery (Weaponry)--Tacoma; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1920-1930;

Soldiers from the 10th Field Artillery, Fort Lewis, gather in a field in South Tacoma on July 3, 1931. Along the road behind them are several businesses including The Moon lunch room and a building with a sign that says Dew-kist Farm. There is also a fireworks stand. TPL-7088

Soldiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireworks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A group of soldiers, 10th Field Artillery, sit on the ground in a field at Brown's Farm, Nisqually, on August 15, 1932. They are eating from mess kits. A military mess wagon can be seen in the background. TPL-7096

Military life--1930-1940; Soldiers--1930-1940;

These are non-commissioned officers from the 161st Infantry, I Co., posing between tents at Camp Murray on June 18, 1930. They were part of the two-week encampment of the Washington National Guard participating in the annual summer maneuvers. 2600 officers and men from around the state would be on hand. G69.1-143 (TNT 6-13-30, p. 1-article on encampment) TPL-10318

Camp Murray (Wash.); Tents--Camp Murray; Military personnel; Washington National Guard, 161st Infantry, Company I (Wash.);

26 soldiers pose at Fort Lewis on July 22, 1930. They may have been part of Field Artillery or Cavalry. Each apparently has the crossed rifle or saber insignia worn on the collar. G69.1-141

Military personnel; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

This was the newly built Fort Lewis Hospital as viewed on February 9, 1932. TPL-644; G70.1-037

Hospitals--Fort Lewis; Fort Lewis Hospital (Fort Lewis);