A group of African Americans look on for the cutting of a cake at an unidentified social event at the USO #2, 713-715 Commerce St., circa 1946. The cake has four candles, possibly indicating that it was in honor of the Club's fourth anniversary in September of 1946. In the group were Helen B. Stafford (second from left), Arthur Hayes (fifth from left), Maude Leonard (seventh from left) and Louise Beck (back of center, in hat.) (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

The second annual USO Music Festival was held at Point Defiance Park on July 28, 1946. One of the featured performers was the 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest, under the direction of Dr. Francis Aranyi. The concert took place around the temporary bandstand set up in the natural amphitheater at the entrance to the park. It 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)

On July 29, 1945, the USO hosted its first Music Festival at Point Defiance Park. Over 6,000 spectators were on hand to enjoy the concert. The main feature was a performance of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" by the 362nd Army Band of Fort Lewis. Cpl. William Sumner of New York City was the featured soloist. Cpl. Sumner was the solo pianist with the National Broadcasting Company before entering the Army. Other performers included the 29th Special Band directed by Sgt. Earnest Hayden and the 25 voice Naval choir from Bremerton, featuring baritone soloist Robert Brown. (TNT 7/29/1945, pg. 1; photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

From September of 1942 until the end of March, 1947, 713-15 Commerce housed USO #2, a club reserved for the entertainment of servicemen and women of color. One of the unique activities in the club took place each year during "Be Kind to Animals" week. Servicemen assisted in the planning and production of a dog show with the pets of local children. Ribbons were presented to the best in each catagory. In this photograph dated September 16, 1945, unidentified children and servicemen pose with a variety of dogs at the club. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

ca. 1947. Orson Welles (right), noted performer and director of stage, screen and radio, posed in this undated photograph with a longtime friend and Army-Navy USO Club leader Bennie D. Brown. The occasion was possibly in March of 1947, when Mr. Welles spoke to 5,000 persons in the Armory as a guest of the Tacoma Jewish Association in observance of Brotherhood Week.

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;

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;

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.

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)

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;

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;

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);

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;

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;