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;

ca. 1944. War Street. Downtown display of World War II artillery and military equipment circa 1944. A soldier describes military radio equipment to a group of boys while youngsters climb aboard the massive weapon.

Artillery (Weaponry)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950;

US Army Transportation Corps. Hull no. 8 - TP225, 96' Wooden Utility Boat, Design #333, Petrich Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma.

U.S. Army Transportation Corps; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Petrich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Boat (Mann). US Army Transport Corps LT 214. Four men stand on the upper deck while the "Large Tug" (LT) is under way. TPL-6388

U.S. Army Transportation Corps; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

US Army Transportation Corps. Hull no. 8 - TP225, 96' Wooden Utility Boat, Design #333, Petrich Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma. Docked under the 11th Street Bridge. Petrich Shipbuilding was located on the City Waterway. The company received the prestigious E Award March 1942 for their outstanding efforts during World War II. TPL-8026

U.S. Army Transportation Corps; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Waterfronts--Tacoma; Petrich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Vertical lift bridges--Tacoma;

Hooker Electrochemical Co. was awarded the Army Navy "E" award by Major General Joseph D. Patch and Navy Officer W. C. Gilbert. An impressive ceremony was held at plant. Music was provided by the 440th Army Service Forces. Acting Mayor C. Val Fawcett was the Master of Ceremonies (T. Times, 1/10/45, p. 3).

Military decorations--Tacoma; Awards; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Avenger at Todd Pacific. Todd Pacific Shipyards will have "Avenger", the tank used in the battle of Tarawa in the South Pacific. The tank used by the Marines, will be here for one week. View of three unidentified individuals sitting next to "Avenger" (T. Times, 8/24/44, p. 3).

Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Tank warfare; Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc. (Tacoma);

Ab Jenkins at Ed Griffin's home. Ab Jenkins is now serving in the auto preventative maintenance service of the U. S. Army. Ab is visiting from Fort Douglas, Utah and will be showing maintenance methods at Fort Lewis. View of Ab Jenkins with four unidentified women at Ed Griffin's home (T. Times, 7/11/44, p. 9).

Military personnel--Tacoma; Automobile racing drivers; Jenkins, Ab;

On June 15, 1944, thousands of Tacomans lined the streets downtown to cheer on the Fifth War Loan Campaign parade. The military and industrial parade was held to boost the sale of bonds during the loan drive and in honor of "Infantry Day." The Tacoma Retail Trades Committee awarded the Mt. Rainier Ordnance Depot float pictured above the first place trophy for outstanding float. The float featured a bevy of pretty girls employed at the Depot with the accent on Miss Liberty, Katherine Hansen (left), holding aloft the torch of freedom. (T. Times, 6/16/44, p. 5).

War rallies--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot (Tacoma); Hansen, Katherine;

Tacoma Council of Churches breakfast for service men. The Tacoma Council of Churches collaborated with the United Service Organization Travelers Aid Service and hosted a fellowship breakfast for servicemen. Servicemen who participated in the event are seated in the USO lounge. (T. Times, 7/29/44, p. 7).

Military personnel--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma);

Lillian (Mrs. Wilfred) Burrows, center, president of the Edward B. Rhodes American Legion Auxiliary purchases a $100 war bond on October 26, 1942 from fellow member Merle (Mrs. William K) Yost, of Puget Sound National Bank. This was the fourth bond that the group had purchased. Mrs. C. Burrows, left, treasurer of the organization smiles her approval. (TNT 11/6/1942, pg. 4)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Three women pose with a War Bond behind a KTBI microphone in January of 1943. In the background are an aerial view of Tacoma and a scenic shot of young women posing in a daffodil field.

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio stations--Tacoma; KTBI Radio Broadcasting Station (Tacoma);

On July 15, 1942, members of the special detachment of the 4th Volunteer Infantry, Wa. State Guard, relaxed in the large classroom inside the Forks, Wa., school building they used as a dormitory. The school had been commandeered to serve as Field Headquarters for the group. They were serving in active duty as the eyes and ears of the Army's Fourth Fighter Command. When on duty, they manned lookouts on the beach and in the woods, watching and listening for enemy aircraft in some of the nation's most rugged country. (T. Times 7/28/1942, pg. 1)

Washington State Guard (Tacoma);

An interior view at the Veterans Administration Hospital at American Lake showing an entrance and lobby area. A few lockers stand along the left, a coat rack stands by the door and a few supplies and a rolling cart are seen along the right hand wall.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The interior of a quonset-style building at the Veterans Administration Hospital that serves as a snack bar and gift store. Fountain service is available at the counter on the left and an ice cream soda costs 20 cents. A rack filled with luggage is seen along the right wall.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Snack bars--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gift shops--Lakewood;

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;

The Red Cross Field office on an intersection at Fort Lewis, for Farmers Insurance. A sign in the front points left, the direction of Reserve Headquarters. TPL-10399

Military camps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

Nightime portrait across from bus terminal of group of seven servicemen standing beside Richards Studio photographers' station wagon. Taken for Hollis Sharpe, 770th A.A.A., Fort Lewis, on May 30, 1951.

Military personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

As shadows edge out into Pacific Avenue, they blend with the marching military units and vehicles during the 1951 Armed Forces Day parade. Everyone has paused, perhaps for the start of the parade. Honor guard is at front, followed by large groups of soldiers and other servicemen.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Armed Forces Day; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

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;

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);

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;

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;

The interior of the barbershop in the remodeled Canteen at Veteran's Administration Hospital. The Canteen was in a quanset-hut style building on the hospital grounds. The barbershop has been furnished with an older-style barber's chair, round mirrors over the cabinets, and side-chairs in the waiting area. Hair tonic and other toiletries line the counter behind the barber's chair and a cash register sits on the other cabinet.

American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Barbershops--Lakewood--1950-1960; Cash registers;

Pvts. Thomas Bennett, Duane Yenior and Clayton Palmer are shown relaxing at the North Fort Lewis Army Personnel Center in early February, 1953. Colleen Kelly, program director for Service Club #3, holds a selection from the Center's well-stocked library of records. Service Club #3 was just one of several service clubs on base; they offered planned entertainment each evening including dances and movies. The Army Personnel Center started operations this month at North Fort Lewis after its transfer from Fort Lawton. Commanded by Col. Edward Schmitt, it handles thousands of inductees and personnel to be assigned to the Far East. (TNT 2-17-53, p. 7) TPL-10394

Military personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kelly, Colleen; US Army Service Clubs (Tacoma); Phonographs; Sound recordings; Fireplaces;

Portion of east wing extension, Marymount Military Academy, ca. 1963. Marymount was the only military school for boys age 6-16 in the state of Washington. Dedicated in 1923, the school was run by the Dominican Sisters, a Catholic teaching order. Marymount was specifically designed as a small boarding school with enrollment generally capped at 150; however, when enrollment dipped even lower, it was decided to close the school in 1976.

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway

This is the Grand Rapids PG-98 gunboat about a month before her launch date of April 4, 1970. She was the 11th of 12 gunboats built for the US Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Susan Ford, young daughter of Rep. (later President) and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford of Michigan, was the ship's sponsor. The Grand Rapids was named after the hometown of Rep. Ford. The vessel would be commissioned the USS Grand Rapids on September 5, 1970 and be decommissioned on October 1, 1977. Photograph ordered by US Steel. (www.navsource.org/archives)

Gunboats--United States; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);