On April 29, 1941, the 30 members of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps practiced their first aid skills in a series of drills at the Woodbrook Hunt Club. Pictured, left to right, lifting "patient" Anna Eicholz are Elsie Heritage, Peggy Swenson, Lt. Minnie Winfield, Ruth Showman, Capt. Iris Bryan and Minnie Groeper. After a rocky start when the founder "Colonel" Harriet Virginia was charged with Grand Larceny, for taking money for substandard or undelivered uniforms, the group was hard at work training under the direction of an Army Sergeant. They drilled on Wednesday evenings and held First aid classes in Moose Hall on Thursdays. (T. Times 5/6/1941 p.1) Faye Langston Collection

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

Five women offer first aid assistance to a "patient" with an injured leg during practice drills for the Women's Emergency Motor Corps at the Woodbrook Hunt Club.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

After field dressing the wounds of the "patient" during drills, the members of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps load her into the back of a station wagon for transport. The Motor Corps was a branch of the Tacoma Home Defense Corps. They were available in case of an emergency to provide first aid, drive, or assist in communication. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

In April of 1941, the 30 members of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps were taking part in drills held at the Woodbrook Hunt Club grounds. In this photograph, they are practicing field first aid, rendering medical attention and constructing a rough dray for transport. The group had gotten off to a rocky start when their founder Harriet Virginia was charged with Grand Larceny. The group decided that there was a need for a female branch of the Home Defense Corps and they elected Iris Bryan to guide the group. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

Five of the thirty women who were members of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps practice their first aid skills in this photograph from April 1941. Members of the corps studied emergency transportation, first aid, international Morse code, semaphore, and motor mechanics. A special aspect of their first aid training was the treatment of injury caused by chemical and gas warfare and the use of gas masks. (T. Times 5/6/1941 p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

In April of 1941, members of the Women's Emergency Motor Corps practice First Aid on the grounds of the Woodbrook Hunt Club. Pictured, left to right, are Martha Corliss, Elsie Heritage, Helen Glans, Lt. Gertrude Stevens, Helen Corbin, Sgt. Margory Hannum and patient Minnie Groeper. The 30 members of the group also studied emergency transportation, Morse code, semaphore, motor mechanics, map reading and emergency communication. They were training to offer aid as needed in an emergency. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 1) (photo copy courtesy of the collection of Faye Langston)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Women's Emergency Motor Corps holds a training session at the Woodbrook Hunt Club. Capt. Iris Bryan, left, and Lt. Minnie Wingfield hold a serious discussion over first aid to be offered to a "patient." After the founder of the group, "Colonel" Harriet Virginia was charged with Grand Larceny, members elected Iris Bryan Captain of the unit. She continued to guide the 30 female members, overseeing their training and making them an auxiliary to the Home Defense Corps, ready to serve in an emergency. The group studied emergency transportation, first aid, Morse code, semaphore, motor mechanics, map reading and portable communications. (T.Times 5/6/1941, pg. 1) (photo copy donated by Faye Langston)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma); Bryan, Iris; Wingfield, Minnie;

The Women's Emergency Motor Corps drills at Woodbrook. After an inauspicious beginning with a bogus group, the National Service League Motor Corps for Women, Tacoma's unit split from the parent organization and became part of the Home Defense Corps. The local group, under the leadership of Capt. Iris Bryan, was called out for field maneuvers at Woodbrook Hunt Club. The exercises would cover motor transportation, ambulance driving, First aid and semaphore. (T. Times 4/5/1941, pg. 4)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

Three members of the Tacoma Home Defense Corps take a break from drills at Woodbrook. The woman in the center is believed to be Minnie Wingfield.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

Members of the Tacoma Home Defense Corps take a break and enjoy some coffee. Pictured, left to right, are Sgt. Claire Janacek, Capt. Iris Bryan, Florence Madsen, Lt. Helen Glans, Helen Corbin and Peggy Swenson. Photograph was taken on April 29, 1941. TPL-3852.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma); Janacek, Claire; Bryan, Iris; Madsen, Florence; Glans, Helen; Corbin, Helen; Swenson, Peggy;

Father Gordon Toner, S.J. of Bellarmine High School and "wounded" Don Spurgin attend an unidentified victim as they practise for a possible Japanese attack on Tacoma in the emergency aid center at Bellarmine. By April of 1942, Tacoma had made extensive plans in case we became the target of Japanese bombers. Emergency hospitals were set up in each of the city's three high schools, six junior high schools and the College of Puget Sound. Funds were raised in the areas that the hospitals would serve to purchase medical supplies and equipment. (T. Times 4/25/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Emergency medical services; Disaster relief; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); War casualties; World War, 1939-1945--Medical aspects--Tacoma; Toner, Gordon; Spurgin, Don; Priests--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Modelling the latest in "tin hats" and armbands are Civilian Defense officers, left to right, Joseph Lanser, Frank Evans and George Russell. On Friday, April 17, 1942, Tacoma received its first shipment of steel helmets and armbands for their Air Raid Wardens. The shipment included 250 of each. The "tin hats" were made of steel thick enough to protect the wearer from shrapnel splinters. The trio is posing at the Civilian Defense Volunteer office at the City Hall Annex. (T. Times 4/18/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Lanser, Joseph; Evans, Frank; Russell, George; Helmets; Flags--United States;

On Friday, April 17, 1942, Tacoma received its first shipment of steel helmets and armbands for their Air Raid Wardens. The shipment included 250 of each. Trying out the new equipment at the Civilian Defense Volunteer Office at the City Hall Annex are, left to right, Joseph Lanser, Frank Evans and George Russell. The "tin hats" were made of steel thick enough to protect the wearer from shrapnel splinters. (T. Times 4/18/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Lanser, Joseph; Evans, Frank; Russell, George; Helmets; Flags--United States;

On March 29, 1942, some of the proud Civil Defense workers of Precinct 37 posed on and in front of the new watch tower that they recently designed and built themselves. On top are, left to right, Ralph Turco, I.A. Youngberg and Nels Olsen. Below are R.J. Carino, R.P. Fulkerson, Kathryn Nelson and Elvira Espeland. Precinct 37 covered the area lying between So. 14th and 19th streets, and "L" to Sprague Ave. The tower sat on top of a hill and commanded an excellent view of the area. The material was donated by St. Paul and Tacoma and the tower was designed by chief fire watcher Youngberg, assisted by Mr. Olsen. The emblems painted on the tower are for Civil Defense. (T. Times 4/1/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Watch towers--Tacoma;

In March of 1942 the civilian defense workers of precinct 37 in Tacoma gathered for a group photograph at the foot of the new fire watchers' tower that they designed and built themselves. R. J. "Rocky" Carino (at far right, with arm raised), the precinct air raid warden, was an employee of the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company. He talked his employers into donating the lumber for the tower. Idolf A. Youngberg, chief fire watcher for the precinct, designed the tower and superintended its construction. Precinct 37 included the area between So. 14th & So. 19th streets from "L" Street to Sprague Avenue. Standing in the tower (l to r) are Ralph Turco, I. A. Youngberg and Nels Olsen. The tower was situated on a hill, with a commanding view of the surrounding area. (T. Times 4/1/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Watch towers--Tacoma; Carino, R.J.;

On June 12, 1942, the Admissions Committee for the new Tacoma War Chest met for the first time. It was the Committee's job to recommend to the War Chest Board which war related agencies should benefit from the monies raised by the October campaign. Applications for funds would be reviewed until June 30th. The USO had already been approved and several war relief agencies had applied as well. Pictured in discussion at City Hall were, left to right, Hazel (Mrs. J.P.) Simpson, Fern (Mrs. Clay) Pratt, Guy Thompson, Leona (Mrs. Edward C.) Yoder, Freeman Cochran, Mayor Harry Cain, George Firth and Walter West. (T.Times 6/15/42, pg.7)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On June 12, 1942, the first meeting of War Chest admissions committee was held at (Old) City Hall to decide which groups the fund raising drive would benefit. L to R: Leona (Mrs. Edwin C.) Yoder, Fern (Mrs. Clay C.) Pratt, Freeman Cochran, Mayor Harry P. Cain, George Firth, Walter West, Guy T. Thompson, Hazel (Mrs. J.P.) Simpson. Mayor Cain headed the drive as chairman while Guy T. Thompson served as War Chest secretary. The group would examine appeals for war relief funds. The request from the USO had already being approved. (TNT 6-15-42, p. 7) ALBUM 13.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Fifteen Tacoma men were sworn into the U.S. Navy at a special "Avenge Pearl Harbor Day" ceremony at 11:25 a.m. on June 7, 1942 at 9th and Broadway. Sailors, civilians and police are pictured on and around the traffic island at 9th and Broadway. The Music Box (Tacoma Theater) can be seen at right; Roxy (Pantages Theater) and other business buildings at left. The Navy Mother's Club were the special guests and the Stadium band provided the music. (T. Times 6/6/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On the morning of June 7, 1942, fifteen Tacoma men were sworn into the U. S. Navy during a special "Avenge Pearl Harbor Day" ceremony. The ceremony was held at 9th and Broadway. The members of the Navy Mother's Club were the special guests. Buildings in the photograph include the Bostwick Hotel, right , Roxy (Pantages Theater) and Winthrop Hotel at left. (T. Times 6/6/1942, pg. 1; 6/8/1942, pg. 12)

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A group of young Tacoma and Pierce County men were sworn into the U.S. Navy at a special "Avenge Pearl Harbor Day" ceremony held at the corner of 9th and Broadway on Sunday June 7, 1942 in front of the Roxy Theater. The members of the Navy Mother's Club were honored guests. The participants are standing in "V for Victory" formation. (T. Times June 8, 1942 p.12)

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A group of young Tacoma and Pierce County men were sworn into the U.S. Navy at a special "Avenge Pearl Harbor Day" ceremony held at the corner of 9th and Broadway on Sunday June 7, 1942 in front of the Roxy Theater. The new Naval recruits smile at someone's young son in a Navy uniform. (T. Times June 8, 1942 p.12)

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Fifteen Tacoma men were sworn into the U. S. Navy at a special "Avenge Pearl Harbor Day" ceremony, held on Sunday June 7th, 1942, at the traffic island at 9th and Broadway. The Winthrop Hotel and Roxy (Pantages Theater) can be seen in the background. Pictured are, front row, left to right, Richard Lee Olson, Homer Eugene Puariea, Maurice Elven Christoferson and James Clark Patchell. Middle row- Lejeune Hays Reynolds, Raymond William Kronlund, Theodore Scott Beem, Everett Raymond Coovert and Howard Harry Lohman. Back row- Jean Cousins, Verner William Bitten, Donald Wayne Donoghue, Lewis Dale Sloat, Allan Richmond Hidy and Raymond Bert Lockhart. (T. Times 6/8/1942, pg. 12)

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Members of the Navy Mother's Club were the special guests at the June 7, 1942 "Avenge Pearl Harbor Day" ceremony. Fifteen Tacoma men were sworn into the Navy during a ceremony held at 9th and Broadway. Roxy (Pantages Theater) and Winthrop Hotel pictured in background. Movies playing are "Rings On Her Fingers" and "Call Out The Marines." Pictured are, front row left to right, Mrs. L.L. Lanning, Mrs. R.H. Culbertson, Mrs. Fred Lambert, Mrs. G.V. Pryor, Mrs. Inez Richards, Mrs. Florence Hopkins, Mrs. Clyde Melendy, Mrs. J.R. Myers, Mrs. N. Weeks and Mrs. H.N. Brooks. Back row- Mrs. Jack Doris, Mrs. Helen Wood, Mrs. Nellie Sanford, Mrs. G.M. Crow, Mrs. Paul Braaten, Mrs. Ann Kemp, Mrs. H.H. Lowe, Mrs. Harry Simons, Mrs. Helen Olson, Mrs. G.B. Babcock and Mrs. David Freeman. (T. Times 6/8/1942, pg. 12)

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Navy Mothers Club (Tacoma);

Five year old Toshiyuki Hattori shared a copy of the book "America on Guard" with Pvt. Nat Schwartz on May 17, 1942 in a train car taking on passengers at Tacoma's Union Station. The book was the story of America's armed services - army, navy and marines. The photograph was taken as Tacoma's Japanese Americans gathered to be shipped off, with their few approved possessions, to Pinedale "Assembly Center" near Fresno, California. Despite the fact that almost 2/3 were American citizens, Japanese Americans were considered a security risk to the nation. This and other photographs appeared under the ironic banner headline "Smiles Prevail as Japanese Leave" in the Tacoma Times. Toshiyuki was the youngest in a family of seven. The Hattoris eventually relocated to Utah. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1+; TNT 5/18/2003, pg. B8+ by Stan Flewelling)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Hattori, Toshiyuki; Schwartz, Nat;

On May 17, 1942, 418 Tacoma citizens of Japanese ancestry gather at Union Station prior to being shipped to the Pinedale "Assembly Center," an internment camp near Fresno California. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 allowing the military to shortcut civil liberties and remove anyone they considered potentially dangerous from any area considered to be at risk. On March 2, 1942, the Western Defense Command unveiled its plan to banish all people of Japanese ancestry from the entire West Coast and incarcerate them in internment camps. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1; TNT 5/18/2003, pg. B8+ by Stan Flewelling)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Japanese Americans board a train at Union Station. Thirty six hours later they will arrive at the Pinedale "Assembly Center" where they will wait out the war, their presence on the coast considered a threat to national security. The relocation was peaceful, with uniformed soldiers answering questions and helping with baggage. Only a few of the Japanese Americans complained about the process. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1+)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

On February 19, 1942 President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066. This action eventually led to the removal of some 110,000 Japanese-Americans to internments camps in remote areas of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. This little girl was photographed at Tacoma's Union Station as she and her family prepared to board a train to the Pinedale, California assembly center camp. 879 Japanese-Americans from the Tacoma "restricted area" left for Pinedale beginning on May 14, 1942. (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

Japanese American families wait to board a train at Union Station. The 418 Tacoma residents are being sent to the Pinedale "Assembly Center" near Fresno California, for "the Duration," until the war is over. In all, 859 people of Japanese descent left Tacoma May 17-18, 1942 for incarceration in the internment camp. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

Friends bid farewell to the 418 Japanese American Tacoma residents departing by train from Union Station for the Pinedale "Assembly Center" in California. The following day, another 441 will join their friends on their way to the internment camp. The Tacoma residents are being evacuated under the veil of "national security." (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1+)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

An unidentified army soldier goes over some last minute information with two Japanese American women being transported by train from Union Station to the Pinedale "Assembly Center" near Fresno, California. Smiles hide the fear and confusion these women must be feeling as they pack up their families and few approved possessions, locking up the homes that they are leaving behind and heading into an uncertain future. The Japanese were detained under the umbrella of Executive Order 9066, allowing people considered potentially dangerous to be banned from areas considered risky. The Japanese were be detained for "the duration," until the end of the war. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);