Acting Mayor Val Fawcett leads the singing of "God Bless America" during a Army-Navy "E" award ceremony at Hooker Electro-Chemical Company. Employees were honored for outstanding production of materials vital to the war effort. ALBUM 14. TPL-6654
Military decorations--Tacoma; Awards; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Avenger at Todd Pacific. The "Avenger" tank, commonly called by Marines "Water Buffalo" is visiting Tacoma for one week and can be seen at Todd Pacific Shipyards. It is technically called a LVT or landing vehicle tracked. View of two unidentified men standing in front of "Avenger" (T. Times, 8/24/44, p. 3).
Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Tank warfare; Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc. (Tacoma);
Avenger at Todd Pacific. This amphibious tractor was caught in the crossfire with machine guns and artillery, which put it out of commission after the battle of Tarawa. View of five unidentified men standing in front of "Avenger" (T. Times, 8/24/44, p. 3).
Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Tank warfare; Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc. (Tacoma);
Navy Mothers' Club window at Penney's. A window display featuring photographs of men from Tacoma who are serving in the war, was set up by the Navy Mothers' Club in honor of Navy Day. The Navy Mothers' Club is one of the most active groups in Tacoma (T. Times, 10/26/44, p. 3).
Men--Commemoration--Tacoma; Military personnel--Tacoma; Window displays; J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma);
Bellarmine was one of two high schools in Washington State that offered ROTC units. Students met every day for one class period and wore their uniforms twice per week, uniforms were provided by the government. Students received class credits for joining the junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. View of ROTC rifle team learning rifle marksmanship (Cage, 1946, p. 20-21).
Military education--Tacoma; Military training--Tacoma; Rifles; Cadets--Tacoma; Reserve Officers Training Corps (Tacoma); Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);
ca. 1944. War Street. Downtown display of World War II artillery and military equipment circa 1944. A serviceman, with his wife and daughter, looks over promotional information at War Bond booth: "Win a ride to Vancouver, B. C. aboard aircraft carrier 'M.S. Reaper'."
Military personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; War bonds & funds; Signs (Notices);
Puget Sound Boat (Mann). US Army Transport Corps LT 214. This side view shows three men along the railing of the upper deck and someone looking out of the helm. TPL-6389
U.S. Army Transportation Corps; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);
Audrey Moon and Morris Mahoney with two unidentified people, possibly their best man and maid of honor, get their photograph taken at Richard's Studio. Audrey is wearing a wedding band, Audrey and Morris were possibly married recently. The women are wearing corsages and knee length dresses. Morris is wearing his Navy uniform.
Renamed Veterans Day in 1953, November 11 was first proclaimed as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I. That year, on November 13, John Philip Sousa's band played in the Washington National Guard Armory in Tacoma and President Woodrow Wilson spoke there two months earlier. In 1947, a Military Ball was held on Armistice Day at the Armory, where more than 1,500 people were expected to attend. The presentation of colors to the local reserve units of the Army and Army Air Corps highlighted the evening. Army and Navy dignitaries and prominent civilian guests attended the event. View of ceremonies under way at the Armory (T. Times, 11/12/47, p. 7).
Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);
The interior of the remodeled Canteen at Veteran's Administration Hospital. A gift shop has been added in the quanset-hut style building with film, clocks, and suitcases on the right and magazines and mens' clothing on the left.
American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gift shops--Lakewood;
Remodeled Canteen Building at Veteran's Administration Hospital. Interior of Quanset Hut type building showing dining area with vinyl and chrome chairs and laminated plastic and chrome pedestal tables.
American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gift shops--Lakewood; Snack bars--Lakewood;
New barracks for the new regimental areas at Fort Lewis are under construction. Reinforcing steel from Bethlehem Steel is being used in the concrete walls. The over-all project included a school, utilities, fire station, two large motor pools and other shops. Ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation. (TNT, 11/9/1952, p.C-15) TPL-10392
Fort Lewis (Wash.); Reinforced concrete construction--Fort Lewis; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Barracks--Fort Lewis; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);
Military marching in formation during the May, 1951, Armed Forces Day parade. Spectators line the downtown streets to watch examples of America's military might pass by. In 1951, Armed Forces Day was only two years old, having been created in 1949 to honor Americans serving in the five military branches.
Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Armed Forces Day;
The Armed Forces Day parade in downtown Tacoma occurred on May 19, 1951. Sailors with rifles march in formation followed by a group of Army or Air Force men.
Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sailors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Armed Forces Day;
U.S.O. #2, 713-15 Commerce St., circa 1946. During World War II, although black and white soldiers fought side by side, the United States Army was still segregated. In Tacoma, African American service men and women had their own USO Club at 713-15 Commerce. It was dedicated on September 4, 1942 and closed late in March of 1947. The Kaufman-Wolff building where it was located had previously housed the Soldiers and Sailors Clubhouse during World War I. USO #2 was enlarged in 1944 by adding an annex in the building to the north of the original club. The enlarged structure provided the following facilities: dark room, music room, hobby room, game room, showers, sleeping accommodations, library and snack bar. It was operated by the YMCA and staffed primarily by volunteers. (brochure from Recognition Ceremony USO Number Two on 3/30/1947; photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma).
On October 22, 1945, this group of unidentified individuals were photographed seated around a table after what appears to be a dinner at the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)
On Sunday February 3, 1946, a dinner was held at the Tacoma USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St., honoring the 5th anniversary of USO operation. The United Service Organizations, or USO, was incorporated in New York Feb. 4, 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who believed it was important for private citizens to take responsibility for the on-leave recreation needs of service members. One of the guests of honor for the Tacoma celebration was Mayor Harry Cain, standing center, who attended with his wife Marjorie, last woman seated left. Seated to the right of Mayor Cain was Mr. Arthur Hayes, chairman of the club's operating committee. The other individuals at the table were unidentified. (TNT 2/3/1946, pg. A-7, 2/4/1946, pg. 1: photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)
The performance by the 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest, under the direction of Dr. Francis Aranyi, was one of the highlights of the USO Music Festival held July 28, 1946 at Point Defiance. The festival was held in the natural amphitheater at the entrance to the park. The concert drew over 7,000 listeners. It was also broadcast over the Mutual Network by KMO. (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)
An unidentified majorette performs with the Seattle Elks Band at the USO Music Festival at Point Defiance Park on July 28, 1946. The band was one of many performers in the concert attended by over 7,000. (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)
ca. 1947. Orson Welles (standing), noted performer and director of stage, screen and radio, conferred with an unidentified African American pianist in this undated photograph. Two women in hats looked on from the drawing room beyond. 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.
The 1930 Washington National Guard encampment, held on the grounds of Camp Murray, was called "Camp Dent." The Headquarters Company, 2nd Bn., 161st Infantry posed in front of their building on June 23, 1930. G69.1-136
Camp Murray (Wash.); Washington National Guard, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 161st Infantry, (Wash.); Military personnel;
These are non-commissioned officers from the Washington National Guard's 146th F.A., B Battery, as pictured at Camp Dent on June 28, 1930. Camp Dent was the 1930 encampment held on the grounds of Camp Murray. For two weeks 2600 officers and men including nearly 400 Tacoma-area residents participated in the annual summer maneuvers. G69.1-145 (TNT 6-13-30, p. 1-article on encampment)
Washington National Guard, Battery B, 146th F.A. (Tacoma); Military personnel; Uniforms; Camp Murray (Wash.);
A copy was made by photographer Marvin Boland on May 18, 1934, of this picture of a tank running over a man-made wood-and-dirt obstacle during maneuvers at Fort Lewis. Date of original photograph is not known. G70.1-018
ca. 1926. Montage of photographs taken of the Battery "F," 10th Field Artillery circa 1926. Copy was made on November 1, 1926. Most of the pictures were taken at the September, 1926, Western Washington Fair in Puyallup where the men were camped out and put on a demonstration of skills. There was also at least one taken at the Horse Show & Fair at South Tacoma. The 4th Section of Battery "F" were featured in several shots. G70.1-015
On September 14, 1927 Colonel Charles Lindbergh circled his famous craft, "The Spirit of St. Louis," over the Fort Lewis parade grounds as a 12-gun salute was fired in his honor on the orders of Brig. Gen. Richmond P. Davis. In May of 1927, Col. Lindbergh had made the first successful solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Prior to his arrival at Fort Lewis, Col. Lindbergh made an unexpected pass over Cushman Hospital and performed stunts for the benefit of the disabled veterans. His flight to Tacoma was part of a round-the country tour to promote aviation. (TDL 9-14-27, p. 1, 9-15-27, p. 3) TPL-953; G67.1-124 (see also G69.1-129)
Newly constructed building at Camp Murray. This one-story concrete structure was located near railroad tracks at Camp Murray in January of 1928. Camp Murray is the home of the Washington National Guard. G77.1-005
