Lincoln Heights War Housing. The exterior of several single story buildings. The ends of the closest building are wider at the top than the bottom and the windows along the long side are in a row towards the top. Lincoln Heights project includes 400 units, 120 acres. There is a community building, grocery store. It is between Lincoln and South Tacoma, near business districts. All units are permanent. (TNT 4/27/1943)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Buildings; Housing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln Heights Housing Project (Tacoma);

Illegal whiskey. The newspaper reported that six were arrested in Tacoma in raids for liquor operators of downtown bootlegging establishments. No whiskey had been distilled since October 8, 1942, because the distilling facilities were being used to produce alcohol for war purposes: smokeless powder, chemical warfare materials, synthetic rubber and medical supplies. Each distiller has been rationing their stock of wiskey for almost a year. (T.Times 12/7/1943, p.3, p.4)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma;

The students of Oakland grade school, 3702 South Wright Avenue, gathered in front of their school in December of 1943 for a group picture. Buried under all those children, with their hands held high forming a "V" for Victory, is an army jeep from Fort Lewis. The students had taken on a special project at the beginning of the school year. They set a goal for themselves to buy enough war bonds and war stamps to buy a jeep for the U.S. Army. By December they had bought over $1,369 in stamps and bonds, more then enough to buy a jeep. If you look very carefully, you can find the head of a soldier near the center of the photo. He is sitting behind the steering wheel of the jeep. (T.Times, 12/9/1943, p.20)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Oakland Grade School (Tacoma);

Jeepcade, Margaret Gould School. Group of 36 children posed in front of a jeep. TPL-3851.

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Margaret K. Gould School (Tacoma); Jeep automobile;

On September 9, 1943, the third War Loan Drive for WWII kicked off. Americans were encouraged to "Back the Attack" with their dollars. Pierce County's portion of the nation's 15 Billion dollar goal was 19 million dollars. In this photograph, the soldier was having a difficult time choosing which war bond to buy from the ten young women offering them to him. The women were dressed in similar floor length split-skirt jumpsuits. Photograph ordered by the War Finance Committee.

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Bill Edwards plays the piano for Irish tenor Gabe Keith in this photograph from January 1944. Edwards and Keith were two of the performers in a series of shows put on by the employees of the Seattle-Tacoma Ship Building Corp. to support the Fourth War Loan drive. Although most of their performances were to entertain their fellow workers during lunch periods for the first and second shift, they were also invited to perform for the Young Men's Business Club at the Hotel Winthrop. (T.Times, 1/21/1944, p.3; 1/27/1944, p.10)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Pianists--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Titus Motor group of four War Finance public picnic. War Bond Loan Drive by the American Red Cross. L-R Josephine Fetty, Marguerite Ammann and son Robert, Nellie White and Geraldine Mojean. (T.Times, 9/29/1943, p.8)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma;

During WWII, women in Tacoma filled many of the jobs that had been traditionally occupied by men. This unidentified woman, holding a piece of wood against a planer, worked in one of Tacoma's many lumber mills. In 1942 there were 16 furniture manufacturing companies in Tacoma and 11 saw mills.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Women working in defense plant. Woman working in wood shop guides a piece of lumber into machinery.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Women working in defense plant. Woman working with piece of wood on lathe.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1943. W.A.A.C. (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) enrollees on way to school in Iowa. Three women standing beside Liberty Center building circa 1943. One woman is dressed in military uniform.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. O.W.I. (probably the Office of War Information), Publicity. Three women wearing slacks and bandanas work on a wooden truck bed at Northwest Chair. The Office of War Information was formed in 1942 as a propaganda agency. They photographed the early mobilization of World War II, including women entering the industrial workforce. During WWII, Northwest Chair built the wooden bodies for Army trucks. (T. Times). TPL-206

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Northwest Chair Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. O.W.I. Publicity (Office of War Information). Women assembling canvas tarp over bed of truck for troop transport at Northwest Chair Co. During World War II, Northwest Chair set aside their furniture line to make the wooden portion of Army trucks. The Office of War Information was formed in 1942 to photograph the early mobilization of industries for war. (T. Times). TPL-1950

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Northwest Chair Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. O.W.I. Publicity. Two women working with metal parts on table surrounded by wooden barrels and plywood boxes at Northwest Chair. (T. Times).

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Northwest Chair Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. O.W.I. Publicity. Women working on assembly line at Northwest Chair. (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Northwest Chair Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. O.W.I. Publicity. Two women spray paint metal parts at Northwest Chair. (T. Times.)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Northwest Chair Co. (Tacoma);

During the week of July 14-21, 1943, the members of Navy Wives Club held a drive in Tacoma to collect "junk jewelry". The navy personnel stationed on the islands in the south Pacific had discovered that trinkets were worth more then money to many of the native islanders. One officer had reported that, "Fifty-two fox-holes were dug for a brooch and a pair of earrings." Two of the navy wives, wearing bathing suits, try on some of the collected items before the jewelry is shipped to San Francisco - and on to the Navy. (T.Times, 7/13/1943, p.18, and 8/11/1943, p.2) TPL-9860

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Military spouses--Tacoma; Jewelry; Costume jewelry; Bathing suits

ca. 1943. Women Block Leaders at scrap pile. Two women and a small girl sit atop a wrecked automobile in the junkyard in this circa 1943 photograph. One woman is holding a lunch pail, the other is looking into a compact as she puts on lipstick.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Junkyards--Tacoma; Cosmetics;

Teenage students line-up at the counter in the Gray school office to register for farm labor in the Puyallup Valley. Students formed a large part of the labor required to plant and harvest crops during WWII as more and more adults became involved in the defense effort and were unavailable for farm work.

World War, 1939-1945--Students--Tacoma; Gray Junior High School (Tacoma); Agricultural laborers;

Young students registering in the Gray school office for farm labor in the Puyallup Valley fields.

World War, 1939-1945--Students--Tacoma;

Students registering at Gray school for farm labor in the Puyallup Valley fields. Five students gather around a desk to fill out employment slips.

World War, 1939-1945--Students--Tacoma;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Three soldiers gather around while a young woman reads the palm of another soldier.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Fortune telling--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The popular dance team of Joyce Sheets and Richard Fechko performed several dances at the Mexican Fiesta held for servicemen at the So. Tacoma USO on Friday, July 16, 1943. The gala affair was the USO's most ambitious undertaking of the season. Junior and senior hostesses wore authentic Spanish costumes, real chili and tortillas were available from booths, and peanut vendors, flower girls and musicians strolled from table to table. The So. Tacoma USO was at 4851 So. Tacoma Way in the South Park Community Center building.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Ballroom dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sheets, Joyce; Fechko, Richard;

ca. 1943. Dancing was one of the major pastimes at the Welcome Party held at the 713-15 Commerce St. U.S.O. for Pearl Harbor war hero Doris "Dorie" Miller. A large group of African American servicemen watch couples dance at Tacoma's Colored U.S.O. where a party was held to welcome the war hero.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jitterbug dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken around 1943, Doris "Dorie" Miller, a hero from Pearl Harbor, posed outside of Tacoma's U.S.O. #2, 713-715 Commerce, with Druetta McCabe, then a volunteer USO hostess. On December 7, 1941, Mr. Miller was stationed on the USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor as a Mess Attendant First Class, a cook. During the Japanese bombing, he carried wounded sailors to safety, including the mortally wounded Captain of the ship. He then manned a 50 caliber Browning anti-aircraft gun until it ran out of ammunition and he was ordered to abandon ship. He managed to shoot down several Japanese planes, despite the fact that he had no artillery training. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery and valor, the first African American sailor to win this honor. He was killed in action on November 24, 1943, when his ship, the escort carrier Linscome Bay, was sunk during Operation Galvanic. (U.S.O. #2 brochure from Recognition Ceremony on March 30, 1943; www.history.navy.mil)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma; Miller, Doris; McCabe, Druetta;

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken in 1943, war hero Doris "Dorie" Miller (in dark uniform) posed with a group of African American musicians at the USO #2, 713-25 Commerce St. USO #2 was provided for entertaining servicemen and women of color. Mr. Miller had been awarded the Navy Cross for his valor during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After his ship, the USS West Virginia, was hit, he carried wounded sailors to safety and manned an anti-aircraft gun, shooting down Japanese planes. This was especially remarkable, since he was stationed on the ship as a cook, with no combat training. He was killed in action in November of 1943.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma; Miller, Doris;

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken around 1943 in Tacoma's USO #2, Doris "Dorie" Miller demonstrated for the photographer some of the events that made him a hero during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, he was stationed on the USS West Virginia in Pearl Harbor. After the bombing, he carried wounded fellow sailors, including the Captain, to safety. He then manned a 50 caliber Browning anti-aircraft gun until it ran out of ammunition, bring down a reported four Japanese planes. This was remarkable of itself, but especially since he had never received any artillery training. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the first African American sailor to receive this honor. He was killed in action in November of 1943. The frigate USS Miller was named in his honor.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma; Miller, Doris;

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken in 1943, Doris "Dorie" Miller (left) and an unidentified man posed resting on a jukebox in the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. Mr. Miller had been awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was assigned as a Mess Attendant First Class on the USS West Virginia when that vessel was bombed by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. He carried wounded sailors to safety and then fired an anti aircraft gun until it ran out of ammunition. It was reported that he brought down four Japanese planes, without any artillery training. He was later lost in action when his escort carrier, the Linscome Bay, was sunk on November 24, 1943.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma; Miller, Dorie;

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken around 1943, war hero Doris "Dorie" Miller held out his cup to receive some punch at the welcome party held in his honor at the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce. To the left of Mr. Miller was his escort for the evening, volunteer USO hostess Druetta McCabe. Mr. Miller had been awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery during the bombing at Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, he had been stationed aboard the USS West Virginia in Pearl Harbor as a Mess Attendant, a cook. After his ship was hit, he carried several wounded sailors to safety, including the mortally wounded captain. He then manned an anti-aircraft gun, bringing down several Japanese aircraft. In 1942, he was recruited to travel around the country and sell war bonds.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma;

ca. 1943. A large welcome party was hosted at the 713-15 Commerce St. U.S.O. around 1943 for Pearl Harbor hero Doris "Dorie" Miller. On December 7, 1941, Mr. Miller was stationed on the USS West Virginia. After the bombing, he carried wounded sailors to safety and manned an anti-aircraft gun. This was remarkable of itself, but even more so since he was stationed on the ship as a cook. He received the Navy Cross for his bravery, the first African American sailor to receive this honor.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma;