Mrs. Edwin Messenger cuddles her new baby, Diane Grant Messenger, on March 23, 1938. The baby was born March 11th aboard the U.S. Grant, a transport ship. The vessel was delivering soldiers and their families from war torn China to Fort Lewis. Mrs. Messenger's husband was a Lieutenant in the 15th Infantry. On March 12th, the day old Diane turned three days old as the ship crossed the international date line. Her middle name was in honor of the ship. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1).
The U.S. Grant transport ship moves slowly into Tacoma's harbor on March 23, 1938. Its decks are lined with many of the 1,235 officers, enlisted men, wives and children returning with the Army's 15th U.S. Infantry, the "Can Do Regiment." The regiment's removal signals the end of 26 years of continuous service in China by the group. The passengers boarded the ship at Chingwantao on March 2 as bombing began in the war between Japan and China. (T. Times 3/24/1938, pg. 1+)
Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940;
The 10th Field Artillery band, state and local dignitaries, reporters and the Daffodil Queen waited at the Port of Tacoma to welcome occupants of the U.S. Grant transport ship as it prepared to dock. After 21 days at the sea, U.S. soldiers from the 15th US Infantry and their families returned home from China when bombing at Tientsin began. Thirty five soldiers were forced to leave their Chinese wives behind. US law strictly forbid the immigration of Chinese women, even those married to US soldiers. (T.Times 3/24/1938, p.1)
Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940;
The U.S. Grant, a 508-foot army transport ship, arrives in Tacoma with the fighting men of the "Can Do" infantry regiment aboard. After passing through customs, the men of the 15th Infantry will go to Fort Lewis. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1).
Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940;
Enhanced for better copy on the front page of the March 24, 1938 Tacoma Times, welcoming planes from Fort Lewis have been superimposed over the U.S. Grant transport ship arriving in Commencement Bay. The transport is crowded with 1235 officers and men from the 15th U.S. Infantry, their wives and children returning from China. The "Can Do Regiment" is being removed from China after 26 years of continuous service and reassigned to Fort Lewis. The passengers boarded the ship at Chingwantao on March 2 as bombing began in the war between Japan and China. (T. Times 3/24/1938, pg. 1+) TPL-1625
Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940; Fighter planes--1930-1940;
A huge crowd waits on the wharf as the first people leave the U.S. Grant transport ship and walk down gang plank. Waiting on the dock to meet the returning members of the 15th Infantry are various dignitaries and the Daffodil Queen, followed by several persons bearing large bouquets of daffodils for distribution. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1)
Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940; Military personnel--1930-1940; Military uniforms--United States --1930-1940;
The 1,235 passengers aboard the army transport U.S. Grant had to pass through U.S. Customs when they returned to the United States from China. Soldier and Port of Tacoma inspector checking information in baggage area. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1).
Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Military personnel--1930-1940; Military uniforms--United States --1930-1940; Luggage;
With newsreel cameras rolling, dignitaries on the right, including Washington Governor Clarence D. Martin and Tacoma Mayor George Smitley, prepare to meet the returning members of the US 15th Infantry Division. The group is being relocated from China to Fort Lewis. Known as the "Can Do" Regiment, the group was stationed in China for 26 years, helping the Chinese fight flood and famine.
Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940; Military personnel--1930-1940; Military uniforms--United States --1930-1940;
U. S. Grant army transport arriving in Tacoma. Photographers adjust their cameras before capturing on film the flower-laden dignitaries surrounded by a dense crowd of by-standers.
Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940; Military personnel--1930-1940; Military uniforms--United States --1930-1940;
Men of the 15th Infantry regiment tote their duffel bags as they disembark from the U.S. Grant and leave for Fort Lewis. Families accompanied the men when they fled China. Eleven Russian wives were aboard; law forbid the 35 Chinese wives from U.S. entry.
Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940; Military personnel--1930-1940; Military uniforms--United States --1930-1940;
March, 1938, arrival of Army transport U.S. Grant bringing the 15th Infantry regiment home from Tientsin, China. Governor Clarence Martin, right, shakes hands with army Colonel Joseph A. McAndrew, commander of the "Can Do" regiment. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1).
Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940; Military personnel--1930-1940; Military uniforms--United States --1930-1940; McAndrew, Joseph A.; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Governors; Shaking hands--Tacoma;
Reunion of Sergeant Charles Jacobson and his wife aboard the US army transport ship, the US Grant. The ship arrived in Tacoma on the afternoon of March 23, 1938 from China. Mrs. Jacobson had left her husband in China the previous fall and returned to San Francisco to wait for him. The regiment's withdrawal from China hastened their reunion. The "Can Do" regiment was reassigned to Fort Lewis. Mrs. Jacobson was enthusiastically describing their new cottage at Ft. Lewis to her husband. (T. Times 3/24/1938, pg. 5)
Sergeant Ross H. Scott, longest serving enlisted man in the 15th Infantry. Sgt. Ross reported for duty in China in 1914 and has been there ever since, except for a five year period during the first World War. According to Ross, the 15th Infantry has been through 20 wars during their 26 year stint in China, without ever firing a shot. The 20 wars were bloody and brutal civil wars within China. During these turbulent times, the 15th fought the floods and famines that ravaged that country. The locals developed a fond name for regiment, the "Can Dos." (T. Times 3/24/1938, pg. 4)
Troop movements--1930-1940; Military personnel--1930-1940; Military uniforms--United States --1930-1940; Scott, Ross H.;
Army Day at Fort Lewis. Rear Admiral E. B. Fenner, Naval Commander at Bremerton, Brigadier General T. E. Merrill, Fort Lewis Commander, Colonel Francis W. Clark, and the commanders' aides return salutes to the 13 guns honoring the naval visitor.
Fort Lewis (Wash.); Fenner, E.B.; Merrill, T.E.; Clark, Francis W.; Saluting;
Army Day at Fort Lewis. Staff Sergeant H. E. Etheridge, 91st Air Squadron, explains to Leona Schuck of Olympia how the 30-caliber rear flexible machine gun fires 1200 rounds of ammunition per minute. (T.Times, 4/6/1938, p.1).
Arms & armament--Tacoma--1930-1940; Artillery (Weaponry); Fort Lewis (Wash.); Etheridge, H.E.; Schuck, Leona; Fighter planes--1930-1940; Machine guns;
1938 Army Day at Fort Lewis. A soldier demonstrates the use of a rifle to several people attending the World War I anniversary event. Once a year, the army base threw open its doors to show their current state of national preparedness to defend the country. (T. Times 4/6/1938, pg. 1)
Arms & armament--Tacoma--1930-1940; Artillery (Weaponry); Fort Lewis (Wash.);
Army Day at Fort Lewis marks the 21st anniversary of the United States entry into the World war. Corporal Gerald Roeder, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, explains how the theodolite instrument determines wind velocity. (T.Times, 4/6/1938, p.1).
Fort Lewis (Wash.); Meteorology; Meteorological instruments--1930-1940;
Army Day at Fort Lewis. A member of the 91st Air Squadron discusses the military apparel worn by pilots during winter flying with a couple and their daughter. The leather pilot's suit hangs on a pole inside a tent where exhibits are displayed .
Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military air pilots--1930-1940; Military uniforms;
148th Field Artillery Band with instruments. Group will play at Military Ball on May 20. Under director, Warrant Officer Louis G. Werson, the band won the state championship at Camp Murray encampment in 1938. The 148th F.A. was headquartered in Tacoma. (T. Times 5/12/1939, p. 20).
Washington National Guard, 148th F.A. Band (Tacoma); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel; Military bands;
Members of the 161st pass in procession at the annual Governor's review June 19, 1938 at Camp Murray. The Governor is reviewing our National Guard troops during their 58th annual training encampment, Camp Aston. Over 3,000 troops took part in the staging. One of the three military bands taking part can be seen in the background. (T. Times 6/20/1938, pg. 1)
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;
General Carlos A. Penington, of Tacoma, and his staff salute as they pass by the Governor's reviewing stand on horseback. They are taking part in Camp Aston, the 58th annual training encampment of the Washington National Guard, held June 11th- 25th at Camp Murray. Over 3,000 troops took part in the Governor's review held June 20th. (T. Times 6/20/1938, pg. 1)
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;
A long line of officers salute the Governor during his visit to Camp Murray and Fort Lewis for his annual review of the Washington National Guard on June 19, 1938. The Guard was at the Camp for its 58th annual encampment called Camp Aston. (T. Times 6/20/1938, pg. 1)
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;
50th Anniversary banquet of Troop B Cavalry and Washington Cavalry Association, held in Tacoma June 25th, 1938. The banquet gathered together all the cavalrymen who had ridden under the flag of Troop B, Tacoma's most famous military organization. Troop B was the oldest military group in the state and was often referred to as the "City Troop" by old timers. Its actual designation was Headquarters Troop, 24th Cavalry Division, Washington National Guard. Troop B served as the guard of honor at the inauguration of the first Governor of the state in 1889, as well as in conflicts in Mexico and Berlin. (T. Times 6/23/1938, pg. 8)
Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington National Guard, 24th Cavalry Division (Tacoma);
One reservist studies the map while others work on the vehicle during maneuvers at Camp Thomas Aston, held at Camp Murray. the two week field training was held June 11th- 25th, 1938. Over 2600 officers and men were involved.
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;
A training lecture is held in the relative stillness of a grove of trees at Camp Murray. An officer speaks beside an easel holding visual aids. He leans on a pointing device. The officers and men are taking part in the 58th annual training encampment for the National Guard, Camp Aston, held June 11-25th, 1938. General Carlos A. Penington of Tacoma was the Camp Commander and the Field Commander for the 81st Infantry Brigade. Brigadier General Albert H. Beebe of Seattle was the Field Commander for the 61st Field Artillery. Over 2600 officers and men took part in the exercise. (T. Times 6/11/1938, pg. 1)
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;
The reserves roll out their tanks as the 58th annual encampment of the National Guard stages the governors review at Camp Murray on June 19, 1938. The camp was named Camp Thomas Aston, after the late Colonel Aston who commanded the 161st infantry in Spokane. Over 2600 officers and men took part in the training exercises and review. (T. Times 6/20/1938, pg. 1)
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tanks (Military science); Armored vehicles--1930-1940;
Washington National Guardsmen load one of the big coastal artillery guns at Fort Worden prior to firing it over the bunker wall. Beyond the bunker wall can be seen the beach and coastal waters.
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Fort Worden (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Although the United States was not at war in 1938, Washington National Guardsmen kept their skills fresh by attending the annual summer training camp. Most journeyed to Camp Murray near Tacoma but coast artillery units were stationed at Fort Worden near Port Townsend. Here they practiced loading and firing the big coastal artillery guns from bunkers. Strategically placed batteries were capable of defending the coast against battleships and enemy landings. (St. George: Fort Worden History-article)
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Fort Worden (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940; Artillery (Weaponry)--Fort Worden;
It is said that armies march on their stomachs, and here the culinary staff at Camp Murray prepares some tasty pies to make that process more enjoyable. Once a year, the camp exploded with an influx of almost 3000 Washington National Guardsmen at the camp for their annual training. They arrived by troop train and motor convoys, and they arrived hungry. Camp Aston, held June 11-25th 1938, was no exception.
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;
One reservist stares forlornly at his list of instructions while the other attempts to fix the wheel on the motorbike on which he is riding. They are part of the annual two week field training held at Camp Murray June 11-25th, 1938. The camp is given a different name each year, a memorial to a fallen comrade. In 1938, the camp was named after Thomas Aston, the late Colonel who commanded the 161st Infantry in Spokane.
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Motorcycles--Tacoma--1930-1940;
