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 happy group of soldiers wave to the photographer as he captures a close-up of members of the "Can Do" 15th Army Infantry regiment returning to Fort Lewis from China. The soldiers pose on the deck of the US Grant transport ship, which whisked them away from China as bombing increased by Japan. Their departure ended 26 years of continuous service in China by the regiment, during which they assisted the Chinese through flood and famines. (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;
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;
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;
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;
Some of the 808 army officers and men of the 15th US Infantry, dressed in military overcoats, crowd the U.S. Grant's deck as naval officers ready the transport ship for its arrival in Tacoma. Airplanes from Fort Lewis fly over Commencement Bay. (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;
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)
Soldiers with duffel bags and foot lockers wait patiently on home ground to clear customs in Tacoma after fleeing China and traveling 21 days aboard the army transport U.S. Grant. The 15th Infantry Regiment is being reassigned from China to Fort Lewis. The men had been removed from China because of the escalating hostilities between that country and Japan. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1)
Troop movements--1930-1940; Military personnel--1930-1940; Military uniforms--United States --1930-1940;
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.;
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;
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;
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;
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 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;
National Guard members pose in front of the military marching band at Camp Thomas Aston, annual two week field training, held at Camp Murray. They include the band's drum major and an army cook. Camp Commander for the exercise was General Carlos A. Penington of Tacoma. (T. Times 6/20/1938, pg. 1)
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military bands--United States;
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;
A hand of cards helps pass the time during field maneuvers at Camp Aston, the annual National Guard training camp, held at Camp Murray in June of 1938. The man at the right listens for any instructions on his field radio.
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Radios;
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;
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;
While the majority of the Washington National Guard held their annual training encampment at Camp Murray outside of Tacoma, coast artillery units of the Guard trained at Fort Worden, the coast defense for Puget Sound. The officers at this meeting at Fort Worden have been tentatively identified as Brigadier General Maurice Thompson, Adjutant General; Col. J.K. Partello, officer in charge of National Guard affairs of IX Corps area, San Francisco; and Major Edward C. Dohm, Commander 248th Coastal Artillery, Olympia.
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Fort Worden (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;
A bunker at Fort Worden, where National Guardsmen practice firing one of the big guns. While most of the Washington National Guard did their yearly training at Camp Murray near Tacoma, coast artillery units trained at this coastal defense base near Port Townsend.
Washington National Guard (Wash.); Fort Worden (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--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;
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);
