New reserves pose for the camera at Fort Lewis in June 1950. Nineteen men stand at ease awaiting the photographer's instructions. By October of that year, Fort Lewis was a major enlisted reservist training center, the only one of its kind on the West Coast. Reservists were given intensive combat refresher training by combat veterans. (TNT 10-22-50, p. A-11)

Military; Military reserves; Photographers;

New reserves in uniform stand on bleachers at Fort Lewis in late June of 1950. They would undergo refresher training on combat techniques taught by seasoned veterans.

Military reserves; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

Two units of segregated U.S. Army troops. An African American unit is followed by a white unit in the Armed Forces Parade on May 20, 1950. This was the first Armed Forces Day parade. It was a combination of the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. It was estimated that 6,000 persons participated in the parade. Over 2,500 infantrymen of the 9th regimental combat team of the Second division and other units from Fort Lewis passed in review. Reserve units also played an important part in the event including the National Guard, Marine Corps, Naval Reserve, Army Reserve and Bellarmine R.O.T.C. (TNT, 5/22/1950, p.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; African Americans--Tacoma--1950-1960; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Members of an all-African American unit from the United States Army turn the corner onto Pacific as they march down South 9th Street as part of the first Armed Forces Day Parade held on May 20, 1950. Over 2,500 infantrymen of the 9th regimental combat team of the Second division and other units from Fort Lewis took part in the huge display of military might. The troops from Fort Lewis were joined by representatives of the Navy, Marines and Air Force as well as non-military groups from local schools, fraternal and civic organizations. It was estimated that over 6,000 persons participated in the parade. Although President Harry Truman had signed Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948 calling for the desegregation of the United States' armed forces, the army did not formally announce its plans to implement the order until July of 1951. (TNT, 5/19/1950, p.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Armed Forces Day was created in 1949 to allow citizens to come together on a single holiday to thank our men in uniform for their service to our country. In this photograph of the May 1950 Armed Forces Day parade military units from Fort Lewis are marching south on Pacific Avenue. The camera's image offers a view of the facades of the buildings in the 900 block of Pacific. The Rust Building with 12 stories is at the end of the block. Awnings and fire escapes hang from many of the buildings. All the buildings in the 900 block of Pacific were demolished in the late 1960s to make way for the Park Plaza North Parking Garage.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marching--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A volunteer offers advice during the servicemen's game of checkers at the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific, sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Churches. The center, under the direction of Rev. Loyal H. Vickers, was in its seventh year of operation and provided recreation for about 12,000 persons a month. In addition to recreation, the center also offered religious instruction for the young people of Tacoma. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Checkers; Board games;

Mary Jackson and Nadine Kensler serve a group of servicemen and young ladies sodas, malts and soup at the lunch counter in the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific Ave. As many as 3,000 young people visited the center over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The center was open seven days a week and had facilities for bowling, billiards, ping pong, a library, a music room and overnight accommodations for servicemen on Saturdays. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Counters--Tacoma--1950-1960; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma); Jackson, Mary; Kensler, Nadine;

A volunteer hands out pool cues and billiard balls to servicemen at the United Churches Service Center, sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Churches, at 9th and Pacific. The center, under the direction of the Rev. Loyal H. Vickers, provided religious instruction for young Tacomans and recreational facilities for the area's 30,000 servicemen. The Council allotted $12,000 from its budget to support the center. In addition to providing recreation, the center arranged banquets, skating parties, cruises and provided weekday Bible study for Tacoma young people. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Billiards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Billiard balls; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma);

John Lyman, Fort Lewis soldier from Chicago, plays tunes while servicemen and teenage volunteers gather around the piano to sing popular songs at the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific. In its seventh year, the center was providing recreation for 12,000 people a month. It was open from 10 a.m. to midnight every day, and all night on Saturday to provide overnight housing for servicemen. A waffle party at 9:30a.m. Sunday morning was provided for the servicemen along with transportation to the church of their choice. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4) TPL-10386

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Pianos; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma); Lyman, John;

Activities at the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific. High school seniors and college girls volunteered at the center that offered recreational activities for servicemen and religious instruction for young Tacomans. A group of young people play billiards in this photo. The center was open seven days a week and offered information to servicemen on local church services, but also had facilities for television viewing, a library, ping pong, billiards, snack bar, a wide variety of table games, a music room, and bowling. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Billiards--Tacoma; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma);

General Kaiser coming down gang plank from ship, Mt. McKinley, Chamber of Commerce, Armed Services Committee, Col. James Stack. A group of G.I.'s disembark from the U.S.S. Mount McKinley at the McCormick dock. They are members of the 2nd infantry division from Fort Lewis who have just returned from "Operation Miki" in Hawaii. The Mount McKinley brought home 191 Army officers and men home from the 15,000 who were involved in the training. Several other ships were expected over the next three days, bringing home more soldiers. (TNT, 11/17, 1949, p.1)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms--United States; Homecomings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Arrivals & departures--Tacoma--1940-1950;

General Kaiser coming down gang plank from ship, Mt. McKinley, Chamber of Commerce, Armed Services Committee, Col. James Stack. The Second Infantry division troops have returned from "Operation Miki" maneuvers in Hawaii. Approximately 15,000 Fort Lewis men participated in the "invasion". A Red Cross stand provided milk, coffee, and doughnuts through the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. One of the Fort Lewis Dairy delivery trucks and another vehicle with loudspeakers on top of the cab stand behind the tables with apples and milk for the service men. (TNT,11/17/1949, p.1) TPL-10358

Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms--United States;

View of L. H. Stevens, Adj. General at AGO Camp Murray, Washington National Guard, Washington State Military Department. L. H. Stevens is leaning against an automobile in his National Guard uniform.

Military personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms; Insignia--Tacoma; Military decorations--Tacoma; Military organizations; Men--Military service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Stevens, L.H.;

In honor of Navy Day, October 27, 1936, the crews of the USS Salt Lake City, Colorado and Texas competed in a whaleboat race in the waters of the Puget Sound at the Bremerton Naval Yard. The Salt Lake City finished a length and one half before its nearest competitor, clinching the Bremerton Sun trophy. (Bremerton Sun 10/28/1936, pg. 1).

Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton; Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Boat racing; Rowboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowing races--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowers;

In honor of Navy Day, October 27, 1936, an engineer's whaleboat race was held at the Bremerton Navy Yard. Competing for the win were crews from the USS Salt Lake City, Colorado and Texas. One of the crews was photographed in their whaleboat with oars up prior to the starter's whistle. The race was won by the crew from the Salt Lake City, who claimed the Bremerton Sun trophy for the race. (Bremerton Sun 10/28/1936, pg. 1).

Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton; Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Boat racing; Rowboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowing races--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowers;

The whaleboat crew of the USS Salt Lake City posed, holding oars straight up, on October 27, 1936 before the starter's gun sent them to victory in the Navy Day boat race. The pictured crew finished a length and a half ahead of the crews from the USS Colorado and Texas, winning the Bremerton Sun trophy. (Bremerton Sun 10/28/1936, pg. 1)

Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton; Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Boat racing; Rowboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowing races--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rowers;

Coast Artillery from Fort Worden were photographed landing from the Artillery cutter Chelan for tactical maneuvers at the Bremerton Navy Yards on March 23, 1936. The men are wearing heavy coats, ammunition belts, and helmets. The Navy Yard is in the background. (Bremerton Sun).

Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton; Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Military personnel--Bremerton--1930-1940;

On March 23, 1936, 2500 soldiers arrived at the Bremerton Naval Yard to participate in "war practice." Troops from Fort Worden arrived by the Coast Artillery cutter Chelan. Soldiers were photographed disembarking, while sailors look on. (Bremerton Sun).

Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton; Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Military personnel--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Three military men: soldier, sailor and marine. Tactical maneuvers at the Bremerton Navy Yards on March 23, 1936 brought together 2500 members of diverse military groups for "war practice." (Bremerton Sun)

Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton; Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Military personnel--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Men leaving work at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Buildings in the background include the Golden Hotel and drug stores. (Bremerton Sun).

Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Boat & ship industry--Bremerton--1930-1940; Golden Hotel (Bremerton);

Men shown leaving work at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. The men must show their badge to Navy personnel before they can pass through the gate. Wooden buildings are in the background. (Bremerton Sun).

Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Boat & ship industry--Bremerton--1930-1940

Men leaving work at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. Young newspaper carriers are attempting to sell newspapers to the shipyard workers as they pass through the gate. Brick buildings in background. The safety clock on the building reads 12 noon; the board also records the number of "lost time" accidents for the year and compares it to the previous year. Photograph ordered by the Bremerton Sun.

Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Boat & ship industry--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Military police for layout story, Times, Earl Floathe. A man wears the arm band and helmet of the Military Police while talking on a specialized telephone and reviewing notes in this photograph from February of 1949.

Military police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Communication devices; Telephones;

Aerial view of the "General M. M. Patrick", military personnel, possibly the Marines or Navy are on board the troop ship, life boats are aligned on the upper area of ship. The majority of the crew can be seen on the ship's deck, the men are wearing their uniforms, some are wearing hats and caps.

Military personnel--Tacoma; Lifeboats--Tacoma; Sailors--Tacoma; Government vessels--Tacoma; Ships--Tacoma; Aerial photographs; Aerial views;

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);

Washington National Guard had just received 155mm howitzers, cannons and other large firing weapons, from the government. Guardsmen would receive training on how to use the new equipment at Camp Murray. The weapons would be used by the National Guard in future maneuvers. View of two Guardsmen inspecting the newly arrived four barreled firing weapon (T. Times, 10/9/47, p. 2).

Militias; Artillery (Weaponry)--Tacoma; Artillery (Troops)--Tacoma; Arms & armament--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

The Washington National Guard had just received government supplies and weapons, which would be used by the National Guard in future military maneuvers. The large shipment was sent to Camp Murray, and more equipment was expected to arrive. View of hundreds of jeeps which would be used to transport National Guardsmen and government supplies (T. Times, 10/9/47, p. 2).

Military vehicles--Tacoma; Jeep automobile; Militias; Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

Audrey Moon and Morris Mahoney were possibly married recently. She is wearing a corsage and Morris is wearing his Navy uniform (See photo D25635-5).

Military uniforms; Portrait photographs; Couples--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Moon, Audrey; Mahoney, Morris;

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.

Military uniforms; Portrait photographs; Couples--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Moon, Audrey; Mahoney, Morris;

The Tacoma, Washington State Guard units were hosts to the Seattle, Washington State Guard units at the State Armory in late May of 1946. This was the last official ceremony for both units. The re-establishment of the Washington National Guard is expected in the near future. Seated left to right are: Nelson, Hamilton, McMorris and White. In back we have, left to right, Middlesworth and Cronander (T. Times, 5/28/46, p. 1).

Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Veterans' organizations--Tacoma; Washington State Guard (Tacoma); Military uniforms;