On October 30, 1941, jeeps roll down the Broadway parade route as Fort Lewis shows off its military strength in a parade. Over 10,000 soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division marched as well as a steady flow of tanks, artillery and mechanized machinery.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941 troops of the 3rd Division's Infantry Battalion maintained close-order formation as they passed the Roxy Theater, turning from Broadway to march down South 9th Street. One of the largest crowds to ever watch a parade in Tacoma gathered to view the Army Day extravaganza. The parade of over 10,000 soldiers, with their support vehicles, stretched for over 6 miles. (TTimes 10/30/1941 p. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, the troops of the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis took to the streets of downtown Tacoma in a tremendous military spectacle. Over 10,000 soldiers, as well as their mechanized units, took part in an enormous Army parade. A crowd of Tacomans turned out to watch the spectacle.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, over 10,000 soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis marched down Broadway in a tremendous military spectacle, the largest Army parade ever seen in Tacoma. The men march in step in mass formation, suggesting the enormous military power of the US. (T. Times 10/30/1941 p.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, one of the largest crowds to ever see a parade in Tacoma gathered to match a six mile long parade of military might. Pictured is a birds eye view of some of the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis marching in mass formation.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 30, 1941, all the stores downtown closed in the morning as Tacoma turned out for a massive parade of pre World War II military might. Over 10,000 men from the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis marched as well as a parade of mechanized strength. One of the most impressive sights was the mobile kitchens where military cooks prepared food as they moved down Broadway during the two hour parade. Here soldiers receive coffee in the early morning hours prior to the parade kick off.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Sgt. Lawrence A. Lewis, tank commander, flashes a grin at the camera despite his flour whitened face and the fact that he has just been "slain" by a Molotov cocktail. On October 21, 1941, Sgt. Lewis was one of 4500 soldiers participating in exercises where 41 tanks squared off against 37 and 75 mm anti-tank gun on the Fort Lewis reservation, near Roy. Luckily the "cocktail" contained only flour, and his be-floured face is evidence of the hit. Asked how it felt to be "killed," he replied, "It made me sneeze." (T. Times, 10-22-41, p. 1)

Military maneuvers--Fort Lewis; Military personnel--Fort Lewis; Lewis, Lawrence;

Military unit at Fort Lewis. The flag identifies the group as Company B, 116th Regiment. The flag also has streamers identifying the group as the 1938 & 1939 attendance record holders.

Washington National Guard, Company B, 116th Regiment (Ft. Lewis);

A military brass band gave the 41st Division, Fort Lewis baseball team a royal sendoff on August 12, 1941 when they left Tacoma's Union Station for Wichita, Kansas. They were going to Wichita to represent Washington state in the national semi-pro baseball tournament. The team from the Army's 41st had finished third in the Washington state championship series that was held that year in Everett. The teams that came in first and second, the Lake Washington team from Seattle and the Everett Pilchuks, were unable to attend the tourney. (T. Times 8/13/1941, pg. 13- names in caption)

Washington National Guard, 41st Division (Camp Murray); Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad cars; Military bands;

A squad of R.O.T.C. cadets from Bellarmine High School fired three volleys with their rifles at the Memorial Day service held in front of Stadium High School in May of 1941. The entire student body assembled in front of the building for the solemn ceremony. Special tribute was paid to the 11 Stadium alumni who lost their lives in WWI. (T. Times 5/30/1941 p.1)

Military training--Tacoma; Cadets--Tacoma; Reserve Officers Training Corps--Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Memorial Day; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Commemoration--Tacoma;

The student body of Stadium High School assembled in front of their school as a squad of R.O.T.C. cadets from Bellarmine High School fired three volleys with their rifles at the Memorial Day service held in May of 1941. During the solemn ceremony, special tribute was paid to the 11 Stadium alumni who lost their lives in WWI. (T. Times 5/30/1941 p.1)

Military training--Tacoma; Cadets--Tacoma; Reserve Officers Training Corps--Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Memorial Day; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Commemoration--Tacoma;

A three star review, the largest since World War I, was held at Fort Lewis in honor of Lt. General John L. DeWitt, the West's only 3 star General. Lt. Gen. DeWitt, commanding general of the Fourth Army, was visiting the Fort from his Headquarters at the Presidio, San Francisco. Over 45,000 troops would pass in review, as well as tanks, a blimp, artillery with its pack mules and Cavalry. During the parade, ten bands comprised of 400 musicians played continuously for the 3-5 hours. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 2; 5/9/41, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Musicians--Fort Lewis--1940-1950; Fort Lewis (Wash.); Marching bands;

The largest collection of military might since World War I was paraded on May 9, 1941 for the benefit of Lt. Gen. John L. DeWitt. Gen. DeWitt was the commanding officer of the 4th Army and the West's only three star General. In a parade that lasted over three hours, 45,000 troops passed in review with the 41st Division in the lead, followed by the 3rd Division, IX Corps, tanks, a blimp, and the always amusing Field Pack Artillery mules. Officers accompanied their units on horseback and the Cavalry brought up the rear of the parade. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 2; 5/9/41, pg.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Mules; Fort Lewis (Wash.); 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion (Ft. Lewis);

On May 9, 1941, a large military review, the largest since World War I, was held at Fort Lewis for the benefit of Lt. General John L. DeWitt. Here, all terrain vehicles tow artillery mounted on trailers. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 2; 5/9/41, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Artillery (Weaponry)--Fort Lewis;

Fort Lewis arranged a 3-5 hour parade of military might on May 9, 1941 in honor of Lt. General John L. DeWitt, commanding general of the 4th Army. 45,000 troops would pass in review, as well as 5,000 mechanized units. In this picture, trucks pull artillery, with 10 soldiers riding in the back of each truck. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 2; 5/9/41, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Artillery (Weaponry)--Fort Lewis;

Several thousand spectators line the fields of Fort Lewis to observe the massed military might of the 1941 Army Day demonstration. Airplanes of the 99th and 116th observation squadrons would swoop and dive, followed by the 10 ton tanks, 99th Anti Tank Division, the armored reconnaissance cars of the 3rd Recon. troop and the 98th Field Artillery with their pack mules. The military men would march in an inspection parade and take part in a mock battle. The program for the public lasted one hour. (T. Times 4/8/1941, pg. 1)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Spectators;

Wedding ride on muleback of Lt. Jack Murphy and his bride at Fort Lewis. Although notes dated this photograph as occurring on April 12, 1941, it is believed that this is the same wedding of Lt. Murphy that happened earlier in 1941. Lt. Jack M. Murphy married his Salt Lake City bride on February 22, 1941, but this event was not celebrated in this unique manner until March 9th, due to weather conditions. Five battery commanders are pictured above, each riding a mule and carrying the battery flag. Following them are the bride and groom, riding in wicker chairs astride a mule. A long, and probably torturous ride ensued, with the final destination of the Officers Club where a reception was held. (T. Times 3-13-41, p. 1)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military personnel; Mules; Weddings--Fort Lewis;

On April 7, 1941, the gates to Fort Lewis were thrown open to allow the public to attend the 1941 Army Day and take a look at the Army's demonstration of modern warfare. Here, the 99th Anti-Tank Battalion fires its 37mm anti-tank guns at approaching tanks. Several thousand spectators viewed the one hour mock battle, which included airplanes, tanks, the 99th Anti-Tank Division, armored reconnaissance cars and the 98th Field Artillery unit with their mules. (T. Times 4/8/1941, pg. 1)

Arms & armament--Tacoma--1940-1950; Artillery (Weaponry); Fort Lewis (Wash.);

During the April 7, 1941, Army Day demonstration at Fort Lewis, the 205th Coast Artillery unit shows off its anti-aircraft guns. Several thousand spectators attended to view the show of modern firepower. The latest military equipment would be displayed and later inspected. (T. Times 4/8/1941, pg.1)

Arms & armament--Tacoma--1940-1950; Artillery (Weaponry); Fort Lewis (Wash.);

On April 17, 1941, the 205th Coast Artillery (anti-aircraft) unit defended the Tacoma's industrial coast from a mock military attack by airplanes. Men wearing gas masks fire machine guns from dugouts in the sand, camouflaged by nets. Part of Hooker Chemical plant, 605 Alexander Ave., is pictured in the background. [Also dated 04-19-1941] (T. Times) TPL-797

205th Coast Artillery (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

On April 17, 1941, the 205th Coast Artillery (anti-aircraft) unit set up machine gun emplacements on the Tacoma tideflats to protect Tacoma from a mock "attack" by planes. As night fell, powerful searchlights, located at Browns Point, near Stadium High, and on the tideflats, cut through the dark sky, locating airplanes from Gray field as they entered the air space over Tacoma. This camouflaged foxhole was placed where it could guard the Hooker Chemical plant, in the background, from attack. (T. Times 4/18/1941, pg.1)

205th Coast Artillery (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1940. Anniversary banquet Company E 116th Medics, National Guard. The company poses around a large cake with the Red Cross emblem.

Washington National Guard, Company E, 116th Medics (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In December of 1940, Sgt. Jack Bergnouse, from Company G 161st Infantry, stood at attention while his comrades watched. He was modelling the battle togs and pack of the 1940 modern soldier. He posed with his helmet on, bayonet fixed and feet encased in military rubber overshoes. The battlewear was much lighter and more streamlined than that of World War I; but he was still wearing the M1917 steel "Doughboy" style helmet left over from the first World War. In 1941-42, the more protective M-1 "Steel Pot" helmet was adopted as a replacement. (T. Times 12/23/1940, pg. 1)

Washington National Guard, 161st Infantry, Company G (Wash.); Bergnouse, Jack; World War, 1939-1945--Military uniforms--United States;

A portion of the 1st Battalion of the 161st Regiment of Infantry is shown standing at attention at Fort Lewis. The 161st was part of the Washington National Guard. Along with the rest of the 41st Infantry Division, they had been called into active duty on September 16, 1940. They were first sent to Camp Murray and later moved to Fort Lewis. (T. Times 12/23/1940, pg. 1)

Washington National Guard, 161st Infantry, Company G (Wash.);

A portion of the 1st Battalion of the 161st Regiment of Infantry is shown slogging through the rain and mud at Fort Lewis. The 161st was part of the Washington National Guard. Along with the rest of the 41st Infantry Division, they had been called into active duty on September 16, 1940. They were first sent to Camp Murray and later moved to Fort Lewis. (T. Times 12/23/1940, pg. 1) TPL-10327

Washington National Guard, 161st Infantry (Wash.);

Mock attack of 161st Infantry at Camp Murray. The 161st was Washington National Guard, part of the 41st Infantry Division that had been called into active duty on September 16, 1940. They were at Camp Murray for training and war games. The men hold signs which say "Asst. Dresser Pvt.," "Clerk and Chauffeur Pvt.," "Water Chlorination Pvt.," "Asst. Surgeon (St. Sgt.)," "Litter Squad," " Hypo Corp," and "BN. Surgeon."

Washington National Guard, 161st Infantry (Wash.);

National Guard parading in groups on playground across from Armory. They are marching steadily three abreast. (T. Times.)

Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Marching--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1940. Christmas banquet, National Guard. Also labelled last reunion of non commissioned officers held at the Grey Goose.

Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

On November 25, 1940, Staff Sgt. James E. Phillips addressed a portion of the 900 new recruits undergoing intensive training centered at the old Tacoma Field hangar, now part of McChord Field. The Air Force Base was never intended as a training location, but as the Air Corps has expanded and the armed forces make the transition from peace to potential war, the area has been adopted for this purpose. The recruits are destined for specialized branches of the service, for example air corps, signal corps, ordinance or medical corps. They will undergo six weeks of intensive training. Unlike the selective service volunteers who serve for one year, these recruits will serve for three. (T. Times 11/27/1940, pg. 1)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; McChord Field (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training; Military life; Phillips, James E.;

Privates B.J. Larson, William P. Biggs and Gale Sersain scrub the concrete outside the temporary headquarters of the new Recruit Center at McChord Field. Sgt. L. T. Thomas looks on approvingly. As the Air Corps and the other branches of the service struggled to expand, more centers were needed to train volunteers, and later draftees. This center was set up around the location of the old Tacoma Field hangar, now part of McChord Field. (T. Times 11/27/1940, pg. 1)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; McChord Field (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training; Military life; Larson, B.J.; Biggs, William P.; Sersain, Gale; Thomas, L.T.;