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.;
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.;
Recruits receive training at a new Recruit Center set up near the old Tacoma Field hangar, now part of McChord Field. They will participate in six weeks of training, including the use of gas masks. The group of 900 current recruits are destined for specialized branches of the service, such as medical corps, signal corps and ordnance. They will serve a tour of duty of three years. (T. Times 11/27/1940, pg. 1)
Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; McChord Field (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training; Military life; Gas masks;
A portion of the current 900 recruits pose on the tarmac near the old Tacoma Field hangar, now part of McChord Field. The volunteers face six weeks of intensive training, including drilling. They are destined for specialized branches of the service- such as medical corps, ordnance or the air corps. (T. Times 11/27/1940, pg. 1)
Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; McChord Field (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training; Military life;
Col. B. T. Burt, Commanding officer of the new recruit center at McChord Field, tests the cooking of one of the field cooks. The cook is surrounded by the officers who will run the new camp. Currently, 900 recruits are training at the Center, destined for service in specialized branches of the service. (T. Times 11/27/1940, pg. 1)
Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; McChord Field (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training; Military life;
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.);
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;
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.);
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.);
The curriculum at Marymount Military Academy at 423 152nd Street East in Spanaway encompassed a wide variety of activities including music, shooting and horseback riding. This photograph of the Academy's cadet band appeared in the Tacoma Times in February of 1941. Marymount opened in 1923 as a Catholic military boarding school for boys ages 6-16, the only institution of its kind in the state of Washington. Enrollment began to fall off in the late 1960 and early 1970s and the school closed in 1976. (T. Times 2/26/1941, pg. 41- names in picture caption)
Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;
The 98th Field Artillery (pack) Battalion was formed in 1940 at Fort Lewis. It was one of only five battalions in the U.S. Army that handled mules. The mules were used to transport artillery where mechanized units could not go. A mule is created by breeding a male donkey to a female horse. The resulting mule has greater endurance, is stronger and less excitable than a horse. The line of mules in the back of the photograph seems to be feasting at feed stalls. The ones in the front are tied to a rope. The mules at Fort Lewis were used during World War II. Conscription was running high and most of the men assigned to the battalion had never worked with mules. (T.Times 2/26/1941 p.3; 3/8/1941, pg. 8)
Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.; Mules; 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion (Ft. Lewis);
Wedding of Lt. A. W. Pribnow and Betty Fry at Fort Lewis. Mock wedding on mule back. The color guard and buglers march ahead of the wedding couple that ride in chairs strapped to either side of a mule's back. The Officers Club can be seen in the background. Reviving an old artillery custom, the newly married couple is paraded on the battalion's equipment. The equipment is usually a gun carriage, but in the case of the 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion, the parade equipment is a mule. (not the same event as D10861 image A)
Fort Lewis (Wash.); Mules; 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion (Ft. Lewis); Pribnow, A.W.; Fry, Betty;
Permanent barracks and buildings at Fort Lewis. By summer of 1941, over 50,000 soldiers were scheduled to be stationed at Fort Lewis, making it the fourth largest city in the state. It ranked in population just below Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma. Fort Lewis was already the headquarters of the 3rd Division regular Army, but since last September, they had been joined by the 41st Division National Guard. (T. Times 2/16/1941, pg. 3)
Fort Lewis (Wash.); Barracks--Fort Lewis; Military facilities--Wash.;
Permanent barracks and buildings at Fort Lewis as they appeared in February of 1941. In 1916, Pierce County presented the federal government with 70,000 acres of land to be used as a military post for mobilization of troops in World War I. The post was known as Camp Lewis. After the war, the camp was dismantled. In September of 1927, it was renamed Fort Lewis and scheduled for 10 years of enlargement and development. The impending entry into World War II had sparked even more development. (T.Times 2/26/1941 p.3)
Fort Lewis (Wash.); Barracks--Fort Lewis; Military facilities--Wash.;
Chapel at Fort Lewis. The chapel was built in 1934 at a cost of $90,000, part of a six year, five and 1/2 million dollar improvement project funded by the federal government. The chapel is a two story brick structure with a colonnaded entry and a rose window. The inside was suitable for worship of all faiths. (T.Times 2/26/1941 p.3)
Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.; Chapels--Fort Lewis;
Wedding of Lt. A. W. Pribnow and Betty Fry at Fort Lewis. Mock wedding on mule back. The couple rides in chairs tied to either side of the mule's back. It is an old tradition that newly wedded officers and their brides are given a ride by their artillery battalion on the unit's caisson or gun carriage. The 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion, lacking such equipment, was giving the tradition a fresh look by riding the couple on two chairs lashed to a mule's back. (not the same event as D10861 image A)
Fort Lewis (Wash.); Mules; 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion (Ft. Lewis); Pribnow, A.W.; Fry, Betty;
Two men stand at attention by a row of vehicles, while another man takes their picture. These vehicles are possibly the armored all terrain scout cars of the 3rd Reconnaissance Troop. The armor plated vehicles were able to roll over any kind of terrain at great speeds. Fort Lewis was the headquarters for the 3rd Division, regular army. Since last September, they have been joined by the 41st Division, National Guard. By the summer of 1941 with the selective service act in full force, Fort Lewis is expected to swell to 50,000 soldiers, making it the fourth largest city in the state- right behind Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma. (T. Times 12/26/1941, pg. 3)
On February 17, 1941, soldiers at Fort Lewis took a break from their work caring for the mules to admire a white goat. Mules were used by the 98th Field Artillery to pack into areas not accessible by motorized equipment.
Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.; Goats; Mules--Fort Lewis;
Review of troops at Fort Lewis for Governor Langlie. The new Governor of Washington would be reviewing the 3,200 selectees of the 3rd Division, accompanied by tanks and vehicles. The afternoon would be spent in close inspection of artillery.
Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Artillery (Weaponry);
Review of troops at Fort Lewis for Governor Langlie. A military band stands at rest while a dirigible flies overhead. The hills are covered with nearly a thousand seated spectators, present to view the show of military might. The 3rd Division, over 3,000 strong, would be parading for Washington's new Governor Langlie. The afternoon would be spent on close inspection of artillery and vehicles. (T. Times 3/6/1941, pg. 1)
Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Airships;
On March 9, 1941, Lt. Jack M. Murphy and his bride were given a strange welcome by the 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion officers at Fort Lewis. Following an old artillery custom of giving a newly wedded couple a ride on a caisson or gun carriage, the officers of the Battalion, lacking such equipment, strapped two wicker chairs to one of the battalion's mules and gave their new officer and his sweetie a bumpy ride around the post. The five battery commanders, on mules, carrying their battery flags preceded the couple. The pair were followed by other officers and some of their wives, also on mules. The end destination was a reception in the couple's honor at the Officers' Club. (T. Times 3/13/1941, pg.1) (not taken at the same event as D10861 images 5 & 9)
Fort Lewis (Wash.); Mules; Murphy, Jack M.; 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion (Ft. Lewis);
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);
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.);
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)
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;
