First Congregational Church Group. A woman sings into a microphone while accompanied by a man in uniform on an upright piano. There is a draped archway in the background.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Congregational churches--Tacoma;

ca. 1943. A large welcome party was hosted at the 713-15 Commerce St. U.S.O. around 1943 for Pearl Harbor hero Doris "Dorie" Miller. On December 7, 1941, Mr. Miller was stationed on the USS West Virginia. After the bombing, he carried wounded sailors to safety and manned an anti-aircraft gun. This was remarkable of itself, but even more so since he was stationed on the ship as a cook. He received the Navy Cross for his bravery, the first African American sailor to receive this honor.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma;

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken around 1943, war hero Doris "Dorie" Miller held out his cup to receive some punch at the welcome party held in his honor at the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce. To the left of Mr. Miller was his escort for the evening, volunteer USO hostess Druetta McCabe. Mr. Miller had been awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery during the bombing at Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, he had been stationed aboard the USS West Virginia in Pearl Harbor as a Mess Attendant, a cook. After his ship was hit, he carried several wounded sailors to safety, including the mortally wounded captain. He then manned an anti-aircraft gun, bringing down several Japanese aircraft. In 1942, he was recruited to travel around the country and sell war bonds.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma;

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken in 1943, war hero Doris "Dorie" Miller (in dark uniform) posed with a group of African American musicians at the USO #2, 713-25 Commerce St. USO #2 was provided for entertaining servicemen and women of color. Mr. Miller had been awarded the Navy Cross for his valor during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After his ship, the USS West Virginia, was hit, he carried wounded sailors to safety and manned an anti-aircraft gun, shooting down Japanese planes. This was especially remarkable, since he was stationed on the ship as a cook, with no combat training. He was killed in action in November of 1943.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma; Miller, Doris;

Teenage students line-up at the counter in the Gray school office to register for farm labor in the Puyallup Valley. Students formed a large part of the labor required to plant and harvest crops during WWII as more and more adults became involved in the defense effort and were unavailable for farm work.

World War, 1939-1945--Students--Tacoma; Gray Junior High School (Tacoma); Agricultural laborers;

ca. 1943. O.W.I. Publicity (Office of War Information). Women assembling canvas tarp over bed of truck for troop transport at Northwest Chair Co. During World War II, Northwest Chair set aside their furniture line to make the wooden portion of Army trucks. The Office of War Information was formed in 1942 to photograph the early mobilization of industries for war. (T. Times). TPL-1950

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Northwest Chair Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. W.A.A.C. (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) enrollees on way to school in Iowa. Three women standing beside Liberty Center building circa 1943. One woman is dressed in military uniform.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (Tacoma);

Women working in defense plant. Woman working in wood shop guides a piece of lumber into machinery.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Fifth War Loan campaign. Community business men display a Fifth War Loan sales banner for the final week of bond sales. Last minute drives in order to meet quota for County are likely to increase war bond sales. War bond buyers will be receiving incentives, such as free movies for all war bonds purchased this week. View of banner placed between Edna's Beauty Shop, above, and Paradise Confectionery, below.

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Banners--Tacoma;

In June of 1944, you could get a free hat at Tryfon's Hat Shop, 944 Commerce St., if you purchased $1,000 or more in war bonds. The Greek community in Tacoma had set a sales quota of $400,000 in bonds. Tryfon's was the headquarters for the Greek war bond committee. (l to r) Sam Bulldis, Chairman of the Greek War Bond Committee, George B. Cicozh, first $1000 war bond buyer at Tryfon's, and John Tryfon holding $1,000 war bond hat. (TNT 6/19/1944 p.9) TPL-9359

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Hat industry--Tacoma; Tryfon's Hat Shop (Tacoma); Bulldis, Sam; Cicozh, George B.; Tryfon, John;

Fifth War Loan Campaign. Members of the Tacoma Advertising and Sales Club gathered for a luncheon at the Hotel Winthrop, where they were able to preview displays and receive an explanation of the techniques to be used in advertising and displaying the Fifth War Loan Campaign. View of three unidentified individuals previewing printed materials (T. Times, 5/25/44, p. 12).

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Tacoma Advertising & Sales Club (Tacoma);

Scrap Iron Acres, located next to the Pacific Match Company plant, 3223 So. Union. Scrap metal gathered in the Pierce County scrap drives was left here. Different organizations volunteered their time to sort through the metal and find what was able to be recycled for the war effort.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Group portraits--1940-1950;

College of Puget Sound Soldiers taking exam. 235 soldiers are completing testing as they wrap up their specialized training courses at College of Puget Sound. Many will then be transferred for basic training. Major L. E. Darlington is commander of the group. Two unidentified men and R. Franklin Thompson, President of C.P.S., center, wait for testing to end in front of John M. Kittredge Hall.

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; John M. Kittredge Hall (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Guitarists entertain the crowd during the Linda Darnell Day War Bond Drive, July 11, 1942, at Victory Square, South 10th Street between "A" and Pacific. Miss Darnell was touring army camps with the USO Roxy Theater Revue. When she offered to appear in Tacoma and personally autograph all applications for the purchase of bonds, several of the performers in the revue came along to entertain the crowds.

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

On Labor Day, September 7, 1942, over 8,000 people gathered for the dedication of the modernistic Liberty Center, Tacoma's outdoor war activity theater. Also on hand were Hollywood celebrities Joan Leslie, Adolph Menjou and Walter Pidgeon. The trio were in town for their contribution to the motion picture industry's attempt to raise one billion dollars in war bond sales in the month of September. Tacoma's sale total exceeded $509,000, the largest sales in Tacoma to date. TPL-1952

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

In January 1943, Tacoma took part in the first "unexploded bomb" drill to take place in the Pacific Northwest. Members of the city public works department donned gas masks and protective suits to "decontaminate" a section of St. Helens Ave. that was exposed to a mock mustard gas attack. A critique of the exercise was held at Civil Defense headquarters in the Armory afterward. Unexploded high explosive bombs and gas bombs "fell" in each of the city's eight designated civilian defense zones Wednesday night, January 13, 1943. (T. Times 1/14/1943 p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

Mrs. S.E. Peterson pointed out an item of interest to Leona (Mrs. E.F.) Burton from the deck of the Crestview Tower. The women were acting as civilian spotters from the Tower, one of the tallest watching points in Tacoma. It would be formally dedicated and turned over to the Army as a unit in the aircraft warning system October 29, 1942 at the Browns Point Community Hall. Located on a hill between Browns and Dash Points, it commanded a sweeping view of the Tacoma Harbor. (T. Times 10/28/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Observation towers;

In October of 1942, Mrs. E.F. Burton (left), Mrs. S.E. Peterson, and an unidentified man stood on the deck of the new Crestview lookout tower searching the skies over Tacoma for enemy aircraft. The newly constructed warning service facility was turned over to the army at a ceremony held at the Brown's Point Community Hall. The tower, situated on the hill between Brown's and Dash Points, had a sweeping view of the Puget Sound area around the Tacoma harbor. (T. Times 10/28/1942 p.3) TPL-793

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Observation towers;

The West Coast of the United States braced itself for a possible invasion during the early years of World War II. In Tacoma, sand bags were distributed throughout downtown as part of the wartime precautions. Two unidentified Boy Scouts are seen in this photograph from June 1942 placing sand bags in front of the Washington Cigar Store near South 11th Street & Pacific Avenue. Instructions on the barrel lid read "Place Filled Sack on Burning Bomb during Blackout. Any Other Use Prohibited" ! (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Washington Cigar Store (Tacoma); Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Six women wearing military type "overseas" caps marked "I'm Selling Stamps and Bonds" with a "Tacoma Retail Stamp and Bond Sales - July" chart outside Sears, Roebuck and Company. The Tacoma salesgirls were posing for publicity pictures announcing the kickoff July 1, 1942 of the Tacoma Retail Stores Bond and Stamp Sale. The sales goal for July was $1,723,693. Pictured left to right are Rose Colombini, Madlyn Piper, Arline Keller, Nancy Carlson, C lella McElroy and Radie Cramer. (T. Times 6/30/1942, pg. 1; 7/1/1942 p.9)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Colombini, Rose; Piper, Madlyn; Keller, Arlene; Carlson, Nancy; Cramer, Radie; Department stores--Tacoma; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma);

On June 20, 1942, a young soldier donned an apron and offered to help with the dishes after dining and rooming at the First Congregational Church, 209 So. J St. In answer to an urgent call by Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain for weekend housing for the soldiers swelling the area military bases and coming to Tacoma for weekend entertainment, the Tacoma Ministerial Association opened three of the larger churches as dormitories. The first three to offer this service were First Presbyterian, First Congregational and First Christian. (T. Times 5/21/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma);

Publicity for Community Chest; First Congregational Church showing soldiers' accommodations. Several soldiers prepare to eat a hearty Sunday breakfast of pancakes, coffee and juice after spending Saturday night at the church. With a shortage of weekend housing in Tacoma for soldiers on leave, the First Congregational Church, as well as others, offered temporary weekend bed and breakfast.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma);

Publicity for Community Chest. James and Zelma Garvin residence showing soldiers' accommodations. The Garvins had opened up their home to accommodate soldiers on weekend leave in Tacoma. Some of the soldiers pose outside the house in June of 1942.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Garvin, James--Homes & haunts;

Publicity for Community Chest. James and Zelma Garvin residence showing soldiers' accommodations. Larger private homes offered extra living space to men in uniform in Tacoma for the weekend. Soldiers will be bunking overnight on couches and cots in the Garvin's rec room.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Garvin, James--Homes & haunts;

Several soldiers linger over Sunday morning breakfast at the home of James and Zelma Garvin, 10 Mare Vista Terrace. They spent Saturday night in the rec room of the home. By June of 1942, Fort Lewis and McChord were brimming with increased wartime personnel. Thousands of these soldiers would pour into Tacoma on the weekend, with no hope of finding anyplace to sleep overnight. In response to an emergency meeting called by Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain, three churches threw open their doors as weekend dormitories. In addition, Tacomans were asked to contribute cots or beds, linens and towels. They were further asked to welcome military men who still could not find housing into their homes as guests. (TNT 7/5/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Garvin, James--Homes & haunts;

Publicity for Community Chest. James and Zelma Garvin residence showing soldiers' accommodations. The Garvins opened up their home to soldiers from Fort Lewis, allowing them to bunk at their home during their weekend leave. Their recreation room has been set up as a temporary dormitory.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Garvin, James--Homes & haunts;

Publicity for Community Chest. Tuesday Night Dance at U.S.O. Club at 13th and Fawcett. Members of the armed forces and their hostesses for the evening, from the Tacoma Junior Women's Club, take a breather between dances, sitting on the apron of the Club's stage. Every Tuesday evening a dance was hostessed by a different women's club. The dance on August 4, 1942 was also a special celebration of the 152nd anniversary of the Coast Guard.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest; Tuesday Night Dance at U.S.O. Club at 13th and Fawcett. Every Tuesday evening at the Club, a dance was organized and hosted by a different club. Doing the honors on August 4, 1942 was the Tacoma Junior Women's Club. Several formally dressed young ladies stand behind a table holding a large cake commemorating the 152nd anniversary of the Coast Guard, the special guest at this dance.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On August 4, 1942, servicemen and their hostesses from the Tacoma Junior Women's Club danced the night away at the Tuesday Night Dance held at the U.S.O. Club at 13th and Fawcett (415 So. 13th St.) A dance was hosted by a different Tacoma women's club at this U.S.O. every Tuesday night . The members of the U.S. Coast Guard were the special guests at this Tuesday's dance, celebrating the 152nd anniversary of their military branch. August 4th is now celebrated as Coast Guard Day to honor the establishment on that day in 1790 of the Revenue Cutter Service, the precursor of today's Coast Guard.

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Dance--Tacoma--1940-1950; Evening gowns--1940-1950;

A giant "V- for victory" decorated the special cake at the dance held on Tuesday, August 4, 1942 at the U.S.O. at 13th and Fawcett. The dance that week honored the 152nd anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Coast Guard. All the hostesses for the evening, who planned the entertainment and late supper, were members of the Junior Woman's Club headed by Mrs. P. Frank Jenkins. Gathered around the serving table are (l to r): Don Magee, John Nazrat, Miss Beverley Herbert, Harry Dillon, Mrs. William (Ruth) Groves, president of the Junior Woman's Club, Miss Fran Jurancich, Norman Stensager and Joseph Kroft. (TNT 8/7/1942 p.9)

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Magee, Don; Nazrat, John; Herbert, Beverley; Dillon, Harry; Groves, Ruth; Jurancich, Fran; Stensager, Norman; Kroft, Joseph;