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);
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;
The U.S.S. Laffey was on display at Tacoma Municipal Dock after being hit by five Japanese kamikaze planes and four bombs in an attack 30 miles north of Okinawa. The crew suffered 103 casualties--32 dead and 71 wounded. The destroyer, "riddled like a sieve above the water-line"--the hull and superstructure twisted by the impact, was drydocked at Todd Shipyards for repairs. In 1946, she participated in the atomic bomb tests at Bikini. (T.Times, 5/26/1945, p.1; Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Vol. IV, pp. 16-19).
U.S.S. Laffey (Ship); 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma); Vertical lift bridges--Tacoma; Ships; World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations; Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Municipal Dock (Tacoma);
Destroyer U.S.S. Laffey at 11th St. The USS Laffey was on display at Municipal Dock. The destroyer survived an attack by six Japanese suicide planes and two bombs sixty miles off Japan. The hull and superstructure were grotesquely twisted by the impact. (T.Times, 5/30/1945, p.9)
U.S.S. Laffey (Ship); 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma); Vertical lift bridges--Tacoma; Ships; World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations; Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Municipal Dock (Tacoma);
Destroyer U.S.S. Laffey at 11th St. Miss Marie Ruedin and Miss Doris Long inspect the battle-scarred aft gun turret of the U.S.S. Laffey. The destroyer was on display at the Tacoma Municipal Dock after it was hit by six Japanese suicide planes and two bombs. F 1/C Maurice Miller, showing the damaged gun to the women, was on the forward deck gun when Laffey was struck. One of his companions was killed, one wounded. (T.Times, 6/1/1945, p.1)
U.S.S. Laffey (Ship); Ships; World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations; Ruedin, Marie; Long, Doris; Miller, Maurice;
The Marymount military band, under the direction of John Kelly, was photographed practicing for the big pageant and military display scheduled at the Armory on May 8, 1943. The pageant, "Uncle Sam and the United Nations," was being organized by Tacoma's 2nd Battalion Washington State Militia. The cadets from Marymount military school were taking part, as well as various UN military and civilian war work groups. The event was being offered to the public free of charge. (TNT 5/6/1943, PG. 24)
Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway; Marching bands;
Photograph of the Coast Guard and the Tacoma Waterfront Defense Committee cleanup of the waterfront in April of 1943, to prevent fires. Abandoned shacks and houses were demolished and burned. A fireman and a Coast Guardsman are pictured bringing up the hose connection in case of emergency. The ground is strewn with building materials and debris. These would be sorted through for materials that could be salvaged for the war effort. (T.Times 4/28/1943 p.1-picture)
Military organizations--Tacoma; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Railroad cars--Tacoma--1940-1950;
A delegation representing the 1,080 students at Jason Lee posed perched on and around the fifth jeep the student body helped buy for the war effort. Many had paper routes, did odd jobs or held down a four hour after school job to raise the funds to buy war bonds and stamps. From the start of the school year in September to April of 1943 when this photo was taken, the Jason Lee students bought over $4,400 in war bonds. The "Minuteman Schools-At -War" program was only one of many that helped finance the war. (TNT 4/19/1943, pg 4; T.Times, 4/19/1943, p.14.)
War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jeep automobile;
In January of 1943, Capt. Bernhard Groth of the US Army's Ninth Service command came to Tacoma on an inspection tour of the State Guard units. He said that he was well pleased with the training and appearance of the Tacoma units. The men in this photograph are unidentified, but they are believed to be members of the State Guard.
In January of 1943, Capt. Bernhard Groth of the US Army's Ninth Service command was in Tacoma for an inspection tour of the State Guard units. Pictured left to right are officers believed to be Major George Nelson, Capt. Walter Morris, Maj. James McGee and and unidentified guardsman. (T Times 1/27/1943, pg. 14)
In 1946, Bellarmine was one of only two Washinton high schools that offered junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. Each day a full class period was devoted to some phase of theoretical or practical military training. Studies included first aid, marksmanship, map reading, and the fundamentals of marching. Uniforms furnished by the government were worn two days per week. (Cage, 1946, p. 20-21).
Military education--Tacoma; Military training--Tacoma; Cadets--Tacoma; Reserve Officers Training Corps (Tacoma); Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);
In 1946, Bellarmine was one of two high schools in Washington State that offered Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). Military training included first aid, marksmanship, map reading, and the fundamentals of marching. This portrait taken in May shows the school's statue of Mary looking down toward Bellarmine's JROTC Color Guard holding their flag and a U.S. flag, with Mount Rainier in the background. (Cage, 1946, p. 22).
Military education--Tacoma; Military training--Tacoma; Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint; Rifles; Flags; Cadets--Tacoma; Reserve Officer Training Corps (Tacoma); Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);
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;
ca. 1944. War Street. Downtown display of World War II artillery and military equipment circa 1944. A soldier describes military radio equipment to a group of boys while youngsters climb aboard the massive weapon.
US Army Transportation Corps. Hull no. 8 - TP225, 96' Wooden Utility Boat, Design #333, Petrich Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma. Docked under the 11th Street Bridge. Petrich Shipbuilding was located on the City Waterway. The company received the prestigious E Award March 1942 for their outstanding efforts during World War II. TPL-8026
U.S. Army Transportation Corps; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; Waterfronts--Tacoma; Petrich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Vertical lift bridges--Tacoma;
Hooker Electrochemical Co. was awarded the Army Navy "E" award by Major General Joseph D. Patch and Navy Officer W. C. Gilbert. An impressive ceremony was held at plant. Music was provided by the 440th Army Service Forces. Acting Mayor C. Val Fawcett was the Master of Ceremonies (T. Times, 1/10/45, p. 3).
Military decorations--Tacoma; Awards; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Avenger at Todd Pacific. Todd Pacific Shipyards will have "Avenger", the tank used in the battle of Tarawa in the South Pacific. The tank used by the Marines, will be here for one week. View of three unidentified individuals sitting next to "Avenger" (T. Times, 8/24/44, p. 3).
Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Tank warfare; Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc. (Tacoma);
Ab Jenkins at Ed Griffin's home. Ab Jenkins is now serving in the auto preventative maintenance service of the U. S. Army. Ab is visiting from Fort Douglas, Utah and will be showing maintenance methods at Fort Lewis. View of Ab Jenkins with four unidentified women at Ed Griffin's home (T. Times, 7/11/44, p. 9).
Military personnel--Tacoma; Automobile racing drivers; Jenkins, Ab;
On June 15, 1944, thousands of Tacomans lined the streets downtown to cheer on the Fifth War Loan Campaign parade. The military and industrial parade was held to boost the sale of bonds during the loan drive and in honor of "Infantry Day." The Tacoma Retail Trades Committee awarded the Mt. Rainier Ordnance Depot float pictured above the first place trophy for outstanding float. The float featured a bevy of pretty girls employed at the Depot with the accent on Miss Liberty, Katherine Hansen (left), holding aloft the torch of freedom. (T. Times, 6/16/44, p. 5).
War rallies--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot (Tacoma); Hansen, Katherine;
Tacoma Council of Churches breakfast for service men. The Tacoma Council of Churches collaborated with the United Service Organization Travelers Aid Service and hosted a fellowship breakfast for servicemen. Servicemen who participated in the event are seated in the USO lounge. (T. Times, 7/29/44, p. 7).
Military personnel--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma);
Lillian (Mrs. Wilfred) Burrows, center, president of the Edward B. Rhodes American Legion Auxiliary purchases a $100 war bond on October 26, 1942 from fellow member Merle (Mrs. William K) Yost, of Puget Sound National Bank. This was the fourth bond that the group had purchased. Mrs. C. Burrows, left, treasurer of the organization smiles her approval. (TNT 11/6/1942, pg. 4)
War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);
Three women pose with a War Bond behind a KTBI microphone in January of 1943. In the background are an aerial view of Tacoma and a scenic shot of young women posing in a daffodil field.
War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio stations--Tacoma; KTBI Radio Broadcasting Station (Tacoma);
On July 15, 1942, members of the special detachment of the 4th Volunteer Infantry, Wa. State Guard, relaxed in the large classroom inside the Forks, Wa., school building they used as a dormitory. The school had been commandeered to serve as Field Headquarters for the group. They were serving in active duty as the eyes and ears of the Army's Fourth Fighter Command. When on duty, they manned lookouts on the beach and in the woods, watching and listening for enemy aircraft in some of the nation's most rugged country. (T. Times 7/28/1942, pg. 1)
An interior view at the Veterans Administration Hospital at American Lake showing an entrance and lobby area. A few lockers stand along the left, a coat rack stands by the door and a few supplies and a rolling cart are seen along the right hand wall.
American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960;
The interior of a quonset-style building at the Veterans Administration Hospital that serves as a snack bar and gift store. Fountain service is available at the counter on the left and an ice cream soda costs 20 cents. A rack filled with luggage is seen along the right wall.
American Lake Veterans' Hospital (Lakewood); Military hospitals--Lakewood--1950-1960; Snack bars--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gift shops--Lakewood;
Studio portrait of Gilbert Moorehead, U.S. Navy, of the USS Essex CV 9, stationed at Bremerton, Washington. He was photographed in uniform on February 10, 1951.
Military personnel--United States--1950-1960; Sailors--United States--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States--1950-1960; Moorehead, Gilbert;
The Red Cross Field office on an intersection at Fort Lewis, for Farmers Insurance. A sign in the front points left, the direction of Reserve Headquarters. TPL-10399
Military camps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fort Lewis (Wash.);
Nightime portrait across from bus terminal of group of seven servicemen standing beside Richards Studio photographers' station wagon. Taken for Hollis Sharpe, 770th A.A.A., Fort Lewis, on May 30, 1951.
Military personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;
