Big Buddy Day at Marymount Military Academy. Two men with three boys on horseback near grove of fir trees. Big Buddy Day was an annual event at the military school where men and boys participated together in shooting, riding, swimming, basketball and other events. Marymount was the only military school in the state of Washington and was run by the Dominican Sisters, a teaching order.

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;

Two small boys dressed in military outfits stood bearing arms under the watchful eye of two men, one in uniform, on Big Buddy Day, Feb.22,1940, at Marymount Military Academy. Marymount, a Catholic boys' school near Spanaway, was the only military school in the state of Washington and a charter member of the National Rifle Association. Big Buddy Day was an annual event where boys and men could participate in shooting, riding, swimming, basketball and exhibitions such as this one. Students ranged from preschool (age 6) to 9th grade. The school, which was run by the Dominican Sisters of Tacoma, was small, with an total enrollment that was usually under 100. The man in uniform at the far left is Jim Cashion, a Marine Reserve commanding officer employed by Marymount. The little soldier to the right is Robert H. Gilroy, Jr., with his father, Robert, Sr., behind him.

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway; Gilroy, Robert H.; Cashion, James;

Two Army trucks at Camp Murray showing the contrast between old and new models. (filed with Argentum)

Military vehicles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Camp Murray (Wash.);

Two Army trucks were photographed on February 10, 1940 at Camp Murray showing the contrast between old and new models. The vehicle at left is one of 23 new General Motors trucks which had recently arrived at Camp Murray for use by the National Guard. Next to it is a circa 1917 truck which was used in the World War (I) to haul equipment and troops. Brig. Gen. Maurice Thompson, adjutant general at Camp Murray and Harry H. Watson, assistant to the state quartermaster, stand in the foreground. The three men in the rear were not identified by the News Tribune. (TNT 2-18-1940, 9-A) (filed with Argentum)

Military vehicles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Camp Murray (Wash.); Thompson, Maurice W., 1878-1954; Watson, Harry H.;

Interior of new addition to National Guard Armory showing soldiers in formation with twelve wheeled artillery guns. The new addition was constructed in August of 1939 with funds supplied by the state and the PWA. It was 100 by 200 sq. feet with a 30 foot ceiling. Its curved roof replaced the former pillars, providing an unobstructed view. After the extensive remodel, the size of the space had increased by 1/3, with vast improvements also in lighting, ventilation and acoustics. (T. Times 10/7/1939, pg. 1) (filed with Argentum)

State Armory (Tacoma); Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Uniforms--Washington National Guard--1930-1940; Artillery (Weaponry);

Photograph taken October 3, 1939 of the interior of the new addition to the National Guard Armory, 715 So. 11th St., showing soldiers in formation with a small band on the right. The new addition was constructed in August of 1939 with funds supplied by the state and the PWA. It was 100 by 200 sq. feet with a 30 foot ceiling. Its curved roof replaced the former pillars, providing an unobstructed view. After the extensive remodel, the size of the space had increased by 1/3, with vast improvements also in lighting, ventilation and acoustics. (T. Times 10/7/1939, pg. 1) (filed with Argentum)

State Armory (Tacoma); Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Uniforms--Washington National Guard--1930-1940;

On July 20, 1939, as part of Tacoma's Washington State Golden Jubilee celebration, six Navy dreadnoughts, the powerhouses of the Pacific Fleet, entered Commencement Bay at 8:30 in the morning and dropped anchor at the mouth of the Puyallup River. The ships and their 8,000 men and officers would be in Tacoma for the Jubilee celebration and depart on Monday, July 24th. The six battleships, the USS California, USS Pennsylvania, USS Arizona, USS New Mexico, USS Mississippi and the USS Idaho, were available for tours 1-4 p.m. through Sunday. They also provided searchlight shows in the evening and their crews took part in the water carnival races. On December 7, 1941, the California, the Pennsylvania and the Arizona were stationed at Pearl Harbor. The California and the Pennsylvania were damaged; the Arizona was destroyed, with the loss of 1,104 personnel. TPL-9081 (TNT 7/20/39, pg 1-article)

A light tank from the United States Army 3rd Tank Company took to the air on May 23, 1939, as Crown Prince Olav of Norway watched from the reviewing stand at Fort Lewis. He and Crown Princess Martha spent two hours watching intently as 8,000 soldiers passed in review, attack planes flew in formation, and maneuvers utilizing tanks traveled over man-made obstacles at speeds of 40 mph. Approximately 5000 Tacoma/ Pierce County civilians, mostly of Scandinavian heritage, watched from nearby hillsides and bleachers. (TNT 5-24-39, p. 6) TPL-10333

Visits of state--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma;

ca. 1938. National Guard review. 148th Field Artillery Rifle team. (filed with Argentum)

Washington National Guard, 148th F.A. (Tacoma); Military personnel--1930-1940; Rifles;

C.M.T.C. awards ceremonies at Fort Lewis. Four young soldiers carrying ceremonial flags, the color guard, prepare to leave tent area. 250 youths lived in the tents while enrolled in the Citizens Military Training Camp. The goal of the annual encampment was to educate a ready group of young men, trained to serve in the military if needed. The nation could maintain a state of military readiness without a large standing army. (T.Times, 8/4/1938, p. 1).

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Citizens Military Training Camp--Fort Lewis;

C.M.T.C. awards ceremonies. The Citizens Military Training Camp at Fort Lewis attracted an enrollment of 250 youths. Here, a mother and two young women watch as three trainees make adjustments in the field artillery. (T. Times, 8/4/1938, p. 1).

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Citizens Military Training Camp--Fort Lewis;

C.M.T.C. awards ceremonies. Two groups of young men march in formation at the Civilian Military Training Camp awards program at Fort Lewis. Two hundred fifty youths enrolled in the local program. Its goal was to keep the nation in a state of military readiness without maintaining a large standing army. (T.Times, 8/4/1938, p. 1).

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Citizens Military Training Camp--Fort Lewis;

Fleet Week 1938 began in Tacoma with the arrival of 4 battleships of the US fleet and their 5200 officers and men. In Tacoma for the week of July 5- 11 were the USS California, West Virginia, Tennessee and Maryland. Pictured are five U.S. Navy battleships which have dropped anchor in Commencement Bay. Northeast Tacoma can be seen in the background. During Fleet Week, officers and enlisted men will be wined and dined, a military parade will feature 3,000 troops and 4 military bands, the ships will be open for tours and boating contests will take place. (T. Times 7/5/1938, pg. 1; 7/7/1938, pg. 1) TPL-9110

Battleships--1930-1940; Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Fleet Week. Four U.S. Navy Battleships in Commencement Bay, tideflats, city and Mount Rainier in background. (Argentum)

Battleships--1930-1940; Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Fleet Week, July 5 through 11 1938, Tacoma. Four U.S. Navy Battleships in Commencement Bay, tideflats in background. Taken from a high bluff, framed by trees.

Battleships--1930-1940; Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

During Fleet Week, July 5 through 11, 1938, Tacoma played host to 5200 officers and men of the visiting battleships, the USS California, West Virginia, Tennessee and Maryland. In return, the Navy thrilled Tacoma with a military parade, boat races and nighttime searchlight displays. Pictured are five Navy battleships anchored in Commencement Bay.

Battleships--1930-1940; Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

One reservist studies the map while others work on the vehicle during maneuvers at Camp Thomas Aston, held at Camp Murray. the two week field training was held June 11th- 25th, 1938. Over 2600 officers and men were involved.

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A training lecture is held in the relative stillness of a grove of trees at Camp Murray. An officer speaks beside an easel holding visual aids. He leans on a pointing device. The officers and men are taking part in the 58th annual training encampment for the National Guard, Camp Aston, held June 11-25th, 1938. General Carlos A. Penington of Tacoma was the Camp Commander and the Field Commander for the 81st Infantry Brigade. Brigadier General Albert H. Beebe of Seattle was the Field Commander for the 61st Field Artillery. Over 2600 officers and men took part in the exercise. (T. Times 6/11/1938, pg. 1)

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The reserves roll out their tanks as the 58th annual encampment of the National Guard stages the governors review at Camp Murray on June 19, 1938. The camp was named Camp Thomas Aston, after the late Colonel Aston who commanded the 161st infantry in Spokane. Over 2600 officers and men took part in the training exercises and review. (T. Times 6/20/1938, pg. 1)

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tanks (Military science); Armored vehicles--1930-1940;

Washington National Guardsmen load one of the big coastal artillery guns at Fort Worden prior to firing it over the bunker wall. Beyond the bunker wall can be seen the beach and coastal waters.

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Fort Worden (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Although the United States was not at war in 1938, Washington National Guardsmen kept their skills fresh by attending the annual summer training camp. Most journeyed to Camp Murray near Tacoma but coast artillery units were stationed at Fort Worden near Port Townsend. Here they practiced loading and firing the big coastal artillery guns from bunkers. Strategically placed batteries were capable of defending the coast against battleships and enemy landings. (St. George: Fort Worden History-article)

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Fort Worden (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940; Artillery (Weaponry)--Fort Worden;

It is said that armies march on their stomachs, and here the culinary staff at Camp Murray prepares some tasty pies to make that process more enjoyable. Once a year, the camp exploded with an influx of almost 3000 Washington National Guardsmen at the camp for their annual training. They arrived by troop train and motor convoys, and they arrived hungry. Camp Aston, held June 11-25th 1938, was no exception.

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;

One reservist stares forlornly at his list of instructions while the other attempts to fix the wheel on the motorbike on which he is riding. They are part of the annual two week field training held at Camp Murray June 11-25th, 1938. The camp is given a different name each year, a memorial to a fallen comrade. In 1938, the camp was named after Thomas Aston, the late Colonel who commanded the 161st Infantry in Spokane.

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Motorcycles--Tacoma--1930-1940;

National Guard members pose in front of the military marching band at Camp Thomas Aston, annual two week field training, held at Camp Murray. They include the band's drum major and an army cook. Camp Commander for the exercise was General Carlos A. Penington of Tacoma. (T. Times 6/20/1938, pg. 1)

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military bands--United States;

A hand of cards helps pass the time during field maneuvers at Camp Aston, the annual National Guard training camp, held at Camp Murray in June of 1938. The man at the right listens for any instructions on his field radio.

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Radios;

While the majority of the Washington National Guard held their annual training encampment at Camp Murray outside of Tacoma, coast artillery units of the Guard trained at Fort Worden, the coast defense for Puget Sound. The officers at this meeting at Fort Worden have been tentatively identified as Brigadier General Maurice Thompson, Adjutant General; Col. J.K. Partello, officer in charge of National Guard affairs of IX Corps area, San Francisco; and Major Edward C. Dohm, Commander 248th Coastal Artillery, Olympia.

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Fort Worden (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A bunker at Fort Worden, where National Guardsmen practice firing one of the big guns. While most of the Washington National Guard did their yearly training at Camp Murray near Tacoma, coast artillery units trained at this coastal defense base near Port Townsend.

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Fort Worden (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Washington National Guardsmen load one of the big coastal artillery guns at Fort Worden prior to firing it over the bunker wall.

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Fort Worden (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Headquarters Troop; 24th Cavalry Division, circa June of 1938. Members of the division pose in uniform with cooks in the center of the back row and tents in the background. The Headquarters Troop, 24th Cavalry Division is part of the Washington National Guard and it is the oldest military organization in the state. The Washington National Guard encampment was held annually in June. (filed with Argentum)

Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940; Horseback riding; Horses; Washington National Guard, 24th Cavalry Division (Tacoma);

50th Anniversary banquet of Troop B Cavalry and Washington Cavalry Association, held in Tacoma June 25th, 1938. The banquet gathered together all the cavalrymen who had ridden under the flag of Troop B, Tacoma's most famous military organization. Troop B was the oldest military group in the state and was often referred to as the "City Troop" by old timers. Its actual designation was Headquarters Troop, 24th Cavalry Division, Washington National Guard. Troop B served as the guard of honor at the inauguration of the first Governor of the state in 1889, as well as in conflicts in Mexico and Berlin. (T. Times 6/23/1938, pg. 8)

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington National Guard, 24th Cavalry Division (Tacoma);