Guests at the newest U.S.O. in Tacoma line up for refreshments during the center's formal opening on September 4, 1942. The facility on Commerce St. was the first of the U.S.O. centers in Tacoma designated for servicemen of color. Ray C. Vaughn, director, expressed his appreciation for the creation of a U.S.O. club to meet the recreational needs of soldiers of color. It would especially be necessary due to the fact that a growing Fort Lewis would mean more soldiers of all races. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12).

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

On September 4, 1942, as part of the dedication of Tacoma's newest U.S.O., "topfight jitterbuggists" Pvt. Harold Williams and Elizabeth Brown demonstrated their fancy footwork for an appreciative audience. The facility was packed with members of the Armed Forces and their guests. Also in attendance were Governor Arthur B. Langlie and Mayor Harry P. Cain, who were both involved in the dedication ceremonies. Because the U.S. military services were still segregated in 1942, a separate U.S.O. was opened to serve servicemen of color. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, p. A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jitterbug dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Williams, Harold; Brown, Elizabeth; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest. Dedication of U.S.O. designated for servicemen of color at 715 Commerce. Pvt. George F. Miller of New Orleans was a big hit at the September 4, 1942, dedication of the newest U.S.O. facility in Tacoma. His barefoot style of dancing wowed the standing room only crowd. (TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Miller, George F.; Dance--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dancers--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Governor Arthur B. Langlie, center, in conversation with guests at the formal opening of the U.S.O. club for servicemen of color on September 4, 1942. He may be holding the elbow of the center's director, Ray C. Vaughn. Governor Langlie and Mayor Harry P. Cain were among the dignitaries present at the dedication ceremonies. The U.S.O. center was standing room only; those in attendance were able to listen to music from a Fort Lewis post band, watch the formal presentation of the flag to the U.S.O. by a flag detail from Fort Lewis, listen to remarks by Governor Langlie, Mayor Cain, and Mr. Vaughn, and enjoy dancing. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Conversation; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

View from stage during dedication ceremonies at the new U.S.O. for soldiers of color on Commerce St. The new U.S.O. opened on Friday, September 4, 1942, and was filled with soldiers and their guests. Governor Arthur B. Langlie and Mayor Harry P. Cain were on hand to participate in the formal opening of the center. Civic and religious leaders served on the program committee, including Rabbi Rosenberg, Rev. D.C. Stephenson, Dr. E.E. Elmore and Brown & Haley founder, J.C. Haley. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

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

On September 4, 1942, the U.S.O. Club at 713-15 Commerce St. held its formal opening. Because the US military services were still segregated in 1942, the club was dedicated for the use of servicemen of color. Music, singing and dancing were part of the entertainment planned for the gala evening. The unidentified young women pictured here were dressed in long evening wear with corsages, while their unidentified escorts were wearing their dress uniforms. Publicity picture ordered by the Community Chest.(TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; African American women--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Governor Arthur B. Langlie shakes hands with director Ray C. Vaughn on September 4, 1942, at the formal opening and dedication of the new U.S.O. unit for servicemen of color on Commerce Street. The new U.S.O. facility filled a long felt need in Tacoma for a club to be used by servicemen of color from the Fort Lewis area. Director Vaughn thanked Mayor Cain for facilitating the addition of the center to U.S.O. operations in Tacoma. The photograph includes, L to R, front row: Unidentified, Mayor Harry P. Cain, Otto Hoagland, Ray C. Vaughn, Governor Langlie, and Rev. D.C. Stephenson. Back row: Col. Alvie Merrill, two unidentified Fort Lewis officers, Chaplain Robert Doakes, J.C. Haley, unidentified man. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4-article, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Vaughn Ray C.; Stephenson, D.C.; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest. Dedication of U.S.O. club for servicemen of color at 715 Commerce on September 4, 1942. An enthusiastic audience welcomed the new center. Governor Arthur B. Langlie and Mayor Harry P. Cain were both on hand to assist with the dedication ceremonies. Music was provided by a Fort Lewis post band and the Coleridge Taylor Music club entertained the standing room only crowd. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Hand clapping; Audiences--Tacoma--1940-1950; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest. Newly appointed U.S.O. club director Ray C. Vaughn addresses the large crowd gathered on September 4, 1942, for the dedication of the brand new U.S.O. opened to serve the recreational needs of servicemen of color during WWII in the Tacoma area. Mr. Vaughn was an outstanding athlete at Colgate University, served as athletic director of Atlanta University, taught health education in the New York City public schools and became the health education and recreational director for NYC schools before coming to Tacoma. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Vaughn, Ray C.; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest. Among the entertainers at the September 4, 1942, dedication of the new U.S.O. for servicemen of color on Commerce St. was a USA private from New Orleans, George F. Miller. His barefoot style of dancing and upbeat attitude brought large smiles on the faces of his standing room only audience. Seated in a chair on the stage is Pvt. Miller, bare feet lifted high and index fingers pointed as he faces the large crowd. (TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Miller, George F.; Dance--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dancers--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest. In September, 1942, the newest U.S.O. in Tacoma opened on Commerce St. It was specifically to be used by servicemen of color and was considered to be as attractive a recreational center as any of those then operating in Tacoma. Dedication ceremonies were held on September 4, 1942. The center was packed with young soldiers and their guests; as pictured above, the men wore their dress uniforms and the women, lovely gowns. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, p. A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; African American soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; African American women--Tacoma--1940-1950; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Formal opening of Tacoma's newest U.S.O. club; the Commerce St. location was designated for use by servicemen of color. Governor Arthur B. Langlie shakes hands with J.C. Haley, dedication program committee member, on September 4, 1942. On extreme left is Rev. D.C. Stephenson. Standing are: L to R: Unknown, Fort Lewis recreation director Col. Alvie Merrill, two unknown Fort Lewis officers, Chaplain Robert. Doakes of Fort Lewis. (TNT 9-1-42, p. 4, TNT 9-6-42, A-12)

Dedications--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Stephenson, D.C.; Haley, J.C.; Merrill, Alvie; Doakes, Robert; Shaking hands--Tacoma; Flags; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;