In 1943, although they fought side by side, the Army was still segregated. African American servicemen has their own USO Club in Tacoma, the U.S.O. #2 at 713-15 Commerce St. For Mothers Day in 1943, the black community of Tacoma tried to make the men feel at home by inviting them to a special church service. In honor of the holiday, the Lincoln High School a-capella choir (in robes) also presented a special program. (T. Times 5/8/1943,pg.7)

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

The Lincoln High School a-capella Choir (pictured) presented a special program for Mothers Day, May 9, 1943, at the USO Club #2. Since the Army was still segregated in World War II, this Club was intended for African American servicemen. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 7)

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

Program coverage. U.S.O. Unit #2. A group of mostly service men are seated in the audience. Other unidentified individuals are seated on the stage. In 1943, the Army was still segregated and the USO Club art 713-15 Commerce was intended for servicemen of color. [Also dated 02-29-1943]

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

Program coverage. U.S.O. Unit #2. A group of women standing and seated. Lady seated in front on left has a badge stating: Senior Hostess, U.S.O., No.2, Tacoma. USO #2 was located at 713-15 Commerce St. and was intended for use by servicemen of color. [Also dated 02-29-1943]

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

By 1943, there were five USOs in Tacoma. Because the United States Armed Services were still segregated, African American enlisted men had a separate U.S.O. This photograph from March 1943 is of a group of service men and hostesses at U.S.O. #2 which was located at 715 Commerce St. (Also dated 02-29-1943]

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

Program coverage. U.S.O. Unit #2. A group of African American soldiers are sitting on stage looking out at the audience. In the 1940's, the military service was still segregated and the USO club on Commerce St. was intended for servicemen of color. [Also dated 02-29-1943] TPL-1958

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

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken around 1943 in Tacoma's USO #2, Doris "Dorie" Miller demonstrated for the photographer some of the events that made him a hero during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, he was stationed on the USS West Virginia in Pearl Harbor. After the bombing, he carried wounded fellow sailors, including the Captain, to safety. He then manned a 50 caliber Browning anti-aircraft gun until it ran out of ammunition, bring down a reported four Japanese planes. This was remarkable of itself, but especially since he had never received any artillery training. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the first African American sailor to receive this honor. He was killed in action in November of 1943. The frigate USS Miller was named in his honor.

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

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken in 1943, Doris "Dorie" Miller (left) and an unidentified man posed resting on a jukebox in the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. Mr. Miller had been awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was assigned as a Mess Attendant First Class on the USS West Virginia when that vessel was bombed by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. He carried wounded sailors to safety and then fired an anti aircraft gun until it ran out of ammunition. It was reported that he brought down four Japanese planes, without any artillery training. He was later lost in action when his escort carrier, the Linscome Bay, was sunk on November 24, 1943.

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

ca. 1943. Dancing was one of the major pastimes at the Welcome Party held at the 713-15 Commerce St. U.S.O. for Pearl Harbor war hero Doris "Dorie" Miller. A large group of African American servicemen watch couples dance at Tacoma's Colored U.S.O. where a party was held to welcome the war hero.

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

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken around 1943, Doris "Dorie" Miller, a hero from Pearl Harbor, posed outside of Tacoma's U.S.O. #2, 713-715 Commerce, with Druetta McCabe, then a volunteer USO hostess. On December 7, 1941, Mr. Miller was stationed on the USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor as a Mess Attendant First Class, a cook. During the Japanese bombing, he carried wounded sailors to safety, including the mortally wounded Captain of the ship. He then manned a 50 caliber Browning anti-aircraft gun until it ran out of ammunition and he was ordered to abandon ship. He managed to shoot down several Japanese planes, despite the fact that he had no artillery training. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery and valor, the first African American sailor to win this honor. He was killed in action on November 24, 1943, when his ship, the escort carrier Linscome Bay, was sunk during Operation Galvanic. (U.S.O. #2 brochure from Recognition Ceremony on March 30, 1943; www.history.navy.mil)

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

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;