Navy Day Parade held during Fleet Week in Tacoma. Mayor George Smitley and military officers on reviewing stand. (T. Times 7/24/1937, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956;

Thousands of spectators lined Broadway when over 4,000 soldiers, sailors and marines staged a military parade on Saturday July 24, 1937 as part of the annual Fleet Week program in Tacoma. Some 2,000 soldiers from Ft. Lewis joined 2,200 enlisted men and officers from the six battleships resting at anchor in Commencement Bay. Also taking part in the parade were a battalion of marines from the U.S.S. Oklahoma, and the combined bands of the Oklahoma, the U.S.S. West Virginia and the 10th Field Artillery Band from Ft. Lewis. The parade started at South 15th and Pacific. Marching north, they took So. 9th up to Broadway, and then marched south to So. 17th Street. In this photograph of the parade, the marine band led by drum major Roy Van Antwerp, is between So. 9th and So. 11th on Broadway. (T.Times 7/24/1937, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Van Antwerp, Roy; Drum majors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military bands--United States;

Army-Navy Game at Stadium Bowl. Flag bearers march in front of the officials stand where Rear Admiral T.T. Craven, Maj. Gen. David L. Stone, Mayor George A. Smitley, and others give honorary salutes. A large unit of soldiers stand at attention on the sidelines. A 21-gun salute fired from the 75 mm guns of Fort Lewis opened the military pageant which preceded the second annual football contest between the two Armed Forces branches. Musicians from the USS Idaho and the 10th Field Artillery supplied the obligatory marching tunes. (Bremerton Sun; T. Times 11-12-36, p. 1).

Military parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flags--United States; Flag bearers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flag salutes--Tacoma;

Three military men: soldier, sailor and marine. Tactical maneuvers at the Bremerton Navy Yards on March 23, 1936 brought together 2500 members of diverse military groups for "war practice." (Bremerton Sun)

Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton; Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Military personnel--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Soldiers wearing tear gas masks and long brimmed hats walking through a fog.

Army officers pose in a line to get food outside. Cooks hold wooden buckets and a plate of doughnuts.

Fort Lewis buffet featuring fruit salad, dips, cake and a large roast.

Men shown leaving work at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. The men must show their badge to Navy personnel before they can pass through the gate. Wooden buildings are in the background. (Bremerton Sun).

Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Boat & ship industry--Bremerton--1930-1940

Washington National Guard encampment, "Camp Wesley Lloyd." Mock retreat. Large group of soldiers wearing outrageous outfits and holding "Men at work" sign.

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

Washington National Guard encampment, "Camp Wesley Lloyd." Mock retreat. Officers walk past the strangely attired troops, wearing uniforms fastened backwards. The troops carry shovels and brooms instead of guns. One guardsman leans lazily on his broom. Another wears his uniform jacket, several hats and not much else.

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

Washington National Guard encampment, "Camp Wesley LLoyd." Special troops putting up tents.

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

In June of 1936, Lt. Ellsworth C. French, of the 116th Observation Squadron, demonstrated for the Tacoma Times the size and heft of an air camera. The camera was used to take ground pictures from an airplane. The 116th Observation Squadron was made up of photographers and lab technicians. They took photographs that were used to train units, especially in maneuvers into strange territories, and to map unfamiliar areas. The camera was really five cameras in one and shot separate frames that were then pieced together later. It used a 70 foot roll of 9 1/2 inch film. (T. Times 6/24/1936, pg. 4)

Washington National Guard, 116th Observation Squadron (Tacoma); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940; Cameras--1930-1940; Photographic apparatus & supplies; French, Ellsworth;

National Guard Review. 148th Field Artillery men marching with colors. Large unit of men standing at attention in open field, parade grounds. Six one-story wooden buildings with clerestories are in background. The 1936 annual encampment of the National Guard was held at Camp Murray and named Camp Wesley LLoyd, after the late congressman. Although the first week of camp was held in a downpour, the rain had ceased in time for the annual review by Governor Martin and military officials.

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

Citizen's Military Training Camp (C.M.T.C). at the Camp Murray mess hall. Group of young men eating at tables. After World War I, young men interested in the military could receive training in summer military camps. These citizen camps were a neccessary measure after World War 1. The nation could not afford to maintain a standing army of the size needed during a war; or spare the time to train the hastily summoned volunteers needed in an emergency. The training camps were an adequate compromise. (T. Times 7/9/1936, pg. 14)

Citizens Military Training Camp--Tacoma; Camp Murray (Wash.); Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Military camps--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Civilians Military Training Camp, C.M.T.C., at Camp Murray. Group of young men arriving at camp with satchels containing their belongings. During the 20s and 30s, young men interested in military careers could receive training in summer camps. This filled the gap between a large standing army, of the size needed during a war, and completely untrained volunteers. (T. Times 7/9/1936, pg. 14)

Citizens Military Training Camp--Tacoma; Camp Murray (Wash.); Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Military camps--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Big Buddy Day at Marymount Military Academy. Two young men shooting rifles from ground position at rifle range. Group of men and boys crowd under wooden shelter to observe activity. Big Buddy Day was an annual event at the school. As military school students, the boys were expected to develop as marksmen and athletes. School enrollment fluctuated over the years, but the school was designed to accomodate no more than 150 students from ages 6-16. The school closed in 1976, a victim of declining enrollment and increased costs.

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

Mrs. Edwin Messenger cuddles her new baby, Diane Grant Messenger, on March 23, 1938. The baby was born March 11th aboard the U.S. Grant, a transport ship. The vessel was delivering soldiers and their families from war torn China to Fort Lewis. Mrs. Messenger's husband was a Lieutenant in the 15th Infantry. On March 12th, the day old Diane turned three days old as the ship crossed the international date line. Her middle name was in honor of the ship. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1).

Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Messenger, Diane Grant; Messenger, Edwin--Family; Mothers & children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The U.S. Grant transport ship moves slowly into Tacoma's harbor on March 23, 1938. Its decks are lined with many of the 1,235 officers, enlisted men, wives and children returning with the Army's 15th U.S. Infantry, the "Can Do Regiment." The regiment's removal signals the end of 26 years of continuous service in China by the group. The passengers boarded the ship at Chingwantao on March 2 as bombing began in the war between Japan and China. (T. Times 3/24/1938, pg. 1+)

Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940;

The 10th Field Artillery band, state and local dignitaries, reporters and the Daffodil Queen waited at the Port of Tacoma to welcome occupants of the U.S. Grant transport ship as it prepared to dock. After 21 days at the sea, U.S. soldiers from the 15th US Infantry and their families returned home from China when bombing at Tientsin began. Thirty five soldiers were forced to leave their Chinese wives behind. US law strictly forbid the immigration of Chinese women, even those married to US soldiers. (T.Times 3/24/1938, p.1)

Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940;

The U.S. Grant, a 508-foot army transport ship, arrives in Tacoma with the fighting men of the "Can Do" infantry regiment aboard. After passing through customs, the men of the 15th Infantry will go to Fort Lewis. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1).

Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940;

Enhanced for better copy on the front page of the March 24, 1938 Tacoma Times, welcoming planes from Fort Lewis have been superimposed over the U.S. Grant transport ship arriving in Commencement Bay. The transport is crowded with 1235 officers and men from the 15th U.S. Infantry, their wives and children returning from China. The "Can Do Regiment" is being removed from China after 26 years of continuous service and reassigned to Fort Lewis. The passengers boarded the ship at Chingwantao on March 2 as bombing began in the war between Japan and China. (T. Times 3/24/1938, pg. 1+) TPL-1625

Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940; Fighter planes--1930-1940;

A huge crowd waits on the wharf as the first people leave the U.S. Grant transport ship and walk down gang plank. Waiting on the dock to meet the returning members of the 15th Infantry are various dignitaries and the Daffodil Queen, followed by several persons bearing large bouquets of daffodils for distribution. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1)

Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940; Military personnel--1930-1940; Military uniforms--United States --1930-1940;

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;

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;

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.;

148th Field Artillery Band with instruments. Group will play at Military Ball on May 20. Under director, Warrant Officer Louis G. Werson, the band won the state championship at Camp Murray encampment in 1938. The 148th F.A. was headquartered in Tacoma. (T. Times 5/12/1939, p. 20).

Washington National Guard, 148th F.A. Band (Tacoma); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel; Military bands;

On board the U.S.S. Lexington, aircraft carrier known as the "Queen of the Flattops,"in mid-December, 1929, were those instrumental in bringing emergency power to Tacoma. L-R, Chief Engineer Lt. Cdr. H.L. White, General Electric (maker and owner of the generators) representative Robert E. Lee, Utilities Commissioner Ira S. Davisson, City Light Supt. Llewellyn Evans, Tacoma Mayor James G. Newbegin (appointed in March of 1929 to replace the resigning Melvin G. Tennent), and ship commander, Frank D. Berrien. Tacoma experienced a severe shortage of electricity due to drought conditions; the Lexington, with its enormous generators, would deliver over 4 million kilowatts or about 25% of the city's power. TPL-1775. ALBUM 16.

U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States; White, H.L.; Lee, Robert E.; Davisson, Ira; Evans, Llewellyn; Newbegin, James G.; Berrien, Frank D.; Power shortages--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1929. U.S.S. Lexington, aircraft carrier, who came to the aid of the City of Tacoma and provided electricity from mid-December, 1929, to mid-January, 1930. The ship was berthed at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton with Capt. Frank D. Berrien in command. The fourth Navy ship to bear that name, she had been built by the Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation of Quincy, Mass. Her overall length was 888 feet and she had four turbo-generators. TPL-1937

U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States;

On February 5, 1921, soldiers at Camp Lewis enjoy reading at the Liberty Library located near the camp's Hostess House. Books, magazines and newspapers were supplied without charge. The Liberty Library opened in November of 1917 with 6000 donated books. The collection had grown to roughly 50,000 volumes a mere six months later. Books were supplied through the auspices of the American Library Association. Camp librarian Arthur Beardsley later indicated that the library had circulated 62,682 volumes in a camp with approximate population of 7094 in 1921. An 40-foot square addition to the original one-story library was made about 1918 as the library needed more space for materials and for patron usage. This addition was a periodical reading room, perhaps shown above, which was attached to the center of the original building. Racks for 150 periodicals and about 50 newspapers were provided and good chairs and tables furnished by the Army and its friends. (www.historylink.org; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-29-22, 10E) TPL-10309

Soldiers' libraries--Camp Lewis; Libraries--Camp Lewis;