U.S.O. #2, 713-15 Commerce St., circa 1946. During World War II, although black and white soldiers fought side by side, the United States Army was still segregated. In Tacoma, African American service men and women had their own USO Club at 713-15 Commerce. It was dedicated on September 4, 1942 and closed late in March of 1947. The Kaufman-Wolff building where it was located had previously housed the Soldiers and Sailors Clubhouse during World War I. USO #2 was enlarged in 1944 by adding an annex in the building to the north of the original club. The enlarged structure provided the following facilities: dark room, music room, hobby room, game room, showers, sleeping accommodations, library and snack bar. It was operated by the YMCA and staffed primarily by volunteers. (brochure from Recognition Ceremony USO Number Two on 3/30/1947; photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma).

On October 22, 1945, this group of unidentified individuals were photographed seated around a table after what appears to be a dinner at the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

On Sunday February 3, 1946, a dinner was held at the Tacoma USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St., honoring the 5th anniversary of USO operation. The United Service Organizations, or USO, was incorporated in New York Feb. 4, 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who believed it was important for private citizens to take responsibility for the on-leave recreation needs of service members. One of the guests of honor for the Tacoma celebration was Mayor Harry Cain, standing center, who attended with his wife Marjorie, last woman seated left. Seated to the right of Mayor Cain was Mr. Arthur Hayes, chairman of the club's operating committee. The other individuals at the table were unidentified. (TNT 2/3/1946, pg. A-7, 2/4/1946, pg. 1: photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

The performance by the 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest, under the direction of Dr. Francis Aranyi, was one of the highlights of the USO Music Festival held July 28, 1946 at Point Defiance. The festival was held in the natural amphitheater at the entrance to the park. The concert drew over 7,000 listeners. It was also broadcast over the Mutual Network by KMO. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2) Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)

An unidentified majorette performs with the Seattle Elks Band at the USO Music Festival at Point Defiance Park on July 28, 1946. The band was one of many performers in the concert attended by over 7,000. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2; Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)

ca. 1947. Orson Welles (standing), noted performer and director of stage, screen and radio, conferred with an unidentified African American pianist in this undated photograph. Two women in hats looked on from the drawing room beyond. The occasion was possibly in March of 1947, when Mr. Welles spoke to 5,000 persons in the Armory as a guest of the Tacoma Jewish Association in observance of Brotherhood Week.

Group of Japanese American soldiers standing in an auditorium. There is a no smoking sign and a smoking room pictured in the background.

Army officers pose in front of the Mess Hall, taking plates of pie from the tray of a cook. Sign in the background reads, "1418 MESS ENL. MEN."

"Japanese Americans Eating Meal." Uniformed Japanese American Army members eating bento boxes with other soldiers. Unlabeled soda bottles and tea cups are on the table.

Three Army officers balancing on a horse with other officers looking on. Men in suits also watch from a covered areas in the distance.

"Camp Hankens - 1935." Group of soldiers pose with tents in the background.

Explosion on test site.

"Medical Detachment, 148th Field Artillery - Major Wood, C.O. Camp Norway, 1931."

Cobbler at sole stitching machine in a work coat.

Third Division Reunion at Fort Lewis. Military unit on parade grounds in front of officers' quarters. Troops mark the anniversary of fire baptism in the World War, 19 years ago. Division was organized November 1917. (T. Times, 7/15/1937, p. 1).

Events - Military Events - Military Reunions - Fort Lewis - 3rd DivisionFacilities - Military Facilities - Washington - Fort Lewis

Crowds gather to view Fort Lewis on Army Day, 1937. On Army Day, the military played host to the surrounding community showing off their installation and equipment. Large group of people gathered on field in front of brick buildings and post chapel. Chapel designed by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects. (T. Times).

Fort Lewis (Wash.);

Army Day, 1937 Open House at Fort Lewis Several people gathered around a small airplane and others visiting open tents. (T. Times).

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Fighter planes--1930-1940;

Bellarmine cadets with their instructor Major A. L. Warren in front of the Post Chapel on Fort Lewis on Army Day, April of 1937. Thousands flooded the Fort each year for the annual event to check out the newest equipment the army had. Pictured left to right are Robert Glueck, Philip McElwain, Ormond LaFramboise, Emil Joinette, Blair McLean, Paul Kiely, Maj. Warren, G.A. Villoescusa, Jim Grenier, Dick Hutt and Eugene Reischl. (T. Times 4/7/1937, pg. 1)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Cadets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Warren, A.L.; Glueck, Robert; McElwain, Philip; LaFramboise, Ormond; Joinette, Emil; McLean, Blair; Kiely, Paul; Villoescusa, G.A.; Grenier, Jim; Hutt, Dick;

KP duty during Fort Lewis Army Day, 1937. Army maneuvers at Fort Lewis. Soldiers washing their metal mess trays outside in galvanized metal wash tubs. Wooden building in the background. (T. Times).

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Soldiers--1930-1940;

Army Day at Fort Lewis. Heads snap "Eyes right," as the 6th Engineers detachment parades by the reviewing officers. Review group stand and Officer's Quarters in background. (T. Times 4/6 & 4/7/1936, pg. 1)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Soldiers;

Third Division Review held at Fort Lewis May 13, 1937. Soldiers march with rifles over their shoulders in front of military and government officials. (T. Times, 5/14/1937, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis;

Military officers and dignitaries in the reviewing stand at Fort Lewis during the May 13, 1937 review of the Third Division. It is worth noting that the army still used covered wagons pulled by mules to transport supplies (far left). (T. Times 5/14/1937, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis;

Photographs of the Third Division Review held at Fort Lewis May 13, 1937 with various public officials and high ranking officers in attendance. In this picture, troops march before the reviewing stand as planes zoom overhead. (T.Times 5/14/1937, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Fighter planes--1930-1940;

Governors Review at Fort Lewis. Six military tanks in parade at this point; courtesy of either the 3rd Tank Co. or 41st Tank Co. Each tank has two men standing in the hull. A dirigible from the 3rd Balloon Co. is suspended overhead throughout the review. The U.S. Army put on a show of military force when it gathered 14,000 troops to pass in review before the governors of Washington, Oregon and Montana. Major General George A. White, commander of the 41st Division, was in charge of troop activity. 7518 men were from the national guard; Oregon sent the most, over 3000. (T .Times, 8-21-37, p. 1, 8-23-37, p. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Tanks (Military science)--Fort Lewis;

Navy Day Parade held in Tacoma during Fleet Week. Sailors march down Broadway in front of buildings in the 900 block. A large crowd of spectators line the sidewalks. The parade route began at 15th and Pacific, continued north on Pacific to 9th, from 9th to Broadway and south to 17th. The parade was more than a mile long. (T. Times 7/24/1937, pg.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Parade in Tacoma. A Marine unit stands at attention along a side street in Tacoma. They are in full dress uniform with gloves and rifles. They will soon be marching in the Fleet Week parade with soldiers from Fort Lewis and sailors from the US Navy as Tacoma welcomes back its Fleet. (T. Times 7/30/1936, pg. 1).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Marines (Military personnel);

Army Day at Fort Lewis. 148th Field Artillery, Battery F trucks in formation. .

Military vehicles--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fort Lewis (Wash.); Soldiers;

Coast Artillery from Fort Worden were photographed landing from the Artillery cutter Chelan for tactical maneuvers at the Bremerton Navy Yards on March 23, 1936. The men are wearing heavy coats, ammunition belts, and helmets. The Navy Yard is in the background. (Bremerton Sun).

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

Washington National Guard encampment, "Camp Wesley LLoyd." 148th Field Artillery, Battery D. Field pieces in action. Soldiers setting-up cannons.

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

Citizen's Military Training Camp (C.M.T.C.) at Camp Murray. Several young men suiting-up in camp uniforms. During this annual summer camp, the young men will be trained to operate as soldiers. The men are, left to right, Mike Brendel of Carbonado, Stewart Coubrey, Jack Vincent, Irving Wright- all of Seattle and Bob Halverson of Milton. (T. Times 7/9/1936, pg. 14)

Citizens Military Training Camp--Tacoma; Camp Murray (Wash.); Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Military camps--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brendel, Mike; Coubrey, Stewart; Vincent, Jack; Wright, Irving; Halverson, Bob;