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;

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;

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;

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;

Army Day at Fort Lewis marks the 21st anniversary of the United States entry into the World war. Corporal Gerald Roeder, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, explains how the theodolite instrument determines wind velocity. (T.Times, 4/6/1938, p.1).

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Meteorology; Meteorological instruments--1930-1940;

1938 Army Day at Fort Lewis. A soldier demonstrates the use of a rifle to several people attending the World War I anniversary event. Once a year, the army base threw open its doors to show their current state of national preparedness to defend the country. (T. Times 4/6/1938, pg. 1)

Arms & armament--Tacoma--1930-1940; Artillery (Weaponry); Fort Lewis (Wash.);

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.

Army Day at Fort Lewis, April 6, 1936. 30,000 visitors were expected to take advantage of this annual opportunity to view Ft. Lewis peacetime activities. Included in the festivities was a review of the troops. Soldiers assembling for parade. Groups are gathering on street lined with young trees and 3-story, brick buildings. Wooden buildings are in the background. (T. Times 4/6/1936 & 4/7/1936, pg 1)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Soldiers;

Army Day at Fort Lewis. Military unit on parade grounds. Memorial monument and several 2-story, brick buildings in background. (T. Times 4/6 & 4/7/1936, pg.1)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Soldiers;

Field artillery. Four radio operators with equipment set-up in an open field.

Military - U. S. Army - Military Units - Field Artillery - Radio OperatorsEquipment - Military Equipment - Communication Equipment - Radio Equipment

The massed colors of all the regiments in the Third Division are held at attention before the crowd at the Third Div. Review at Fort Lewis on May 13, 1937. (T.Times 5/14/1937, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Military standards;

Fort Lewis Third Division Review, held May 13, 1937. Front view of military tank, with two soldiers visible through openings beneath the gun turret.

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

As part of the annual Army-Navy parade this battalion of Marines marched north on Pacific Avenue at 10th Street on Thursday morning, July 30, 1936. Thousands of spectators lined the sidewalks beneath the rows of flags that adorned the downtown streets. For the parade, in honor of Fleet Week, military personnel and motorized equipment were provided by Fort Lewis, as well as the Navy and Marines from nine visiting cruisers at anchor in Commencement Bay. Marching bands came both from Fort Lewis and the flagships. Some 2,000 men thrilled the crowds as an example of the nation's military might. (T. Times 7/30/1936, pg. 1-article; T.Times 7-29-36, p. 1-article).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma); Riviera Theatre (Tacoma); Marines (Military personnel);

Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Parade. Marine unit carrying rifles turns West on South 9th Street from Pacific Avenue. They will proceed up the hill to Broadway. Spectators line the street and sidewalks. The parade was being held in honor of Fleet Week. (T. Times 7/30/1936, pg. 1).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma); Riviera Theatre (Tacoma); Marines (Military personnel);

Military personnel, provided by Fort Lewis, the US Navy and the Marines, parade down the 900 block of Pacific Ave. for the Fleet Week parade. Two flag bearers march in front, flags whipping in the breeze. The Riviera Theater, Rust Building and other 900 Pacific Avenue block buildings are in background. (T. Times 7/30/1936, pg. 1).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma); Riviera Theatre (Tacoma); Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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;