ca. 1934. Congressional Inspection at Fort Lewis. Group portrait of men, including Army officers, and women on the brick steps of multi-doored, colonnaded building. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Times. (WSHS)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.;

In November of 1934, the $90,000 chapel at Fort Lewis had been recently completed. The chapel was a two-story brick structure with a colonnaded entry and a rose window above. The chapel was the showpiece of the 5 1/2 million dollar development program at Fort Lewis. During a six year period, 80 new buildings were built, as well as roads and a new water supply system. The bill for the work was covered by the federal government and provided jobs for thousands in the depression weakened economy. (T. Times 11/23/1934, pg. 1) (WSHS)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Military facilities--Wash.; Chapels--Fort Lewis;

Army Day at Fort Lewis. Rear Admiral E. B. Fenner, Naval Commander at Bremerton, Brigadier General T. E. Merrill, Fort Lewis Commander, Colonel Francis W. Clark, and the commanders' aides return salutes to the 13 guns honoring the naval visitor.

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Fenner, E.B.; Merrill, T.E.; Clark, Francis W.; Saluting;

Army Day at Fort Lewis. Staff Sergeant H. E. Etheridge, 91st Air Squadron, explains to Leona Schuck of Olympia how the 30-caliber rear flexible machine gun fires 1200 rounds of ammunition per minute. (T.Times, 4/6/1938, p.1).

Arms & armament--Tacoma--1930-1940; Artillery (Weaponry); Fort Lewis (Wash.); Etheridge, H.E.; Schuck, Leona; Fighter planes--1930-1940; Machine guns;

Young men "chow down" in the Camp Murray Mess Hall during the July 1934 Citizen's Military Training Camp (CMTC). at Camp Murray. They sit at picnic style tables eating, among other things, mashed potatoes and gravy, bread and pie. The camp was a combined training for the CMTC, ROTC and Officers' Reserve Corps. 68 of the 127 boys in CMTC were in camp for the first time. They were assigned to Company K in the infantry. The remainder were divided into Red, White and Blue groups in infantry and field artillery. The boys came from a radius of 100 miles of Ft. Lewis. The ROTC was composed of 79 students from Pacific Northwest Universities. (T. Times 7/13/1934, pg. 1)

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

Troop B demonstrates some trick riding at Camp A. H. Hankins, the 1935 Washington National Guard encampment at Camp Murray. Three soldiers are head and shoulders above the rest on a single horse as they pose one atop another. Troop B is actually designated as the Headquarters Troop, 24th Cavalry Division, Washington National Guard and it is the oldest military organization in the state. Around 8,000 citizen soldiers from the Northwest took part in the 15 day training. (T. Times 6/12/1935, pg. 1)

Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940; Horseback riding; Horses; Washington National Guard, 24th Cavalry Division (Tacoma);

Military parade at the 1934 Washington National Guard encampment at Camp Murray, the "Camp Draper," featuring covered wagons pulled by horses. Included in the 1934 roster of the Wa. Nat'l. Guard were 32 animals.

Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel; Washington National Guard (Wash.); Horses; Covered wagons;

Cannons and men in field at the Washington National Guard training encampment at Camp Murray. The 1934 exercises were named Camp Draper in honor of Major Sylvester Draper, former Inspector General of the Guard. (filed with Argentum)

Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel; Washington National Guard (Wash.); Arms & armament--1930-1940; Covered wagons;

Big Buddy Day Marymount Military Academy. Norton Clapp, left, with tennis racket shakes hands with a young tennis player over the net on the academy's tennis courts. Building in background. Big Buddy Day was an annual event at the Academy where men and boys could participate in sports and programs together. The school had rigid standards in academics and athletics. The teacher-student ratio was 1-6. By 1974, the military designation and uniforms were dropped and the school became primarily a boarding school catering to the wealthy.

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995;

More than 400 wives and children returned to the United States from China with their soldier husbands and fathers aboard the transport ship, the US Grant. Shortly after boarding the ship, Lieutenant Edwin Messenger's wife gave birth to a baby girl, Diane Grant Messenger, on March 1. Baby Diane is held by an unidentified woman, with Mrs. Messenger affectionately looking on.

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

Members of the 161st pass in procession at the annual Governor's review June 19, 1938 at Camp Murray. The Governor is reviewing our National Guard troops during their 58th annual training encampment, Camp Aston. Over 3,000 troops took part in the staging. One of the three military bands taking part can be seen in the background. (T. Times 6/20/1938, pg. 1)

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

One reservist studies the map while others work on the vehicle during maneuvers at Camp Thomas Aston, held at Camp Murray. the two week field training was held June 11th- 25th, 1938. Over 2600 officers and men were involved.

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

A training lecture is held in the relative stillness of a grove of trees at Camp Murray. An officer speaks beside an easel holding visual aids. He leans on a pointing device. The officers and men are taking part in the 58th annual training encampment for the National Guard, Camp Aston, held June 11-25th, 1938. General Carlos A. Penington of Tacoma was the Camp Commander and the Field Commander for the 81st Infantry Brigade. Brigadier General Albert H. Beebe of Seattle was the Field Commander for the 61st Field Artillery. Over 2600 officers and men took part in the exercise. (T. Times 6/11/1938, pg. 1)

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

The reserves roll out their tanks as the 58th annual encampment of the National Guard stages the governors review at Camp Murray on June 19, 1938. The camp was named Camp Thomas Aston, after the late Colonel Aston who commanded the 161st infantry in Spokane. Over 2600 officers and men took part in the training exercises and review. (T. Times 6/20/1938, pg. 1)

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tanks (Military science); Armored vehicles--1930-1940;

Washington National Guardsmen load one of the big coastal artillery guns at Fort Worden prior to firing it over the bunker wall. Beyond the bunker wall can be seen the beach and coastal waters.

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Fort Worden (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On March 9, 1941, Lt. Jack M. Murphy and his bride were given a strange welcome by the 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion officers at Fort Lewis. Following an old artillery custom of giving a newly wedded couple a ride on a caisson or gun carriage, the officers of the Battalion, lacking such equipment, strapped two wicker chairs to one of the battalion's mules and gave their new officer and his sweetie a bumpy ride around the post. The five battery commanders, on mules, carrying their battery flags preceded the couple. The pair were followed by other officers and some of their wives, also on mules. The end destination was a reception in the couple's honor at the Officers' Club. (T. Times 3/13/1941, pg.1) (not taken at the same event as D10861 images 5 & 9)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Mules; Murphy, Jack M.; 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion (Ft. Lewis);

Raymond S. Coon, left, of Wenatchee is being fingerprinted by Cpl. Steve A. Hayes of the Seattle Recruiting office prior to being inducted into the US Army on November 18, 1940. Mr. Coon is in the first group of 29 Selective Service volunteers to be processed in this area. When asked why he volunteered, Mr. Coon replied that he had no job, no debts, no dependents and it just seemed like a good time for his army training. By volunteering, he could select the time rather than waiting for his draft number to be called. (T. Times 11/19/1940, pg. 11)

Military personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coon, Raymond S.; Hayes, Steve A.; World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Fingerprinting;

New recruits at McChord Field rest during a training session, the moment caught by a military photographer. 900 new volunteers were undergoing six weeks of rigorous training at the site of the old Tacoma Field hangar, deeded in 1938 to the US government and now part of McChord Field. (T. Times 11/27/1940, pg. 1)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; McChord Field (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training; Military life;

Recruits drill up and down the runways of McChord Field. They are part of the current group of 900 receiving training at this location. Although never intended to serve as a training location, McChord is being utilized as such as the armed services expand in preparation for war. These volunteers will receive six weeks of intensive training at this site. (T. Times 11/27/1940, pg. 1)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; McChord Field (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training; Military life;

The officers who will run the new Recruit Center at McChord Field pose for the camera. They are, left to right, Capt. Charles A Green, Capt. W.J. Herlihy, Col. B.T. Burt- Commanding Officer, 1st Lt. James R. Williams and 1st Lt. Jack E. Rowley. The center will be training new volunteers in specialized branches of the service. (T. Times 11/27/1940, pg. 1)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; McChord Field (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training; Military life; Green, Charles A.; Herlihy, W.J.; Burt, B.T.; Williams, James R.; Rowley, Jack E.;

Privates B.J. Larson, William P. Biggs and Gale Sersain scrub the concrete outside the temporary headquarters of the new Recruit Center at McChord Field. Sgt. L. T. Thomas looks on approvingly. As the Air Corps and the other branches of the service struggled to expand, more centers were needed to train volunteers, and later draftees. This center was set up around the location of the old Tacoma Field hangar, now part of McChord Field. (T. Times 11/27/1940, pg. 1)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; McChord Field (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training; Military life; Larson, B.J.; Biggs, William P.; Sersain, Gale; Thomas, L.T.;

On November 25, 1940, Staff Sgt. James E. Phillips addressed a portion of the 900 new recruits undergoing intensive training centered at the old Tacoma Field hangar, now part of McChord Field. The Air Force Base was never intended as a training location, but as the Air Corps has expanded and the armed forces make the transition from peace to potential war, the area has been adopted for this purpose. The recruits are destined for specialized branches of the service, for example air corps, signal corps, ordinance or medical corps. They will undergo six weeks of intensive training. Unlike the selective service volunteers who serve for one year, these recruits will serve for three. (T. Times 11/27/1940, pg. 1)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; McChord Field (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training; Military life; Phillips, James E.;

A portion of the 1st Battalion of the 161st Regiment of Infantry is shown standing at attention at Fort Lewis. The 161st was part of the Washington National Guard. Along with the rest of the 41st Infantry Division, they had been called into active duty on September 16, 1940. They were first sent to Camp Murray and later moved to Fort Lewis. (T. Times 12/23/1940, pg. 1)

Washington National Guard, 161st Infantry, Company G (Wash.);

On April 17, 1941, the 205th Coast Artillery (anti-aircraft) unit defended the Tacoma's industrial coast from a mock military attack by airplanes. Men wearing gas masks fire machine guns from dugouts in the sand, camouflaged by nets. Part of Hooker Chemical plant, 605 Alexander Ave., is pictured in the background. [Also dated 04-19-1941] (T. Times) TPL-797

205th Coast Artillery (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Military training; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

A light tank from the United States Army 3rd Tank Company took to the air on May 23, 1939, as Crown Prince Olav of Norway watched from the reviewing stand at Fort Lewis. He and Crown Princess Martha spent two hours watching intently as 8,000 soldiers passed in review, attack planes flew in formation, and maneuvers utilizing tanks traveled over man-made obstacles at speeds of 40 mph. Approximately 5000 Tacoma/ Pierce County civilians, mostly of Scandinavian heritage, watched from nearby hillsides and bleachers. (TNT 5-24-39, p. 6) TPL-10333

Visits of state--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma;

Two Army trucks at Camp Murray showing the contrast between old and new models. (filed with Argentum)

Military vehicles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Camp Murray (Wash.);

A military brass band gave the 41st Division, Fort Lewis baseball team a royal sendoff on August 12, 1941 when they left Tacoma's Union Station for Wichita, Kansas. They were going to Wichita to represent Washington state in the national semi-pro baseball tournament. The team from the Army's 41st had finished third in the Washington state championship series that was held that year in Everett. The teams that came in first and second, the Lake Washington team from Seattle and the Everett Pilchuks, were unable to attend the tourney. (T. Times 8/13/1941, pg. 13- names in caption)

Washington National Guard, 41st Division (Camp Murray); Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad cars; Military bands;

The largest collection of military might since World War I was paraded on May 9, 1941 for the benefit of Lt. Gen. John L. DeWitt. Gen. DeWitt was the commanding officer of the 4th Army and the West's only three star General. In a parade that lasted over three hours, 45,000 troops passed in review with the 41st Division in the lead, followed by the 3rd Division, IX Corps, tanks, a blimp, and the always amusing Field Pack Artillery mules. Officers accompanied their units on horseback and the Cavalry brought up the rear of the parade. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 2; 5/9/41, pg.1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Mules; Fort Lewis (Wash.); 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion (Ft. Lewis);

The student body of Stadium High School assembled in front of their school as a squad of R.O.T.C. cadets from Bellarmine High School fired three volleys with their rifles at the Memorial Day service held in May of 1941. During the solemn ceremony, special tribute was paid to the 11 Stadium alumni who lost their lives in WWI. (T. Times 5/30/1941 p.1)

Military training--Tacoma; Cadets--Tacoma; Reserve Officers Training Corps--Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Memorial Day; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Commemoration--Tacoma;

On October 30, 1941, all the stores downtown closed in the morning as Tacoma turned out for a massive parade of pre World War II military might. Over 10,000 men from the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis marched as well as a parade of mechanized strength. One of the most impressive sights was the mobile kitchens where military cooks prepared food as they moved down Broadway during the two hour parade. Here soldiers receive coffee in the early morning hours prior to the parade kick off.

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;