Renamed Veterans Day in 1953, November 11 was first proclaimed as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I. That year, on November 13, John Philip Sousa's band played in the Washington National Guard Armory in Tacoma and President Woodrow Wilson spoke there two months earlier. In 1947, a Military Ball was held on Armistice Day at the Armory, where more than 1,500 people were expected to attend. The presentation of colors to the local reserve units of the Army and Army Air Corps highlighted the evening. Army and Navy dignitaries and prominent civilian guests attended the event. View of ceremonies under way at the Armory (T. Times, 11/12/47, p. 7).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

Lieutenant George Rapin, on leave in March of 1944, crouches to kiss his daughter, Barbara. He was on his first trip home since she was born. George Rapin graduated from Bellarmine High School in 1934. He and his family moved to California shortly after WWII. TPL-1987,

Military personnel--Tacoma; Fathers & children--Tacoma; Rapin, George--Family;

Civilian Defense bond wagon for war finance. Tacoma's Civilian Defense sent their bond wagon throughout the residential areas and the suburban business district in order to facilitate the purchase of war bonds. View of bond wagon with unidentified official bond sales person and unidentified Tacoma residents ready to purchase their war bonds The Federal Bakery is seen in the background. (T.Times, 6/15/44, p. 3) TPL-9360

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vending stands--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

First 100% bond block. Left to right view of Lillian Beauchamp, Ben Bassett and Earl Eklund at the first neighborhood block in Tacoma to have reached full neighborhood support for war bonds. All fifteen families will be honored on KTBI radio rally. Photograph was taken on June 21, 1944.

War bonds & funds; City & town life--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Beauchamp, Lillian; Eklund, Earl; Bassett, Ben;

War bond campaign. No fireworks will be seen this 4th of July, but the War Fund drive is in full swing during the last few days of bond sales. Official war bond salesmen are out in the streets of Tacoma, encouraging people to buy war bonds so the county can meet its quota. An unidentified woman is about to purchase a war bond from an unidentified war bond salesman (T. Times, 7/4/44, p. 14).

War bonds & funds; Fourth of July celebrations; Sales personnel--Tacoma;

On June 5, 1944, the War Stamp Minute Maids made an unannounced appearance at the Young Mens' Business Club luncheon to sell war bonds and stamps. They made a pleasing sight with their "V" for Victory halo hats and red, white and blue stamp boxes. The pictured men stepped forward to buy a $100 War Bond each. Pictured, left to right, purchasing their bond are George Neumeyer, Gil Gunderson, Leonard Peck, Jim Lasher and Gese Nist. Heading up the sale for the Maids are, left to right, Jean Hallen, Shirley Abel, Merrille Longstreth, Marilyn McCormack and Patty Doe. The maids were raising funds for the 5th War Loan Campaign. (T. Times, 7/5/44, p. 8).

War bonds & funds; Sales personnel--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Costumes;

Fifth War Loan Campaign parade. Thousands of Tacoma residents gathered on Broadway to see the Fifth War Loan Campaign parade. The parade was held on "Infantry Day". Parade Marshal was Mr. Reno Odlin, State Chairman of War Finance. View of fire trucks following parade caravan (T. Times, 6/16/44, p. 5).

War rallies--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Political pageantry--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma;

Hooker Electrochemical Co. was awarded the Army Navy "E" award by Major General Joseph D. Patch and Navy Officer W. C. Gilbert. An impressive ceremony was held at plant. Music was provided by the 440th Army Service Forces. Acting Mayor C. Val Fawcett was the Master of Ceremonies (T. Times, 1/10/45, p. 3).

Military decorations--Tacoma; Awards; Flags; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Acting Mayor Val Fawcett leads the singing of "God Bless America" during a Army-Navy "E" award ceremony at Hooker Electro-Chemical Company. Employees were honored for outstanding production of materials vital to the war effort. ALBUM 14. TPL-6654

Military decorations--Tacoma; Awards; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Avenger at Todd Pacific. The "Avenger" tank, commonly called by Marines "Water Buffalo" is visiting Tacoma for one week and can be seen at Todd Pacific Shipyards. It is technically called a LVT or landing vehicle tracked. View of two unidentified men standing in front of "Avenger" (T. Times, 8/24/44, p. 3).

Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Tank warfare; Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc. (Tacoma);

Avenger at Todd Pacific. This amphibious tractor was caught in the crossfire with machine guns and artillery, which put it out of commission after the battle of Tarawa. View of five unidentified men standing in front of "Avenger" (T. Times, 8/24/44, p. 3).

Tanks (Military science)--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Tank warfare; Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc. (Tacoma);

Navy Mothers' Club window at Penney's. A window display featuring photographs of men from Tacoma who are serving in the war, was set up by the Navy Mothers' Club in honor of Navy Day. The Navy Mothers' Club is one of the most active groups in Tacoma (T. Times, 10/26/44, p. 3).

Men--Commemoration--Tacoma; Military personnel--Tacoma; Window displays; J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma);

Bellarmine was one of two high schools in Washington State that offered ROTC units. Students met every day for one class period and wore their uniforms twice per week, uniforms were provided by the government. Students received class credits for joining the junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps. View of ROTC rifle team learning rifle marksmanship (Cage, 1946, p. 20-21).

Military education--Tacoma; Military training--Tacoma; Rifles; Cadets--Tacoma; Reserve Officers Training Corps (Tacoma); Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);

Audrey Moon and Morris Mahoney with two unidentified people, possibly their best man and maid of honor, get their photograph taken at Richard's Studio. Audrey is wearing a wedding band, Audrey and Morris were possibly married recently. The women are wearing corsages and knee length dresses. Morris is wearing his Navy uniform.

Military uniforms; Portrait photographs; Couples--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Moon, Audrey; Mahoney, Morris;

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;

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;

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.);

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 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);

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.;