View of the Grand Rapids' stern taken on March 3, 1970. Tacoma Boatbuilding was nearing an end to the 12-boat contract with the Navy to build aluminum gunboats for the US Navy. The Grand Rapids would be launched on April 4, 1970, with then-House Minority Leader and future President Gerald R. Ford and family in attendance. The Grand Rapids, the second ship of that name in the Navy, was named for the city in Michigan, the hometown of Gerald Ford. She would be commissioned five months later in September, 1970, and decommissioned in 1977. (www.navsource.org/archives; Marine Digest, April 11, 1970) Photograph ordered by US Steel.

Gunboats--United States; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Two unidentified soldiers clean their rifles and polish their boots, as a barracks cat watches intently. Tacoma observed its first peace-time Army Day in five years on Saturday April 6, 1946. A cold, southwesterly wind failed to keep thousands from flocking downtown to watch soldiers, veterans, Wacs, state guardsmen and military equipment pass in review. An open house at McChord Field attacted thousands to the air force base to inspect all kinds of military planes and weapons. TPL-6691

Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Barracks--Tacoma; Rifles; McChord Field (Tacoma); Armed Forces Day;

Washington National Guard had just received 155mm howitzers, cannons and other large firing weapons, from the government. Guardsmen would receive training on how to use the new equipment at Camp Murray. The weapons would be used by the National Guard in future maneuvers. View of two Guardsmen inspecting the newly arrived four barreled firing weapon (T. Times, 10/9/47, p. 2).

Militias; Artillery (Weaponry)--Tacoma; Artillery (Troops)--Tacoma; Arms & armament--Tacoma; Washington National Guard (Tacoma);

New reserves in uniform stand on bleachers at Fort Lewis in late June of 1950. They would undergo refresher training on combat techniques taught by seasoned veterans.

Military reserves; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

New reserves pose for the camera at Fort Lewis in June 1950. Nineteen men stand at ease awaiting the photographer's instructions. By October of that year, Fort Lewis was a major enlisted reservist training center, the only one of its kind on the West Coast. Reservists were given intensive combat refresher training by combat veterans. (TNT 10-22-50, p. A-11)

Military; Military reserves; Photographers;

A volunteer offers advice during the servicemen's game of checkers at the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific, sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Churches. The center, under the direction of Rev. Loyal H. Vickers, was in its seventh year of operation and provided recreation for about 12,000 persons a month. In addition to recreation, the center also offered religious instruction for the young people of Tacoma. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Checkers; Board games;

The 98th Field Artillery (pack) Battalion was formed in 1940 at Fort Lewis. It was one of only five battalions in the U.S. Army that handled mules. The mules were used to transport artillery where mechanized units could not go. A mule is created by breeding a male donkey to a female horse. The resulting mule has greater endurance, is stronger and less excitable than a horse. The line of mules in the back of the photograph seems to be feasting at feed stalls. The ones in the front are tied to a rope. The mules at Fort Lewis were used during World War II. Conscription was running high and most of the men assigned to the battalion had never worked with mules. (T.Times 2/26/1941 p.3; 3/8/1941, pg. 8)

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

Wedding of Lt. A. W. Pribnow and Betty Fry at Fort Lewis. Mock wedding on mule back. The color guard and buglers march ahead of the wedding couple that ride in chairs strapped to either side of a mule's back. The Officers Club can be seen in the background. Reviving an old artillery custom, the newly married couple is paraded on the battalion's equipment. The equipment is usually a gun carriage, but in the case of the 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion, the parade equipment is a mule. (not the same event as D10861 image A)

Fort Lewis (Wash.); Mules; 98th Field Artillery (Pack) Battalion (Ft. Lewis); Pribnow, A.W.; Fry, Betty;

The curriculum at Marymount Military Academy at 423 152nd Street East in Spanaway encompassed a wide variety of activities including music, shooting and horseback riding. This photograph of the Academy's cadet band appeared in the Tacoma Times in February of 1941. Marymount opened in 1923 as a Catholic military boarding school for boys ages 6-16, the only institution of its kind in the state of Washington. Enrollment began to fall off in the late 1960 and early 1970s and the school closed in 1976. (T. Times 2/26/1941, pg. 41- names in picture caption)

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

Review of troops at Fort Lewis for Governor Langlie. The new Governor of Washington would be reviewing the 3,200 selectees of the 3rd Division, accompanied by tanks and vehicles. The afternoon would be spent in close inspection of artillery.

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Artillery (Weaponry);

A happy group of soldiers wave to the photographer as he captures a close-up of members of the "Can Do" 15th Army Infantry regiment returning to Fort Lewis from China. The soldiers pose on the deck of the US Grant transport ship, which whisked them away from China as bombing increased by Japan. Their departure ended 26 years of continuous service in China by the regiment, during which they assisted the Chinese through flood and famines. (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;

Some of the 808 army officers and men of the 15th US Infantry, dressed in military overcoats, crowd the U.S. Grant's deck as naval officers ready the transport ship for its arrival in Tacoma. Airplanes from Fort Lewis fly over Commencement Bay. (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;

Soldiers with duffel bags and foot lockers wait patiently on home ground to clear customs in Tacoma after fleeing China and traveling 21 days aboard the army transport U.S. Grant. The 15th Infantry Regiment is being reassigned from China to Fort Lewis. The men had been removed from China because of the escalating hostilities between that country and Japan. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1)

Troop movements--1930-1940; Military personnel--1930-1940; Military uniforms--United States --1930-1940;

General Carlos A. Penington, of Tacoma, and his staff salute as they pass by the Governor's reviewing stand on horseback. They are taking part in Camp Aston, the 58th annual training encampment of the Washington National Guard, held June 11th- 25th at Camp Murray. Over 3,000 troops took part in the Governor's review held June 20th. (T. Times 6/20/1938, pg. 1)

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

Although the United States was not at war in 1938, Washington National Guardsmen kept their skills fresh by attending the annual summer training camp. Most journeyed to Camp Murray near Tacoma but coast artillery units were stationed at Fort Worden near Port Townsend. Here they practiced loading and firing the big coastal artillery guns from bunkers. Strategically placed batteries were capable of defending the coast against battleships and enemy landings. (St. George: Fort Worden History-article)

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Fort Worden (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940; Artillery (Weaponry)--Fort Worden;

50th Anniversary banquet of Troop B Cavalry and Washington Cavalry Association, held in Tacoma June 25th, 1938. The banquet gathered together all the cavalrymen who had ridden under the flag of Troop B, Tacoma's most famous military organization. Troop B was the oldest military group in the state and was often referred to as the "City Troop" by old timers. Its actual designation was Headquarters Troop, 24th Cavalry Division, Washington National Guard. Troop B served as the guard of honor at the inauguration of the first Governor of the state in 1889, as well as in conflicts in Mexico and Berlin. (T. Times 6/23/1938, pg. 8)

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington National Guard, 24th Cavalry Division (Tacoma);

During Fleet Week, July 5 through 11, 1938, Tacoma played host to 5200 officers and men of the visiting battleships, the USS California, West Virginia, Tennessee and Maryland. In return, the Navy thrilled Tacoma with a military parade, boat races and nighttime searchlight displays. Pictured are five Navy battleships anchored in Commencement Bay.

Battleships--1930-1940; Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Interior of new addition to National Guard Armory showing soldiers in formation with twelve wheeled artillery guns. The new addition was constructed in August of 1939 with funds supplied by the state and the PWA. It was 100 by 200 sq. feet with a 30 foot ceiling. Its curved roof replaced the former pillars, providing an unobstructed view. After the extensive remodel, the size of the space had increased by 1/3, with vast improvements also in lighting, ventilation and acoustics. (T. Times 10/7/1939, pg. 1) (filed with Argentum)

State Armory (Tacoma); Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Uniforms--Washington National Guard--1930-1940; Artillery (Weaponry);

Big Buddy Day at Marymount Military Academy. Guitarist surrounded by large group of singing men and boys. Big Buddy Day was an annual event at the Academy, where men and boys joined together to ride, shoot, swim, play basketball and participate in group activities. Marymount was a military boarding school for boys ages 6-16. The school had high academic standards and was dedicated to developing the character of students. Many former students went on to hold high offices in government, business and education.

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

Two small boys dressed in military outfits stood bearing arms on Big Buddy Day, Feb.22,1940, at Marymount Military Academy. Marymount, a Catholic boys' school near Spanaway, was the only military school in the state of Washington and a charter member of the National Rifle Association. Big Buddy Day was an annual event where boys and men could participate in shooting, riding, swimming, basketball and exhibitions such as this one. Students ranged from preschool (age 6) to 9th grade. The school, which was run by the Dominican Sisters of Tacoma, was small, with an total enrollment that was usually under 100. The little soldier to the left is Robert H. Gilroy, Jr., with his father, Robert, Sr., seated beside him.

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway; Gilroy, Robert H.;

ca. 1938. National Guard review. 148th Field Artillery Rifle team. (filed with Argentum)

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

Fort Lewis arranged a 3-5 hour parade of military might on May 9, 1941 in honor of Lt. General John L. DeWitt, commanding general of the 4th Army. 45,000 troops would pass in review, as well as 5,000 mechanized units. In this picture, trucks pull artillery, with 10 soldiers riding in the back of each truck. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 2; 5/9/41, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Artillery (Weaponry)--Fort Lewis;

On May 9, 1941, a large military review, the largest since World War I, was held at Fort Lewis for the benefit of Lt. General John L. DeWitt. Here, all terrain vehicles tow artillery mounted on trailers. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 2; 5/9/41, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Artillery (Weaponry)--Fort Lewis;

A three star review, the largest since World War I, was held at Fort Lewis in honor of Lt. General John L. DeWitt, the West's only 3 star General. Lt. Gen. DeWitt, commanding general of the Fourth Army, was visiting the Fort from his Headquarters at the Presidio, San Francisco. Over 45,000 troops would pass in review, as well as tanks, a blimp, artillery with its pack mules and Cavalry. During the parade, ten bands comprised of 400 musicians played continuously for the 3-5 hours. (T. Times 5/6/1941, pg. 2; 5/9/41, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Musicians--Fort Lewis--1940-1950; Fort Lewis (Wash.); Marching bands;

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 front of Stadium High School in May of 1941. The entire student body assembled in front of the building for 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;

Sgt. Lawrence A. Lewis, tank commander, flashes a grin at the camera despite his flour whitened face and the fact that he has just been "slain" by a Molotov cocktail. On October 21, 1941, Sgt. Lewis was one of 4500 soldiers participating in exercises where 41 tanks squared off against 37 and 75 mm anti-tank gun on the Fort Lewis reservation, near Roy. Luckily the "cocktail" contained only flour, and his be-floured face is evidence of the hit. Asked how it felt to be "killed," he replied, "It made me sneeze." (T. Times, 10-22-41, p. 1)

Military maneuvers--Fort Lewis; Military personnel--Fort Lewis; Lewis, Lawrence;

On October 30, 1941, the troops of the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis took to the streets of downtown Tacoma in a tremendous military spectacle. Over 10,000 soldiers, as well as their mechanized units, took part in an enormous Army parade. A crowd of Tacomans turned out to watch the spectacle.

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

On October 30, 1941, jeeps roll down the Broadway parade route as Fort Lewis shows off its military strength in a parade. Over 10,000 soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division marched as well as a steady flow of tanks, artillery and mechanized machinery.

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

On October 30, 1941, the 3rd Infantry Division of Fort Lewis took part in a huge military parade through downtown Tacoma. Men in jeeps pull artillery weapons. The Roxy Theater is on the right. The Bostwick building can be seen in the center background.

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

On October 30, 1941, the men of the 3rd Infantry, a division of Fort Lewis, march down the street in mass formation, suggesting the tremendous military power of the US. The line of marching men was over 6 miles long.

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