Modelling the latest in "tin hats" and armbands are Civilian Defense officers, left to right, Joseph Lanser, Frank Evans and George Russell. On Friday, April 17, 1942, Tacoma received its first shipment of steel helmets and armbands for their Air Raid Wardens. The shipment included 250 of each. The "tin hats" were made of steel thick enough to protect the wearer from shrapnel splinters. The trio is posing at the Civilian Defense Volunteer office at the City Hall Annex. (T. Times 4/18/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Lanser, Joseph; Evans, Frank; Russell, George; Helmets; Flags--United States;

In March of 1942 the civilian defense workers of precinct 37 in Tacoma gathered for a group photograph at the foot of the new fire watchers' tower that they designed and built themselves. R. J. "Rocky" Carino (at far right, with arm raised), the precinct air raid warden, was an employee of the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company. He talked his employers into donating the lumber for the tower. Idolf A. Youngberg, chief fire watcher for the precinct, designed the tower and superintended its construction. Precinct 37 included the area between So. 14th & So. 19th streets from "L" Street to Sprague Avenue. Standing in the tower (l to r) are Ralph Turco, I. A. Youngberg and Nels Olsen. The tower was situated on a hill, with a commanding view of the surrounding area. (T. Times 4/1/1942, pg. 3)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Watch towers--Tacoma; Carino, R.J.;

On June 12, 1942, the Admissions Committee for the new Tacoma War Chest met for the first time. It was the Committee's job to recommend to the War Chest Board which war related agencies should benefit from the monies raised by the October campaign. Applications for funds would be reviewed until June 30th. The USO had already been approved and several war relief agencies had applied as well. Pictured in discussion at City Hall were, left to right, Hazel (Mrs. J.P.) Simpson, Fern (Mrs. Clay) Pratt, Guy Thompson, Leona (Mrs. Edward C.) Yoder, Freeman Cochran, Mayor Harry Cain, George Firth and Walter West. (T.Times 6/15/42, pg.7)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On the morning of June 7, 1942, fifteen Tacoma men were sworn into the U. S. Navy during a special "Avenge Pearl Harbor Day" ceremony. The ceremony was held at 9th and Broadway. The members of the Navy Mother's Club were the special guests. Buildings in the photograph include the Bostwick Hotel, right , Roxy (Pantages Theater) and Winthrop Hotel at left. (T. Times 6/6/1942, pg. 1; 6/8/1942, pg. 12)

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A group of young Tacoma and Pierce County men were sworn into the U.S. Navy at a special "Avenge Pearl Harbor Day" ceremony held at the corner of 9th and Broadway on Sunday June 7, 1942 in front of the Roxy Theater. The members of the Navy Mother's Club were honored guests. The participants are standing in "V for Victory" formation. (T. Times June 8, 1942 p.12)

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A group of young Tacoma and Pierce County men were sworn into the U.S. Navy at a special "Avenge Pearl Harbor Day" ceremony held at the corner of 9th and Broadway on Sunday June 7, 1942 in front of the Roxy Theater. The new Naval recruits smile at someone's young son in a Navy uniform. (T. Times June 8, 1942 p.12)

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On February 19, 1942 President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066. This action eventually led to the removal of some 110,000 Japanese-Americans to internments camps in remote areas of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. This little girl was photographed at Tacoma's Union Station as she and her family prepared to board a train to the Pinedale, California assembly center camp. 879 Japanese-Americans from the Tacoma "restricted area" left for Pinedale beginning on May 14, 1942. (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

Army soldiers speak with a couple at Union Station. On May 17-18, 1942, 859 residents of Tacoma of Japanese descent were forced to leave their homes and board trains to the Pinedale "Assembly Center" near Fresno California. They were allowed to take a few approved possessions to their new "homes." This woman, dressed in her Sunday best for the trip, is transporting an irregularly shaped parcel and a First Aid kit, uncertain about the future. One of the soldiers inspects her package. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma);

Five year old Toshiyuki Hattori smiles at the camera over his book. At his side is military guard Pvt. Nat Schwartz. On Feb. 19th, 1942 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued an executive order authorizing the military to banish anyone it considered potentially dangerous from any region considered to be at risk. On March 2nd, the plan was revealed to remove anyone with Japanese ancestry from the entire West Coast. Tacoma's turn came May 17 & 18th, 1942, when 859 Japanese Americans were shipped from Union Station to Pinedale Assembly Center near Fresno California. (T. Times 5/18/1942, pg. 1; TNT 5/18/2003, pg. B8+)

World War, 1939-1945--Relocation camps; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945; Union Station (Tacoma); Hattori, Toshiyuki; Schwartz, Nat;

On April 8, 1942, the first Washington State mobile canteen unit arrived in Tacoma. Some military personnel gratefully accept coffee and doughnuts as the rolling kitchen, one of 10 in the nation donated by Henry Ford, was put immediately into action. It was operated out of Tacoma jointly by the USO and the Salvation Army. The mobile units would serve members of the armed forces in outposts with games, magazines and writing materials. They could even show movies with a projector mounted on the rear of the truck. Major and Mrs. Alva H. Holbrook of the Salvation Army were placed in charge. She is pouring coffee and he is far right in the picture. The Holbrooks had arrived recently from Hawaii, where they had run a canteen after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. (T. Times 4/9/1942, pg. 9; TNT 4/9/1942, pg. 6)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; United Service Organizations (Tacoma); Canteens (Wartime, emergency, etc.)--Tacoma; Holbrook, Alva;

Barn dance at South Tacoma U.S.O. Members of the 183rd band form a jazz orchestra to supply plenty of swing for the dance. The addition of straw hats to their uniforms gives them a country flair.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Military bands;

On July 23, 1941, Boy Scouts from Troop 42, in the Larchmont area, were pictured at 9th and Broadway with their donations for the wartime scrap aluminum drive. The boys had quite a collection of old metal, including the washing machine that they are heaving into the main dump site. A large wire enclosure was being used to corral the donated metal during the weeklong city drive. The eleven boys in the troop brought 135 donation pieces from their Southeastern neighborhood. (T. Times 7/25/1941, pg. 3; eleven boys in troop named in article)

World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives; Boy Scouts of America, Troop 42 (Tacoma); Aluminum;

On July 23, 1941, eleven Boy Scouts of Troop 42 from the Larchmont area of southeast Tacoma came downtown to contribute 135 pieces of scrap aluminum to the aluminum collection drive. The metal was needed to build bombers for the Army Air Corp. The main collection dump was at the corner of South 9th and Broadway, in front of the Music Box Theater. The Larchmont area centered near South 96th Street and Pacific Avenue; it was planned to be a select suburban community with streets named after famous colleges such as Harvard, Yale and Amherst. Boys taking part in the aluminum drive were: (in no particular order) Billy Bowlin, Walter Oden, Richard Ruth, Dickie Hansler, Don Lang, Elroy Burnett, Gerald Griffith, Raleigh Elkins, Stanley Vernon, Leslie Roley and Tomio Akimoto. (T. Times 7/25/1941, pg.3)

World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives; Boy Scouts of America, Troop 42 (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Aluminum;

This photograph, taken on October 3, 1941, is of the corner of 11th and A Street, showing traffic from the shipyard into the city. The city had plans to extend Alexander Ave. across 11th Street to Lincoln Ave. to create a new route and hopefully relieve this bottleneck on 11th Street. However, federal aid would be needed to extend the road across the water covered Tideflats.The Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. had recently expanded its work force, due to military contracts, and this was causing increased traffic congestion. (T.Times 9/23/1941, pg. 4)

World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In October of 1941, long lines of automobiles crawl down Alexander Ave. at the end of the shift at the Seattle- Tacoma shipyard. The shipyard was located at the end of Alexander Ave. and there was only one way for the workers to get back into town. (T. Times 10/10/1941, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--War work--Tacoma; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic congestion--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1941. Army corporal sitting with young woman who is wearing a dress, his hat, and is saluting him, accompanied by a big smile. Neither was identified in this circa 1941 photograph, probably taken in Tacoma.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Military personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Saluting--Tacoma;

Contraband cigarettes. Black market cigarettes were seized by State and Federal agents May 3, 1945, in an apartment over a tavern south of Tacoma. The cigarettes were stolen from Fort Lewis. (T.Times, 5/4/1945, p.3)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Cigarettes;

Contraband cigarettes. Black market cigarettes were seized by State and Federal agents May 3, 1945. Dwight Bunnell was in charge of the Tacoma office of the State Tax Commission. The cigarettes were seized because no State sales tax stamps were affixed. (T.Times, 5/4/1945, p.3)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Cigarettes; State Tax Commission; Bunnell, Dwight;

Telephone switchboard operators and clerks at the Public Telephone Center on Pacific Avenue are assisting sailors returning to the states at the end of World War II. Troop ships arrived each week at the Port of Tacoma bringing several thousand service men and women at a time. Army personnel were discharged or sent to other bases through the Fort Lewis Separation Center. Telephone centers at the Port and downtown overflowed with returning veterans who were anxious to call home.

World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma); Public Telephone Center (Tacoma); Telephone operators; Telephone switchboards; Sailors; United States Navy;

The Semper Fidelis Club (Marine mothers). Seven women are wrapping presents. The Semper Fidelis Club, mothers of Marines, are again conducting a drive for funds to be used in sending Christmas boxes to Marines overseas. Last year's drive was very successful. They plan to send at least 1,500 boxes with an approximate value of $2.00 each. L-R, Mrs. George E. Hazen, Isabella D. Parker, Mrs. Stratton, Eileen M. Kronmiller, Mrs. Walter Richmone, Mrs. Howard Martin and Mrs. W.N. Koch.(T.Times, 9/5/1945, p.7)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Women--Organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parker, Isabella D.; Kronmiller, Eileen M.; Koch, Sadie;

On August 15, 1945, thousands lined the streets of Tacoma to cheer marching troops in a parade celebrating the surrender of the Japanese and the end of the war in the Pacific. Receiving special applause were the members of the Women's Army Corps (WAC.) They marched smartly in straight lines in regulation uniforms, representing the 150,000 American women who served in this uniform during World War II. Two thousand marchers tramped the 18 block course, up Broadway and down Pacific. Taking part in the parade were men and women from all branches of the service, shipyard workers, veterans, members of fraternal lodges and Scouts. (T.Times 8/16/1945, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Victory celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. workers line up to purchase War Bonds during the Second War Loan Drive, 4/12- 5/1/1943. In addition to long term investment in bonds (the Payroll Savings Plan), specific short term campaigns were also held. There were eight bond drives altogether during World War II. The War Finance Committees, responsible for the sale of bonds, sold a total of 185.7 Billion in securities during WWII, a feat that has never been equalled. By the end of the war, 8 out of every 13 Americans had invested in war bonds.

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Hard hatted workers line up at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. to purchase war bonds during the Second War Loan Drive held 4/12-5/1/1943. By the end of the drive, Americans had purchased 18.5 billion in war bonds, 5 billion over the 13 billion goal. This proceeds from this drive alone equalled over 90 % of the amount raised by the combined drives of World War I.

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

A long line of Civil Defense vehicles parked on Tacoma Ave. So. in front of the Mellinger Company Funeral Home and the Florence Apartments were captured on film during the March 21, 1943 Civil Defense drill. The ambulances belonged to a medical team from Fort Lewis that was assigned to Tacoma in the case of an emergency, such as a bombing.

World War, 1939-1945--Ambulances--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

On March 21, 1943, Civil Defense units, public works, public utilities and a medical team from Fort Lewis all participated in a drill that simulated Tacoma being bombed by enemy planes. Such drills were common as Civil Defense units, especially in west coast cities, learned how to respond in case of emergency. White fire hoses snake across the ground where fire fighters fight a very real blaze set in an abandoned building. The fire had been purposely set for training reasons.

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

Medical units rolled out during a civil defense drill on March 21, 1943, passing the historic Fire Station No. 1 at 425 Tacoma Ave. So. The drill, which simulated bombs being dropped on Tacoma, involved Civil Defense units, public works, public utilities and a medical team from Fort Lewis that was assigned to Tacoma in case of bombing. The drill began on the quiet Sunday afternoon with a squadron of P-38's flying low over the city to lend realism to the event. Fire Station No.1 was built in 1919 and is currently on both the City and the National Historic Registry.

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Ambulances--Tacoma--1940-1950; Emergency medical services;

During a practice "incident" on Sunday March 21, 1943, the fire fighters hook up to a hydrant to battle a real blaze purposely set in an industrial area. The "incident" was being staged as a civil defense practice; it simulated a bombing of Tacoma. The Fire Service also took this opportunity to test the new fully equipped pumping unit of Company 7 of the Auxiliary Fire Service. Companies 2 and 5 also responded to the incident. (T. Times 3/24/1943, pg. 18)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

During a civil defense drill on March 21, 1943, members of Tacoma's Auxiliary Fire Service fought a fire that was deliberately set in the industrial district. The fire was started to give the Civil Defense fire fighters real life experience with their equipment. Taking part in the drill were Companies 2, 5 and 7. (TNT 3/24/1943, pg. 4)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

An unidentified couple poses in May of 1943 at the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Worker with oil can at Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company plant. After the war Penn Salt would return to manufacturing household and industrial goods: chlorine, hydrogen gas, caustic soda, sodium arsenate, sodium and potassium chlorate, and sodium hypochlorite. (T.Times, 2/23/43)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Working class--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Factories--1940-1950;