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;

A man is working with machinery in May of 1943 at the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. "PennSalt" manufactured chemicals for use in other industries. During World War II, they stepped up production to include chemicals needed to make ammunitions.

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--Tacoma--1940-1950;

One of the business offices was photographed in May of 1943 at the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. "Penn Salt" manufactured chemicals used by other industries. During World War II, they increased production to included chemicals needed by the ammunitions industry.

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--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In May of 1943, workers at Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. move barrels of chemicals on dollies. Many of these barrels will be shipped to the ammunitions industry.

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--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Butter was in short supply in Tacoma in March of 1943. As soon as word leaked out that a merchant had received a shipment of butter, long lines of customers began to form. Two unidentified clerks behind the counter of one of the merchants in the Crystal Palace Market at 1101 Market Street had plenty of customers for their supply of butter on March 19th, within hours it had been snapped up. The unidentified man at the counter (far right) has just paid the clerk next to the cash register 56 cents, including 3 cents for a copy of that day's Tacoma News Tribune. The banner headline on the paper reads "Patton Gains 12 More Miles." (T.Times, 3/20/1943, p.1) TPL-3256

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Consumer rationing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Consumers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Markets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crystal Palace Market (Tacoma);

Masons at "Scrap Iron Acres," Pierce County's salvage depot near the Pacific Match Co. at 3223 So. Union. Eleven men dressed in overalls and other work clothes sort scrap metal looking for materials that can be reused for active war purposes. Residences are seen in the background.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950;

War Housing; Salishan project. In January of 1943, workers are photographed carrying sheets of plywood from a truck bed into the elevated doorway, the stairs had not yet been built, of an almost completed home at the Salishan development. The home is surrounded by a sea of mud. Salishan was designed to provide 2,000 + homes for area defense workers. The framework was up for the majority of them, and some like this one were ready for interiors. [Also dated 02-09-1943] (T.Times 2/25/1943, pg. 31)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Housing developments--Tacoma--1940-1950; Salishan Housing Project (Tacoma);

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, coverage of "E" award during a May 15, 1943 outdoor ceremony. A woman wearing a corsage is pinning a ribbon on an African-American man wearing a suit with vest. (T.Times, 5/17/1943, p.16)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Awards;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, coverage of "E" award ceremony on May 15, 1943. Col. Arthur J. Ericcson, U.S. Army, is presenting "E" pins to employees. The Tacoma Times indicated that Ina Hagedorn and Thomas George James represented the employees in receiving "E" pins. (T.Times, 5/17/1943, p.16)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Awards;

The "E" Award ceremony at the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company was followed by a luncheon for 800 employees, family members and guests. Several military dignitaries smile brightly while holding their trays in the lunch buffet line. (T.Times, 5/17/1943, p.16)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Awards;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, coverage of "E" award on May 15, 1943. Luncheon was served to some 800 employees, their families and guests. The serving staff are shown in front of one of the company's buildings. (T.Times, 5/17/1943, p.16)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Awards;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, coverage of "E" pennant awarded the company during a noontime outdoor ceremony on May 15, 1943. Women are seated on the stage with two men standing behind them. The award was granted for efficiency in production of vital chemicals to serve war-time needs. (T.Times, 5/17/1943, p.16)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Awards;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, coverage of "E" pennant awarded to Penn Salt on May 15, 1943. L-R first is unnamed, Capt. James R. Tague, Col Arthur J. Ericcson, Col. Clarence R. Lober, Reno Odlin, Admiral Russell, Fred C. Shanaman and Warren G. Magnuson . (T.Times, 5/17/1943, p.16)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Awards; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Shanaman, Frederick Charles, 1901-1982; Magnuson, Warren G., 1905-1989;

National Bank of Washington employees, left to right, Buela Gabrielsen, Herta Ley, and Betty Burhe are burning cancelled ration stamps, in a furnace at Consumer's Heating Co., as mandated by OPA regulations. The sugar, coffee and gasoline stamps were turned in by local markets, service stations and stores where ration stamps are required. The day after World War II ended, gasoline, canned fruits and vegetables, fuel oil and oil stoves went off rationing. Sugar, meats, fats and oils, butter, shoes and tires remained under ration until the economy stabilized. (T.Times, 4/19/1943, p.1; TNT, 8/16/1945, p. 1).

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Consumer rationing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coupons; Gabrielsen, Buela; Ley, Herta; Burhe, Betty; National Bank of Washington--People;

Three "Minute Maids" pose on and around a jeep with a young bond purchaser at a rally at the Liberty Center on May 1, 1943. The jeep is parked next to the sales booth. The Second War Loan Drive had ended the day before, but Tacomans were still making an all out effort to sell bonds.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War Finance Committee (Tacoma); Military vehicles--1940-1950; War bonds & funds; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jeep automobile;

Although the Second War Loan Drive had ended the day before, Tacomans were still busy buying stamps and bonds on May 2, 1943. A rally was held at noon time at the Liberty Center. One of the big purchasers was Mrs. M. J. Hunter, pictured center, whose brother was serving in the Armed Forces. She purchased a $1,000 series "E" War Bond for her daughter Beverly Joyce Hunter, right. In recognition of the purchase, a jeep at Fort Lewis would be named the "Beverly." The pair are posed in a jeep with the name Bud Hoag stencilled on the body. Mr. Hoag was a Tacoma man who bought a $750 bond the week before. (T. Times 5/3/1943, pg. 2)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War Finance Committee (Tacoma); Military vehicles--1940-1950; War bonds & funds; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jeep automobile; Hunter, Beverly; Hunter, M.J.--Family;

On May 1, 1943, although the Second War Loan Drive had ended the day before, Price Sullivan, left, appeared at a special noontime rally at the Liberty Center to present Ted Brown, right, with a check for $50,000. The check would be used to purchase war bonds. Sullivan was the manager of the Sears store in Tacoma and Brown was the director of the Retailers Division of the War Savings staff. (T.Times 5/3/1943 p.2)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; War Finance Committee (Tacoma); Military vehicles--1940-1950; War bonds & funds; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jeep automobile; Sullivan, Price; Brown, Ted;

February 7, 1943 was the first anniversary of the completion of two of Tacoma's four USOs. To celebrate, special programs were scheduled at all of the centers. The four USOs were at So. 13th and Fawcett (415 So. 13th), 4851 South Tacoma Way, So. 13th and Pacific (1221-23 Pacific Ave.) and 713-715 Commerce. Tacomans were urged to attend so that they could see for themselves the results of their contributions to the War Chest. The sailor at the far left is Yeoman Third Class Charles Bryant of Tacoma. The other two military men are Sgt. Mike Bachik of Trenton, N.J. and Pvt. Thomas F. Downes of Camden, N.J. (TNT 02/07/1943 p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military life--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Bryant, Charles; Bachik, Mike; Downes, Thomas F.;

Salvation Army volunteers serve up some sweet treats and java with a smile at the lunch counter located at the 13th & Fawcett USO Club. The USO depended heavily on volunteer labor and organizations, as well as individuals, were happy to help out entertaining the boys who would be going "over there."

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

On May 11, 1943, over 300 guests witnessed the Bellarmine Junior ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) unit inspection & review. Bellarmine, an all male Catholic school, was the only high school on the Northwest coast with a ROTC unit. Military drill and classes were compulsory for sophomores and juniors. The cadets demonstrated close order drill, battalion parade and extended order formation. (T. Times 5/11/1943, pg. 11)

World War, 1939-1945--Students--Tacoma; Church Schools--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Reserve Officers Training Corps (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Military art & science--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Some of the girls scheduled to take part in the May 8, 1943 show at the Armory, "Uncle Sam and the United Nation," posed for the camera. The show was both a pageant and a military display. Seated, left to right, are Lt. Jean Hunnewell, Cpt. Viva Anderson, Staff Sgt. Ruth Showman and WAAC Auxiliary Wilma Taylor. Standing- Mae Effenberger, Jacqueline Gibson, Anne Jyrancich, Dorothy Kerr, Staff Sgt. Mary Stafford and Rayela Riley. (T. Times 5/6/1943 p.20)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma;

WAAC's at Headquarters. Lt. Jean Hunnewell (left) and Ruby Zdillae saluted each other on the roof of the Washington Building, 1019 Pacific Ave, that housed the Recruiting Office. Auxiliary Zdillae was home on furlough from her duties as cook stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and stopped in at the Army recruiting headquarters in late February of 1943. (T. Times 2-26-43, p. 4-alt. photograph)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Zdillae, Ruth; Hunnewell, Jean;

The Tacoma Times honored defense worker mothers of active servicemen on our nation's second wartime Mother's Day in May of 1943. On page 1 was this picture of Mrs. C.W. Greening, mother of one of Tacoma's most famous servicemen Major Ross Greening, a pilot with the heroic Tokyo Air Raiders, led by Jimmy Doolittle. Mrs. Greening was employed by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. Tacoma plant in the payroll department. Her son had been one of the pilots in the top secret raid on mainland Japan on April 18, 1942, that slowed down the Japanese war machine and gave a boost to American morale. The land based 16 B-25s took off from the deck of the aircraft carrier Hornet and carried out the war's first bombing raid on Japan. All but one of the aircraft crash landed or the crew bailed out. Major Greening and his crew bailed out and reached China safely. In 1943, he was stationed in North Africa, where he was shot down and captured in July of 1943. He survived the war and continued in a distinguished military career until his death in 1957. (T. Times 5/8/1943 p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Mothers; Greening, C.W.--Family; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma)--People;

In May of 1943, Mrs. Hazel Fuhrman was doing her bit for the war effort by working as a shipfitter's helper. Her 18-year-old son was serving in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in aviation ordnance school at Norman, Oklahoma. This photograph, and six other pictures of war-worker mothers of active service men, was published in the Tacoma Times on May 8, 1943 for the nation's second wartime Mother's Day. (T. Times, 5/8/43, p. 1, 4 &5) TPL-8036

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Mothers; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuhrman, Hazel;