All Aboard! On June 16, 1927, members of the 148th Field Artillery, Tacoma's own National Guard unit, crowded into three coaches at Union Station. They would be shoving off at 8:30 a.m. for the National Guard encampment at Camp Murray for summer training. (TNT 6/16/1927, pg. 1) BGN-687

Washington National Guard, 148th F.A. (Tacoma); Military uniforms; Military personnel; Railroad cars;

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;

A hand of cards helps pass the time during field maneuvers at Camp Aston, the annual National Guard training camp, held at Camp Murray in June of 1938. The man at the right listens for any instructions on his field radio.

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

One reservist stares forlornly at his list of instructions while the other attempts to fix the wheel on the motorbike on which he is riding. They are part of the annual two week field training held at Camp Murray June 11-25th, 1938. The camp is given a different name each year, a memorial to a fallen comrade. In 1938, the camp was named after Thomas Aston, the late Colonel who commanded the 161st Infantry in Spokane.

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

National Guard members pose in front of the military marching band at Camp Thomas Aston, annual two week field training, held at Camp Murray. They include the band's drum major and an army cook. Camp Commander for the exercise was General Carlos A. Penington of Tacoma. (T. Times 6/20/1938, pg. 1)

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

It is said that armies march on their stomachs, and here the culinary staff at Camp Murray prepares some tasty pies to make that process more enjoyable. Once a year, the camp exploded with an influx of almost 3000 Washington National Guardsmen at the camp for their annual training. They arrived by troop train and motor convoys, and they arrived hungry. Camp Aston, held June 11-25th 1938, was no exception.

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;

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;

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;

Washington National Guardsmen load one of the big coastal artillery guns at Fort Worden prior to firing it over the bunker wall.

Washington National Guard (Wash.); Fort Worden (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;

A bunker at Fort Worden, where National Guardsmen practice firing one of the big guns. While most of the Washington National Guard did their yearly training at Camp Murray near Tacoma, coast artillery units trained at this coastal defense base near Port Townsend.

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

While the majority of the Washington National Guard held their annual training encampment at Camp Murray outside of Tacoma, coast artillery units of the Guard trained at Fort Worden, the coast defense for Puget Sound. The officers at this meeting at Fort Worden have been tentatively identified as Brigadier General Maurice Thompson, Adjutant General; Col. J.K. Partello, officer in charge of National Guard affairs of IX Corps area, San Francisco; and Major Edward C. Dohm, Commander 248th Coastal Artillery, Olympia.

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

A long line of officers salute the Governor during his visit to Camp Murray and Fort Lewis for his annual review of the Washington National Guard on June 19, 1938. The Guard was at the Camp for its 58th annual encampment called Camp Aston. (T. Times 6/20/1938, pg. 1)

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

Officers greet one another in December of 1941 at the annual Christmas banquet for Company D, 116th Medical Regiment, Washington National Guard at Camp Murray.

Washington National Guard, Company D, 116th Medics (Tacoma); Banquets--Camp Murray; Holidays--Camp Murray--1940-1950;

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;

Members of the 116th Observation Squadron of the Washington National Guard lean over a desk observing film strips. To the right is Lt. Ellsworth C. French, commander of the section. The Squadron is made up of photographers and lab technicians who use photographic methods to gather information for the Guard.

Washington National Guard, 116th Observation Squadron (Tacoma); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940; Photographic apparatus & supplies;

Washington National Guard encampment, "Camp Wesley Lloyd." Mock retreat. Officers walk past the strangely attired troops, wearing uniforms fastened backwards. The troops carry shovels and brooms instead of guns. One guardsman leans lazily on his broom. Another wears his uniform jacket, several hats and not much else.

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

Washington National Guard encampment, "Camp Wesley Lloyd." Mock retreat. Officers walk past the zanily attired troops, wearing uniforms fastened backwards. The troops carry shovels and brooms instead of guns.

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

Washington National Guard 1936 encampment. Mock retreat. Comic group of soldiers in mock drill . Wooden buildings and tents in background. The Washington National Guard's annual encampment took place in the last 2 weeks of June, 1936. Given a different honorary name each year, the 1936 camp was named "Camp Wesley Lloyd" after the late Congressman. The first week was plagued with the heaviest rain since 1931.

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

National Guard Review. Spokane Company, Photography Division. Soldiers developing photographic prints in a photo lab.

Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Photographic apparatus & supplies; Photographic studios; Darkrooms;

Washington National Guard encampment, "Camp Wesley Lloyd." Mock retreat. Large group of soldiers wearing outrageous outfits and holding "Men at work" sign.

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

Washington National Guard encampment, "Camp Wesley Lloyd." Mock retreat. Soldiers dressed in outrageous outfits.

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

Lt. Ellsworth C. French, commander of the 116th Observation Squadron, works out a mathematical problem with Master Sgt. H. Miller Cowling (on right.) The 116th Observation Squadron is made up of photographers and skilled darkroom technicians. They specialize in aerial pictures used to map unfamiliar territory; but they also work with all sizes of cameras. The two are taking part in "Camp Wesley Lloyd," the 1936 encampment of the Washington National Guard. (T. Times 6/24/1936, pg. 4)

Washington National Guard, 116th Observation Squadron (Tacoma); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940; Photographic apparatus & supplies; French, Ellsworth; Cowling, H. Miller;

Lt. Ellsworth C. French, commander of the 116th Observation Squadron of the Washington National Guard, with a "air camera" photographed from the front. The camera is used to take ground pictures from great heights. These pictures are used to map unfamiliar territory. Cropped version of D1108, image 3. (T. Times 6/24/1936, pg. 4)

Washington National Guard, 116th Observation Squadron (Tacoma); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940; Cameras--1930-1940; Photographic apparatus & supplies; French, Ellsworth;

Lt. Ellsworth C. French, commander of the 116th Observation Squadron of the Washington National Guard, with a "air camera" photographed from the front. The camera is used to take ground pictures from great heights. These pictures are used to map unfamiliar territory. The 116th Observation Squadron is made up of photographers and skilled lab technicians. (T. Times 6/24/1936, pg. 4)

Washington National Guard, 116th Observation Squadron (Tacoma); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940; Cameras--1930-1940; Photographic apparatus & supplies; French, Ellsworth;

Washington National Guard encampment, "Camp Wesley Lloyd." Lt. Col. Wright and Capt. Van Rooy observing through instruments. Lt. Col. Wright is using a template to calculate artillery trajectory.

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

In June of 1936, Lt. Ellsworth C. French, of the 116th Observation Squadron, demonstrated for the Tacoma Times the size and heft of an air camera. The camera was used to take ground pictures from an airplane. The 116th Observation Squadron was made up of photographers and lab technicians. They took photographs that were used to train units, especially in maneuvers into strange territories, and to map unfamiliar areas. The camera was really five cameras in one and shot separate frames that were then pieced together later. It used a 70 foot roll of 9 1/2 inch film. (T. Times 6/24/1936, pg. 4)

Washington National Guard, 116th Observation Squadron (Tacoma); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940; Cameras--1930-1940; Photographic apparatus & supplies; French, Ellsworth;