"Japanese Americans Eating Meal." Uniformed Japanese American Army members eating bento boxes with other soldiers. Unlabeled soda bottles and tea cups are on the table.
U.S.O. #2, 713-15 Commerce St., circa 1946. During World War II, although black and white soldiers fought side by side, the United States Army was still segregated. In Tacoma, African American service men and women had their own USO Club at 713-15 Commerce. It was dedicated on September 4, 1942 and closed late in March of 1947. The Kaufman-Wolff building where it was located had previously housed the Soldiers and Sailors Clubhouse during World War I. USO #2 was enlarged in 1944 by adding an annex in the building to the north of the original club. The enlarged structure provided the following facilities: dark room, music room, hobby room, game room, showers, sleeping accommodations, library and snack bar. It was operated by the YMCA and staffed primarily by volunteers. (brochure from Recognition Ceremony USO Number Two on 3/30/1947; photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma).
On October 22, 1945, this group of unidentified individuals were photographed seated around a table after what appears to be a dinner at the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)
On Sunday February 3, 1946, a dinner was held at the Tacoma USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St., honoring the 5th anniversary of USO operation. The United Service Organizations, or USO, was incorporated in New York Feb. 4, 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who believed it was important for private citizens to take responsibility for the on-leave recreation needs of service members. One of the guests of honor for the Tacoma celebration was Mayor Harry Cain, standing center, who attended with his wife Marjorie, last woman seated left. Seated to the right of Mayor Cain was Mr. Arthur Hayes, chairman of the club's operating committee. The other individuals at the table were unidentified. (TNT 2/3/1946, pg. A-7, 2/4/1946, pg. 1: photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)
The performance by the 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest, under the direction of Dr. Francis Aranyi, was one of the highlights of the USO Music Festival held July 28, 1946 at Point Defiance. The festival was held in the natural amphitheater at the entrance to the park. The concert drew over 7,000 listeners. It was also broadcast over the Mutual Network by KMO. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2) Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)
An unidentified majorette performs with the Seattle Elks Band at the USO Music Festival at Point Defiance Park on July 28, 1946. The band was one of many performers in the concert attended by over 7,000. (TT 7/27/1946, pg 2 and 7/28/46, pg 1; TNT 7/27/46, pg.1 and 7/29/46, pg. 1& 2; Photo by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma)
ca. 1947. Orson Welles (standing), noted performer and director of stage, screen and radio, conferred with an unidentified African American pianist in this undated photograph. Two women in hats looked on from the drawing room beyond. The occasion was possibly in March of 1947, when Mr. Welles spoke to 5,000 persons in the Armory as a guest of the Tacoma Jewish Association in observance of Brotherhood Week.
Young men "chow down" in the Camp Murray Mess Hall during the July 1934 Citizen's Military Training Camp (CMTC). at Camp Murray. They sit at picnic style tables eating, among other things, mashed potatoes and gravy, bread and pie. The camp was a combined training for the CMTC, ROTC and Officers' Reserve Corps. 68 of the 127 boys in CMTC were in camp for the first time. They were assigned to Company K in the infantry. The remainder were divided into Red, White and Blue groups in infantry and field artillery. The boys came from a radius of 100 miles of Ft. Lewis. The ROTC was composed of 79 students from Pacific Northwest Universities. (T. Times 7/13/1934, pg. 1)
Citizens Military Training Camp--Tacoma; Camp Murray (Wash.); Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Military camps--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Troop B demonstrates some trick riding at Camp A. H. Hankins, the 1935 Washington National Guard encampment at Camp Murray. Three soldiers are head and shoulders above the rest on a single horse as they pose one atop another. Troop B is actually designated as the Headquarters Troop, 24th Cavalry Division, Washington National Guard and it is the oldest military organization in the state. Around 8,000 citizen soldiers from the Northwest took part in the 15 day training. (T. Times 6/12/1935, pg. 1)
Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940; Horseback riding; Horses; Washington National Guard, 24th Cavalry Division (Tacoma);
Men leaving work at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. Young newspaper carriers are attempting to sell newspapers to the shipyard workers as they pass through the gate. Brick buildings in background. The safety clock on the building reads 12 noon; the board also records the number of "lost time" accidents for the year and compares it to the previous year. Photograph ordered by the Bremerton Sun.
