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).

In August of 1944, many servicemen of color turned out for dance night in the main auditorium of the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. During World War II, the US military was still segregated and USO #2 was sponsored by the YMCA for the entertainment of African American servicemen and women. The main auditorium was decorated with transparencies by the Washington State Progress Commission. The project was under the supervision of Bert Smyser. The auditorium was a large space that could be adapted for many uses. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma) (information provided by USO #2 brochure for Recognition Ceremony)

During World War II, the US military was still segregated. Despite the fact that they fought side by side, servicemen of color were not allowed in the whites only USO clubs. In Tacoma, a group of prominent religious, community and civic leaders addressed this problem by opening USO #2 at 713-15 Commerce St. and dedicating it for the use of African American servicemen and women. This photograph is of an unidentified violinist and accompanist performing at USO #2.

Loading of troops and departure of U.S. Army transport "Republic" for California. About 200 soldiers crowd to the ship's railing to wave goodbye. (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

Loading of troops and departure of U.S. Army trasport "Republic" for California. About 200 soldiers wait in line on dock to enter wooden plank walkway into ship. (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

Loading of troops and departure of U.S. Army transport "Republic" for California. View of side of ship departing from Tacoma. (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

On January 3, 1940, 1,800 troops stationed at Fort Lewis boarded the "U.S.S. Republic". They were being shipped to California to take part in the largest army-navy "war game" ever held in the United States. Six troop ships carried thousands of soldiers and marines and their field artillery for a lighting sea attack on the Monterey peninsula. The navy was responsible for teaching to troops how to load, lower away, row and land a fleet of small boats through the California breakers. (T. Times 1/3/1940 p.1 & 1/4/1940 p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military mobilizations; Troop movements--1940-1950;

In January of 1946, a group of unidentified Red Cross volunteers met the troop ships bringing returning soldiers with baskets of doughnuts and bottles of milk. Because of a shortage of troop trains in the Pacific Northwest to transport soldiers to their discharge centers, and do to a lack of housing, thousands of soldiers had to stay aboard ship in the Port of Tacoma. (T.Times 1/2/1946 p.1) TPL-959

World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

The Telephone Center at the Fort Lewis staging area. Soldiers are using the two phone booths that stand outside the corrugated metal covered building. A sign in the front window advertises Western Union. A soldier is walking toward the center along a boardwalk from the right. The phone companies have been handling many thousands of local and long distance calls of service man and women coming through the army posts and Madigan hospital center. Telephone equipment factories have only now begun to manufacture switchboards and dial apparatus instead of war materials. (TNT, 9/12/1945, clipping) TPL-10370

World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma); Public Telephone Center (Wash.);

Interior of attended station on Pacific Avenue. Looking towards the back of the Telephone Center, service men wait their turn to use the phones. They fill nearly every chair in the center and many crowd the service counter. A sign at the back says, "Welcome Home, Job Well Done". A clock and world map hang below the sign. Troop ships were bringing 500 to 3,000 service men at a time through the Tacoma port. They were discharged or sent to other bases through the Fort Lewis staging area. Several ships brought troops home through Tacoma each week until the staging area was closed January 21, 1946.

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

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;

Red Cross Nurses were waiting on the dock when the troopship U.S.S. General Mann arrived at the Tacoma pier #2 on October 8, 1945.The General Mann was carrying 45 officers and 5,060 enlisted men who were taken on board at Okinawa. At least 3 of the officers and 280 of the enlisted men were from the Pacific northwest. Most of the arriving men were high-point men eligible for discharge. Another transport carrying 592 officers and 4,017 enlisted men was do to arrive on October 12th.(T.Times, 10/6/1945, p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; U.S.S. General Mann (Ship); World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

Miss Mary Conolly, at the center wearing a nurse's cap, helped care for the 50 refugee children that were brought to Tacoma on the S.S. Admiral Eberle on September 25, 1945. The ship carried over 4,500 army officers and men, Red Cross workers, liberated American civilians, Filipino immigrants and a USO troupe back from the Pacific war theater. The Tacoma Red Cross took in, and cared for the children that were on the ship by converting their bandage and dressings room into a nursery for them. The Junior Red Cross arranged for donations of new toys so that each child took away a toy when they left - the first toy many of them had ever owned. (TNT, 9/29/1945, p.9)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Refugees; Conolly, Mary

Aerials and aboard U.S.S. Eberle. The Eberle, her decks crowded with soldiers returning from the Pacific, is landing at the Port of Tacoma piers. The City of Tacoma sent out an official welcoming boat to escort the Eberle into port. The Red Cross will be there supplying milk and doughnuts. (T.Times, 9/22/1945, p.1) TPL-2004

World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Military demobilizations; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; U.S.S. Admiral Eberle (Ship); Warships--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Aerials and aboard U.S.S. Admiral Eberle. The Eberle docked at Port of Tacoma piers September 25, 1945, the first troop transport to dock at Tacoma since 1938. She brought 134 officers and 4,369 enlisted men back from the Pacific. (T.Times, 9/20/1945, p.14)

World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Military demobilizations; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; U.S.S. Admiral Eberle (Ship); War ships--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Colonel Harry P. Cain, Mayor of Tacoma and future US Senator (at left in photo) at arrival of the troop transport USS Admiral Eberle on September 25, 1945. The mayor had arrived home on September 16th. Jerry Geehan is to Cain's right, along with a man tentatively identified as T/Sgt. Sterling Hendricks of Little Rock, Arkansas, and a radio reporter. Hendricks was the high point man aboard the ship, with a total of 175 points on two war fronts, and had the honor of being the first man of the nearly 5000 veterans ashore. He was awarded a $100 war bond. (TNT 7-26-45, p. 8) ALBUM 13.

World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Military demobilizations; U.S.S. Admiral Eberle (Ship); Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Geehan, Jerry;

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;

Progress photographs at 86th Street and South Tacoma Way for Wick & Dahlgren. War housing project Washington 45326. Approximately So. 86th & Warner. This is the proposed site of the Lakeview Housing Project. Only persons employed by the naval advance base depot and their families will be admitted to the project. 300 dwelling units are anticipated. South Warner runs through the lower left corner. (T.Times, 7/10/1945, p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Lakeview Housing Project (Tacoma);

Progress photographs at 86th Street and South Tacoma Way for Wick & Dahlgren. War housing project Washington 45326. Approximately So. 86th & Warner. This is the site of the proposed Lakeview Housing Project. So. 84th St. is running diagonally across the lower portion. (T.Times, 7/10/1945, p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Lakeview Housing Project (Tacoma);

Progress photographs at 86th Street and South Tacoma Way for Wick & Dahlgren. War housing project Wash 45326. This is the site of the proposed Lakeview Housing Project at the naval advance base depot at Lakeview. The contract was awarded to Wick & Dahlgreen Construction Company. (T.Times, 7/10/1945, p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Lakeview Housing Project (Tacoma);

The Lutheran Service Center. One soldier selects a recording while another is seated reading the paper. A phonograph player is shown.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Phonographs; Lutheran Service Center (Tacoma);

Lutheran Service Center, Rev. Theodore Schleipsick. Times. A soldier and a sailor are at the counter being served cake and coffee by an older woman. An American flag hangs above the small kitchen area where open shelves contain bowls and other kitchen equipment. Two coffee pots sit on the electric range.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Lutheran Service Center (Tacoma);

War Finance. Eight men and women stand in front of the "Mighty 7th" war bond house trailer holding a sign advertising the 7th Pierce County War Loan effort. The house trailer, loaned by the Sober Trailer Company, is the center of bond auctions and other events. L-R, Fred C. Osmer, Arthur A. Cook, D.O. Shepardson, Olive A. Thies, Viola C. Davis, Ruth Bethel, Frank S. Evans and Leo A. McGavick.

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Sober Trailer Co.; Osmer, Fred C.; Cook, Arthur A.; Shepardson, D.O.; Thies, Olive A.; Davis, Viola C.; Bethel, Ruth; Evans, Frank S.; McGavick, Leo A.;

In May of 1945, six-year-old Robert Leeman Hess, a first grade pupil at Mary Lyon grade school, sold his gently used, miniature car to Lana Cook, age 2 1/2. Robert planned to use the money from the sale of his car to buy a war bond and stamps to fill a book to buy a second bond. Miss Cook promised she would drive carefully and take the best care of her new car. Robert was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Hess, and Lana was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. D.K. Cook. (T.Times, 5/21/1945, p.2)

World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Charles Fowler, age 7, a first grader at Grant School, spreads the 5,100 "iron" war pennies he has collected for the war effort on the table in front of him during School Bond Day. He had saved almost enough pennies to buy three war bonds. During the first two weeks of the "Mighty Seveth" war loan campaign, in May of 1945, the students in Pierce County schools were attempting to buy or sell 36,000 war bonds. Charles lived at 3115 No. 12th St. with his parents Dr. and Mrs. Harold N. Fowler. Dr. Fowler was a dentist. (TNT 5/18/45 p.16)

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Children--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Grant School (Tacoma);

Three young women are ready for the fashion show and auction of items donated for the seventh war loan drive. The young women on either side are "War Stamp Minute Maids" and carry war bonds and stamps to sell. They wear "V" for victory halo hats. The band is seated behind them. Admission to the auction was through the purchase of a $50 war bond. The fashion show and auction is being held at the Crystal Ballroom at Hotel Winthrop. (TNT, 4/29/1945, p.B-3) TPL-9091

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Fred C. Hoffstetter drapes a mink fur around the shoulders of two unidentified "War Stamp Minute Maids." The first big event in connection with the Seventh War Loan campaign was held on May 4, 1945 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. The program, to raise money for the continuing war, included a fashion show, music, and an auction of over 120 articles donated by Tacoma merchants. Mr. Hoffstetter, owner of the Tacoma Avenue Auction House at 923 So. Tacoma Ave., was the auctioneer for the evening. Admission was by purchase of a $50 bond for $37.50. (TNT, 4/29/1945, p.B-3)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fur garments; Hoffstetter, Fred C.;

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;

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;