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);

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;

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.);

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

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;

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;

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;

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 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);

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);

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);

In June of 1945 three unidentified women prepared to send Father's Day messages to servicemen from the special Post Yarns mailing center in Tacoma's Rhodes Department Store; an unidentified clerk working in the booth took their addressed messages. Rhodes joined with the Saturday Evening Post magazine in a special wartime Father's Day offer. The Saturday Evening Post made copies of Post Yarns, a pocket size version of their magazine, available at the department store; Rhodes provided free delivery for the miniature magazine - with a personal note from the sender.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Fathers & children;

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);

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;

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.;

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, 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;

Two unidentified women were photographed while looking at the window display of some of the items scheduled to be sold at the elaborate 7th War Loan fashion show and war bond auction to be held on May 4, 1945 in the Crystal Ballroom at the Winthrop Hotel. Articles to be auctioned off ranged in value from $25 to $325, to be given to the highest bidders, and included lamps, cigarettes, Nalley's food products, clothing and paper products. Admission to the show was by the purchase of a $50 war bond for $37.50, one ticket per bond. The event also featured entertainment provided by Fort Lewis including a band, an act from the army show "Kapers in Khaki" and four bathing suit models. (T.Times 5/3/1945 p.7)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Window displays; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950;

War Finance. Two women look at the window display for the 7th War Loan, Fashion and Auction Show to be held May 4th at the Crystal Ballroom, Hotel Winthrop. Items displayed, which will be auctioned include an alarm clock, fly spray, clothing, lamps, a vase, a globe, paper products and canned goods.

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Department of Interior details of Japanese church. In 1942 Japanese Americans in Pierce County were ordered into temporary detention camps located at the Puyallup Fair Grounds and later some were sent to permanent detention facilities in California and Idaho. Following the mass evacuations, Japanese homes, churches and businesses were searched for evidence proving disloyalty. This ransacked room has been identified as being located in the Japanese Methodist Episcopal Church, 1901 Fawcett Ave. There were two Japanese churches in Tacoma during this time, the Japanese Buddhist Church and the Japanese Methodist Episcopal Church, both located on Fawcett Avenue. (Additional information provided by a reader)

World War, 1939-1945--War destruction & pillage--Tacoma; Searching--Tacoma; Japanese Americans--Evacuation & relocation, 1942-1945;

Initiation into Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Six of 24 veterans of the U.S.S. Nashville, who were active in many battles in the South Pacific, were recently accepted into the U.S.S. Tacoma post 2329 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The men were sworn in as members of the Tacoma V.F.W. post. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 3/7/45, p. 3).

World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Tacoma; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Veterans of Foreign Wars (Tacoma);

The Minute Maids would show up unannounced to luncheons and gatherings and sell war stamps and bonds to the public. They are wearing traditional dresses and halo hats with a "V" for victory emblem. In their boxes they carry the bonds and stamps. Five unidentified Minute Maids stand proudly as they get ready for the 6th War Fund Drive.

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Costumes; Sales personnel--Tacoma;

The War Finance Committee gets ready for opening day of the 6th War Bond Drive. Pierce County is expected to reach their quota of $17,400,000 in the next three weeks. Left to right view of War Finance Committee members; Fred C. Osmers, Viola C. Davis, James H. March and Violet J. Devlin (T. Times, 11/17/44, p. 1).

War bonds & funds; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Posters;