The 10th Field Artillery band, state and local dignitaries, reporters and the Daffodil Queen waited at the Port of Tacoma to welcome occupants of the U.S. Grant transport ship as it prepared to dock. After 21 days at the sea, U.S. soldiers from the 15th US Infantry and their families returned home from China when bombing at Tientsin began. Thirty five soldiers were forced to leave their Chinese wives behind. US law strictly forbid the immigration of Chinese women, even those married to US soldiers. (T.Times 3/24/1938, p.1)

Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940;

The U.S. Grant, a 508-foot army transport ship, arrives in Tacoma with the fighting men of the "Can Do" infantry regiment aboard. After passing through customs, the men of the 15th Infantry will go to Fort Lewis. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1).

Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940;

Enhanced for better copy on the front page of the March 24, 1938 Tacoma Times, welcoming planes from Fort Lewis have been superimposed over the U.S. Grant transport ship arriving in Commencement Bay. The transport is crowded with 1235 officers and men from the 15th U.S. Infantry, their wives and children returning from China. The "Can Do Regiment" is being removed from China after 26 years of continuous service and reassigned to Fort Lewis. The passengers boarded the ship at Chingwantao on March 2 as bombing began in the war between Japan and China. (T. Times 3/24/1938, pg. 1+) TPL-1625

Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940; Fighter planes--1930-1940;

A huge crowd waits on the wharf as the first people leave the U.S. Grant transport ship and walk down gang plank. Waiting on the dock to meet the returning members of the 15th Infantry are various dignitaries and the Daffodil Queen, followed by several persons bearing large bouquets of daffodils for distribution. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1)

Troop movements--1930-1940; Government vessels--1930-1940; Warships--1930-1940; Military personnel--1930-1940; Military uniforms--United States --1930-1940;

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;

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;

Fleet Week 1938 began in Tacoma with the arrival of 4 battleships of the US fleet and their 5200 officers and men. In Tacoma for the week of July 5- 11 were the USS California, West Virginia, Tennessee and Maryland. Pictured are five U.S. Navy battleships which have dropped anchor in Commencement Bay. Northeast Tacoma can be seen in the background. During Fleet Week, officers and enlisted men will be wined and dined, a military parade will feature 3,000 troops and 4 military bands, the ships will be open for tours and boating contests will take place. (T. Times 7/5/1938, pg. 1; 7/7/1938, pg. 1) TPL-9110

Battleships--1930-1940; Celebrations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Two Army trucks were photographed on February 10, 1940 at Camp Murray showing the contrast between old and new models. The vehicle at left is one of 23 new General Motors trucks which had recently arrived at Camp Murray for use by the National Guard. Next to it is a circa 1917 truck which was used in the World War (I) to haul equipment and troops. Brig. Gen. Maurice Thompson, adjutant general at Camp Murray and Harry H. Watson, assistant to the state quartermaster, stand in the foreground. The three men in the rear were not identified by the News Tribune. (TNT 2-18-1940, 9-A) (filed with Argentum)

Military vehicles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Camp Murray (Wash.); Thompson, Maurice W., 1878-1954; Watson, Harry H.;

148th Field Artillery Band with instruments. Group will play at Military Ball on May 20. Under director, Warrant Officer Louis G. Werson, the band won the state championship at Camp Murray encampment in 1938. The 148th F.A. was headquartered in Tacoma. (T. Times 5/12/1939, p. 20).

Washington National Guard, 148th F.A. Band (Tacoma); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military uniforms; Military personnel; Military bands;