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)

A dance event at the USO #2, 713-715 Commerce Street. Helen B. Stafford is on the far right. The other people in the picture are unidentified. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma))

On Sunday February 3, 1946, USOs across the nation celebrated the fifth anniversary of USO (United Service Organization) operation by opening to the public. In Tacoma, all of the USO clubs had open houses but the main event was held at the USO #2, the club reserved for servicemen of color at 713-15 Commerce St. Guests of honor were Tacoma's Mayor Harry Cain (center back table) and Earl Marble, the chairman of the Tacoma USO Council. The anniversary program included performances by the Special Service Band from Fort Lewis, concert pianist Pvt. Glen Michaels and tenor Sgt. Soto Andrews. (TNT 2/3/1946, pg. A-7, 2/4/1946, pg. 1; photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

The 70 piece Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific Northwest perform at the annual USO Music Festival, held at Point Defiance Park on July 28, 1946. The orchestra, conducted by Dr. Francis Aranyi, was photographed on the temporary bandstand erected in the natural amphitheater at the entrance to the park. The concert was attended by over 7,000 people. (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)

This photograph from the Helen Stafford collection is dated July 29, 1945, meaning it was taken at the first USO music festival at Point Defiance. Six thousand attendees sat on the grass to listen to the 362nd Army Band from Fort Lewis play Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Also performing were the 29th Special Service Band directed by Sgt. Earnest Hayden and the 25 voice Naval choir from Bremerton. (TNT 7/29/1945, PG. 1; Photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

ca. 1946. One of the purposes of the USO was to make the holidays more festive for servicemen stationed away from home and their families. This picture of a local pair, left, and four servicemen was taken around Christmas at the USO Club #2. All of the people in the picture are unidentified. The Club was reserved for servicemen of color; at this time, the military was still segregated. (Photograph by F.L. Powell, YMCA, Tacoma).

ca. 1946. A group of at a refreshment table at the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St., around 1946. The border in the background is formed of a line of thumbtacked photographs of the USO Club. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

Volunteers of USO No. 2 shown in this undated World War II era photograph include community activist Helen Stafford, second from right. USO No. 2 opened at 713 Commerce Street in September 1942 to serve Tacoma's African American servicemen and closed in March 1947. This location also served servicemen during World War I as the Army-Navy Club. TPL-5977

ca. 1946. One of the functions of the United Service Organizations (USO) was to create a welcoming atmosphere for servicemen and women away from home, especially during the holidays. From the look of the guests' hats and leis, the social event in this undated photograph was held during the holidays in the main hall of the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. The military was still segregated during World War II, so USO #2 was provided for the entertainment of African American soldiers.

Soldiers wearing tear gas masks and long brimmed hats walking through a fog.

Army officers pose in a line to get food outside. Cooks hold wooden buckets and a plate of doughnuts.

Fort Lewis buffet featuring fruit salad, dips, cake and a large roast.

Men shown leaving work at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. The men must show their badge to Navy personnel before they can pass through the gate. Wooden buildings are in the background. (Bremerton Sun).

Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Boat & ship industry--Bremerton--1930-1940

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. 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." Special troops putting up tents.

Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Tents; 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;

National Guard Review. 148th Field Artillery men marching with colors. Large unit of men standing at attention in open field, parade grounds. Six one-story wooden buildings with clerestories are in background. The 1936 annual encampment of the National Guard was held at Camp Murray and named Camp Wesley LLoyd, after the late congressman. Although the first week of camp was held in a downpour, the rain had ceased in time for the annual review by Governor Martin and military officials.

Washington National Guard, 148th F.A. (Tacoma); Camp Murray (Wash.); Military personnel--1930-1940;

Citizen's Military Training Camp (C.M.T.C). at the Camp Murray mess hall. Group of young men eating at tables. After World War I, young men interested in the military could receive training in summer military camps. These citizen camps were a neccessary measure after World War 1. The nation could not afford to maintain a standing army of the size needed during a war; or spare the time to train the hastily summoned volunteers needed in an emergency. The training camps were an adequate compromise. (T. Times 7/9/1936, pg. 14)

Citizens Military Training Camp--Tacoma; Camp Murray (Wash.); Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Military camps--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Civilians Military Training Camp, C.M.T.C., at Camp Murray. Group of young men arriving at camp with satchels containing their belongings. During the 20s and 30s, young men interested in military careers could receive training in summer camps. This filled the gap between a large standing army, of the size needed during a war, and completely untrained volunteers. (T. Times 7/9/1936, pg. 14)

Citizens Military Training Camp--Tacoma; Camp Murray (Wash.); Washington National Guard (Tacoma); Military camps--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Field artillery. Four radio operators with equipment set-up in an open field.

Military - U. S. Army - Military Units - Field Artillery - Radio OperatorsEquipment - Military Equipment - Communication Equipment - Radio Equipment

The massed colors of all the regiments in the Third Division are held at attention before the crowd at the Third Div. Review at Fort Lewis on May 13, 1937. (T.Times 5/14/1937, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Military standards;

Fort Lewis Third Division Review, held May 13, 1937. Front view of military tank, with two soldiers visible through openings beneath the gun turret.

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Tanks (Military science)--Fort Lewis;

As part of the annual Army-Navy parade this battalion of Marines marched north on Pacific Avenue at 10th Street on Thursday morning, July 30, 1936. Thousands of spectators lined the sidewalks beneath the rows of flags that adorned the downtown streets. For the parade, in honor of Fleet Week, military personnel and motorized equipment were provided by Fort Lewis, as well as the Navy and Marines from nine visiting cruisers at anchor in Commencement Bay. Marching bands came both from Fort Lewis and the flagships. Some 2,000 men thrilled the crowds as an example of the nation's military might. (T. Times 7/30/1936, pg. 1-article; T.Times 7-29-36, p. 1-article).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma); Riviera Theatre (Tacoma); Marines (Military personnel);

Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Parade. Marine unit carrying rifles turns West on South 9th Street from Pacific Avenue. They will proceed up the hill to Broadway. Spectators line the street and sidewalks. The parade was being held in honor of Fleet Week. (T. Times 7/30/1936, pg. 1).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma); Riviera Theatre (Tacoma); Marines (Military personnel);

Military personnel, provided by Fort Lewis, the US Navy and the Marines, parade down the 900 block of Pacific Ave. for the Fleet Week parade. Two flag bearers march in front, flags whipping in the breeze. The Riviera Theater, Rust Building and other 900 Pacific Avenue block buildings are in background. (T. Times 7/30/1936, pg. 1).

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma); Riviera Theatre (Tacoma); Military personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Navy Day Parade held during Fleet Week in Tacoma. Mayor George Smitley and military officers on reviewing stand. (T. Times 7/24/1937, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956;

Thousands of spectators lined Broadway when over 4,000 soldiers, sailors and marines staged a military parade on Saturday July 24, 1937 as part of the annual Fleet Week program in Tacoma. Some 2,000 soldiers from Ft. Lewis joined 2,200 enlisted men and officers from the six battleships resting at anchor in Commencement Bay. Also taking part in the parade were a battalion of marines from the U.S.S. Oklahoma, and the combined bands of the Oklahoma, the U.S.S. West Virginia and the 10th Field Artillery Band from Ft. Lewis. The parade started at South 15th and Pacific. Marching north, they took So. 9th up to Broadway, and then marched south to So. 17th Street. In this photograph of the parade, the marine band led by drum major Roy Van Antwerp, is between So. 9th and So. 11th on Broadway. (T.Times 7/24/1937, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Van Antwerp, Roy; Drum majors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military bands--United States;

Army-Navy Game at Stadium Bowl. Flag bearers march in front of the officials stand where Rear Admiral T.T. Craven, Maj. Gen. David L. Stone, Mayor George A. Smitley, and others give honorary salutes. A large unit of soldiers stand at attention on the sidelines. A 21-gun salute fired from the 75 mm guns of Fort Lewis opened the military pageant which preceded the second annual football contest between the two Armed Forces branches. Musicians from the USS Idaho and the 10th Field Artillery supplied the obligatory marching tunes. (Bremerton Sun; T. Times 11-12-36, p. 1).

Military parades & processions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flags--United States; Flag bearers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flag salutes--Tacoma;

Three military men: soldier, sailor and marine. Tactical maneuvers at the Bremerton Navy Yards on March 23, 1936 brought together 2500 members of diverse military groups for "war practice." (Bremerton Sun)

Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton; Puget Sound Navy Yard (Bremerton); Military personnel--Bremerton--1930-1940;