Women Block Leaders of Civilian Defense at scrap pile. Three women lift an iron bedstead into machinery at the junk yard. The sorted scrap will be reprocessed at a steel mill. The salvage pile, known as "Scrap Iron Acres," is adjacent to the Pacific Match Company plant. L - R Dorothy Rouse, Ahtol Engleys, and Winifred Moore. (T.Times, 6/11/1943, p.20)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Salvage--1940-1950; Recycling--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Rouse, Dorothy; Engleys, Ahtol; Moore, Winifred;

ca. 1943. Women Block Leaders at scrap pile. Three women dressed in slacks and bandanas move an old stove at a junk yard where scrap metal is piled in this circa 1943 photograph.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Salvage--1940-1950; Recycling--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Stoves;

In September of 1943, World War II was in full swing and Americans fought both overseas and on the homefront. The Tacoma Times ran this portrait on September 13th of patriot Major Fred Ohrn of the Salvation Army. Major Ohrn had served an estimated 2,000 workers' lunches at 25 sorting bees held at Tacoma's scrap pile, "Scrap Iron Acres," in the previous months. He had been present every day there was a sorting bee to supervise lunch. At the Acres, scrap metal was collected and sorted to be reused in the manufacture of war materials. Major and Mrs. Ohrn were being transferred back to California after 13 months in Tacoma. Major Ohrn had a long history of service. He served in the US Infantry during World War I and had been with the Salvation Army several years when this portrait was taken. (T.Times, 9/3/1943, p.1.)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Salvation Army (Tacoma); Ohrn, Fred;

On August 4, 1943, National "Molly Pitcher" Tag Day, members of the American Legion Auxiliary from both the Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 and the Tacoma Unit No. 138 planned to tag every man, woman and child who showed their support for our troops overseas during the War bond sale.The six women working with cards and string are: (l to r) Wahneatah Hough, Gertrude Champagne, Josephine Gillam, Hazel Slater, Maude Overdahl and Lillian Burrows. The Auxiliary had booths at department stores and stood at street corners to tag people. Pierce County's quota for stamp and bond sales was $1 for every man, woman and child. The fabled Revolutionary War heroine Molly Pitcher was evoked in a popular WWII ditty "Jolly Molly Pitcher," used to encourage citizens to buy treasury bonds and use ration cards. Two of the women pictured also appear in Series D14380 Image 3. (T.Times, 8/3/1943, p.16-article & alternate photograph)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Women--Organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Patriotic societies; American Legion Auxiliary (Tacoma);

War Savings staff. Members of the American Legion Auxiliary, Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2, stand holding tags. They will have booths at department stores and stand at street corners to tag people for "Molly Pitcher" Day. L-R Lillian Burrows, Maude Overdahl, Hazel Slater, Gertrude Champagne, Josephine Gillarm and Wahneatah Hough. Some of these women are shown in D14380-3. (T.Times, 8/3/1943, p.16)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; War bonds & funds; Women--Organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Patriotic societies; American Legion Auxiliary (Tacoma);

Major Hooker. He is standing outside a house in July of 1943 wearing his uniform. His wife, Ellen J. Hooker, and daughter, Mary Rogan, are in the background. Major Albert Hooker, president of Hooker Electro-chemical Company, is on furlough from London where he serves as a chemical warfare officer. (T.Times, 7/20/1943, p.1)

World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma; Hooker, Albert H.; Hooker, Albert H.--Family; Hooker, Ellen; Hooker, Mary; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. W.A.A.C. (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) enrollees on way to school in Iowa. Five women, three dressed in military uniforms, standing in front of Liberty Center building in this photograph from circa 1943.

World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma;

First Congregational Church Group. A woman sings into a microphone while accompanied by a man in uniform on an upright piano. There is a draped archway in the background.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; First Congregational Church (Tacoma); Congregational churches--Tacoma;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. People in costume; military band on bandstand.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Two guitar players wearing sombreros serenade the audience.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Four young women carry baskets of cut flowers while two soldiers look on. They are standing behind large urns full of flowers and a bird bath.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Dressed in Spanish costumes, a group of women serenade the audience.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

ca. 1943. A large welcome party was hosted at the 713-15 Commerce St. U.S.O. around 1943 for Pearl Harbor hero Doris "Dorie" Miller. On December 7, 1941, Mr. Miller was stationed on the USS West Virginia. After the bombing, he carried wounded sailors to safety and manned an anti-aircraft gun. This was remarkable of itself, but even more so since he was stationed on the ship as a cook. He received the Navy Cross for his bravery, the first African American sailor to receive this honor.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma;

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken around 1943, war hero Doris "Dorie" Miller held out his cup to receive some punch at the welcome party held in his honor at the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce. To the left of Mr. Miller was his escort for the evening, volunteer USO hostess Druetta McCabe. Mr. Miller had been awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery during the bombing at Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, he had been stationed aboard the USS West Virginia in Pearl Harbor as a Mess Attendant, a cook. After his ship was hit, he carried several wounded sailors to safety, including the mortally wounded captain. He then manned an anti-aircraft gun, bringing down several Japanese aircraft. In 1942, he was recruited to travel around the country and sell war bonds.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma;

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken in 1943, Doris "Dorie" Miller (left) and an unidentified man posed resting on a jukebox in the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. Mr. Miller had been awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was assigned as a Mess Attendant First Class on the USS West Virginia when that vessel was bombed by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. He carried wounded sailors to safety and then fired an anti aircraft gun until it ran out of ammunition. It was reported that he brought down four Japanese planes, without any artillery training. He was later lost in action when his escort carrier, the Linscome Bay, was sunk on November 24, 1943.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma; Miller, Dorie;

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken around 1943 in Tacoma's USO #2, Doris "Dorie" Miller demonstrated for the photographer some of the events that made him a hero during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, he was stationed on the USS West Virginia in Pearl Harbor. After the bombing, he carried wounded fellow sailors, including the Captain, to safety. He then manned a 50 caliber Browning anti-aircraft gun until it ran out of ammunition, bring down a reported four Japanese planes. This was remarkable of itself, but especially since he had never received any artillery training. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the first African American sailor to receive this honor. He was killed in action in November of 1943. The frigate USS Miller was named in his honor.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma; Miller, Doris;

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken in 1943, war hero Doris "Dorie" Miller (in dark uniform) posed with a group of African American musicians at the USO #2, 713-25 Commerce St. USO #2 was provided for entertaining servicemen and women of color. Mr. Miller had been awarded the Navy Cross for his valor during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After his ship, the USS West Virginia, was hit, he carried wounded sailors to safety and manned an anti-aircraft gun, shooting down Japanese planes. This was especially remarkable, since he was stationed on the ship as a cook, with no combat training. He was killed in action in November of 1943.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma; Miller, Doris;

ca. 1943. In this photograph taken around 1943, Doris "Dorie" Miller, a hero from Pearl Harbor, posed outside of Tacoma's U.S.O. #2, 713-715 Commerce, with Druetta McCabe, then a volunteer USO hostess. On December 7, 1941, Mr. Miller was stationed on the USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor as a Mess Attendant First Class, a cook. During the Japanese bombing, he carried wounded sailors to safety, including the mortally wounded Captain of the ship. He then manned a 50 caliber Browning anti-aircraft gun until it ran out of ammunition and he was ordered to abandon ship. He managed to shoot down several Japanese planes, despite the fact that he had no artillery training. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery and valor, the first African American sailor to win this honor. He was killed in action on November 24, 1943, when his ship, the escort carrier Linscome Bay, was sunk during Operation Galvanic. (U.S.O. #2 brochure from Recognition Ceremony on March 30, 1943; www.history.navy.mil)

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heroes--Tacoma; Miller, Doris; McCabe, Druetta;

ca. 1943. Dancing was one of the major pastimes at the Welcome Party held at the 713-15 Commerce St. U.S.O. for Pearl Harbor war hero Doris "Dorie" Miller. A large group of African American servicemen watch couples dance at Tacoma's Colored U.S.O. where a party was held to welcome the war hero.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; African Americans--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jitterbug dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The popular dance team of Joyce Sheets and Richard Fechko performed several dances at the Mexican Fiesta held for servicemen at the So. Tacoma USO on Friday, July 16, 1943. The gala affair was the USO's most ambitious undertaking of the season. Junior and senior hostesses wore authentic Spanish costumes, real chili and tortillas were available from booths, and peanut vendors, flower girls and musicians strolled from table to table. The So. Tacoma USO was at 4851 So. Tacoma Way in the South Park Community Center building.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Ballroom dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sheets, Joyce; Fechko, Richard;

A Mexican Fiesta at the South Tacoma U.S.O. Three soldiers gather around while a young woman reads the palm of another soldier.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Fortune telling--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Students registering at Gray school for farm labor in the Puyallup Valley fields. Five students gather around a desk to fill out employment slips.

World War, 1939-1945--Students--Tacoma;

Young students registering in the Gray school office for farm labor in the Puyallup Valley fields.

World War, 1939-1945--Students--Tacoma;

Teenage students line-up at the counter in the Gray school office to register for farm labor in the Puyallup Valley. Students formed a large part of the labor required to plant and harvest crops during WWII as more and more adults became involved in the defense effort and were unavailable for farm work.

World War, 1939-1945--Students--Tacoma; Gray Junior High School (Tacoma); Agricultural laborers;

ca. 1943. Women Block Leaders at scrap pile. Two women and a small girl sit atop a wrecked automobile in the junkyard in this circa 1943 photograph. One woman is holding a lunch pail, the other is looking into a compact as she puts on lipstick.

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Junkyards--Tacoma; Cosmetics;

During the week of July 14-21, 1943, the members of Navy Wives Club held a drive in Tacoma to collect "junk jewelry". The navy personnel stationed on the islands in the south Pacific had discovered that trinkets were worth more then money to many of the native islanders. One officer had reported that, "Fifty-two fox-holes were dug for a brooch and a pair of earrings." Two of the navy wives, wearing bathing suits, try on some of the collected items before the jewelry is shipped to San Francisco - and on to the Navy. (T.Times, 7/13/1943, p.18, and 8/11/1943, p.2) TPL-9860

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Military spouses--Tacoma; Jewelry; Costume jewelry; Bathing suits

ca. 1943. O.W.I. Publicity. Two women spray paint metal parts at Northwest Chair. (T. Times.)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Northwest Chair Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. O.W.I. Publicity. Women working on assembly line at Northwest Chair. (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Northwest Chair Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. O.W.I. Publicity. Two women working with metal parts on table surrounded by wooden barrels and plywood boxes at Northwest Chair. (T. Times).

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Northwest Chair Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. O.W.I. Publicity (Office of War Information). Women assembling canvas tarp over bed of truck for troop transport at Northwest Chair Co. During World War II, Northwest Chair set aside their furniture line to make the wooden portion of Army trucks. The Office of War Information was formed in 1942 to photograph the early mobilization of industries for war. (T. Times). TPL-1950

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Northwest Chair Co. (Tacoma);