A soldier from the 76th Company stands on the street in front of a line of parked military trucks. Multiple oil derricks are featured in the near background. Also visible are a modest corrugated metal structure and several small palm trees.
The 76th Chemical Smoke Generator Company was an army unit comprised of African American service members stationed in Long Beach during World War II. Smoke generator companies, part of the military’s Chemical Warfare Service, were stationed near aircraft factories on the West Coast during the war to provide smoke cover in the event of an enemy air attack. The 76th Company was stationed near the Douglas Aircraft plant, in or around the area that became Heartwell Park.
Photo taken by Captain Richard Newman, commander of the 76th Chemical Smoke Generator Company, between October 23, 1942 and August 19, 1943. ORIG. IMAGE: 2.75” x 4”, B&W print.
African Americans World War, 1939-1945 Chemical warfare World War, 1939-1945 African Americans Soldiers Military camps Oil well drilling rigs Vehicles, Military Military trucks Electric lines Poles and towers
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