Photo shows two soldiers and a small group of African American men and women in dressy civilian attire exiting an army bungalow labeled “Orderly Room.” A locked box labeled “Mail” is attached to the bungalow wall.
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.
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