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The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE NAVY BAND B-1: THE FIRST ALL-BLACK NAVY BAND OF WORLD WAR II A Dissertation in Music Education by Gregory Abdul Drane © 2020 Gregory Abdul Drane Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy May 2020 ii The dissertation of Gregory Abdul Drane was reviewed and approved* by the following: O. Richard Bundy, Jr. Professor of Music Education, Emeritus Dissertation Advisor Chair of Committee Robert Gardner Associate Professor of Music Education David McBride Professor of African American Studies and African American History Ann Clements Professor of Music Education Linda Thornton Professor of Music Education Chair of the Graduate Program iii ABSTRACT This study investigates the service of the Navy Band B-1, the first all-black Navy band to serve during World War II. For many years it was believed that the black musicians of the Great Lakes Camp held the distinction as the first all-black Navy band to serve during World War II. However, prior to the opening of the Navy’s Negro School of Music at the Great Lakes Camps, the Navy Band B-1 had already completed its training and was in full service. This study documents the historical timeline of events associated with the formation of the Navy Band B-1, the recruitment of the bandsmen, their service in the United States Navy, and their valuable contributions to the country. Surviving members of the Navy Band B-1 were interviewed to share their stories and reflections of their service during World War II. The Navy Band B-1 served as ambassadors for the Navy and representatives of racial change in the American military tradition. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................... viii Chapter 1. Introduction/Background .......................................................................... 1 Purpose and Organization of the study ................................................................. 5 Chapter 2. Review of Related Literature .................................................................... 7 History of American Military Bands .................................................................... 7 United States Marine Band ............................................................................ 8 United States Army Band .............................................................................. 12 United States Navy Band............................................................................... 16 History of Women Military Bands ....................................................................... 20 Women's Army Corps (WAC) Bands ........................................................... 22 Women Coast Guard (SPAR) Band .............................................................. 24 Marine Corps Women's Reserve Band .......................................................... 26 Racial Integration in Military Bands to 1942 ....................................................... 27 Black Musicians in the Marine Corps ........................................................... 28 Black Musicians in the Army ........................................................................ 29 Black Musicians in the Navy ......................................................................... 30 Summary ............................................................................................................... 38 Rationale ............................................................................................................... 40 Chapter 3. Methodology ............................................................................................. 42 Restatement of Purpose ........................................................................................ 42 v Why Oral History ................................................................................................. 43 Design of the Study .............................................................................................. 47 Data Collection ................................................................................................ 49 Chapter 4. The Conceptualization, Formation and Recruitment of the Navy Band B-1 ........................................................................................................................ 53 Recruitment and Formation of the Navy Band B-1 .............................................. 62 Summary ............................................................................................................... 65 Chapter 5. The Role of the Navy Band B-1 in the Racial Integration of the United States Navy During World War II ............................................................ 67 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 67 The B-1's Pioneering Role .................................................................................... 69 Summary ............................................................................................................... 71 Chapter 6. History of the Navy Band B-1 and the Band Members Perspectives of Their Service in the United States Navy ............................................................... 74 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 74 Participants ........................................................................................................... 77 The Recruitment and Formation of the Navy Band B-1 ....................................... 79 Service in Chapel Hill ........................................................................................... 84 Racial Tensions in Chapel Hill ............................................................................. 89 Reassignment to Hawaii ....................................................................................... 93 Racial Tensions in Hawaii .................................................................................... 99 Reflections of Surviving Navy Band B-1 Members ............................................. 103 Chapter 7. Discussion ................................................................................................. 108 History of the Navy Band B-1 .............................................................................. 108 vi Conclusions ........................................................................................................... 113 Recommendations for Future Research ................................................................ 122 References .................................................................................................................... 124 Appendix A Consent for Research ............................................................................. 128 Appendix B Recruitment Document/Script ................................................................ 133 Appendix C IRB Approval Document ........................................................................ 134 Appendix D Interview Guide ...................................................................................... 135 Appendix E United States Navy Preflight School Band 1944 .................................... 137 Appendix F Simeon Holloway Letter to President George W. Bush ......................... 153 Appendix G President George W. Bush Reply to Simeon Holloway......................... 154 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: All Negro Navy Band for Navy. ................................................................. 83 Figure 2: U.S. Navy Band B-1 on the steps of their barracks. .................................... 84 Figure 3: Navy Band B-1 in front of their barracks . .................................................. 86 Figure 4: The B-1 playing for preflight school cadets. ............................................... 87 Figure 5: B-1's Cloudbusters pose for photo. ............................................................. 88 Figure 6: The Cloudbusters performing for cadets and officers. ................................ 89 Figure 7: Negro Navy Band Parades In Initial Appearance. ...................................... 90 Figure 8: Manana Meteors performing a concert. ...................................................... 97 Figure 9: Honorary Certificate of Completion............................................................ 106 Figure 10: 72nd Anniversary Celebration Banquet...................................................... 115 viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The completion of this dissertation would not have been possible without the support of many teachers. I extend my gratitude to the members of my dissertation committee, Drs. O. Richard Bundy, Jr., Ann Clements, Robert Gardner, and David McBride for their support and guidance throughout the dissertation process. I am thankful for the influences of Drs. Darrin Thornton, Joanne Rutkowski, Anthony Leach and Linda Thornton in contribution to my professional growth throughout my doctoral studies. I also wish to thank the Blue Band staff, my editor, and the brothers of Omega Psi Phi for their daily encouragement and support. Finally, I would like to thank my wife, Rasa Drane, my son, Gregory “Deuce” Drane II, and my daughter, Issa Rae Drane for the sacrifices they