Chapter 4 uniform. The soldiers of the Field Music

s resented the fact that these non-combatant s by Ronald Da Silva bandsmen were wearing their uniform. After several incidents and more pleas e e In the post-World War I era, the use of from the band, the Army finally authorized a bugles and field trumpets by the U.S. military very distinctive uniform for the academy c c was still considered an important part of a band in 1820. This uniform (Fig. 1) was all unit’s communications. Thus, most units white with scarlet braiding and facings, in the r r retained their company buglers, who also same style worn by the corps of cadets, and acted as semaphore signalmen. However, bears a remarkable resemblance to uniforms o

o most units no longer had company or worn by drum corps a hundred years later. regimental drummers. While the band now had its own look, they f f When horse cavalry were done away with still would be massed with whatever field

in 1943, the long and honored tradition of music was based at the academy for parades the mounted trumpeter was gone forever. and reviews. It wasn’t until 1841 that the Cavalrymen mounted on jeeps or armored band was authorized its own field music, d d vehicles now used radios, not field trumpets made up of six fifes and six drummers to be in ‘G’. In the infantry and artillery, the radio attached to the band as “boys learning e

e or walkie-talkie would replace the company music.” or battery bugler. In later years, this Field Music would The Navy and Marines would continue the include buglers. The nickname “Hellcats” traditional use of buglers a bit longer, both was given them by the Corps of Cadets, since m m on board ship and on land bases. it was the duty of the Field Music to awaken After World War II, bugles would only be the Cadets each morning by playing Reveille r

r heard on large bases, at training centers or at at 6:00 AM. In addition to sounding all the the service academies. Often the bugle being duty calls, the Hellcats beat a cadence of

a heard was a recording played over a Cadet drills and provided martial music at all

Figure 1 a public-address system. At bases where formations and parades.

tradition or public ceremonies necessitated a By the 1950s, the Hellcats mustered more live bugler, he was most often a member of than 45 members, divided equally between e

e the base’s band playing a three-valve trumpet. fifes, drums and single-piston, B-flat bugles. Even with this decline in the use of duty While they wore the same dress blue uniform buglers, drum and bugle corps of varying as the academy band, they didn’t wear music h h size, status and quality would still be found in pouches, but cadet sword belts, and until the armed forces of the United States. recently wore the bugle collar insignia of field t t Army drum corps musician instead of a band man’s lyre

One would think the U.S. Army would insignia. Over the years, its members were have the most drum and bugle corps in the recruited from top fife and drum and drum

n military, considering the fact that these and bugle corps, many becoming well-known n musical units were born in the ranks of the drum corps instructors as well as judges. i i infantry and artillery. However, after World During the 1970s, the members of the

War II, drum corps of any sort were virtually Hellcats tried to get the Army to enlarge the non-existent in the Army. field music into a modern drum and bugle s

s The Army did have, and still has, the corps, using the Air Force Academy Band and oldest military field music in the armed Drum and Bugle Corps as a model. This forces, the “Hell Cats” drum and bugle proposal never got off the ground. Another Figure 2 p p section of the U.S. Military Academy Band at attempt to organize a drum and bugle corps West Point, NY. within the Corps of Cadets also was shelved. r Figure 3 r The West Point Band is the oldest military In 1975, the Army disbanded or cut back band in the Army, being authorized in late the size of many of its bands. The Hellcats

o 1813. Its first members were professional were cut back to 16 (Fig. 2) members and led o musicians taken from the band of the 3rd by a bugle sergeant. While small in numbers, U.S. Artillery. they still perform at many events on and off C C Field music at the academy was supplied

by fifers, drummers and buglers of the artillery and engineer companies based at West Point. These field musicians m

m had been serving there since the Revolutionary War. Early on, both the u u academy band and the field music wore the same r r red-coated uniform authorized for drummers and fifers of the Army. D D The professional (Top to bottom) musicians of the band United States Military Acad(ecomuyr tbeasyn dWsmesatn P wointh t resented being confused kBeaynedd W buegbl es,i tew) hite and red uniform, 1825 (from the (left to right) collection of Ro;n UDSaM SAil vHae) llcats, West Point, NY with mere field musicians Late 19th and early 20th century buglers : U.S. Navy on a battleship during (p; h“Tohtoe bOyl dR oGnu aDradS” iFlvifae) . and Drum and pleaded for a different World War I; U.S. Infantry field musician, 1898 (dpuhrointogs S fproamni sthe-A cmoellerictaionn W oaf rR; oUn.S D. aIn Sfailnvtary). Corps, Washington, D.C. field musician, World War I -- note B-flat bugle 32 the academy campus and are truly the last U.S. National duty field musicians of the U.S. Army. Flag and Another traditional drum corps of the Regimental regular Army is “The Old Guard” Fife and Color, guarded Drum Corps (Fig. 3) based at Fort Meyer, VA. by two While they give the impression of being the infantrymen oldest drum corps in our armed forces, they carrying M1 are actually one of the youngest musical rifles. units in the military, being organized in The drum February 1960. and bugle The title “The Old Guard” refers to their corps regiment, the 3rd U.S. Infantry, that is the consisted of a oldest active infantry unit in the Army. The (photo by Ron Da Silva). drum major, fife and drum corps was originally designed Figure 4 -- U.S. 3rd Infantry, “The Old Guard” Fife and Drum Corps, 1980 four snare to be an authentic “ancient”-style corps. complete set of Olds G-F piston bugles and drums, two Scotch tenor drums, a bass drum, The inspiration for the corps came from told The Old Guard would also have a modern cymbals and eight bugles. The drums were George Carrol, then a drummer in the U.S. drum and bugle corps. This additional British infantry pattern with emblazed Army Band, who had been involved with musical unit had only one full rehearsal and regimental crest and battle honors. The the modern bugles were sent on to the Naval horns were straight G bugles with attached Academy and Marine Drum and Bugle Corps. regimental tabards. Over the years, the status of The Old The uniforms were regulation “Ike” Guard musicians has risen from volunteer jackets, with trousers bloused into the boots. infantrymen to special musicians. Since the This drab outfit was brightened up with late 1960s, most of the corps’ members chrome Army helmets and white parade have either been former members of top drum corps or career musicians who must pass musical, fitness and appearance standards before enlistment. The U.S. Military Academy Hellcats Dru(pmh o&to B buyg lRe oCno Drpas Sin ilva). With this musical 1997 at the United Nations, New York professionalism, the corps is no military corps in both the United States and longer a simple depiction of an Canada. However, a certain ranking officer 18th century field music, but with a love of bugles and sufficient authority rather, a military drum corps insisted on the inclusion of a bugle section. using traditional-looking, yet Members for this unique drum corps were modern, instruments, including initially volunteers recruited from the ranks two-piece, 11-hole fifes and Figure 6 -- U.S. Army Signal Corps School Drum & Bug(pleh oCtor pbsy fRroomn DFao rSt ilva). of the 3rd Infantry. Their instructors were custom-made, single-piston, Monmouth, NJ, Armed Forces Day Parade, May 1960 from the Army Band. B-flat bugles. accessories such as scarves, shoulder cords, The corps performed using the Together with a tight rudimental drum belts, gloves and boot laces. instruments, uniforms and drill of General line using deep-shelled, rope tension drums, Like most units of this type, a smart George Washington’s Continental Army. The the music of The Old Guard covers a wide appearance and military bearing were most instruments used were as close as possible to range of patriotic, classical and popular important; musicianship was often secondary. the ones used in the late 18th century pieces, done in a style all their own. They are During the mid-1950s, Bob BellaRosa (Fig. 4) : wooden rope tension drums, six hole unique not only among other drum corps, penned a column in Eastern Review called fifes and copper British infantry bugles. but among military and marching units “Your GI Reports” while he was serving in the In 1973, the bugle section was given a worldwide. 3rd Infantry, The Old Guard. The column did These two traditional drum corps, The Old reports on armed forces drum corps and news Guard and West Point Hellcats, are the only of former civilian corps members serving in such units presently employed by the United the military. States Army. However, a number of volunteer One report was about the 52nd Artillery drum corps have existed in the Army during Group Drum and Bugle Corps from Fort Sill, and after World War II, usually at training OK. The unit was made up of former corps centers or divisional headquarters. members from all parts of the country. It had Records of their existence have often been 21 members and was attached to the 7th lost because volunteer honor guards, drill Army Band. Its uniform was regulation, with teams and drum corps are not found on the white helmet liners. The instrumentation Army’s Tables of Organization. was also regulation -- rod tension field drums One such volunteer unit was the and valveless G bugles. Regimental Color Guard and Drums and Other Army drum corps mentioned in Bugles of the 18th U.S. Infantry, 1st Infantry BellaRosa’s column were the 2nd Army Drum Division, the subject of a print (Fig. 5) by the and Bugle Corps from Fort Meade, MD, the noted illustrator Milton Caniff for the Fort Koble Drum and Bugle Corps based in Company of Military Historians’ series, the Panama Canal Zone and an Army “Military Uniforms in America.” Ordinance Depot drum corps based in The print depicts the color guard and Fontenet, France. drum corps when they were based at Another feature of this column told of European Theater Headquarters in Frankfurt, many junior corps members, who while (illustration by Milton CFiagnuirfef, 5co -u- r1te8sthy Uof. Sth. eIn Cfaonmtrpy,a 1n9y 4o9f -M19il5it3a ry Collectors and Germany, circa. 1949-1953. The color guard serving in the military overseas, were helping Historians from the collection of Ron DaSilva). was regulation, consisting of two colors, the junior corps in England, Germany, Japan and 33 Hawaii. a complete set of fifes and During the 1960s, the Army Signal drums known as the Corps School at Fort Monmouth, NJ, “Fessenden Fifes” in honor of had a small drum and bugle corps Sterling Fessenden, chairman (Fig. 6). It consisted of four snares, of the Shanghai Municipal four tenors, two basses and cymbals Council. in the drum line, and a dozen horns Instruction on the fifes was using single-piston bugles, along with graciously offered by the some three-valve trumpets. Their commanding officer and drum appearance was made distinctive by major of the 1st Battalion, The the use of bright orange (the Signal Green Howards Regiment of Corps’ branch color) ascots, shoulder the British Army, billeted near cords, drum hoops and bugle tabards the Marines. bearing the Signal Corps insignia. In short time, 12 Marine There were probably many more buglers were parading with such Army drum and bugle corps Figure 7 -- U.S. Marine Corps Band and Field Music(p, h1o8t8o0 fsr.o mN othtee lcaosltl ethctrieoen roofw Rso anr eD ab uSgillevsa )a. nd both fifes and bugles, made up of enlisted volunteers from drums. John Philip Sousa is in black, lower center becoming the only such unit in line units, headquarters detachments, gave exhibitions and concerts, both in and the Marine Corps. The officers of the Green training centers and branch schools. out of the state. The corps usually numbered Howards also presented the 4th Marines a However, records of their existence are hard between 24 and 30 playing members and used blackwood colors stand with a silver shield to come by. Occasionally old photos, bugle G-F valve-rotor bugles. commemorating their service together in Music was a good mix of marches, movie China. themes and popular songs. The Yankee The Marines reciprocated by presenting Division drum corps was probably the only the British a beautiful drum major’s staff authorized modern drum and bugle corps in entwined with a silver Chinese dragon. That the Army made up of full-time musicians. staff, or mace as the British call it, is still Marine drum and bugle corps carried by The Green Howards, Alexandria, Like the Army, the Marines have always Princess of Wales’ Own Yorkshire Regiment, had drum corps. For more than a hundred on special ceremonial parades to this day. It years it was fife and drum corps. Then, in is carried by the youngest drummer in their (Above) A cadet drum and bugle( bceolropws) wearing U.S. Army 1881, drums and bugles became regulation. Corps of Drums and, when possible, a 1902-1907 regulation uniforms; a New York National That detachment Guard drum and bugle corps, circa 1910-1915, (tpahkoetno sa tf rComam thp e Bcolullefcietioldns owf hRicohn isD an oSwil vRao).ckland County Park was in of U.S. the Marines same take part in era that the John ceremonies. Philip In 1934, Sousa the need for was more leader competent of the buglers and Marine Figure 9 -(-p Uho.Sto. Mfroamrin teh eD cruomlle &ct iBonu golef RCoonr pDsa, WSialvsah)i.ngton, D.C., circa 1950s, in winter dress blue drummers tabards or shoulder patch titles will identify Band uniforms was such units, but most are forgotten and known (Fig. 7). He would write quicksteps for recognized by Headquarters Marine Corps only to the men who served with them. The drums and bugles as well as pieces for and an advanced school for Field Music was same could be said of the Army Reserve and combined band, drums and bugles. established at Marine Barracks in Army National Guard. The one return to fifes was in 1927, when Washington, D.C. Also, a drum and bugle One unusual unit of the Army National the American Company of the multi-national corps was organized to act as a model corps Guard was the 26th (Yankee) Infantry Shanghai Volunteer Corps presented the 4th (Fig. 9) and augment the Marine Band. Division Drum and Bugle Corps. This Marine Regiment (Fig. 8) , sent to Shanghai Both these innovations were done under Massachusetts National Guard drum corps to protect its international settlement the direction of Maj. Gen. John H. Russell Jr., was formed in early 1975 and based at because of political upheavals in China, with then commandant. Russell was said to be an Boston’s admirer of the American Legion’s top senior Commonwealth drum and bugle corps. Armory. It had the The 1935 “Manual for Marine Field same military status as Musics” that he authorized states that “the a normal division American Legion has organized drum and band. Its personnel bugle corps in many of its posts and thus were all active National brought into prominence this stimulating Guardsmen with prior type of martial music.” This important military service who manual has many similarities to the Ludwig were either and Slingerland drum corps manuals of the professional musicians period. or former members of In May 1938, the Marine Corps adopted various greater Boston single-piston, B-flat to F bugles in soprano, drum corps and tenor and baritone models. These piston marching bands. bugles placed an entirely new range of music Besides performing at the disposal of Marine drum corps. Also, at military reviews and (photo from the these B-flat bugles were used when playing in parades, the corps also Fcoiglluercet io8n - -o 4f tRho Mn aDrian eS iRlveag).iment Drum and Bugle Corps, China, circa 1920s conjunction with the military band. 34 The School for Field Music was moved to President Eisenhower and the Commandant Parris Island, SC, and this reinforced the fact of the Marine Corps, Gen. Randolph McCall that all Marine drummers and buglers are Pate, were having dinner together. first and foremost combat-ready Marines and The president jokingly commented that secondarily, ceremonial musicians. Even The Marine Band, “The President’s Own,” with this in mind, during World War II, the belonged to him. In quick-witted response, Marine Corps had more bugle calls, toot for the commandant explained that he didn’t toot, than any other branch of the service. mind, because the Marine Drum and Bugle During the 1950s, there were 30 drum Corps belonged to him. Since then they have and bugle corps in the regular Marine Corps, been called “The Commandant’s Own.” ranging from the original corps in In 1957, under the direction of Col. Washington to those at Atsugi, Japan, and Leonard F. Chapman Jr., the Friday Evening Port Lyautey, French Morocco. The normal Parade at Marine Corps Barracks became Table of Organization strength for these drum more formalized, adhering to strict corps was 25 musicians plus a drum major. regulations and tradition. The allowance for a 25-man drum and Chapman wanted a ceremony to symbolize bugle corps included four snares, two tenors, the pride, professionalism and espirit de corps Col. Truman W. Crawford conducting the( Uph.So.t oM farorimne t hDe rum & two scotch bass, two cymbals, eight sopranos, cBoulglelect iCoonr pofs , Washington, D.C.), . in 1995 of the United States Marines. Part of this three baritones, two bass and two French Drum Corps World tradition was to dress the drum and bugle horns. 1980s, the Marines lost more drum corps as corps in scarlet coats with black piping, While the Washington, D.C., corps had an well as bands, leaving only 11 musical units reviving the 18th and 19th century practice authorized strength of 30 members at this in the Marine Corps besides the Marine Band of dressing military drummers and buglers in time, it actually carried 43. This allowed the in Washington. Only three of these were reverse-colored coats of their unit. busy capital-based corps to field a full unit, drum and bugle corps. They were the Marine This move also made the corps blend in even when men were on other duties or leave. Drum and Bugle Corps at Washington’s better when marching together with the red- These Marine drum corps wore standard Marine Barracks; the Marine Corps Logistics coated Marine Band and set them apart from dress greens and full dress blues. Drum Base, Albany, GA; and The Marine Corps the navy blue-coated Marine Drill Team and Air-Ground Barracks companies, as well as other Marine Combat Center, drum corps that only wore dress blues. Twentynine Palms, The drum and bugle corps was under the CA. direction of Col. Truman W. Crawford starting All these units in 1967 when he was selected by the were up-to-date, commandant for special assignment to the modern drum corps. From 1953 to 1963, Crawford was a corps, using G-F member of the United States Air Force Drum bugles in soprano, and Bugle Corps, also based in D.C. at Bolling alto, mellophone, Field. He rose to the rank of master baritone and sergeant, non-commissioned officer in charge contra bass horns. at the age of 23. Their drum Crawford’s fame as a performer, arranger sections included and instructor was well-established after he multiple tenor left the Air Force. With his own musical U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, Washington, D.C., perfo(rpmhiontgo Jbuyly R 2o0n, D19a8 S5 ilavta G). iants Stadium in the drums, tuned bass business, over 150 drum corps used his Meadowlands, NJ, at a drum and bugle corps competition drums and talents. In 1965, every major corps title majors wore a white leather baldric with marching xylophone, always performing their holder in the United States and Canada was chrome insignia and miniature drum sticks. music standing and from memory, never either instructed by him or performed his White leather gauntlets were regulation for sitting or reading music like a band. musical arrangements. drummers and drum major. The Washington The Marine Corps Logistics Base corps His work with the Marines is best unit also wore scarlet and gold breast cords. was activated in 1972. In 1985, it numbered exhibited when the Marine Drum and Bugle Bugles were chromed and at times carried 39 members. It performed in many military Corps performed their “concert in motion” scarlet tabards with a gold USMC insignia. and civilian parades and exhibitions from the field show, which featured unique Drums had scarlet shells with full color Gulf Coast to New England. arrangements of popular, show, classical and USMC crest and battle honors. The Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat jazz music while marching different drill One of the better known Marine drum Center corps had a unit strength of 45 movements and formations to highlight the corps of the 1950s and early 1960s was the members including staff. In their last years, musical production. Fleet Marine Force Pacific Drum and Bugle they did almost 300 performances a year, Crawford retired from the U.S. Marine Team based in Kaneohe, HI. In the spring of mostly in the Western States. In December Corps in 1999 after 32 years. 1962, they toured the Far East, covering 1989, both these corps were disbanded. The concert in motion show was still an 18,000 miles, giving exhibitions in Japan, Presently there is only one drum and integral part of the Marine Corps Battle Color Taiwan, Korea and Australia. They were bugle corps in the United States Marine Ceremony, which also features the famed called a drum and bugle “team” because they Corps, the original model corps organized in Marine Corps Silent Drill Team and a formal marched with the precision of a drill team. 1934 at Marine Corps Barracks, Washington, presentation of colors by the Marine Corps The 1970s reduced the number of drum D.C. The red-coated United States Marine Color Guard carrying the national colors and and bugle corps in the Marine Corps to less Drum and Bugle Corps is also known as “The the Marine Corps Battle Color, guarded by than a dozen and most carried only 20 to 24 Commandant’s Own.” This 85-member unit two rifles. The battle color is so called musicians. Among these were the Fleet represents the Marine Corps and the nation because it bears all the battle streamers Marine Force Atlantic, Norfolk, VA; 1st wherever they perform. In an average year, awarded the Marines in campaigns from the Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA; 2nd the corps takes part in more than 400 American Revolution to Desert Storm. Marine Division, Camp Lejune, NC; and the performances and travels up to 50,000 miles. The Battle Color Ceremony has been 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, New Orleans, LA. The title “The Commandant’s Own” came performed throughout the country, appearing With the military budget cutbacks of the about by accident one evening while before thousands at such places as the Texas 35 State Fair, Walt Disney World and Disneyland, became more active within the the Marine Recruit Depot San Diego and the Brigade of Midshipmen and Hawthorne Caballeros’ “Grand Prix” at Giants numbered up to 50 members. Stadium. It is also a regular feature of the In January 1922, the corps Sunset Parade was disbanded when then given every Superintendent Henry B. Tuesday evening at Wilson deemed the drum and the Marine Corps bugle corps “a luxury, not a Iwo Jima necessity” and abolished the Memorial in The U.S. Marine Cor(psh oStoile bnyt Drailvl iTde Raimce o ffrtoemn ptheerf ocromlles cwtioithn tohfe drum and bugle ). bugle squad. Four years later, Arlington, VA. corps, here in 2000 Drum Corps World two Midshipmen persuaded The Marine Navy drum and bugle corps Adm. Louis M. Nulton, the Superintendent, Drum and Bugle Since the days of square-rigged sailing and Capt. Sinclair Gannor, Commandant, to Corps, together ships, the Navy has used trumpets or bugles allow them, and whatever volunteers they with the Marine to signal commands from the bridge to the could muster, to reform the Midshipmen Corps Band, is the crew, on or above decks. Other commands Drum and Bugle Corps. musical feature of could also be given by a bosun’s whistle or a The corps was formally re-established in Marine Barracks’ marine drummer. April 1926, with 15 drummers and 30 Friday Evening In the television documentary “Victory at buglers. During the 1930s, the corps got Parade. Both the Sea,” one can see buglers sounding a call to bigger and better and was a major attraction Tuesday Sunset arms at Pearl Harbor or playing calls into a at Midshipmen dress parades and sporting Parade and the ship’s public address system. Navy buglers events. It was during this period the drum Friday Evening were still used on capital ships into the late corps became known as the “Hellcats,” a Parade are free 1950s and were referred to as “bugs.” Ships’ name given them by the Brigade of and open to the buglers were rarely, if ever, formed into drum Midshipmen. They were known to be a cocky public. However, and bugle corps. outfit, snappy on the field and comrades off it because of space Navy drum and bugle corps were an active and ever proud of their musical organization. limitations at part of every Recruit Training Center, With war on the horizon in 1941, Adm. Marine Corps whether at Brainbridge, MD; San Diego, CA; Wilson Brown, then superintendent, decided Barracks, or the Great Lakes Naval Training Center just that “the seriousness of the future life of the reservations are north of Chicago. All these drum corps were Midshipmen should be impressed upon the required. Both made up of recruits in training, or “boots,” so brigade.” In keeping with his “strip-for- ceremonies run called because of the white leggings worn by action-bill,” the drum and bugle corps was from mid-May recruits. They were directed by cadre again disbanded. until the end of instructors. Also done away with for the duration of August. From World War I to World War II, the war were dress parades and dressing for straight G bugles and wooden drums dinner five days a week. All training was (Top to bottom) would have been the norm. After World geared for the war effort. The U.S. Marine War II, piston bugles in soprano, tenor and By September 1945, the drum and bugle Drum & Bugle Corps, Washington, D.C., circa 1940s; Clarksville, TN, baritone were used. By the late 1970s, the corps was again in the process of military base Marine Drum & Bugle San Diego RTC Corps, 1958; 9th(p Mhoatroinse fsro inm the Vcoielltemcationn, 1o9f 6R8o; n Da Silva); 344th corps had Air Cadet Training Corps at piston-rotor horns, Oklahoma State University, 1944 including (photo from the collection of William McGrath, Jr.). contra basses. Their drum line Reservations may be included multiple obtained by writing: tenors, or Adjutant, Marine tom-toms, but they Barracks, 8th and I still carried a Streets, Washington, D.C. section of lyre 20390. Recently, glockenspiels. videotapes of both The largest and ceremonies have become finest drum corps U.S. Marine D(pruhmot o& b Byu Dgale vid available from a number RCiocrep sfr,o 2m0 0th0e collection of in the U.S. Navy of sources. ). Drum would have to be Corps World the Naval Academy’s Midshipmen Figure 10 -- U.S. Nava(pl Ahoctaod fermomy Dthreu mco &lle Bctuiognle oCf oRropns, DAan nSailpvoal)i.s, MD, 1915. R. W. Cary, Jr., its Drum and leader, is on the right Bugle Corps, based at Annapolis, MD. reorganization and ordered 30 new tenor and The corps was formed in 1914 and baritone bugles, 10 field drums and two made its first appearance at a Naval Scotch bass drums. The drum and bugle Academy versus St. John’s College corps was officially incorporated as a unit of baseball game. It numbered only 16 the Brigade of Midshipmen on March 16, members. 1946. By 1915 the corps was increased In a Brigade order announcing this event, in size to 21 (Fig. 10) . These the executive officer said the drum corps’ included 16 bugles and four snare duties were to participate in Brigade drums, led by a lead bugler. In the functions. These included playing the U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, Washington, D(.pCh.o, tion b2y0 0A2r ta Lt utheeb k3e0)t. h following years, the drum and bugle Brigade into Bancroft Hall for noon and Anniversary DCI Championships in Madison, WI 36 standstill shows or concerts, the Midshipmen would wear their formal dark blue mess uniforms, complete with white dress shirt, bow tie and gold satin cummerbund. During most of the 1970s, the corps was under the direction of Petty Officer Michael J. King, who became their chief enlisted instructor, (Above and right) while serving in the Naval The U.S. Naval A Navy dru(pmh oatnod f rboumg lteh eco croplsle actt iYone robfa R Boune nFaie Irsrilearnad),. San Francisco, Academy Band. King had been Academy Drum & Bugle Corps, CA, 1905 active in drum corps since 1964 Annapolis, MD, at th(ep hInotteors-A bcya dDeamle y Ecocmk pfreotmiti othne in c o1l9le9c9t ion of evening meal formations and to supplement when he joined the Knightsmen of Drum the Naval Academy Band (this band was made Millis, MA. While in college, he Corps World). up of full-time Navy bandsmen, not marched with the Wilmington Crusaders of using instructors from the Marine Drum and Midshipmen). Massachusetts. Bugle Corps or civilians. These new duties also included playing for In 1976, while still in the Navy, he was Also, in the last two years, the the Brigade prior to chapel services, part of the world champion drum line of the Midshipmen have not used a color guard or furnishing music in flag section with their drum corps. Brigade parades and Whether this is a comment on the current parading the state of civilian drum corps, flag sections Midshipmen in and dance troupes, or simply a lack of events away from volunteers, is not known. However, in all the academy. other aspects, the Midshipmen are a This post-war modern drum and bugle corps using the renovated corps most up to date piston bugles, field drums started out with 40 and pit percussion. members, all Coast Guard drum and bugle corps experienced players, The smallest military service, the Coast many of whom were Guard, like the Navy under whose war veterans. In command they come in time of war, has a this way, they were long tradition of buglers on ships and land not much different The U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen Drum & Bugle (Cphoorptos bayt tRheo nH Dawa tShoilvrnae). Caballeros’ standstill on bases. Their rating badges for buglers were than the many new February 18, 1978 -- note the evening mess uniform exactly the same as the Navy. and re-formed senior drum corps of the Baltimore Yankee Rebels and the following Besides duty buglers, they also had drum American Legion and VFW. Over the years, year became assistant drum instructor for and bugle corps at their recruit training the corps would grow to a 100-man unit and that corps. In 1978, he served as drum major centers, but smaller in size. Photos of their be sought after nationwide for major parades, and assistant horn instructor for the Alameda, CA, Recruit Training Center Corps exhibitions and concerts. Westshoremen of Harrisburg, PA; that year taken in the early 1950s show a unit In 1973, the Midshipmen dressed up their they were American Legion Champions. numbering 22 members: eight buglers using uniform for field shows by using their full King’s experience and passion for drum single-piston sopranos, eight snare drums, a dress dark blue jackets over summer white corps had a marked effect on the Naval bell lyre, a bass drum, a cymbal player, a pants, regardless of season, and adding gold Academy Corps. He formulated policies and drum major and a guide-on. satin waist sashes with two-pointed drops. procedures that improved significantly the Uniforms were Navy sailor suits with only Before this, the only addition to the corps’ professionalism and musical ability of the a small shield badge worn on the right sleeve uniform was a gold bugle insignia worn on Midshipmen and brought them national to tell the viewer they were Coast Guard. the lower right sleeve of both dress and full recognition. Presently, there is only one drum and dress jackets. In 1979, he was awarded one of the Navy’s bugle corps wearing a Coast Guard uniform. The addition of 16 blue and gold flash highest non-combat medals, the Navy They are the Windjammers Drum and Bugle flags the same year gave the corps the look of Achievement Medal, for his dynamic Corps, made up of cadets from the U.S. Coast a civilian drum and bugle corps in very leadership, musical ability and dedication to Guard Academy in New London, CT. military uniforms. In later years, at indoor the Midshipmen Drum and Bugle Corps. A drum corps at the academy dates back In recent years, to at least the end of World War II. During government the 1950s and early 1960s, they were a typical cutbacks to the small military school drum corps, marching military have done with 30 to 36 playing members. Their horn away with full-time line consisted of single-piston bugles in enlisted bands at soprano, tenor, baritone, French horn and the service bass models. academies, with Drums were the exception of the Military The U.S. Coast Academy at West Guard Academy Point. Therefore, Windjammers Drum & Bugle Corps, New the Midshipmen London, CT, in 1999 Drum and Bugle at the Inter-Academy Corps has become, competition in (Apnhnoatop obliys ,D MalD e Eck (U.S. Navy in effect, a from the collection of pThoet oU .fSro. mN athvea lc Aocllaedcteiomny oMf iRdoshni pDmae Sni lDvaru). m & Bugle Corps, Annapolis, MD, circa 1970s collegiate band, ). Drum Corps World 37 snare, tenor and bass, with a pair of cymbals. Guard Cadets At times bell lyres were used. Their drum distinguish themselves major was traditional military, using an from the other American-style baton or mace. In sea-going service. off-academy public parades, the corps was In 1982, the often fronted by the academy’s five-man color corps-style band guard. converted itself into a In 1972, the Cadet Drum and Bugle Corps legitimate drum and was reorganized into a military band, since bugle corps, again government budget cutbacks had lost the under the direction of Academy the use of a full-time enlisted band. Brule. With this, two The U.S. Coast Guard Academy (Dprhuomto & b yB uRgolen CDoar pSsil,v Na)e. w London, CT, April 1962, at a Cherry The Cadet band used the standard brass and major goals were Blossom parade in Belleville, NJ woodwind instruments plus a percussion established: first, they wanted to increase musical support for the entire Corps of section. participation in the program from a football Cadets at parades, reviews, concerts and To make the band sporting events. They also host their own bigger and better, its “Windjammers Invitational” marching band director, Chief Robert competition in mid-October for school bands. Brule, a former trumpet Always in demand for major parades and player in the Coast Guard festivals, the Windjammers say it all in their Band, got the status of corps motto, “Pride in Performance,” which the Cadet Band elevated is evident both on and off the field. to a varsity sport. Since Air Force drum and bugle corps all cadets are required to The newest military service, the United participate in two sports States Air Force, has a tradition of drum and activities, the band’s bugle corps that goes back to the days of the membership increased in old Army Air Corps. During World War II, size and talent. the Army Air Force had drum and bugle It was in the fall of corps at its training centers and flight 1976 that the Coast training schools. These drum corps were Guard Academy U.S. Coast Guard Academy (Dphruomto &b yB Dugalvei dC Roricpes ,f rNoemw t hLeo ncdoollne,c tCioTn, aotf the 2001 Inter-Acad).emy made up of trainees or aviation cadets who Windjammers Band took competition, Annapolis, MD Drum Corps World played regulation G bugles and field drums. part in the Inter-Academy Drum and Bugle season activity (August to November) to a A 1943 photo of the 344th C.T.D. Army Air Corps Competition at Annapolis, competing full-year course of study, including beginner, Force Drum and Bugle Corps shows a against the much larger Air Force Academy intermediate and advanced instruction on all 23-member unit using eight snare drums, Cadet Wing Flight of Sound and Naval bugle and percussion instruments, designed two bass drums, cymbals, nine G soprano Academy Midshipmen Corps. to increase the quality and continuity of the bugles and two G bass bugles. The corps was They competed as a traditional marching Windjammers from year to year. led by an aviation cadet lieutenant drum band and scored a disheartening 33 points, Second, they wanted the corps to major with a signal baton. well below the other two academies. They compete annually instead of semi-annually in Another war-time photo shows a cadet returned to New London determined to the Inter-Academy Competition and be bugler sounding Call to the Colors . He has a improve their results and went about competitive enough to justify their trips to small tabard attached to his bugle bearing the changing from a traditional marching band Maryland and Colorado. wings and propeller insignia of the Air Force. to a corps-style band with bell-front horns. The drum and bugle corps provides an Officially, it should be ultramarine blue with Unable to attend the 1977 competition at outlet for musically talented cadets to explore insignia and fringe in golden-orange, the Air the Air Force Academy in Colorado because of and expand their skills while providing Force branch colors (Fig. 11) . economic considerations, the Windjammers With the formation of the United spent their time preparing for the States Air Force in 1947, the new service competition’s return to Annapolis in 1978. would continue to have drum corps at That contest saw the Coast Guard Cadets its training centers. These were modern, improve their score from 33 to 62 points. up-to-date corps, using single-piston While they didn’t beat either of the larger bugles and, later, piston-rotor bugles in corps, they gained a great deal of respect and all the voices used by competitive drum self-esteem for their efforts. corps. Among these were the Lowry Air In these competitions, the Windjammers Force Base, CO; Lackland Air Force Base, wore their full dress: white caps, dark blue TX; and the “Blue Knights” of Kessler jackets and white pants. Since this uniform Air Force Base, MS. is almost identical to that of the Naval However, when one thinks of Academy, the Coast Guard Cadets added large outstanding and progressive Air Force white gauntlets to their uniform. drum and bugle corps, three special Taking a hint from the Navy Midshipmen’s units come to mind: The United States wide gold satin sashes with two drops on the Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps of left side, they wore a Coast Guard Academy Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. blue (a light silver-blue) satin waist sash with (1949-1963), the U.S. Air Force Academy a blue and gold drop worn on the right side. Drum and Bugle Corps (1959-1973) and To further visualize their Coast Guard the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Wing image, the bands’ flag section carried white Drum and Bugle Corps (1971-present). flags with a diagonal red and blue stripe. Founder Brig. Gen. Sidney “Rosie” This stripe is painted on the white bows of all Grubbs had always dreamed of having Coast Guard vessels. Together with their his own drum and bugle corps. In name, Windjammers, which is an old seafarer (photo by David Rice December 1949, he recalled to active term for sailing ships and its crew, the Coast Tfrohme Uth.Se . cCoolleacstti oGnu oafr d Academy Midship)m. en, 1999 duty Capt. Herbert J. Gall, who was Drum Corps World 38 dedication both leaders shared with the witnessed a performance of the corps and troops, knowing the United States Air shortly after his graduation from high school, Force Drum and Bugle Corps would auditioned for, and was accepted into, the have never been born without their unit in February 1953 as an instrumentalist. capable leadership and devotion. In the 10 years he was involved with the The United States Air Force Drum Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps, he and Bugle Corps was formed in 1949 as distinguished himself not only as the corps’ the Field Music section of the U.S. Air music director and arranger, but also as a Force Bands, Bolling Air Force Base in drill designer. Washington, D.C., the same base that The Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps was was home to the famed Glen Miller Army always in great demand and had a rigorous Air Force Band of World War II. The schedule that would put most military bands most unusual thing about the corps is and drum corps into an aid station. that it included a 12-man bagpipe On Memorial Day in 1962, the corps section, added to its 18 drummers and played four engagements in one day in 30-plus buglers. Connecticut. Two were recorded by Richard As the “official” Air Force drum I. Blake for Cadet Records: their morning corps, the unit literally performed all exhibition at New Haven and their fourth over the world, from giving exhibitions at Scotland’s Edinburgh Tattoo to Berlin’s Olympic Stadium and Miami’s Retreat (photo Ffroigmur eth e11 c -o-l lAecnt iAornm oyf ARior nC oDrap sS Ailvvaia).tion Cadet sounding Orange Bowl to doing parades in New York City, Manila and Tokyo. given the assignment to organize the finest The corps was very modern, like drum and bugle corps ever assembled. the Air Force itself, and not tied down Grubbs was eventually transferred to by tradition. One performance in Ramey Air Force Base in San Juan, Puerto 1958 of its modern field show was at Rico, to become base commander, handing London’s Horse Guards Parade, a large over the reigns to Gall. Drum corps parade ground where the British army old-timers fondly remember the love and performs its most traditional ceremonies, such as the Trooping of the Color, done on exhibition later that afternoon in Milford the Queen’s official (Fleetwood CSLP#1001, illustrated above) . birthday. The uniforms worn by the corps were After the Air regulation dress, in Air Force blue or silver Force’s jazzy tan, highlighted by white ascots, shoulder performance, the cords and spats. British press In the summer of 1960, the bagpipe criticized the drum corps’ exhibition as degrading and undignified for such a noble parade ground. However, the British public loved them, just as they had loved the Glen Miller Air Force Swing Band during the war. The music used in the 1958 field show that toured Great Britain included an opening fanfare, Washington and Lee Swing; Coronation Fanfare; Oh, You Beautiful Doll; Two to Tango; Americans We; If This Isn’t Love; Are You from Dixie; Mambo Jambo and Air Force Fanfare. In 1952, a young (photo by Figure 12( p--h Uot.oS .f rAoimr F tohrec eco Allceacdtioenm yo fD Rruomn D&a B Suiglvlae) .Corps, mid-1960s, in regular academy band Truman W. Crawford UD.aSle. AEicr kF ofrrocme Athcea dceomlleyc tDiornu mof & Bugle Corps, 199)9. uniforms Drum Corps World 39 section was put in complete Highland independently or as part of the Academy the Academy Band. A unique feature of this uniforms imported from Scotland; this Band. formation was that the drums and bugles included a dark blue Glengarry cap, a dark With the demise of the original corps at could play in unison with the band. This was blue doublet with white trim and silver Washington, D.C., late in 1963, some of the accomplished by using special musical buttons, black leather waistbelts and baldrics members were reassigned to the Air Force arrangements written by both corps and band with silver fittings. Academy Corps at Colorado Springs. musicians. Their kilts, plaids and hose were made in The Air Force, realizing the public The dress uniform (Fig. 12) worn by the the Mitchell tartan, in honor of Gen. Billy relations value of a top-flight drum and bugle academy’s musicians was a special parade Mitchell who had championed for an corps, enlarged the Field Music into a uniform designed for the academy band. It independent Air Force. The tartan’s modern corps, so that by 1966 the academy consisted of indigo blue cap with silver trim predominant colors were a medium green corps was ready to do both parades and field on the band and visor. The cap insignia was and dark blue, with scarlet and white lines. exhibitions off the academy campus with a the Air Force wings and music lyre in silver. All sections of the drum corps and pipe horn line of 25 and a drum line of nine. By The parade dress coat was double-breasted 1968, the with a standing collar in a pale sky-blue. It corps was had two rows of pewter Air Force buttons and performing silver trim on the cuffs. Trousers were indigo with a drum blue with a silver braid stripe. line of 12 and In 1966, the drum corps got permission to 33 horns. wear a “corps-style” uniform when The corps performing their modern field show or was parading on their own. The modified composed uniform had the band’s coat cut down to a solely of waist-length jacket, which was worn with a enlisted men, white sash and tassels. The corps’ drum as with the major was distinguished by his British-style old baldric with silver crest and trim, and the Washington- wearing of white leather gauntlets. based corps, Even though the U.S. Air Force Academy selected for Corps was unique, colorful and very popular, their it was ordered to deactivate on December 16, musicianship, 1973. This came about after the Pentagon military ordered the service academies to trim their bearing and bands down to under 100 members. fine “It was a very difficult decision,” said Lt. character. Col. Richard Thurston, band commander. The draft “After careful thought, the superintendent and the war decided that in order not to reduce the in Vietnam professionalism of the Academy’s concert (Up.hSo. tAo irb yF oRrcoen ADcaa Sdeilvmay). Flight of Sound from Colorado Springs, CO, at West Point, NY, on November 8, 1980 also helped band, the corps would be disbanded.” recruiting. However, a new drum and bugle corps band wore the same cap badge: silver Air Volunteers came from civilian drum corps made up of cadets was already organized and Force wings and propeller with a music lyre throughout the country and the Academy being instructed by members of the old corps, superimposed on the propeller. Drum & Bugle Corps would enlist the cream still enlisted in the Academy’s Band. From 1960, the Bagpipe Band performed of the crop. United States Air Force Academy as an independent unit of the Air Force Band Thus, it wasn’t surprising to find young Cadet Wing Drum and Bugle Corps as well as with the drum corps. In 1963, the men who had marched with the Blessed The U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Wing Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps was Sacrament Golden Knights, Boston Drum and Bugle Corps was formed in 1971 as disbanded due to manpower reductions in Crusaders, St. Kevin’s Emerald Knights, a cadet club. Its instruction came from armed forces bands. Kilties, Cavaliers, Garfield Cadets, New York members of the academy’s famed enlisted The Bagpipe Band would remain active as Skyliners, Hawthorne Caballeros or Casper drum and bugle corps. After the enlisted a special unit of the Air Force Band until Troopers marching in their ranks. corps was disbanded in 1973, three of its June 1970, when it also was disbanded for While the corps’ primary mission was to members, members of the Academy Band, unknown, but hotly debated reasons . support the Cadet Wing by playing for meal continued to instruct the cadet corps, now Some members of the drum and bugle formations, cadet parades and academy known as the “Flight of Sound.” sections were sent to other Air Force drum football games, invitations to perform at Having instructors who had extensive corps, most notably an enlarged drum and professional sporting events, music bugle section of the U.S. Air Force Academy festivals and major parades came in from Band in Colorado Springs, CO, that would all over the country. It wasn’t uncommon take the place of the Washington, D.C., corps. to see the corps on national television U.S. Air Force Academy during half-time at an NFL football game Drum and Bugle Corps or marching in a Bowl Parade. The U.S. Air Force Academy Drum and The Air Force Academy Drum and Bugle Corps was formed in June 1959 as Bugle Corps was the first military unit to the Field Music section of the United States be invited to New York City’s Macy’s Air Force Academy Band. It originally Thanksgiving Day Parade and also took consisted of eight soprano buglers and nine part in presidential inauguration parades. drummers. The corps even exhibited at several Great As such, they acted as duty buglers, Plains Association competitions in Kansas sounding the calls that regulated the daily during the mid-1960s. routine of the Cadet Wing. They also played At academy parades and reviews, the U.S. Air Force Academy Flight of Sound Drum & Bu(gplheo Ctoo rbpys Daat lteh eEck at all cadet formations and parades, either drum and bugle corps was massed with f1r9o9m9 tIhnete cro-Allecactdioenm oyf Competition in Anna).polis, MD Drum Corps World 40 made famous by top junior corps in Drum material came from feature articles, reports Corps Internationial. This was done under and photographs that have appeared in the the direction of their director and musical following publications: arranger, Senior Master Sgt. Rod Stewart, and • ARM -- Army Reserve magazine drill and percussion instructor, Master Sgt. • Army Digest -- U.S. Army magazine Ken Tyler. • ARMY Magazine The Flight of Sound performed the • Drum Corps America -- Racine, WI-based Phantom Regiment’s “An American in Paris,” magazine published from 1971 to 1976 complete with a traffic cop, the Bayonne • Drum Corps Digest -- Glenview, IL-based Bridgemen’s “Civil War Fantasy,” which magazine published from 1965 to 1973 included a battle sequence using Union and • Drum Corps News -- Boston, MA-based Confederate flags, and a finale of Battle newspaper published from 1961 to 1985 Hymn that always brought a resounding • Drum Corps World -- Chicago, IL-based standing ovation from audiences, both magazine published from 1950 to 1966 military and civilian. • Drum Corps World -- Madison, WI-based Not just copying DCI corps, the Cadets did newspaper published from 1971 to present some trademark moves of their own. In their • Eastern Review -- drum corps magazine, 1984 show, the horn line formed a large Brooklyn, NY circle, did a domino-like fall into a push-up • Leatherneck -- magazine of the Marines position, then did a set of GI-style push-ups, • Musicana -- U.S. Army, Navy & Air Force all during a rhythmic drum solo. The Cadets Association magazine, New Haven, CT closed that show with American Fantasia The above material covered more than 40 that featured their excellent flag line and a years of information, some collected in scrap traditional color presentation, again bringing books, where clippings were sometimes the audience to its feet. trimmed of publication name and date. Stewart once used an old drum corps Other material was complete in plastic description that appeared in contest sheet protectors and bound chronologically. programs as far back as the 1950s to describe However, much of the material was loose, his corps: “The U.S. Air Force Academy, Cadet original items or photo copies sent to me. U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Drum Major Dik A. Daso (left) wore a complete West Point uniform to( pchoontdou bcyt tRheo nA Dir aF oSriclve a). Wing, Drum & Bugle Corps combines the Also, most of the official armed forces fact Flight of Sound on November 8, 1980 precision of West Point, the musical blend of sheets were undated, except for a government backgrounds with both civilian and military a well-directed band or orchestra and the printing office printing date. drum corps would give the Cadet Wing Drum showmanship of a Broadway production.” I therefore apologize for any omissions or & Bugle Corps the edge, which would be evi - That statement could well describe all our inaccuracies and would welcome any dent in their drill and musical remaining armed forces drum corps: additional information or corrections: Ron presentations. They would also go on to • The U.S. Marine Corps Drum & Bugle Corps Da Silva, 269 Chestnut Street #204, Nutley, become one of the largest drum and bugle • The U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen NJ 07110-1656 corps ever in the armed forces. Drum & Bugle Corps In 1973, the Cadets had 13 drummers, 58 • The U.S. Air Force Academy, Cadet Wing, Bibliography horns, a drum major and a military color Flight of Sound Drum & Bugle Corps guard consisting of a U.S. flag, Air Force flag • The U.S. Coast Guard Academy Emerson, Lt. Col. William K., U.S. Army. and their Flight of Sound corps flag. These Windjammers Drum & Bugle Corps Chevrons: An Illustrated History and Catalog were guarded by two sword-bearing cadets. Afterward of U.S. Army Insignia . Smithsonian By the 1980s, the corps had a regulated On November 8, 1980, the Air Force Institution Press, Washington, D.C., 1983. size of 135 cadets; of these, 110 would travel Academy Cadet Wing Drum and Bugle Corps Encyclopedia of United States Army and perform in their field show. This broke performed their field show at the Army vs. Air Insignia and Uniforms. University of down to a 60-member horn line, 24 Force football game at West Point’s Michie Oklahoma Press, Norman, OK, 1996. percussionists, a 24-member flag line made Stadium. Leading the corps was Cadet Drum Manual for Field Musics, U.S. Marine up of women cadets, and two drum majors. Major Dik A. Daso, dressed in a complete Corps, 1935 (Second Revision). Government The Flight of Sound’s uniform was West Point Cadet uniform (see photo above) . Printing Office, Washington, D.C., May, 1942. visually outstanding. It was the academy’s When I later asked him why he wore the Military Uniforms in America: The spring parade dress, designed by film director Army cadet gray uniform and plumed shako, Modern Era, 1868-1970 . John R. Elting and Cecil B. DeMille in 1956. This order of dress he said since West Point did not have a corps, Michael McAfee, editors. The Company of consisted of a white cap cover and a royal his action might spur interest within the Military Historians, North Main Street, blue, high-collared, double-breasted, Corps of Cadets and officers staff to organize Westbrook, CT, 1988. waist-length jacket worn over white trousers a cadet drum corps at the Army’s military Pahl, David. Annapolis, The United States and black shoes. academy. Naval Academy (Exeter Books). Bison Book The cadet drum corps was also given Sorry to say, it has never been formed. Corp., New York, NY, 1987. permission to embellish this uniform with a When one thinks of all the junior corps St. Jorre, John de. The Marines . Photos corps-style baldric and sash in a bright whose name included the word “Cadets,” or by Anthony Edgeworth. Sidgwick & Jackson, powder blue trimmed in silver. Their twin all the junior and senior corps that wore London, UK, and Doubleday & Co., New York, drum majors were further distinguished by “cadet-style” uniforms, wouldn’t it be great to NY, 1989. wearing white leather gauntlets, see the Long Gray Line marching into the Todd, Col. Frederick P., U.S.A.R. Cadet golden-yellow cadet officer’s sashes and wide stands with colors flying, drums beating and Gray: A Pictorial History of Life at West drum major baldrics of royal blue with bugles aimed high, performing in our Point as Seen Through Its Uniforms . golden-yellow trim -- one bearing a large uniquely American form of military Illustrated by Frederick T. Chapman. Bonanz metal crest of the U.S. Air Force, the other showmanship and precision pageantry? Books by arrangement with Sterling the crest of the Air Force Academy. Publishing Col., New York, NY, 1955 . In 1980, the female flag line was wearing Most of the material for this chapter came white culottes and knee-high black boots. from various armed forces fact sheets, official For a photo and bio of Ron Da Silva, see Their field show utilized music and drill press releases and photo captions. Additional page 55. 41