From Bob McNutt, T/Sgt. H&S Company. 371st Engr. Const. Bn. Now at P O Box 81258, Las Vegas, Nevada 89180-1258. 702-254-2600

Early in 1944 Colonel Jackson decided his crew of physical misfits needed some hardening up for the rigors of war facing the 371st Engineer Construction Battalion. Colonel Jackson decided one of the best tests his troops could have would be a fifty mile march. Obviously the troops thought the Colonel could have dreamed up a better test of their rigor and vigor. But the highest rank to speak in any opposition was a lowly T-4 in B Company. So the 371st marched.

To properly march through the various communities along our route, the Colonel determined the 371st should have a band. The table of Organization of this new animal, a Construction Battalion, had all kinds of equipment, enlisted rank (more M/Sgts and T/Sgts than a division), trucks, scrapers, etc. But NO band. Colonel Jackson was not a man to be denied. He sent out a call to the four First Sergeants. "I want a band. Who in your company can play an instrument?" Orders from the Colonel were not to be ignored. The First Sergeants scurried around. Every morning at roll call the question came, "Can you play a band instrument? If so, see me immediately after formation."

Along with about six or eight others I managed to tell the First Sgt. That I could play a saxophone and a clarinet. Also that I would enjoy being in the band. The Battalion headquarters cut orders and this "rag-tag" group of so-called musicians were ordered to meet daily, practice and become the Battalion Band. My good fortune was to be the ranking sergeant of the group and so I became in charge of the band. It was fun. We practiced after hours. We learned to play in tune. We even could march and play at the same time. Some college bands cannot do that.

Came the time for the fifty mile march through the hamlets of central Illinois. The colonel called me in for the final instructions. Ready for anything, but fifty miles of hauling those instruments, I presented myself to the Colonel. "Sergeant McNutt", he said, " I want that band to lead the Battalion through every town we traverse. I want the band to play stirring marches all along the way. Music, not just drum beats." A Colonel's words are not to be taken lightly. His orders are to be followed implicitly. He told the First Sergeant to give me what ever I needed and get going. I was assigned a nine passenger carryall with a trailer to haul the instruments, drums, music and our gear. The band was ready. I got the route of the march. I went out and reconnoitered the route. With gas rationing, not many people left and no new tires there were few cars on the road. We were prepared. The morning of the march we took off for the first town. Got out of the carryall. Took our instruments from the trailer and lined up ready to go. There they were. The first contingent of the 371st Engineer Battalion, led by Colonel Jackson, came into view. The band got out into the road. Instruments up and ready. As the troops arrived the band started playing, and marching. Each of these small towns was less than a mile from one end to the other. We made the march through town in about ten or fifteen minutes. At the far end we pulled out of the way, lined up along the road and continued playing until the entire battalion had passed. Our carryall, with trailer followed the last of the troops to the edge of town. It stopped. We packed up our instruments and got in. Around the Battalion and on to the next town. I do not recall how many towns we went through, but we played in everyone of them, all through the fifty mile march. The troops enjoyed the band. The Colonel was most proud and the band did not have to work very hard. It was a great exhibition of the abilities of the Engineers.

The Mighty Mites

By Morton Cisco

Found this site today with difficulty 4/18/99 but glad thatI did find it. I was a member of this great outfit in Co.C--Proud to have been a part of the many difficult duties given to us. I was in the first group that formed for the Battalion and was with o C thruout the war..We were called the "Mitey Mites"---Because we were all the shortest in Height..having been assembeled in a long line the first day of the unit forming by a Col.who went up and down our line placeing us in the correct order of height.. hen he decided we were correctly placed in decinding height, he then counted off a division of three companys.."A" Co. consisted of the taller guys,"B" Co.the middle size and "C" Co the smaller guys...I placed about six or seventh from the end... We ha e been to a couple reunions and hope to attend again.. Would like to hear from my buddies from Co "C"when you get a chance to swap some more stories

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