History
The 8th Army Band began its proud history of service to the nation on 1 July 1916, when it was constituted as the Band Section, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 35th Infantry Regiment. The band was organized on 8 July 1916 at Douglas, Arizona.
The 35th Infantry Regiment Band was assigned with the regiment to the 18th Infantry Division on 7 August 1918 and served with the division until 14 February 1919.
The 35th Infantry Regiment served in Hawaii from October 1922 until August 1941 when the regiment was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division.
During World War II the band served in the Pacific theater and participated in Central Pacific and Guadalcanal campaigns.
The band was reorganized and redesignated on 1 June 1944 as the 124th Army Ground Forces Band. The band became the 124th Army Band on 1 June 1947.
The band was again reorganized and designated on 8 November 1950 as the 8th Army Band and assigned to the Republic of Korea. The band participated in numerous campaigns during the Korean War and earned several decorations for its service. The soldiers of the 8th Army Band proudly wear the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Presidential Unit Citation which were earned between 1951 and 1953.
I was honored to be a part of the 8th Army Band in 1987-88. While there, the band played for many high ranking officials such as the President of South Korea, Senators, Congressmen, and Military Officals to include the SGM of the Army.
Most of these ceremonies were conducted on "Knight Field", which was located in front of the Commanding General of the 8th Army and CINC of the United Nations Forces Korea's building. The units involved in this impressive ceremony were Honor Guard units comprised of platoons representing the US Army, Republic of Korea Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Also included was a platoon from Napal.
The ceremony was a traditional "Pass and Review" highlighted by the tossing of the mace by the drum major as the band passed the review stand.
One personal highlight was the "Beating of Retreat" performed by the British Royal Air Force Band. They were our guests in the hot summer of 1987.
The 8th Army Band performed in many different cities of Korea while I was stationed there. From as far south as Tageu to the DMZ with the Joint Security Forces who maintain the security of the Joint Security Area and the safety of the demilitarized zone the divides North and South Korea.
I am proud to be a former member of such a honored unit which wears the patch of the 8th Army along with the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Presidential Unit Citation. This tradition of excellence continues today as the unit proudly serves the US troops and Korean population.
Page updated - 23 Jun 99