Navy Band Number 22 was stationed aboard the USS Arizona.
On April 2, 1942, the Navy released the following story which was carried in newspapers from coast to coast:
What becomes of the boys in the band when the guns begin to roar?
Many a civilian has asked that question. Blowing a horn or beating a drum is not firing a gun. What becomes of the ship's musicians when the battle rages?
The most dramatic answer to that question has been furnished by the incident of the ship's band of the battleship Arizona.
On December 7 they went to their battle station, one of the most hazardous on the ship--down below, passing ammunition to the guns above.
To a man, the Arizona's band was killed when the battleship's magazine exploded.
Part of the program of recreation at Pearl Harbor last year was the Battle of Music, 1941. The bands of the ships in port contested. One of the best and near the top in scoring when the war began was the band of the Arizona.
When its total loss was discovered, the other contestants unanimously agreed to award posthumously to the Arizona's band the trophy at stake.
Great interest in the trophy has been expressed by the U.S. Navy School of Music at Washington, and in response to its request, a picture of the trophy was painted by Alfred Dupont, illustrator at the fleet recreation office, and sent to the national capital, to be placed on permanent exhibit there.
Henceforth the trophy will be known as the Arizona trophy.
After the war, it will be put up again to be challenged, when the Battle of Music will be resumed.
Here's a pretty cool tribute the Navy Band in Hawaii did earlier this week. You can also get some pretty good information HERE and HERE...including pics and bios of all the band members.
Take a moment to remember all those who were lost on that fateful day.
Pic of the sinking USS Arizona
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