“The Best Band in the Land”
Constituted 20 August 1943 in the Regular Army as the Band, 3d Infantry Division, the Band was redesignated 1 December 1943 as the 3d Infantry Division Band and activated in North Africa. The band has been consolidated and redesignated several times throughout the years with Headquarters Companies, until final redesignation as the 3d Infantry Division Band 01 October 1984 and currently resides at Fort Stewart, Ga.
Since its inception, the band has been awarded many decorations beginning in 1945. During World War II, the unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (1945), the French Croix de guerre with Palm (1945), the French Fourragere (1945) in the colors of the Croix de guerre. During the war in Korea, the unit was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation (1951-52), the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (1951); streamer embroidered Uijongbu Corridor, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (1953); streamer embroidered Iron Triangle, the Chryssoun Aristion Andrias- Bravery Gold Medal of Greece (1950-53); streamer embroidered Korea, the Presidential Unit Citation (2003); streamer embroidered Iraq 2003.
The 3rd Infantry Division Band is a 40 member unit and has a variety of performing groups to include a Concert Band, Stage Band, Marching Band, a Rock Band, a Jazz Combo, two Brass Quintets, a New Orleans styled Brass Band, a Woodwind Quintet, buglers and capable of a variety of ensembles to include solo instrumentalists. Now known as the “Best Band in the Land”, the band is a regular participant in both military and civilian events on Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Ga and Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA. The band also travels throughout the southeast United States as a goodwill ambassador for the United States Government. This organization has performed in Africa, France, Italy, Central Europe, Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The 3rd ID Band performs over 400 commitments a year to include the second largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the nation, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah, Ga. In addition, the band has performed for many dignitaries and celebrities including: former Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Sr., The Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Army, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and Presidents and Dignitaries of several foreign nations.
Since its inception, the band has been awarded many decorations beginning in 1950. During the Korean War, the unit was awarded two Meritorious Unit Commendations for service from 1950 to 1952. During the Vietnam War, the unit was awarded two Meritorious Unit Commendations for service during 1966 and 1970. A Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was awarded for service October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945. Two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations, for MASAN-CHINJU as well as MUNSAN-NI are also held by the unit. For service during the Vietnam War the Tropic Lightning band was awarded three Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for service from 1966 to 1968, 1968 to 1970 and 1966 to 1970.
Now known as Army Music Hawaii, the band is a regular participant in both military and civilian events on the Island of Oahu. The band also travels throughout the Pacific Region as a goodwill ambassador for the United States Government. This organization has performed in Korea, Australia, Alaska, the Cook Islands, Thailand, Nepal, Bangladesh, Republic of Maldives, Russia and China. It was also the first US Army Band since World War II to perform in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). In 2010, the band was the only US military band to perform at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China.
Here is a list of the band’s recent deployments. In 1995, the band deployed to Haiti in support of Operation Uphold Democracy. In the summer of 2004 and again during the winter of 2004-2005, the Tropic Lightning band deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, performing for more than 18,000 Soldiers and civilians from 21 different countries. In 2007 and 2010, the Tropic Lightning band earned two Meritorious Unit Commendations for service during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006-2007 and 2008-2009. On December 2011, the band redeployed from a year long deployment as part of the last group of Soldiers leaving Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.
Army Music Hawaii performs over 1,000 commitments a year. Highly visible commitments the band regularly supports include the King Kamehameha Day Parade, Honolulu Marathon and the Great Aloha Run. In addition, the band has performed for many dignitaries and celebrities including: former Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Sr., The Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Army, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and The President of South Korea.
Constituted on October 12, 1943, the 25th Infantry Division Band is the most highly decorated line band in the United States Army. On January 1, 1944 the 'Tropic Lightning' band was activated in New Zealand and in May of 1947 the band took its place at Schofield Barracks where it resides today.
Since its inception, the band has been awarded many decorations beginning in 1950. During the Korean War, the unit was awarded two Meritorious Unit Commendations for service from 1950 to 1952. During the Vietnam War, the unit was awarded two Meritorious Unit Commendations for service during 1966 and 1970. A Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was awarded for service October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945. Two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations, for MASAN-CHINJU as well as MUNSAN-NI are also held by the unit. For service during the Vietnam War the Tropic Lightning band was awarded three Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for service from 1966 to 1968, 1968 to 1970 and 1966 to 1970.
Now known as Army Music Hawaii, the band is a regular participant in both military and civilian events on the Island of Oahu. The band also travels throughout the Pacific Region as a goodwill ambassador for the United States Government. This organization has performed in Korea, Australia, Alaska, the Cook Islands, Thailand, Nepal, Bangladesh, Republic of Maldives, Russia and China. It was also the first US Army Band since World War II to perform in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). In 2010, the band was the only US military band to perform at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China.
Here is a list of the band’s recent deployments. In 1995, the band deployed to Haiti in support of Operation Uphold Democracy. In the summer of 2004 and again during the winter of 2004-2005, the Tropic Lightning band deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, performing for more than 18,000 Soldiers and civilians from 21 different countries. In 2007 and 2010, the Tropic Lightning band earned two Meritorious Unit Commendations for service during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006-2007 and 2008-2009. On December 2011, the band redeployed from a year long deployment as part of the last group of Soldiers leaving Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.
Army Music Hawaii performs over 1,000 commitments a year. Highly visible commitments the band regularly supports include the King Kamehameha Day Parade, Honolulu Marathon and the Great Aloha Run. In addition, the band has performed for many dignitaries and celebrities including: former Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Sr., The Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Army, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and The President of South Korea.
Constituted on October 12, 1943, the 25th Infantry Division Band is the most highly decorated line band in the United States Army. On January 1, 1944 the 'Tropic Lightning' band was activated in New Zealand and in May of 1947 the band took its place at Schofield Barracks where it resides today.
Since its inception, the band has been awarded many decorations beginning in 1950. During the Korean War, the unit was awarded two Meritorious Unit Commendations for service from 1950 to 1952. During the Vietnam War, the unit was awarded two Meritorious Unit Commendations for service during 1966 and 1970. A Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was awarded for service October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945. Two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations, for MASAN-CHINJU as well as MUNSAN-NI are also held by the unit. For service during the Vietnam War the Tropic Lightning band was awarded three Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for service from 1966 to 1968, 1968 to 1970 and 1966 to 1970.
Now known as Army Music Hawaii, the band is a regular participant in both military and civilian events on the Island of Oahu. The band also travels throughout the Pacific Region as a goodwill ambassador for the United States Government. This organization has performed in Korea, Australia, Alaska, the Cook Islands, Thailand, Nepal, Bangladesh, Republic of Maldives, Russia and China. It was also the first US Army Band since World War II to perform in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). In 2010, the band was the only US military band to perform at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China.
Here is a list of the band’s recent deployments. In 1995, the band deployed to Haiti in support of Operation Uphold Democracy. In the summer of 2004 and again during the winter of 2004-2005, the Tropic Lightning band deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, performing for more than 18,000 Soldiers and civilians from 21 different countries. In 2007 and 2010, the Tropic Lightning band earned two Meritorious Unit Commendations for service during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006-2007 and 2008-2009. On December 2011, the band redeployed from a year long deployment as part of the last group of Soldiers leaving Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.
Army Music Hawaii performs over 1,000 commitments a year. Highly visible commitments the band regularly supports include the King Kamehameha Day Parade, Honolulu Marathon and the Great Aloha Run. In addition, the band has performed for many dignitaries and celebrities including: former Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Sr., The Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Army, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and The President of South Korea.
