The Army Materiel Command Band was constituted January, 15 1944 as the
389th Army Band and was activated the following week at Fort Monmouth, N.J.
The band has direct ties to the U.S. Army Signal Corps Band and the 13th
Cavalry Regimental Band, though it does not carry their lineage and honors. The 13th
Cavalry Regimental Band was organized at Fort Meade, South Dakota May 24, 1901.
In 1916, while on international border patrol, the 13th Cavalry Regimental Band
saw action against Francisco "Poncho" Villa's guerrillas in Columbus, New Mexico.
Although the band sustained nine casualties, Poncho Villa's casualties numbered 192.
The 13th Cavalry Regimental Band served at various posts and camps world-wide before arriving at Fort Monmouth in August 1930.
In late August 1930, the 13th Cavalry Regimental Band was formally
inactivated and retired. In the same month the U.S Army Signal Corps Band was
activated and received personnel and equipment from the 13th Cavalry Regimental
Band.
In January 1944, the Signal Corps Band was inactivated and the 389th Army
Band was formed and activated. It likewise inherited personnel and equipment from
the Signal Corps Band.
During World War II, the 389th Army Band was the motivating factor in a
campaign that sold more than $1 million in war bonds for the war effort, earning the
band the Meritorious Unit Commendation, 1944-1945.
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