Captain Curry commented personally regarding this period. “While the United States Army Band was the only major service music organization to tour the combat area during World War II, it must be pointed out that such an experience and its unceasing companion, mental, physical, and spiritual discomforts seem glamorous to the men only in retrospect. The route of the Band through these areas was designed primarily to permit the organization to reach the maximum number of allied troops, and the needs of the Band were often sacrificed in order to bring our men a few moments of relaxation. In those hectic days of rapidly fluctuating battle lines, the Band, hampered by its necessary but unwieldy burden of instruments, was often exposed. Even in Antwerp, Belgium, an Army bandsman was wounded by a V-2 rocket bomb.” When Bandleader Captain Darcy retired in September, 1945, he was succeeded by Captain Hugh Curry. A thorough reorganization was instituted. More new members were desired and applicants poured in from every part of the United States. All were carefully screened, not only in proficiency on their individual instruments, but also their adaptability to all types of music. Each was thoroughly tested, examined, auditioned and even his vocal ability was judged. Finally Captain Curry enrolled more than one hundred of America’s finest bandsmen in the United States Army Band. They represent a large cross section of colleges, universities, symphony orchestras and many name dance bands, as well as almost every important American music school. Even the American Indian is represented by a full-blooded member of the Onondaga tribe. While at the very heart of the organization is a small and respected group of men remaining from the original “Pershing’s Own” Band. Technicians, skilled arrangers and other necessary personnel have been added by Captain Curry to this perfectly balanced Army Band. Today, the United States Army Band under its handsome, dignified leader, is able to provide prompt and efficient response to the many demands laid upon it. _The United States Army Air Forces Band_ The United States Army Air Forces needed a band. It had to be a good band too, one that would keep pace with--or better still--_lead_ the streamlined Air Forces. In 1942 Warrant Officer Alf Heiberg was appointed to organize and lead the new band. At Bolling Field, Washington, D. C., the national Headquarters of the U. S. Army Air Force, Officer Heiberg found a saxophone quartette happily playing “on their own.” With this group for a nucleus he began to assemble his band. It was an easier job than Heiberg had anticipated for there were many experienced and outstanding musicians among the fliers who were eager to play, and an adequate number of men were soon enrolled. They were all enthusiastic and practiced so faithfully that in an unbelievably short time the United States Air Force had a good band, one that compared favorably with the other service bands.