The 246 Army Band was organized and
Federally recognized 12 OCT 1939, in the South Carolina National Guard, as the
Band Section, Service Battery, 178 Field Artillery at Columbia, SC. The Band was
reorganized and re-designated 1 JUL 1940, as the Band, 178 Field Artillery,
which became part of General Patton’s Command. The Band was inducted to Federal
service 27 JAN 1941 at Columbia, SC. It was reorganized and re-designated 27 JUN
1944 as the 246 Army Ground Forces Band. In WWII, the Band participated in
campaigns in Tunisia, Naples, Foggia, Rome, and Arno. The 246 Army Ground Forces
Band was inactivated on 30 SEP 1945 in Italy. The Band then moved to Newberry,
SC in 1949 and remained there until 1985 when it was moved to West Columbia, SC.
In 1989 the Band was moved again to a new facility, Pruitt Hall in Columbia, SC
named after retired Commander and Bandmaster of the 246 Army Band, CW4 Charles
Pruitt. Throughout its history the 246th has remained steadfast to its mission.
In the past couple years as the mission of Army Bands has changed so has the
structure of the 246th. Today, the band consists of four Musical Support Teams
in addition to it's concert group. This allows the band to perform specific
duties and tasks required to support today's troops.
In 1994 the 246th was given the opportunity to spend their annual training
performing in Guam. During the mission one soldier, SSG Robert Knox documented
their trip in an article entitled "Ham and Cheese On Guam". The document,
link below, includes the day to day actives of the band while on the trip as
well as several pictures. We are very fortunate to have had SSG Knox and
appreciate his contribution to this portion of the 246th history.
In February 2008 the South Carolina
Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum opened an exhibit displaying South Carolina's role in World War I with a
section devoted to the state's military band. While this is not considered part
of the 246th unit history it is still a part of our state's history in which the
246th represents to this day. Below is the text and photographs from the
museum's exhibit.
…And the Band Played
On…
Military musicians
played important roles in encouraging patriotism and relieving
boredom and misery. They also served diplomatic roles, because music
was often a feature at military ceremonies. Lieutenant Orville K.
Wilson, Sr. helped organize the Second South Carolina Infantry Band
in Orangeburg, 1907. The band served seven months during the Mexican
Punitive Expedition in 1916. The band played at a dance honoring
General Pershing one month before returning from the border. After
the Mexican Punitive Expedition, the band spent several months at
Camp Sevier, South Carolina. When the Regiment was re-organized, the
band became part of the 318th Field Artillery Regiment, 81st
"Wildcat" Division. The re-named 318th Field Artillery Band served
twenty-two months in Europe during WWI. Band organizer, Lieutenant
O.K. Wilson, Sr. died overseas from pneumonia in January 1919. The
city of Nice, France, honored the band in 1919 by presenting it with
a hand-painted banner as a token of appreciation. Assistant
bandmaster Barrett D. Wilson carried the banner to the United
States. WWI bandsmen were supposed to be used as stretcher bearers
if necessary, but were generally kept in rear areas. Bands performed
for their units and patients at nearby Army hospitals. Public
concerts were held in European cities as gestures of goodwill.
Did you know? Gen.
Pershing believed bands were essential to troop morale and urged
Congress to authorize more military bands, raised regimental band
strengths from 28 to 48 pieces, established a band school in France,
and commissioned band leaders as officers.
Special thanks to Russell Wolfe Jr. for allowing us to include this
information and the photos from part of our history. Additionally,
we appreciate the support from the South Carolina
Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum specifically Joe Long and Sarah Wooton.
