The history of the Fifth Army Band actually can be traced back to December 1, 1941 when at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, the band was activated as the Signal Corps Reserve Training Center Band. The band was then assigned to Camp Crowler, Missouri where it became the 348th Army Band in 1943. During the war years, the band was used extensively to support the war effort as a “Goodwill Ambassador” and traveled over 20,000 miles to help recruit troops and raise funds in the U.S. Saving Bond drives to support our troops in battle overseas. In September 1946, the band came to Fort Sheridan, Illinois and on April 25 1949, the band was designated as the Fifth United States Army Band. It remained at Fort Sheridan for over 25 years until the Headquarters was moved to San Antonio, Texas in the 1970′s. In 1972, the Band was decommissioned as the 5th Army Band, and the unit was sent to Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. It was then renamed the 81st Army Band. Fort Sheridan, was officially closed by the Army on May 28, 1993.

In April 1969 the 5th Army Band departed Chicago aboard a charter flight for St. Louis and buses to Fort Riley near Abilene where it awaited President Eisenhower funeral train from Washington, D.C. This documentary film traces the story of “Operation Kansas” and the 5th Army Band’s role in giving a final farewell to the former President, NATO commander, and Supreme Commander of the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The story is told by seven 5th Army bandsmen who remember those days in 1969 when the eyes of the nation and the world focused on Abilene, Kansas as they marched past the boyhood home and were a part of the final farewell to the President.

The post A Journey Home first appeared on Old Segundo Productions.

Thurman Shuller was born in 1914 on a farm near Ozark, Arkansas.  Nothing in his growing up years gave a clue to his future as a flight surgeon in World War II, one who would make a difference in the lives of thousands of men who crewed the heavy bombers over Nazi-occupied Europe.  In those early days on the farm, young Thurman learned the value of hard work and acquired the discipline of meeting new challenges head on.  Surrounded by his parents and five older brothers, Thurman grew up in a family committed to a profound work ethic and to education that would lead each brother to significant achievement and success in life.

This documentary film traces the story of Colonel Thurman Shuller that begins on a modest farm near Ozark, Arkansas and leads the young Thurman on a journey to a future in medicine and war. Along the way, he rises in the ranks of Army Air Force medical leadership and influences policies at Eighth Air Force headquarters involving aircrew survival, tour limits, and improving conditions arising out of the Maximum Effort missions.   This is his story.

 Length 60 minutes

The post From Ozark to Fortress Europe first appeared on Old Segundo Productions.

Originally constituted in 1916 as the Band Section for the 35th Infantry Regiment, the Band served on the Mexican border during World War I. In World War II, and during the Korea War, the 35th served as part of the 25th Infantry. In November 1950, the band was reorganized as the 8th Army Band and assigned to the Republic of Korea. During combat operations in Korea, the 8th Army Band received a Meritorious Unit Commendation and two Korean Presidential Citations for its actions during the war.

By the 1960s, the Band had become a part of the United Nations Ceremonial Command, an important part of the Honor Guard. This documentary film focuses on the band in 1966-1968 when American foreign policy brought crisis to Korea, while at the same time, the Vietnam War accelerated the demands on American forces abroad. North Korean infiltration to targets in Seoul and elsewhere in South Korea, attacks on Americans and military facilities, and President Johnson’s visit to South Korea—all became defining moments for the band as they assumed responsibility for guarding the United Nations Command Center at Yongsan in Seoul. This is their story.

If you were a member of the 8th Army Band in 1966-1968, contact Dr. Vernon L. Williams, Old Segundo Productions, to receive complimentary copies of this film for you, your children, and your grandchildren.  You can also request free copies for your local schools and/or public library.  Please email your request to:  video@oldsegundo.com and thanks for your service.

Length 71 minutes

The post The 8th Army Band first appeared on Old Segundo Productions.

Empire Marine–This documentary explores the life of Littleton W.T. Waller and examines the role he played in the development and growth of the Marine Corps, within the context of the emerging empire of turn-of-twentieth century America. Waller’s service (1880-1920) corresponded with the growth of the Marine Corps and the exportation of American imperialism in the 1890s and beyond. His service included episodes of U.S. political and military expansion in South America, the Philippines, China, Panama, Cuba, and Haiti. Waller’s experiences reflect the new emerging role the marines would play in the execution of American policy in the world. As naval power became the accepted tool of expansion and a necessity for success as a world power, it became apparent that new tactics and expertise would be required to handle the demands of the new responsibilities of imperialism. Increasingly, the marines were called upon to spearhead that policy of expansion and as time went on, were able to demonstrate the capability to achieve tactical and often, political goals. Empire Marine focuses on the theme of change and transition and illustrate how Waller’s career revealed those changing roles for the Marine Corps.

Length 67 minutes

The post Empire Marine first appeared on Old Segundo Productions.

This documentary weaves the story of the young Patton into the fabric of the Punitive Expedition and provides a glimpse of the future leader who captured the imagination of a later America and embodied the offensive spirit of the Army of the United States. The experiences on the Punitive Expedition revealed the changing face of the Army. Air power, mobile operations, communications, and emerging technology called for new tactics on the desert of northern Mexico.

For the Mexican people, it proved to be a time of turmoil, from within and from without. Ordinary people lived on land where Villa and other revolu- tionaries brought war and violence to their villages and towns. In 1916 the Americans came, adding to the chaos and upheaval. As the clash of cultures divided the two nations, people on both sides of the border struggled to carve out a place for themselves and their families. Today the clash of cultures continues along the same border areas. Perhaps there are lessons to be gained from this long ago story and the people, Mexicans and Americans alike, who looked for peace and a future for their children.

Length 54 minutes

The post Patton and Pancho first appeared on Old Segundo Productions.