The California Army National Guard, 40th Infantry Division Band will perform for free on May 20, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive.
For tickets, contact the Box Office: 310-781-7171. The Box Office will open at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18 and tickets can be picked up for either concert. The tickets are free and are on a first come first serve basis. There is a limit of four (4) tickets per adult. Ticket holders must be in their seats 15 minutes prior to show time or the seat will be made available to their patrons.
The proud history of the 40th Infantry Division Band began with the organization of the 7th Infantry Battalion, California National Guard Band in 1886 in Los Angeles, California. The Band has been re-designated a number of times:
in 1940 as the 160th Infantry Band
in 1943 as the 40th Infantry Division Band
in 1954 as the 40th Armored Division Band
in 1968 as the 240th Army Band
in 1974 as the 40th Infantry Division (Mech) Band, a Detachment of the 40th Adjutant General Company
The 40th Infantry Division Band became a separate unit with the reorganization of the division on August 1, 1985. Service to the country is exemplified in the 40th Division Band's record of Federal service. The Band has experienced four federal activations in its history, including Mexican Border Service n 1916, World War I in 1917, World War II in 1941 (Bismarck Archipelago, Luzon and the Southern Philippines), and Korean Conflict in 1950.
Among the unit's military decorations are the Meritorious Unit Citation for service in Korea, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
The 40th Division Band has performed before Presidents, Governors and numerous celebrities in the community. In addition to the duties of aiding the morale and esprit de corps of the California National Guard, the 40th Division Band actively participates in community programs and in concert with music groups and bands of other branches of the Armed Forces. These programs, including concerts and parades, identify graphically the fact that the 40th Division Band is community oriented and represents the true nature of the National Guard, as citizen soldiers.
Army Bands have been playing ever since the Revolutionary War. Throughout our long history, thousands of musicians/soldiers have played in just about every setting at home and abroad, in battle and during peace. So whether we are entertaining the soldiers in the field, or our loved ones back home, Army musicians are always ready to do the job.
Army Bands do more than just march in parades, we do much more. We play music of all kinds, from big band, jazz, country, and rock to classical and concert pieces. We have played with some of America's most beloved entertainers, from Bob Hope and Marilyn Monroe, to Jay Leno and Vanessa Williams. Army bands are always on the move, sometimes playing for a military ceremony in the morning, a concert in the park in the afternoon and a dance later in the evening. So if you are a highly motivated individual, and can play a musical instrument, check out the 40th Infantry Division Band, the "Voice of California."
THE HISTORY OF THE 40TH INFANTRY DIVISION
The 40th Infantry Division is headquartered in Los Alamitos, California. The 40th's subordinate units are stationed around the Southern California area, as well as Northern California, Arizona, Nevada, Montana and Colorado. The Sunburst Division is represented by the 40th Infantry Division Band. The band is proud to represent one of the best Divisions in the Army, and the men and women who serve in it. The 40th was organized at Camp Kearney, near San Diego, California, September 16, 1917, and was originally composed of National Guard organizations of the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Today, the 40th Division stands proud and continues to support our country with overseas deployment and in homeland defense with Operation Noble Eagle, the name given to military operations related to homeland security and support to federal, state, and local agencies.
World War I
Activated: 18 July 1917 (National Guard Division from California, Nevada, and Utah). Overseas: 3 August 1918 and redesignated the 6th Depot Division; received, equipped, trained, and forwarded replacements. Commanders: Maj. Gen. F. S. Strong (25 August 1917), Brig. Gen. G. H. Cameron (18 September 1917), Brig. Gen. L. S. Lyon (19 November 1917), Brig. Gen. G. H. Cameron (23 November 1917), Brig. Gen. L. S. Lyon (6 December 1917), Maj. Gen. F. S. Strong (8 December 1917). Returned to U. S.: 30 June 1919.
World War II
Activated: 3 March 1941 (National Guard Division from California and Utah). Overseas: 23 August 1942. Campaigns: Bismarck Archipelago, Southern Philippines, Luzon. Distinguished Unit Citations: 3. Awards: MH-1 ; DSC-12 ; DSM-1 ; SS-245; LM-21; SM-30 ; BSM-1,036 ; AM-57. Commanders: Maj. Gen. Walter P. Story (March-September 1941), Maj. Gen. Ernest J. Dawley (September 1941-April 1942), Maj. Gen. Rapp Brush (April 1942-July 1945), Brig. Gen. Donald J. Myers (July 1945 to inactivation). Returned to U. S.: 7 April 1946. Inactivated: 7 April 1946 (See National Guard).
The 40th Infantry Division's first oversea assignment was the defense of outer islands of Hawaii, where it arrived in September 1942. Training continued as defensive positions were improved and maintained. In July 1943 the Division was concentrated on Oahu, and relieved the 24th of the defense of the North Sector. Relieved of the North Sector in October 1943, the 40th entered upon a period of intensive amphibious and jungle training. On 20 December 1943, the first units left for Guadalcanal, and by mid-January 1944, movement was completed, and the Division prepared for its first combat assignment. On 24 April 1944, it left Guadalcanal for New Britain. The Regiments of the Division took positions at Talasea on the northern side of the island, at Arawe on the southern side, and at Gape Gloucester near the western end. Neutralization of the enemy was effected by patrols. No major battle was fought. Heavy rain and mud were constant problems. The 40th was relieved of missions on New Britain, 27 November, and began training for the Luzon landing. Sailing from Borgen Bay, 9 December 1944, the Division made an assault landing at Lingayen, Luzon, under command of XIV Corps, on 9 January 1945. Seizing Lingayen airfield, the Division occupied Bolinao Peninsula and San Miguel, and advanced toward Manila, running into heavy fighting in the Fort Stotsenburg area and the Bambam Hills. Snake Hill and Storm King Mountain were taken in February and the 40th was relieved, 2 March. Leaving Luzon, 15 March, 1945, to cut behind the Japanese, the Division landed on Panay Island on the 18th and knocked out Japanese resistance within 10 days, seizing airfields at Santa Barbara and Mandurriao. On 29 March, it landed at Pulupandan, Negros, advanced through Bacolod toward Talisay, which it secured by 2 April 1945. After mopping up on Negros Island, the Division returned to Panay in June and July 1945. In September 1945, the Division moved to Korea for occupation duty.
Korean War
North Korea invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. In September of that year, the 40th Infantry Division was mobilized and moved to Camp Cooke, California. After some initial training and reception of fillers, the division was shipped to Japan the following spring for advanced training. The division was committed across the Sea of Japan, landing at Inchon to relieve the 24th Infantry Division in January and February of 1952. The division saw much combat, particularly aggressive patrolling and night combat. Place names etched in veteran's memories include the Kumhwa-Kumsong sector, Chorwon, the Punchbowl, Heartbreak Ridge, and Sandbag Castle. The 40th Infantry Division (US) was relieved from active Federal service on June 30, 1954, and reverted to state control. The next day the division was reorganized and redesignated the 40th Armored Division. During its tour in Korea, division soldiers received many thousands of awards and decorations. The three soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor were Sergeant David B. Bleak, Medical Company 223rd Infantry; Corporal Gilbert G. Collier, Company F, 223rd Infantry (posthumous award); and Corporal Clifton T. Speicher, Company F, 223rd Infantry (posthumous award).
Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan
Our members of Battery F 144 (TA) Field Artillery made 40th Infantry Division history by being the first National Guard unit to deploy since the Vietnam War. In Nov. 1997, Battery F represented the state of California in Bosnia. During this deployment, Battery F conducted FireFinder Radar Operations, convoys and base security all with little to no armor, with the extremely high threat of mine strikes or ambushes. Most drivers exceeded 13,000 miles during the seven months in country. The dedication and professionalism of Battery F showed our active duty counterparts that the National Guard is able to contend and in cases exceed their own.
In November 2000, again, Battery F was called to duty for its expertise in the Kosovo region. Upon completion of this tour, Battery F again showed the active duty that the California Guard is an essential asset. Additionally, the 40th I.D. deployed several hundred Soldiers in support of the peacekeeping mission to Kosovo in both 2005 and 2008 and led the U.S. delegation involved with this NATO operation in the Balkans.
During preparation for Afghanistan, the Battery F legacy has left its mark in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The standards of this unit have raised the requirements for all future units mobilizing through Fort Sill. Upon arrival to Afghanistan, Radar Operations virtually unknown and uncared for quickly became a very important resource. Battery F soldiers are a leading factor in the Base Defense Operations. Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the 40th I.D. has deployed many units to fight the global war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
