Fort Leonard Wood Army Band Hosted by the Arts Council

 

Fort Leonard Wood’s 399th Army Band will visit North County High School’s Auditorium to perform in a free concert, courtesy of Mineral Area Council on the Arts.
 
The MACOA-sponsored, Fort Leonard Wood 399th Army Band performance will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, at North County R-1 High School Auditorium in Bonne Terre. Admission is free. For more information, contact MACOA Executive Director Danielle Basler, (573) 518-2125.
 
At 55 years of continuous service at its home of Fort Leonard Wood, the 399th Army Band has been on post longer than any other unit. The band was first activated 70 years ago in June 1944 as the 399 Army Service Forces Band in Naples, Italy. This new unit was made primarily of personnel from the recently-deactivated 6498th Army Band, successor of the 9th Cavalry Band. Originally assigned 27 enlisted soldiers and no officers, this band performed at concerts, parades, dances and ceremonies throughout Italy.
 
After a short time in Italy, the 399 ASF Band moved to France in November 1944. The band migrated again to Bremen, Germany, where the band participated in large concerts joining with multiple German civilian ensembles. Bob Hope’s USO Show was one of the band’s major venues during its time in Germany.
 
Although the performance locations and the players themselves have changed over the years, the band still travels to perform its musical ensembles, entertaining military and civilians alike, serving Fort Leonard Wood and the surrounding areas.
 
The 399th Army Band is led by Commander Chief Warrant Officer One Richard Chapman and The Enlisted Band Leader First Sergeant James Freeman.