Fourth Army Insignia Cufflinks
Howard Bell In Uniform, 1950s
Howard Luther Bell Jr.
Howard Luther Bell Jr., an accomplished author & editor, musician and music conductor, was born July 29, 1932 in Independence, Missouri to hard-working parents who had a lucrative pest control business. His father would run the business and his mother would care for the kids and handle the books. Mr. Bell is described by most as having an "A" type personality, and likes to always stays busy! His music roots came from the maternal side of the family where both his grandfather and great-grandfather were musicians. His great-grandfather organized and performed in his traveling Chautauqua-esque show in Indiana and Kentucky. Mr. Bell would follow suit and began his musical interests at an early age when he started to sing. By age ten, he had started guitar lessons. From his early youth, Mr. Bell was selected to play with his elementary school band, as well as high school, college, university, and community bands, other orchestras and small ensembles. His resume would include: performing as a conductor of school bands, university bands, community bands, singing in community choirs, as well directing church choirs.
Before joining the service, Mr. Bell earned a degree in Music Education from the University of Central Missouri (UMC). He was drafted by the Independence, MO draft board in 1953. His basic training was the traditional eight weeks and his military occupational specialty (MOS), was “musician.” Upon completion of his training, Mr. Bell landed the position with the 4th Army after hearing from a friend that a position was available. The 4th Army Band was the only unit he served in apart from his standard training. He found mentorship with those who were considered more advanced with their musicianship. Apart from his early childhood stringed guitar, Mr. Bell became a first-chair tuba player for both marching and concert bands. He also played the cello in the string orchestra and string quartet. While in service, he also conducted orchestra concerts. Reaching the rank of corporal, Mr. Bell left service in September 1955. What he enjoyed most about his time in service was the quality of music performed and his several lifelong acquaintances and friendships with the chief warrant officer and fellow colleagues for over thirty years.
Before the reunions began, Mr. Bell served as a music director in Missouri schools, director of bands at Marshall University, and Coordinator of Music in the Raytown public schools. Howard organized tours of Europe with "The Music Man" performances in 1971 and 1973. Cast, orchestra, and crew consisted of high school and college students along with some adults. The tour group performed in front of enthusiastic audiences in five countries! Having started in 1988, Howard and his wife Zelia hosted the first reunion in Kansas City. Over the course of 30 years, The Fourth Army Reunion Band would have their final concert and gathering in 2019, mostly due to attrition. The declining attendance was so significant that the FAB would look for filler musicians to fill vacant seats to accomplish concert needs. With only 20 of the 150 members of the Fourth Army Band known to still be alive, there was no chance the band could have a comeback. The legacy of the Fourth Army reunion band would be that they happily performed free concerts for close to 11,000 listeners over a 30-year period, while remaining true companions to the brotherhood that they all shared with one another.
Note: FAB Collection, Texana/Genealogy Department, San Antonio Public Library- edited by Howard L. Bell.
In June 1988, the Bells' hosted the first reunion of the U.S. 4th Army Band (FAB) in Kansas City, located at The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). There were 93 people in attendance to celebrate the brotherhood from 35 years before. The purpose in meeting was fellowship, but more importantly to perform together. The String Orchestra, Jazz Band and Concert Band all performed very well. The group voted to meet regularly, and the next event was held back home in San Antonio, Texas. The Bells' continued for the next 29 years to select sites, hotels, restaurants, performance music, local places of interest, etc., corresponding via email and postal mail to 150 colleagues and honorees. The group dwindled over the years until the Covid-19 year, 2020, when all was abandoned. There are many fond memories of close relationships and outstanding music performances. Howard maintained all correspondence, programs, concert CDs and DVDs for posterity. The Central Library of the San Antonio Public Library has accepted the historical items and will house them and make them available to the public sometime in 2026.
The organizational meeting for the FAB Reunions occurred in Columbia, S.C., Father’s Day, 1987. Howard and Zelia Bell, on an auto trip in the Southeast, visited their eldest daughter and family in Atlanta and were invited to stay with their college/FAB friends Gene and Janet Ferguson in Columbia S.C.; Gene was a professor of voice at the University of South Carolina. FAB member Fred Teuber was on the same music faculty, teaching composition. The six of them, including Fred’s wife Janet, met for brunch for the declared purpose of beginning a list of names of those they could recall from service with the FAB. They also noted hometowns when remembered. Former members and parents were interested in helping locate others. The project mushroomed and most were enthusiastic to attend a proposed FAB Reunion in Kansas City, Missouri, in June 1988.
David and his wife Susan were close friends to the Bells, and David approved the use of the air conditioned White Recital Hall for our rehearsals and concert, and unlimited use of instruments and equipment. [David was Howard Bell's top tuba student at Alamo Heights High School, San Antonio, TX, in 1954 and 1955.] The group was able to secure a very reasonable rate from a New Hotel in Westport and Planed a “Pub Crawl.” With these basics in place, it was time to perform and party.
Note: FAB Collection, Texana/Genealogy Department, San Antonio Public Library- edited by Howard L. Bell.
Howard Bell Resume of Activities
My maxim:
"If my actions inspired others to dream more,
learn more, do more, and become more,
then I've been a successful teacher."
Provided by Mr. Bell via correspondence 4/29/2025
