Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle
The U.S. 4th Army band (FAB) was one of the finest service bands during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. The Commanding General at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas in the early 1950s was LT. General I.D. White who endorsed appropriate music for all occasions, a tradition which was followed for two decades. Warrant Officers Dawson McElwee, Emil Krochmal, John Parrott, Homer Tamke, Alexander Difronzo and others were able to obtain qualified musicians to provide fine Military, Concert, Jazz, and string orchestra music for the Many requests.
Of Paramount Importance was a weekly radio program, Concert in Khaki that included military features and the finest concert literature, broadcast throughout five states of the Southwest. On Sundays, the band was found in the Quadrangle in a formal guard mount and concert setting. In 1954, they were fitted with smart “dress blues”. The FAB led in Mardi Gras “REX” Parade in 1954 & 1955; led the Governor’s Inauguration Parade in Austin and numerous Parade throughout Texas; World premiered two movies in San Antonio; and performed as the official reading band annually for the Texas Bandmasters Association. The FAB string orchestra performed for visiting dignitaries, including the Secretary of the Army and Mexican generals.
The fourth Army was moved to FT. Sheridan, Illinois in the 1980s and was Decommissioned in 1991. The only Active remnant of the U.S. Fourth Army in the FAB Reunion Band. Currently, at Fort Sam Houston, is the 323rd Medical Band. The members from this band have distinguished themselves as performers, educators, composers, administrators, music storeowners and salesmen.
Those who have performed in the FAB Reunion groups include:
Herman Randolph, Clarinet, Houston Symphony; Bobby Roberts, clarinet Kansas City Symphony; Jack Rumbley, Percussion Fort Worth Symphony; Don Knapp, Trumpet, Beaumont Symphony; Ralph Kimball, Trumpet Phoenix Symphony; Gene Ferguson, University of South Carolina and an opera performer in Germany for 16 years; Rule Beasley, Composition, Long Beach State; Howard Bell, Director of bands, Marshall University; Jack Litton, Organ, Yale University; Bob Parker, Associate Dean, School of Music, University of Miami; Arnold Schatz, Violin, University of Nebraska; Jack Smith, Tyler, Texas Apache Belles; Jervis Underwood, Flute, Southern Illinois; Etc.
Other former FAB members are dedicated, successful leaders in junior college, high school, and junior high music programs. There are also many fine jazz performers and arrangers who have achieved much acclaim in Los Angeles, Los Vegas, Dallas, Houston, and elsewhere. Retired members continue to perform with community bands, orchestras, and choruses throughout the United States.
Note: FAB Collection, Texana/Genealogy Department, San Antonio Public Library- edited by Howard L. Bell.
