Honoring Heritage and Harmony: A 15-Year Journey of Precision and Sound, 1949-1964
THE USAF DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS AND PIPE BAND
Bolling AFB, Washington, DC
The United States Air Force became a separate branch of the United States military in 1947, in the aftermath of WW II. Soon after, in 1949, the USAF Drum and Bugle Corps was formed. General Sidney “Rosie” Grubbs had become the base commander at Bolling AFB, and he proposed there be a drum corps for the USAF, a drum corps he suggested that be of the highest order. The task began with Airmen being selected from various fields in the USAF. Most had musical experience, but some were chosen from military police squadrons because of their ability to march and understand precision.
