313th Army Band

313th Army Band
Band Tabbard (Band flag shown hanging from music stands in performances)
Active	1943–1945 1947–1949 1950–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army U.S. Army Reserve
Type	Army Band
Role	Public Duties
Part of	81st Readiness Division
Garrison/HQ	Birmingham, Alabama
Engagements	World War II Operation Husky War on Terrorism 2003 Invasion of Iraq
Insignia
Drum Major's Baldric (sash)
Drum Major's Mace
Drum Prints
Shoulder Tabs

The 313th Army Band is a military band of the United States Army, currently part of the United States Army Reserve and based in Alabama. As of 2022, the band is part of the 81st Readiness Division.

History

On 6 December 1943, the 313th Army Band was formed in the Army of the United States, and on 20 January 1944 was activated in French Algeria. On 15 March 1944, the band was redesignated as the 313th Army Service Forces Band. After taking part in Operation Husky, the band was inactivated on 15 November 1945 while in the Kingdom of Italy. On 17 May 1947, the band once again became the 313th Army Band, and on 9 December 1947 was allocated to the Organized Reserves. On 22 December 1947, the band was activated in Escanaba, Michigan, but on 23 March 1949 was inactivated.

On 1 February 1950, the band was once again activated in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. On 15 October 1950, the band was ordered into active military service for possible deployment to Korea in preparation for an escalation of the Korean War, but was later released on 7 March 1955. On 1 April 1963, the band moved to Birmingham, Alabama. During the Cold War, the band formed part of the 121st Army Reserve Command, which was responsible for overseeing the Army Reserve in Alabama and Mississippi. However, with the End of the Cold War, the Army Reserve Commands were disbanded or reduced, and the band joined the expanded 81st Regional Support Command, which later became the 81st Regional Readiness Command in 2003, and finally the 81st Regional Support Command in 2008.

On 27 January 2003, elements of the band were ordered into active service for the Invasion of Iraq, but later released on 26 January 2004. On 1 August 2005, elements of the band were once again ordered into active service, but released on 27 January 2007.

Heraldry

Baldric

Symbolism: The shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) of the 81st Regional Support Command which was originally approved for the 81st Division and credited as being the first SSI approved is used on the baldric.  The distinctive unit insignia of the Command is used on the drum, tabard and mace.  The unit designation is displayed on all the regalia.  The baldric and mace contain a triple turreted tower and wavy bars which allude to the unit's service in the European Theater in World War II.

Mace

The Drum Major's Mace is silver, and has the 81st Regional Support Command's Distinctive Unit Insignia plated on the top. The thick round part of the middle of the mace is inscribed "313th Army Band", and the baldric is inscribed in the middle part of the mace in silver.

Tabard

The band tabard is Azure, with an Or (gold) trimming all around (less the top), and titled with "Army 313th Band" in the centre-upper portion above the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 81st Regional Support Command printed in the centre.

Drums

The band drum is Azure, with an Argent (silver) trimming on the top and bottom, trimmed in Or (gold) 1-inch below in the silver lining, and titled "Army 313th Band". The drums are also imprinted with the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 81st Regional Support Command printed in the centre.

Tab

The Band's tab is a full colour embroidered black tab with the inscription "313th Army Band" in olive drab 5/16 inch (.79 cm) letters, edged with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) olive drab border.  The overall dimensions are 4 inches (10.16 cm) in length and 11/16 inch (1.75 cm) in width.  The tab was approved on 7 July 2009.  (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-1004).