USS North Carolina ship's band

As a capital ship, one of the many traditional functions of a battleship was ceremonial, as an extension of the United States presence overseas where they were often called upon to entertain dignitaries while visiting foreign ports. A band was an important element for formal ceremonies. A band also contributed to the morale of the crew, particularly important during World War II.

The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA had her own band. Not only did the band play onboard the ship but, when inport, entertained at US military installations as well as civilian hotels and clubs.

Onboard ship, the full band, or smaller groups, played on the fantail for smokers, in the Wardroom for special meals, and other locations for the enjoyment of the crew or during underway replenishments for the entertainment of the ships alongside.

Not only did the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA have her own band, but on occasion a USO band would travel with the ship. A well-known Big Band of the era, The Artie Shaw Band, rode the ship from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to the Western Pacific, playing for the crew and ships alongside. Their musical entertainment brought thoughts of home to the sailors and Marines who were out fighting the War.

"I was a musician before I enlisted in the Navy. After I enlisted, I entered the Navy School of Music in Washington, DC and they organized band number 35, which was assigned to the NORTH CAROLINA. We picked up the ship in Noumea, New Caledonia. One of the first things we did when we got aboard ship, we had to be trained for our battle station. Our battle station was not playing 'Anchors Aweigh.' Every man on the ship had to be good at something that would enhance the ability of the ship to defend itself or to fight. We took classes. We went to fire school when we were in Pearl Harbor. They had fire school on Majuro that we attended. We had classes aboard ship. I'd taken college courses that were a lot easier.

Not all the ships had bands, just the big ones. When we would be at anchor in a port like Pearl Harbor, the band played a lot of outside engagements. We played at Marine Air Bases carved out of the jungle and at radio stations aboard small carriers. The sailors liked to hear real live Navy bands. We had a good one.

On board the ship, the band would select two or three men to play for church services every Sunday. Many times a small combo might play for evening dinner in the officers' wardroom. We would play somewhere on the fantail before the night movies for the crew. We also played two or three funerals aboard ship. That is not a fun job. We played what the guys wanted to hear. They didn't want to hear marches. They wanted to hear a dance band. We had a very good dance band. Big Band. Another thing, we played for physical drill. Every once in a while we would get some young officer that was going to shape these guys up. The Navy had a thing they called physical drill. You would go through your little stretches and bends. They figured the crew would do it better to music. By playing for the physical drill, we didn't have to endure it ourselves, so that was all right."

- Donald R. Wickham