Music of the US Armed Forces Trivia Quiz

Answer: A two-wheeled cart for transporting ammunition

In 1956, the Army changed the wording to "The Army Goes Rolling Along", and it is now their official song.

Caissons are still used in state and military funerals. The coffin of assassinated President John F. Kennedy was carried by caisson to the Capitol Building to lie in state. Following the state funeral, his coffin was conveyed to the caisson soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, and taken to his burial site.

Answer: Because of the increased use of aircraft, the line was changed to "In the air, on land and sea"

Anecdotally, Sir Winston Churchill, prime minister of Great Britain, held the USMC in such high regard that he was able to recite all three verses of the Hymn from memory.

Answer: Annapolis, Maryland

"Anchors Aweigh", the fight song, was originally composed in 1906. A revision was made in 1997, keeping the essential melody, but changing the lyrics to reflect the function of the Navy itself, not the Academy.

There is a confusion with some who believe the name is "Anchors Away". Interestingly, "aweigh" refers to weighing anchor in preparation for departure, while "away" refers to dropping anchor, the complete opposite.

Answer: True

Written in 1860, the hymn referenced those in the maritime services, seafarers in both nations. It is primarily used at funeral services for those who had served in the Navy.

In the mid-1950s, an anthology of stories about the navy premiered as "Navy Log". Although the opening was theme music written for the series, the closing credits were to "Eternal Father, Strong To Save".

Answer: Judy Garland

For Broadway and movie buffs, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific" was set in a remote island area, where SeaBees had built all the necessary infrastructure for the war effort. One particular SeaBee, Luther Billis, provided much of the comic relief.

Answer: It was a volunteer committee of senior Army Air Corps wives

Although there were a number of entries, none really were satisfactory. Two days before the contest deadline, Robert Crawford, a music teacher and professional musician known as "The Flying Baritone" personally delivered a recording of his song, and it was an immediate success. During World War II, the service name was changed to the Army Air Force, and the song title also changed. In 1947, the U.S. Air Force became a separate service, and the title changed again to reflect this.

Answer: False

There has been an adjustment of the lyrics to make them non-gender specific:

"We take the blue from the skies and some pretty blue eyes
And a touch of Old Glory's hue,
And fervently declare we're proud to wear
The U.S. Air Force Blue."

Answer: Always Ready

The March was written in 1927 by a member of the Guard, Captain Francis S. Van Boskerck.

During WWII, the famous singer Rudy Vallee enlisted and was assigned conductor of the Coast Guard Band, which toured the nation to raise funds for the war effort. Of course, there is a recording of him and the band singing "Semper Paratus".

Answer: Army, marine corps, navy, air force, and coast guard

The order is on the assumed date each of the armed forces was formed. Although the Army, Navy and Marines were all formed during the American Revolution, they were disbanded following the cessation of hostilities, and the record is not totally clear of the order. Although all three trace their inception to the formation of the Continental Army, it was following the Treaty of Paris in 1784 that Congress created the United States Army, followed by the US Navy, and then the US Marine Corps. However, the order is based on the recognition that both army and marine units, whether of states, or at the behest of President Washington, continued to exist in some form, while there was no navy officially until 1790. The Army and Marines give their date as 1775.

Although technically the Coast Guard was formed earlier, the Air Force was splintered off from the Army, so their place in the order comes first. Also, the Coast Guard serves under dual departments, with them becoming a military service in the event of war, overseen by the Department of Defense. During peacetime, they fall under the governance of the Department of Homeland Security.

Answer: The Marine Corps Band

Founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, its mission is to perform for the President of the United States, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. One of the most famous conductors, who also composed several marches, was John Philip Sousa. Among his compositions are "The Stars and Stripes Forever" (the National March of the United States), and "Semper Fidelis" (the official March of the US Marine Corps).