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Today, 25 February 2010 is the 50^th  anniversary of the United States Navy Band’s sad loss of lives over Rio de Janeiro.

http://www.navyband.navy.mil/history9.shtml

Tragedy struck the Navy Band in February 1960 when a mid-air collision over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil claimed the lives of 61 persons, nineteen of whom were members of the U.S. Navy Band. The musicians, en route from Buenos Aires, Argentina, were scheduled to perform at a reception for President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Brazilian president, Jascelino Kubitschek.

Then-Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Arleigh Burke, inquired as to the feasibility of the Navy Band making a trip to South America aboard the USS Macon (CA 132) in conjunction with President Eisenhower's trip. Naval attaches were notified and instructed to schedule as many public appearances as possible. It was a 19-piece orchestra with Lt. Harold Fultz conducting that made that fateful trip and signaled the end of strings as part of the Navy Band.

Brendler retired on March 1, 1962, completing nearly 49 years of service; more than anyone except for Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz.

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3/31/09 - The picture below was taken in early 1960 when the United States Navy Band went along with President Dwight Eisenhower on a Latin American good-will tour. The President is about to shake hands with USNB leader, Cmdr Charles Brendler. It was on this trip that a tragic plane crash took the life of many band members. [The full story is easily googleable.]

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