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The Flying Eagles Dance Band

                                    All information for this page from Escort to Berlin by Fry/Ethell and a brief history of the band compiled by Flying Eagle Jim Scharren in 2000.

     The Flying Eagles Dance Band was formed at Debden early in 1943, and the original lineup consisted of nine enlisted men. This group was augmented by a sound man, an equipment manager and an officer who acted as the band's booking agent and road manager. There were personnel changes throughout the war, and at its apex the band was comprised of 17 members.
    
    The band was always a popular attraction at Debden social functions, particularly the Wednesday evening EM Club and monthly Officer's Club functions.  Their reputation grew, and soon officer's from other Group's were flying in for the shows.  By war's end the band was booked to a three week tour of England, and had cut a
recording of the song Lilly from Piccadilly (written by Mickey Balsam and sung by Harold Goldblatt).  Their performances were broadcast throughout the ETO.

    Beginning each performance with their signature song, Sophisticated Swing, the Flying Eagles were the toast of the 8th Air Force, playing venues such as The Stagedoor Canteen of the London American Service Club, Rainbow Corner, Bournemouth, the Columbia Club, Covent Garden Royal Opera House and Headquarters for SHAEF.  They even went into the wolf's den and played for the Wolfpack, Hub Zemke's 56th Fighter Group.

    While being a member of the Flying Eagles had its advantages - such as no K.P., "lots of travel" and getting paid as a musician - they still had to fulfill their regular military duties.  Jim Scharren remembered "many nights the band would play at a distant air base, return home in the a.m., and be out on the line early in the morning."

    Having the Flying Eagles Band as your house band was just another one of the perks available to the men of the 4th, and made Station 356 the envy of the other groups throughout the 8th Air Force.   

Members of the Band ( listed in alphabetical order; asterisk indicates an original member)

William Avery
Eugene Baim
Mickey Balsam
Charles Brashares*
William Brong*
Howard Crossett
Andy DiCarlo
Anthony Fontana
Harold  Goldblatt*
Clyde Hayes*
James Jordan*
Charles Kirkpatrick*
Clayton Lattimore
Eugene Levy
Joseph Lopez
John Loy*
Pete Mioduszewki*
Frank Nowak*
Jim Scharren*
Hubert Shroeder*
Dave Tucker
Clarence Wilcox*
Chase Wilkins*
N/A
N/A
guitar/composer
trombone
3rd alto saxophone
vocalist
tenor saxophone
tenor saxophone
trumpet
sound technician/MC
vocalist
drummer
trumpet
manager/booking agent
N/A
guitar
equipment manager
string bass
lead alto saxophone
piano
drummer
trumpet
2nd tenor saxophone
4 HQ
438
52 FCS
335
334
334
N/A
45/864
45/864
336
45/864
334
24/438
4 HQ
336
24/438
N/A
335
336
334
864
335
45/864
Cpl
Sgt
N/A
S/Sgt
S/Sgt
Cpl
N/A
S/Sgt
S/Sgt
T/Sgt
Sgt
S/Sgt
Sgt
Major
Sgt
Cpl
N/A
Sgt
T/Sgt
Sgt
Cpl
Sgt
S/Sgt

Picture
Pictured in this iteration of the Flying Eagles:
James Jordan - vocalist
Bernard Shcroeder - piano
Dave Tucker - drums
Frank Nowak - bass
John Loy - guitar
Robert Brashares - trombone
Harold Goldblatt - trumpet
Clarence Wilcox - trumpet
Clayton Lattimor - trumpet
Chase Wilkins - tenor saxophone
William Brong - alto saxophone
James Scharren - alto saxophone
Andy DiCarlo - tenor saxophone

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