The proud history of the 40th Infantry Division Band began with the organization of the 7th Infantry Battalion, California National Guard Band in 1886 in Los Angeles, California. The Band has been redesignated a number of times:
The 40th Infantry Division (M) Band became a separate unit with the reorganization of the division on 1 August 1985. Service to the country is exemplified in the 40th Division Band's record of Federal service. The Band has experienced four federal activations in its history, including Mexican Border Service n 1916, World War I in 1917, World War II in 1941 (Bismarck Archipelago, Luzon and the Southern Philippines), and Korean Conflict in 1950.
Among the unit's military decorations are the Meritorious Unit Citation for service in Korea, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.
The 40th Division Band has performed before Presidents, Governors and numerous celebrities in the community. In addition to the duties of aiding the morale and esprit de corps of the California National Guard, the 40th Division Band actively participates in community programs and in concert with music groups and bands of other branches of the Armed Forces. These programs, including concerts and parades, identify graphically the fact that the 40th Division Band is community oriented and represents the true nature of the National Guard, as citizen soldiers.
The 40th Infantry (M) Division is headquartered in Los Alamitos, California. The 40th's subordinate units are stationed around the Southern California area, as well as Northern California, Arizona, Nevada, Montana and Colorado. The Sunburst Division is represented by the 40th Infantry (M) Division Band. The band is proud to represent one of the best Divisions in the Army, and the men and women who serve in it.
Army Bands have been playing ever since the Revolutionary War. Throughout our long history, thousands of musicians/soldiers have played in just about every setting at home and abroad, in battle and during peace. So whether we are entertaining the soldiers in the field, or our loved ones back home, Army musicians are always ready to do the job.