"Quartermaster Music"
Composed by Edward Fox .... et al. 392nd Army Band - Ft. Lee, VA

Carrying On The Quartermaster's Assigned Duties
Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignias
The Quartermaster's Song - 1941 Every branch of service needs a song to identify with. A tune that sticks in your head long after you wish it wouldn't. With lyrics that fire the imagination and let others know what you're about. The Quartermaster Corps is no exception. After some 166 years of relative silence in this matter, on the eve of World War II a trio of QuarterMaster (QM) songwriters came up with an official song for the Corps: "We're The Gang That Keeps Things Moving." It was formally approved by The Quartermaster General in October 1941 and steadily rose on the military service Hit Parade in the days after Pearl Harbor. A short history of the song was included in the July-August 1958 issue of the Quartermaster Review. Sixteen years ago, at a banquet in Chicago, attended by the Army's World War II Quartermaster General, Lieutenant General Edmund B. Gregory, a song was introduced. The tune, now due for a revival is "The Quartermaster Song." After its premier performance in Chicago, General Gregory liked it so well that on 07 October, 1941, it was officially approved by him as the Quartermaster Corps' own tune. Later it was featured by Bing Crosby, then at the height of his fame as a singer, on his national radio network show. It was also used by many other popular musical artists. Throughout the United States, in 1941 and 1942, Quartermaster Corps installations were sponsoring programs on local radio stations know as the "Quartermaster Quarter-Hour." Recordings of the new "Quartermaster Song" were obtained by the Quartermaster Association and furnished to these local QM installations, and many of them made it the theme for the radio programs. Largely responsible for the writing and popularization of "We're the Gang That Keeps Things Moving,"; which was given the sub-title of "The Quartermaster Song", was Mr. Edward Fox, long-time advertising manager of the Quartermaster Review. His collaborators were Major D. G. Paston and Lt. H. Orenstein whose present addresses are not known. The song was copyrighted by the Quartermaster Association. Mr. Fox, who has been associated with the QM Association during the tenure of ten of the Army's Quartermasters General, visited Fort Lee last July while Major General Andrew McNamara, newest Quartermaster General, was making his first official visit to the Post in his new role as head of the QMC. Mr. Fox, better known as "Eddie" to hundreds of Quartermasters, mentioned to several people that a Quartermaster Corps song, officially approved by General Gregory, existed. After Mr. Fox returned to Washington, he sent to Fort Lee musical arrangement for the number, which were turned over to the 392nd Army Band. CWO Raymond Snow, 392nd director, and Master Sargent. Kenneth F. Hozek, band member, adapted "The Quartermaster Song" for band presentation. It was to be heard at future Fort Lee reviews, honor guard ceremonies, and dances. The first verse and chorus went like this: When there is trouble brewing at the front, And trucks are rumbling up the road, The men who bear the stormy battle's brunt Know who is there to share the load; They know who'll go through fiery shot and shell To bring supplies for men and gun as well; You can be sure the Q.M.'s coming out For you can hear the soldiers shout: CHORUS We're the gang that keeps things moving, At the front and post to post, When a soldier has tough going, We're the guys he needs the most. From the day he joins the Army 'Til the time he's home once more, If he should have to shoot or ride The buddies fighting by his side Will be from the QUARTERMASTER CORPS.
The Quartermaster's March Music - 1959 On 04 October 1959, Major General Andrew T. McNamara, the Quartermaster General, surprised the QM senior leaders attending a conference at Fort Lee, VA, with the announcement that, at long last, that they now have an official QM marching song. At that announcement, the 392nd Army Band, under the direction of Chief Warrant Officer Ralph C. Church began playing a rousing version of the new marching song. From that day till this, the QM marching song is played at all official functions where The Quartermaster General is in attendance. But not without a bit of unsolved mystery. Because the song’s composer, a civilian employee named E. Reginald Hinchley, left government service, moved to Canada and was never heard from again. Apparently he was unaware that his composition had been selected for this honor. And he was never properly thanked for a job well done. So, here's to you, Mr. Hinchley, WHEREVER YOU MAY BE! To listen to the Quartermaster March click on the Play Button below:   "Quartermaster Music"   Composed by Edward Fox .... et al. 392nd Army Band - Ft. Lee, VA
The Quartermaster's Creed I am Quartermaster. My story is enfolded in the history of this nation. Sustainer of Armies ... My forges burned at Valley Forge. Down frozen, rutted roads my oxen hauled the meager foods a bankrupt Congress sent me ... Scant rations for the cold and starving troops, gunpowder, salt, and lead. In 1812 we sailed to war in ships my boatwrights built. I fought beside you in the deserts of our great Southwest. My pack mules perished seeking water holes, and I went on with camels. I gave flags to serve. The medals and crest you wear are my design. Since 1862, I have sought our fallen brothers from Private to President. In war or peace I bring them home and lay them gently down in the fields of honor. Provisioner, transporter. In 1898 I took you to Havana harbor and the Philippines. I brought you tents, your khaki cloth for uniforms. When yellow fever struck, I brought the mattresses you lay upon. In 1918, soldier ... like you. Pearl Harbor, too. Mine was the first blood spilled that day. I jumped in darkness into Normandy, D-Day plus 1. Bataan, North Africa, Sicily. I was there. The 'chutes that filled the gray Korean skies were mine; I led the endless trains across the beach in Vietnam. By air and sea I supported the fight for Grenada. Helicopters above the jungles of Panama carried my supplies. In Desert Storm, I was there when we crossed the border into Iraq ... sustaining combat and paying the ultimate sacrifice as we liberated Kuwait. I AM QUARTERMASTER. I can shape the course of combat, change the outcome of battle. Look to me: Sustainer of Armies ... Since 1775. I AM QUARTERMASTER. I AM PROUD. "Days' End"

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