Little did I realize how many Christmas records and CDs were released through the United States Armed Forces.  I like to collect all of something and  be done with it.  And I like to focus on the oldest things first.  They’re the ones that are going to be harder and harder to find every year, so it’s best to get them when you can.  Plus, I like the older Christmas music better.  Anything before digital and synthesizers is better than what came after.  Little did I realize there would be over 80 selections of Christmas music throughout all the branches of the United States Armed Forces.  And I know of at least three that I’m missing.  There may be others.

Most of what was released under the general title of United States Armed Forces, was released by the Air Force.  Over 75% of my collection are LPs or CDs somehow connected to the United States Air Force.  The United States Air Force Band, the Singing Sergeants, Airmen of Note, and all the regional Air Force regiments.  They’re all here.  In addition to the many Christmas selections made available throughout the years, these bands released many, many records and CDs of Popular music; Symphonic, Choral, Jazz, Contemporary, etc.

The United States Air Force has released so much Christmas music because they have been doing it the longest and the whole ‘United States Armed Forces releasing music’ thing started with what was called the U.S. Army Air Force.

Glenn Miller was the most popular Big Band leader in the country in 1942.  In wanting to be patriotic, he enlisted in the Army Air Force.  He was directed to form an Army Air Force Band that would include active servicemen.  Most of what they did in the early days was play Big Band music from New York that was broadcast to the public, mainly as a way to keep morale high.  At one point, Capt. Glenn Miller And The Band Of The Training Command were stationed in London.  They were there to play for the troops.  This was in 1944.  As the war in England intensified, Glenn Miller and the outfit were being moved to France.  To supervise the building of the infrastructure of where the band would be playing, Glenn Miller flew over a few days ahead of the rest of the band.  It was on December 15, 1944, that the plane Glenn Miller and Lieutenant Colonel Norman Baessell were flying in disappeared over the English Channel, never to be heard from again.  The Battle of the Bulge began the next day.  No one realized their plane was missing for three days.

While in the Army Air Force Training Command, Capt. Glenn Miller built a large orchestra of over 40 members.  Some could be used to play large dances, while others could be split into small jazz combos and smaller Big Bands and travel around the country.  So, it makes sense that there are so many smaller tactical units within the United States Air Force.

The U.S. Army Band/Field Band and the U.S. Navy have the second most entries, with each having around ten.  There is one by the U.S. Coast Guard, and one by the U.S. Marines.

Within the Air Force Christmas records, there are a few that are mainly Spoken Word records comprised of upbeat messages from Air Force brass.  A few Hollywood stars contributed their time to record Christmas songs for some of these releases.  George Kennedy, Eddy Arnold and Danny Thomas are the ones that come to mind quickly.

Funny thing about all these U.S. Armed Forces records, is that it clearly states on the record jacket that these are not available for sale.  These were created to be supplied to bases around the world to present modern Christmas music to the serving troops.  (Then how come I paid so much to own a copy?  )

Honestly, I haven’t digitalized any of these yet.  When I go to start digitalizing all my LPs, I will probably start with these.  Most of the older records going back to the mid-sixties are going to be my favorites, I’m sure.