Band History

On June 20, 1919, “Oregon’s Own” was organized and federally recognized as the Band Section, Service Company, 162d Infantry Regiment. The Band remained part of the 162d Infantry Regiment until 1940 and was inducted into federal service in Portland on September 16, 1940.

During World War II, Band members served in the South Pacific and received campaign participation credit for Luzon, New Guinea, and the Southern Philippines. The unit also received the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its wartime service. The Band was deactivated on Okinawa in 1946 and redesignated as the 234th Army Band on May 17, 1947.

Following reorganization, the 234th Army Band was federally recognized in Portland and attached to the Oregon National Guard, with its headquarters at the Portland Air National Guard Base. In the decades that followed, the Band continued to support military ceremonies, state events, parades, concerts, and community celebrations throughout Oregon.

The Band has also supported the Oregon National Guard during domestic-response and humanitarian missions. In 2005, members of the 234th deployed to Louisiana in support of relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina. Band members have also supported wildfire response missions, COVID-19 hospital augmentation, and Operation Allies Welcome following the 2021 evacuation of Afghanistan.

Members of the unit have served on overseas deployments in locations including Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa, bringing experience from operational assignments back to the Band and the Oregon Army National Guard.

In 2009, the 234th Army Band joined Pink Martini in presenting Oregon! Oregon! A Sesquicentennial Fable in 3 Acts in celebration of Oregon’s 150th birthday. The production brought together military and civilian musicians in a uniquely Oregon celebration of the state’s history and culture.

In 2012, the Band moved to its current headquarters at the newly constructed Armed Forces Readiness Center at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas.

In 2023, the 234th traveled to Germany, performing for military and civilian audiences throughout the country, including a performance at Heidelberg Castle.

Today, the 234th Army Band continues to serve Soldiers, veterans, and communities throughout Oregon and beyond. Through concert performances, ceremonial support, small ensembles, community outreach, and operational missions, the Band carries forward more than a century of service while continuing to evolve with the needs of the Oregon National Guard.

For more than 100 years, the 234th Army Band has remained truly “Oregon’s Own.”