This regimental band transferred from Chapel Hill, NC, where it had served with the Navy’s PreFlight Training School since August 1942. B-1 was comprised of the first Blacks to serve in the modern Navy at regular rank, most of its members enlisting in Raleigh, NC, on May 27, 1942.

From its ranks, two dance bands were formed, the Manana Meteors and the Moonglower.

B-1 parades in Honolulu’s VJ day celebration