Col. Don Schofield, commander and conductor of the United States Air Force Band, accepted the National Medal of Arts on behalf of all Air Force band members, past and present, from both active duty and the Air National Guard at a ceremony at the Pentagon, Dec. 2. The award was presented by Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr.
In 2019, President Donald Trump awarded the National Medal of Arts to the musicians of the United States Military "for personifying excellence in music and service to country. From concert halls to war zones, these extraordinary patriots have inspired and uplifted their fellow Americans over generations with their incredible courage and breathtaking musical talent." On Nov. 21, 2019, at the White House, Army Staff Sgt. Jan Knutson, a guitarist who is a member of The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own," accepted the award from Trump on behalf of all military musicians.
The National Medal of Arts is awarded by the president of the United States to artists and arts patrons who " ... are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States." Previous recipients include Morgan Freeman, Ron Howard, John Williams, Stephen King and Ray Charles.
During the ceremony, Schofield reflected "music provides a unique platform to share a country's history, culture, values and people, enabling the United States, its allies and new partners to gain a deeper understanding and respect for each other."
Since 1941, Air Force bands stationed around the world have leveraged the power of music to effect change through attraction rather than coercion. The bands' mission to honor, inspire and connect serves as a guide that enables missions to use culture, values and respect to project national influence to strategic audiences. Consisting of 11 active duty and five Air National Guard bands stationed around the world, more than 700 members of Air Force bands harness their talent and passion to execute 4,000 missions annually, reaching tens of millions audience members around the world.
The National Medal of Arts medal and citation will be displayed in Hangar 2, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., home of the United States Air Force Band.
Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass and various Air Force band members stand with Col. Don Schofield after he received the National Medal of Arts during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., Dec 2, 2020. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Andy Morataya)
Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett presents the National Medal of Arts to Col. Don Schofield, Air Force Band commander, during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., Dec. 2, 2020. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Andy Morataya)
The National Medal of Arts sits in its case before being presented to Col. Don Schofield, Air Force Band commander, during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., Dec. 2, 2020. Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett presented the award. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Andy Morataya)
Col. Don Schofield, Air Force Band commander, accepts the National Medal of Arts from Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., Dec. 2, 2020. The National Medal of Arts is awarded by the president of the United States to artists and arts patrons who "... are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States." (U.S. Air Force Photo by Andy Morataya)
