In honor of Memorial Day and as a tribute to all who have served in the armed forces, including Mr. Tony Bennett, the song of the day for Monday, May 27, 2013 is the Army Air Corps Song.

About This Song

This song was written in 1938 when the Army Air Corps decided that it needed a song. A contest was created with a $1000 prize, donated by Liberty Magazine. Over 700 compositions were submitted. In addition, Meredith Willson and Irving Berlin were asked to write entries as well. In the end, the prize went to Robert MacArthur Crawford, a music teacher, who had attempted to serve in World War I, but was kicked out after it was discovered he was underage. He enlisted again for World War II and flew for the Air Transport Command of the U.S. Army Air Forces. After the war, he joined the music faculty at the University of Miami.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded the Army Air Corps Song for his 1957 album The Beat of My Heart, though it was dropped for subsequent releases. It does appear on the 2011 version from the Tony Bennett Complete Collection. It features drummer Jo Jones.

Army Air Corps Song is available as a single from iTunes.