Page 74 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2017- Online Magazine
P. 74
James Braxton
A Lifetime of Music
James enlisted in the
Army on December
14,1942 and entered
active duty on June 5,
1943. He was one of over
one million African-
Americans inducted
into the armed services
during WW II. After
basic training at Ft. Bliss
in El Paso, Texas, he was
transferred to Ft. Sill,
Oklahoma. Thanks to his
musical background and
training, James’s military
assignment was as a
“Bandsman Saxophone several months in the Philippines.
- 439” playing in the He recalled that on the transport
Army Band. He was ship back to the states, he and
transferred with other the other band members gave
band members to the impromptu concerts on the ship
Philippines where for the other troops; these which
ames Braxton grew up loving they played for the turned into big USO shows. He
Jmusic. After graduation from troops. Something important was surprised when they landed
Booker T. Washington High popped into the veteran’s head and turned in their instruments.
School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at this moment, and he noted, To their surprise, the band
James attempted to follow in “I married Bernice right before I members were each given a
his father’s footsteps. His dad went overseas.” separate check for playing while
was an alumnus of the Tuskegee on the voyage home. James
Institute (now Tuskegee The soldier/musician spent remembered thinking, “Hey,
University), so James started out that’s alright.” For his dedicated
studying plumbing there. James military service, James received
liked to joke that, “If I’d stayed the Good Conduct Medal,
there, I’d probably be a rich American Theater, Asiatic Pacific
plumber now.” But, his heart was and the Victory Ribbons, and was
in music, and his destiny was discharged March 13, 1946 as a
with musical pipes, not plumbing Tec 4.
pipes. He left the institute after
his sophomore year to travel Back home, James earned his
up and down the east coast Bachelor of Music Education
performing on his saxophone in from Wylie College. While there,
places like Atlantic City, New he toured with a group called the
York, and Philadelphia. Wiley Collegians which included
his brother Robert on alto sax
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, and his brother-in-law Roy on
the United States became baritone sax. He completed
embroiled in the world war. graduate work in Colorado
74 Lubbock Senior Link
