A Soldier's Story: Second Lieutenant Noble Lee Sissle



2nd Lieutenant Noble Lee Sissle was born on January 10, 1889, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  He was always a talented musician who sang in church choirs and was a soloist for Central High School's Glee club (his family briefly lived in Cleveland, Ohio).

Scouted by James Reese Europe to form a band in 1916, Lieutenant Noble Lee Sissle was already on hand to help James Reese Europe organize the New York 369th Infantry military band.

Deploying to France for World War I in May 1918 and fighting under France's 16th Division,  the "Harlem Hellfighters" spent 191 days in combat.

They also brought Jazz to France.

After the war, Lieutenant Noble Lee Sissle returned to the civilian Europe band, briefly holding it together with Eubie Blake after James Europe's murder.

Eubie Blake and Lieutenant Noble Lee Sissle would continue collaborating over the years, writing hit songs and performances, including those for Josephine Baker's "Shuffle Along" and "Chocolate Dandies."

Lieutenant Sissle also helped establish the Negro Actors Guild and developed "Shuffle Along" into a USO show during World War II and, in 1950, was named an honorary Mayor of Harlem.

Lieutenant Nobel Lee Sissle maintained a grueling schedule of band work and theatrical production development until he retired to Tampa, Florida, during the 1960s.  He died on December 17, 1975.


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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to the travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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Location: Indianapolis, IN, USA

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