Cadences originated with PVT Willie Lee Duckworth during WWII. His story has turned to legend and is still alive in the US military today. ​ Duckworth, a black Soldier and a descendent of freed American slaves, took the call-and-response style of “work songs” and wrote his famous tune, “Sound Off.” ​ This new-found method of morale-building would quickly spread across the Army, and make its mark in its history. Hundreds of cadences have since been written and taken root in US military culture. |