Walter Loving | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Walter Howard Loving |
| Born | December 17, 1872 Nelson County, Virginia, United States |
| Died | February–March 1945 (aged 72) Manila, Philippines |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service | United States Army Volunteer Army of the United States Philippine Constabulary Philippine Commonwealth Army |
| Rank | Major (Philippine Constabulary) Major (U.S. Army) Lieutenant Colonel (Philippine Commonwealth Army) |
| Unit | Philippine Constabulary Band Philippine Army Orchestra U.S. Army Military Intelligence Division |
| Awards | Presidential Merit Award Distinguished Conduct Star Philippine Campaign Medal |
Walter Howard Loving (December 17, 1872 – February/March 1945) was an African American soldier and musician most noted for his leadership of the Philippine Constabulary Band. The son of a former slave, Loving led the band during the 1909 U.S. presidential inaugural parade, where it formed the official musical escort to the President of the United States, the first time a band other than the U.S. Marine Band had been assigned that duty.
Loving is believed to have been the first African American to conduct a musical performance in the White House.
In addition to his long career in military music, Loving also worked with the U.S. Army's intelligence division during World War I, and, in private life, as a real estate investor in the San Francisco Bay area. Toward the end of his life he returned to the Philippines. Loving was killed in 1945 during the Battle of Manila in dramatic, though unclear, circumstances. He posthumously received the Philippines' Presidential Merit Award.