Ferdinand Vrabel (F. Vrable)

Ferdinand "Fred" Vrabel was a US Navy band leader and chief musician who led the "R" band aboard several naval ships including the USS Arkansas during the period 1939-1945. He was born in Newark, New Jersey to August Vrabel and Theresa Tomasovic, Slovak immigrants from the Senica area in today's Slovakia and who shared a rich eastern european musical heritage. His performances were also at civilian venues, including in Los Angeles and San Diego.