What Happened to The US Army Issued Ocarinas to Soldiers in World War II?
During World War II, the U.S. Army issued plastic ocarinas, often called 'sweet potato flutes' or 'Tonettes,' to soldiers as a morale booster and a simple, portable form of entertainment. While the practice ceased after the war, these instruments became collector's items and the ocarina itself experienced a resurgence in popularity decades later, notably through video games and continued cultural interest, with historical artifacts still being discussed and preserved today.
Quick Answer
The US Army issued plastic ocarinas to soldiers during World War II primarily to boost morale and provide easily accessible entertainment. After the war, the official issuance of ocarinas stopped, but the instruments found new life in civilian education (Tonettes) and later gained significant popularity through cultural phenomena like the 'Legend of Zelda' video game series. Today, these WWII-era ocarinas are sought-after collector's items, and the instrument continues to be developed and celebrated globally, with recent initiatives like a virtual ocarina museum launched in 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Earliest Ocarina-like Instruments Appear
Primitive vessel flutes, precursors to the modern ocarina, are believed to have existed in various cultures, including in Africa, Asia, and Mesoamerica.
Mesoamerican Ocarinas Introduced to Europe
Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés sends Aztec musicians and dancers to perform for Emperor Charles V, introducing their clay ocarinas to European courts.
Modern Ocarina Invented by Giuseppe Donati
Giuseppe Donati, a young baker from Budrio, Italy, invents the 'transverse' or 'sweet potato' style ocarina, standardizing its design and expanding its musical range.
Ocarinas Issued to English Servicemen
English servicemen are provided with ocarinas as morale boosters during World War I, gaining popularity among soldiers.
Japanese 12-Hole Ocarina Developed
Aketa of Japan develops the first 12-hole ocarina, extending the instrument's musical range.
Tonette Ocarina Invented
Ziegner Swanson invents the 'Tonette,' a linear plastic ocarina that becomes widely popular and is later adopted by the US Army.
US Army Begins Issuing Ocarinas in WWII
The US Army starts distributing plastic ocarinas, including Gretsch 'sweet potato' models and Tonettes, along with instructional books, to soldiers for entertainment and morale during World War II.
GI Plays Ocarina in Anzio, Italy
Historic footage captures a GI playing an ocarina during the Anzio landings in Italy, illustrating the instrument's presence among troops.
Official Issuance Ends; Civilian Sales Begin
With the end of World War II, the US Army ceases official issuance, but many soldiers keep their ocarinas. These instruments, particularly Tonettes, become available for mail-order from companies like Sears, Roebuck and Company.
Plastic Recorder Invented
The invention of the plastic recorder in 1946 eventually contributes to the decline of the ocarina's widespread use in music education by the 1970s and 80s.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Released
Nintendo's iconic video game features a magical ocarina, sparking a significant global resurgence in the instrument's popularity and market demand.
Virtual Ocarina Museum Kickstarter Launched
David Erick Ramos successfully launches a Kickstarter campaign for 'The Ocarina through Time: a Virtual Museum,' an online platform to showcase over 400 ocarinas and their history.
WWII Ocarina Books Listed as Collector's Items
WWII Army-issued 'Music is Fun' Gretsch Ocarina books continue to be sold as rare historical artifacts and collector's items on platforms like Etsy.
Ongoing Historical Discussion
The historical significance and cultural impact of the US Army issuing ocarinas in World War II remain a topic of interest and discussion among historians and enthusiasts.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The issuance of ocarinas to U.S. Army soldiers during World War II was a unique initiative aimed at maintaining troop morale and providing a simple, portable form of entertainment in challenging conditions. The ocarina, a type of vessel flute with ancient origins dating back over 12,000 years, had been modernized in 19th-century Italy by Giuseppe Donati and gained popularity in the early 20th century.
The U.S. military specifically chose plastic ocarinas, such as the Gretsch 'sweet potato' style and the linear 'Tonette,' because they were durable, inexpensive to produce, could withstand harsh conditions, and were exceptionally easy to learn and play, even for individuals with no prior musical experience. These instruments were often accompanied by instructional books like 'Music is Fun,' which taught basic music theory and popular songs. The presence of ocarinas in popular culture of the era, including films, also contributed to their selection.
Following the end of World War II in 1945, the official military issuance of ocarinas ceased. Soldiers were generally allowed to keep their 'personal gear,' which many interpreted to include their musical instruments, leading to many WWII ocarinas entering civilian hands. In the post-war period, the Tonette, a linear ocarina, became a staple in American elementary music education throughout the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, introducing millions of schoolchildren to music. However, its popularity waned with the widespread availability of inexpensive plastic recorders in the 1970s and 1980s.
A significant turning point for the ocarina's broader cultural recognition came in 1998 with the release of Nintendo's video game 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time,' which prominently featured the instrument. This game sparked a global resurgence of interest, particularly among younger generations, and led to increased demand for ocarinas. Today, the ocarina is viewed as a serious instrument in many parts of the world, especially in Asia, where it continues to be developed and performed by students, hobbyists, and professionals.
As of 2026, WWII Army-issued ocarinas and their accompanying instruction books are considered historical artifacts and collector's items, frequently found on online marketplaces like Etsy. The enduring legacy of the ocarina is further highlighted by contemporary efforts to preserve its history; for instance, a Kickstarter campaign for 'The Ocarina through Time: a Virtual Museum,' an online museum showcasing over 400 ocarinas from the past 170 years, was successfully funded in February 2026. Discussions about the historical context and cultural impact of these military-issued instruments continue to surface, underscoring their lasting significance.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if The US Army Issued Ocarinas to Soldiers in World War II made different choices?