John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era known primarily for American military marches. He is known as "The March King" or the "American March King", to distinguish him from his British counterpart Kenneth J. Alford. Among Sousa's best-known marches are "The Stars and Stripes Forever", "Semper Fidelis", "The Liberty Bell", "The Thunderer", and "The Washington Post".
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces issues its own version of the Commendation Medal, with a fifth version existing for acts of joint military service performed under the Department of Defense.
Wendell Cushing Neville was a major general of the Marine Corps as well as a Medal of Honor recipient and the 14th Commandant of the Marine Corps between 1929 and 1930.
Donald Gilbert Cook was a United States Marine Corps officer and a Medal of Honor recipient.
The United States Marine Band is the premier band of the United States Marine Corps. Established by act of Congress on July 11, 1798, it is the oldest of the United States military bands and the oldest professional musical organization in the United States. Today, the Marine Band includes the Marine Chamber Orchestra and Marine Chamber Ensembles.
Merritt Austin Edson, Sr., known as "Red Mike", was a Major General in the United States Marine Corps, First President of the Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation and First Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Safety & Vermont State Police.
Colonel Katherine Amelia Towle was the second director of the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve (USMCWR) and the first director of Women Marines.
Ralph M. Gambone is a former United States Navy officer. He served as Leader/Officer in Charge of the U.S. Navy Band from August 13, 1998 to March 2007. Prior to that, he served as Director of the U.S. Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, Maryland.
Philip Michael Bannon was a United States Marine Corps officer who received the Marine Corps Brevet Medal for his actions during the Spanish–American War.
Wheeler L. Baker is a retired U.S. Marine who served as the ninth President of Hargrave Military Academy from 1999 to 2011, and again from 2017 to 2018.
Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel is the former Commander and Conductor of the United States Air Force Band, United States Air Force Symphony Orchestra, and Singing Sergeants from 1964 to 1985. In 1990, he was named the first Conductor Emeritus of the United States Air Force Band and the 29th DIV Band of the Virginia Army National Guard. Gabriel has four sons, one daughter, and thirteen grandchildren.
Colonel Truman W. "Tru" Crawford (USMC) was a music arranger, composer, and conductor for drum and bugle corps. He was the long-time commander and director of "The Commandant's Own," the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps after having previously served as musical director of the United States Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps.
Major General Peter John Talleri retired in September, 2013, after serving 34 years in the United States Marine Corps. At retirement, Maj. Gen. Talleri was the U. S. Marine Corps senior logistics professional in the Pacific.
Walter William Wensinger was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general. He is most noted for his service as commanding officer of 23rd Marine Regiment during Battle of Iwo Jima, when he received the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. Wensinger finished his career as special advisory assistant to the commandant of the Marine Corps.
Sara Sheffield is an American singer and Marine from Jacksonville, Texas who, in 2005, became the first female feature vocalist in the history of the United States Marine Band.
Stanley Emanuel Ridderhof was a highly decorated naval aviator of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. A veteran of many conflicts, Ridderhof enlisted in the Marine Corps during World War I and received commission soon after. He then served in Nicaragua and received Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. During World War II, he served various assignments in the Pacific theater and received Distinguished Flying Cross and other decorations.
George Joseph O'Shea was a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He was decorated with the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat, during Battle of Sapotillal in October 1927. O'Shea served in the Pacific theater during World War II and retired in 1952 as director of 1st Marine Corps Reserve District in Boston.
Russell Nelton Jordahl was a decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. A Veteran of World War II, Korea and several expeditionary tours, Jordahl completed his career as commanding general, Landing Force Training Unit, Pacific.
Jason K. Fettig is a former United States Marine Corps colonel who served as the music adviser to the President of the United States and the 28th director of the United States Marine Band.
Stephen Goodwin Olmstead was a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with a rank of Lieutenant General. His last assignment was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Drug Policy and Enforcement and the Director of the Department of Defense Task Force on Drug Enforcement.
