1st Marine Division Band Embeds

World War II

Korea

On June 28, 1950, the North Korea Communist Military Forces invaded South Korea. The 1st Marine Brigade Band, made up of thirty members, was activated under the command of Master Sergeant Carroll J. Mulligan, Bandmaster, and Avant M. Brannock, Drum Major. On August 2, 1950, the 1st Marine Brigade Band sailed to Pusan, South Korea aboard the USS George Clymer, nicknamed “Greasy George.” The band had to hold their own when North Korean forces swam across the Nakdong river and attacked on August 31st, 1950. 

Then, on September 15th, the 1st Marine Brigade Band participated in the invasion of Wolmi-Do Island while attached to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division Band, under the command of Chief Warrant Officer Howard Parrot, Band Officer. After a few moves, the band made the Wonsan landing. Half of the band was then pulled off the security detail to help unload and sort supplies landed at Wonsan. The band remained split; half stayed with General Smith at the rear command post, and the other half moved through North Korea to guard the forward command post of Lieutenant General Edward Craig. At the Chosin Reservoir, the latter group engaged in heavy fighting. Two bandsmen were killed and seven were wounded, not including the frostbite cases. The temperatures were so extreme that Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in Korea at 20 degrees below zero.

Vietnam

During the Vietnam era, members of the 1st Marine Division Band were deployed for a 13-month period from 1968-1969. During the daytime, the Band played concerts for the men at the outposts and camps, Changes of Command ceremonies, locals at Vietnamese villages, wounded soldiers recovering from battle, and memorial services for soldiers who had died. At night, we would put our instruments on one side of the rehearsal tent, pick up the four machine guns and other weapons on the other side of the tent, and head out to the 500 yards of hilltop overlooking the 1st Marine Division Headquarters we were responsible for defending. 

Late in the night of February 22-23, 1969, members of a North Vietnamese platoon crawled through the grass and were practically within our eleven two-man foxholes before we could even see them. It became mostly hand to hand combat. The enemy finally retreated after about an hour, leaving three bandsmen killed and four wounded. The band accounted for nineteen enemy dead, and we saw blood trails that indicated they had dragged off an undetermined number of their wounded. A few days later the band played the Memorial Service for our musicians killed, as well as a few other Marines who had been killed further down the line on the hilltop.

Persian Gulf War

On August 2, 1990, Kuwait was invaded by its neighboring Arab state of Iraq. The 1st Marine Division Band was the first military band to be ordered to the Persian Gulf, and the only band to go into Kuwait, departing on September 2, 1990. We arrived in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia the next day, with our instruments following by sea. Almost immediately, we began the task of providing perimeter security for the Division and its Commanding General, Brigadier General James “Mike” Myatt. Our daily mission included perimeter security, foot patrols, mounted patrols, and guard duty for the mobile headquarters which, during the 100-hour blitz through Iraq and Kuwait, was constantly on the move near the front. During the attack on Iraq-occupied Kuwait, Band members cleared paths through bunker systems and mine fields, helping secure the battleground for United States forces. We also helped clear buildings at Kuwait International Airport. Some musical support was provided as well; we performed during the Marine Corps Birthday and holiday seasons for all Marines deployed in Saudi Arabia, along with daily bugle calls.

Following the seven-month deployment ended on March 14, 1991, the Band was ordered to return home. After only twenty-four hours of rest, the Band performed for every unit that came home, no matter the time of day (or night). This resulted in four to nine commitments a day, before the Bandsmen were finally given two weeks of hard-earned leave at the beginning of May.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

2003 | In February of 2003, the 1st Marine Division Band began deploying to Kuwait in support of the war on terror. While in Kuwait, the band stood duty as well as trained on machine guns and convoy security prior to deployment into Iraq. In March, the band crossed over into Iraq, providing security for the Division Headquarters both while on the move or at each nightly stop digging fighting positions and forming perimeter security. They traveled by convoy to Baghdad in a little over 2 weeks. The band finally stopped at the Secret Police Headquarters in Baghdad for eight days, before moving south to Ad Diwaniyah.

Once the band reached Ad Diwaniyah they retrieved their instruments and started performing morale boosting concerts all over Iraq. They played in Babylon, Camp Commando, and around Diwaniyah for the numerous units in the surrounding area.

In early June the band returned to the United States and within a few days they were out providing musical support as if they hadn’t left.

2004 | Soon after returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom I, the 1st Marine Division Band started training for the next deployment. Late in 2003 they were informed that they would be returning to Iraq. In February 2004 the Band deployed to Kuwait and remained there until the 1st Marine Division advanced into Iraq. Soon thereafter, they began a 3-day push to Ar Ramadi. This was to be the band’s home for the next seven months.

In Ar Ramadi they controlled the base operations and provided perimeter security for Camp Blue Diamond. Additional assignments for the band included security on convoys to nearby bases and patrols outside the perimeter. Even though the base endured countless indirect fire attacks, the Marine Musicians still kept an intense vigilance.

Although performances were very limited during this time, the Band still participated in several ceremonies including the Change of Command ceremonies in both Ramadi and Fallujah, and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Division change of commands.

2005 - 2007 | In the most recent deployment, the 1st MarDiv Band was attached to Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 5 and was deployed to Camp Fallujah, Iraq from February 2006 to January 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. This deployment differed from OIF I and II in that the Band continued its musical mission at home, while elements of the Band deployed.
 
The Band’s primary role in Iraq was as a security detachment. While some members of the Band served as part of the Command element, others were stationed at the Government Center in Fallujah providing over-watch security for the compound. This security allowed Civil Affairs Group personnel, as well as government, military and civilian officials, to conduct business at the compound in safety. Division bandsmen were also attached as gunners, drivers and vehicle commanders to the security element of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, as well as a multi-purpose security convoy.

Today

Consisting of approximately 50 Marine musicians, the mission of the 1st Marine Division Band is to provide musical support to the 1st Marine Division as well as other tenant commands aboard Camp Pendleton, the surrounding community, and throughout the United States. The band fulfills numerous musical requirements by performing as a military marching band, wind ensemble, jazz band, popular music group, jazz combo, brass band, woodwind quintet, brass quintet, and saxophone quartet. Overall, the band supports over 400 engagements annually. Past highlights include: the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, the State Funeral for President Ford, the Tournament of Roses Parade, annual performances at the Center for the Performing arts, in Escondido, California, the Swallow’s Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano, and most recently, the Disney Magic Music Days in Downtown Disney and San Francisco Fleet Week. All Marine Corps Bands preserve the values that comprise the unique and fundamental national character of the United States. Whether performing music or serving in a combat zone, the 1st Marine Division Band carries on this esteemed tradition and remains the “Pride of the Division.”