The 2nd Marine Division Band provides music on behalf of the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Commanding General, 2d Marine Division for official Department of War approved functions, military ceremonies, official civic functions and community relations events. Their performances demonstrate Marine Corps discipline, professionalism, values and traditions to all audiences.
At the start of the conflict, Marine bands were organized at the post and regiment level. The first band to see combat in the Pacific was the 8th Marine Regiment Band on the shores of Guadalcanal. Following the battle, the 2nd Marine Division Band was formed in 1942 from surviving elements of the 2nd, 6th, and 8th Marine Regiment Bands in Wellington, New Zealand. To bolster morale, the larger band gave troops and locals on liberty a full-sized American jazz band to liven up the local dance halls and watering holes.
In addition to Guadalcanal, 2nd Marine Division Musicians were present at the battles of Tarawa, Tinian, Wake Island, and Saipan.
Capt. Bobby Troup, actor and musician-turned wartime Marine Corps Officer, was assigned to train Marines at Montford Point. Doing additional duty as the Recreation Officer, he led shows in the Jacksonville area featuring prominent African American musicians who enlisted to fight, such as Pvt. Finis Henderson and Sgt. Joe Wilder. Troup's song "Jacksonville" became the unofficial anthem of the Marines of Montford Point. In 1944, Troup took command of the 6th Depot Company in Saipan.
The first and only all-female Marine Corps Band was organized on Camp Lejeune from 1942 to 1945. Their mission was to tour the United States and raise money for the war effort. Under the direction of Charlotte Plummer Owens, They performed 27 concerts, 15 parades, three live broadcasts and dozens of dance hall shows. Their most successful concert tour raised $7 million in war bonds. Their final performance was leading the 1945 Victory Parade for Adm. Chester Nimitz in Washington.
During the Korean and Vietnam wars, the 2nd Marine Division Band did not deploy as a complete unit. Musicians were however regularly tasked as military police, litter bearers, and security forces. From 1948-1952, legendary Dixieland trumpeter Sgt Robert "Smokey" Stover was the lead chair trumpet at the 2nd Marine Division and went on to perform with Louis Armstrong.
In 1991, the 2nd Marine Division Band saw combat action as part of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Following the conflict, they performed in the Washington victory parade led by Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf.
In 2005, the 2nd Marine Division Band deployed as a full unit in support of the division headquarters. They served as the security and internal guard force for Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division at Camp Blue Diamond, Al Ramadi, Iraq, as well as Al Asad and Fallujah. Members of the band also deployed in various capacities in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Consisting of 54 Marine Musicians, the 2nd Marine Division Band supports hundreds of engagements annually. From this stable of musicians, rooted in a concert wind ensemble, the band maintains a marching ceremonial band, brass band, popular music group, jazz combo, brass quintet, woodwind quintet, soloists, and buglers. Regular performances include a steady stream of military ceremonies, Navy & Marine Week tours of American cities, recruiting tours, and parades. Collegiate and professional sporting events, educational clinics, state fairs, and memorial gatherings are also commonly supported. A few recent highlight performances include: 350th Birthday of the Royal Marines in London (2014) 100th Anniversary of WWI in France (2018) 80th anniversary of Operation Avalanche in Italy (2023) Joint Concert with the Norwegian His Majesty's Kings Guard Band (2025) Accompanying the 6th Marine Regiment, the band performs in France every other year in memory of the Battle of Belleau Wood. 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 2nd Marine Division Band carries on this esteemed tradition and remains "The Division's Own.”
The division's fight song "Follow Me" was composed in 1991 by Jack Lee. Lee took inspiration from "The Silent Second March", and the Division's battle cry "Follow Me", often accredited to Capt. Henry P. Crowe of the 2nd Marines on Guadalcanal. "The Silent Second March" was written in 1945, inspired by the exploits of the 2nd Marine Division on Tarawa Atoll.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mark Pellon currently serves as director of the 2nd Marine Division Band. In this capacity he serves as the officer in charge and manages, administers, and coordinates musical performances, develops budgets and annual operation plans, directs internal operations and training, and supervises the employment of a Marine Corps fleet band.
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Master Gunnery Sgt. Stephen Davis serves as the enlisted bandleader and senior enlisted advisor for the 2nd Marine Division Band. He oversees all training, operations, and administrative functions, while also advising the director on musical development. As the Staff Noncomissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC), he is the primary contact for performance requests and inquiries.
Warrant Officer Wayne Geary currently serves as assistant director of the 2nd Marine Division Band. In this capacity he leads the band in performance and serves as the band’s operations officer responsible for matters pertaining to training, plans, and operations. He coordinates and directs the preparation and employment of the band and oversees the daily scheduling and logistics.
Gunnery Sgt. Jessica Larsen currently serves as the drum major of the 2nd Marine Division Band. In this capacity she directs, trains, and manages the musical performance of the ceremonial band while on the march and instructs band personnel in drill specific to Marine bands. Gunnery Sgt. Jessica Larsen also manages the band’s administration and operations sections.
Gunnery Sgt. Lindsay Waller currently serves as the enlisted conductor of the 2nd Marine Division Band. In this capacity she assists the director in the musical development of the band and directs, trains, and manages the musical performances of the full band. Gunnery Sgt. Waller supervises the management and development of the band’s various small ensembles and manages the music library and historical records of the band.
Master Sgt. Matthew Koscheski currently serves as the instrument repair technician of the 2nd Marine Division Band. In this capacity he inspects, maintains, and repairs musical equipment. Master Sgt. Koscheski also manages the band’s supply, safety, and fiscal sections.
Gunnery Sgt. Brandon Johnson currently serves as the production manager of the 2nd Marine Division Band. In this capacity he is the chief sound engineer, responsible for the recording and sound reinforcement of the band. Gunnery Sgt. Johnson also serves as the band’s digital marketing and communication lead.
Information Coming Soon