Master Gunnery Sergeant William D. Mike, III, a native of Wilmington North Carolina, enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 1995. Upon completion of Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island he reported to his first duty station the Second Marine Division Band as a French Horn Instrumentalist. He was then assigned to the Quantico Marine Corps Band, from 1999 to 2004 as a French Horn Instrumentalist and Assistant Drum Major.
In 2004 Master Gunnery Sergeant Mike enrolled in the Naval School of Music to attend the Unit Leader's Course. Upon graduation, he returned to the Quantico Marine Corps Band, as the Drum Major. In 2005, he went back returned to the Naval School of Music in 2005 to serve as the Platoon Sergeant for the Marine Detachment. During his tenure there, he assumed the duties of Registrar and Drill Band Instructor, educating Marines and Sailors attending the Basic Music Course and Unit Leader’s Course from 2007 to 2009.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Mike was assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band in 2010, where assumed the duties of Drum Major until departing Okinawa in 2013. Upon his return to the Continental United States, Master Gunnery Sergeant Mike was the Bandmaster for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from 2014 to 2018. August 2018 to March 2020, he served as the Bandmaster for the Parris Island Marine Band. From March 2020 to March 2024 Master Gunnery Sergeant Mike was assigned as the Bandmaster for the 2nd Marine Division Band. Master Gunnery Sergeant Mike currently serves as the Enlisted Band Leader for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Mike has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Horn Performance from Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has also studied at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.
Personal Decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal (gold star in lieu of second award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 gold stars), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of second award), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (1 silver star, 1 bronze star), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (2 silver stars), Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (1 bronze star), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3 bronze stars).