The Marine Corps Women's Reserve Band (MCWR Band) was a United States Marine Corps military band, unique in its all female composition, that served during the Second World War. The band was stationed at Camp Lejeune and included 43 members.
| Marine Corps Women's Reserve Band | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1943 – 1945 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Marine Corps |
| Type | military band |
| Role | Public duties and a booster of the esprit de corps |
| Size | 43 members |
| Garrison/HQ | Camp Lejuene, North Carolina |
| March | Marine Hymn (official hymn) Semper Fidelis (branch march) March of the Women Marines (unit march) |
History
editWomen began enlisting in the USMC in July 1943 and musicians attended recruit training prior to being admitted into the band. Four senior musicians from the United States Marine Band at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. arrived in November to assist with the training of this up and coming band.[1] Within 2 and a half months, the band grew from 15 to 37 members. By 1944, other ensembles formed within the group, including a Dixieland ensemble and dance band. In addition to its duties at Camp Lejeune, the MCWR Band conducted three tours, two during the war and one during the post-war period as a welcome home celebration. Its first tour was in 1944 and domestic in nature, stopping at USMC bases on the east coast such as a base in Chicago. The tour lasted just over a month and consisted of dozens of concerts, parades, and just 5 radio shows. On 14 November 1944, one of the latter events was fulfilled with its sit in for the weekly Dream Hour by the President's Own Marine Band broadcast.[2][3][4][5] The band was conducted by Charlotte Plummer Owen.
See also
editSources
edit- ^ Stremlow, Mary V. (1994). "Free A Marine to Fight: Women Marines in World War II (Women's Reserve Band)". www.nps.gov. US National Park Service. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
- ^ Simmons, Amanda (8 March 2018). "Celebrating 75th Anniversary of Marine Corps Women's Reserve Band". United States Marine Band.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Women and Military Bands in North America". Altissimo!. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
- ^ "INTRODUCTION - Marine Corps Women's Reserve Band Tribute - "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band".
- ^ "Charlotte Plummer Owen". www.public.asu.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
