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John Powley
Marine Band Director / Leader John Powley

John Powley, 1817-1818

John Powley was born in Germany. He enlisted in the Marine Corps as Marine Band Leader/Drum Major on Dec. 10, 1817, at age 55. When Commandant Lieutenant Colonel Franklin Wharton advertised for a new Leader/Drum Major, John Powley had the “qualifications and character to fulfill the position as Leader.”