Daniel M. Oeser

Drum Major, 1964-1968

Master Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Oeser, a native of Marble Rock, Iowa, joined the United States Marine Corps at age 17. After serving various tours of duty around the world, he was selected as the Marine Band’s 30th Drum Major under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. In the 1950s he was the drum major at the Brussels World Fair, at a Bermuda Military Tattoo, and at two Edinburgh Military Tattoos in Scotland. His musical background including playing the marimba, vibraphone, snare drum, tympani, oboe, and ukulele.

He retired after 23 years of service and spent another 23 years in Honolulu, Hawaii before he died.