The Leatherneck Pipes & Drums were formed in 1991; the inspiration of two former Marines - Doug Mallon and Ted Grundmann. An original group of seven pipers and three drummers represented Marine Veterans from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.


Today, as many as thirty members may perform in concert or on parade; thrilling audiences young and old with a unique brand of military music and pageantry. The Leatherneck Pipes & Drums is dedicated to preserve and promulgate the proud history and traditions of the United States Marine Corps through their musical presentations.

The band is augmented by a historic military Color Guard, and represents more than 330 years of service to Country and Corps. This cumulative total includes band member participation in almost every significant military engagement from World War II to present UN peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Bosnia and the Middle East.



The Leathernecks wear the dress blue uniform and kilt similar to that of the United States Marines, in tribute to our nation's premier fighting force. Each bagpipe cover shows the distinctive "Shamrock" patch issued in 1942 to US Marines stationed in Northern Ireland, wartime home of the original Marine Corps bagpipe band. The insignia as displayed, is in tribute to our forebears whose name we proudly carry.
The Color Guard musters in the 1941 uniform of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, ordered to Iceland to bolster British defense forces. This pre-Pearl Harbor overseas deployment represented the first American military assistance to Great Britain and Allies; then engaged in World War II against German forces.





The band has performed before Presidents and Prime Ministers; on land and at sea; in hundreds of parades, concerts and ceremonies during the past eleven years. The Leatherneck Pipes   Drums have appeared on national and international television in addition to performing before military and civilian audiences from coast to coast.

In 1993, the Department of the Navy awarded the Leatherneck Pipes & Drums the "Commendation and Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service" on behalf of the United States Marine Corps. Presentation by Medal of Honor (MOH) winner, Major General J. E. Livingston, USMC