Gunnery Sergeant David J. Wilson
Bandmaster
Parris Island Marine Band

David Wilson was born in York, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation from Dallastown Area High School in 1995, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Musician. He attended recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of recruit training and Marine Corps Combat Training, Private First Class Wilson reported in to the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, VA for the Basic Music Course, where he was promoted to Lance Corporal.

Following this six month training, Lance Corporal Wilson received orders to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California as a percussionist. In March 1997, he was promoted to Corporal. Corporal Wilson served as the Transportation Non- Commissioned Officer in charge (NCOIC), Sound assistant, as well as the Percussion and Rhythm section leaders. Corporal Wilson also served as a Fire Team Leader. In October 1999 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  While in San Diego, Sergeant Wilson traveled extensively throughout the Western United States promoting the Marine Corps Music Program featuring the Party Band and Dixieland Band. Sgt Wilson also performed in over 540 recruit graduations and participated in three Tournament of Roses parades in Pasadena, California.

In April 2001, Sergeant Wilson carried out orders to the III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) Band in Okinawa, Japan. With the III MEF Band, again he served as the Transportation NCOIC, Percussion and Rhythm section leader, and Squad Leader and Guide of the platoon.  During his tour in Okinawa, Sergeant Wilson had the privilege of traveling to Australia, Iwo Jima, Guam, Saipan, Tarawa, and all over mainland Japan, to include Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Sergeant Wilson also attended the Sergeant’s Residence Course and finished seventh out of 84.

In May 2002, Sergeant Wilson received orders to Marine Corps Base Quantico as a percussionist for the Quantico Marine Corps Band. During this tour, he served as Training NCOIC and Platoon Sergeant. In November 2003 he was promoted to his current rank of Staff Sergeant. Highlights of his tour at Quantico include the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Carnegie Hall, the Columbus Day Parade, and the Macy’s Day Parade, all in New York City,  the Virginia International Tattoo, the Police Memorial in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as annual concerts in Raritan, New Jersey and Hudson, New York. Staff Sergeant Wilson also had the opportunity to attend the Staff Non- Commissioned Officer Career Course where he graduated with honors.

In February 2005, Staff Sergeant Wilson returned to the School of Music for the Unit Leaders Course in Little Creek, Virginia. While there, Staff Sergeant Wilson studied the fundamentals of the Command Element for the Marine Corps Music Program to include Enlisted Conductor, Small Ensemble Leader, and Drum Major.

In November 2005, upon graduation of the Unit Leader Course, Staff Sergeant Wilson transferred to the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band in Miramar, California. Here he was tasked with filling in the missing billets of Drum Major, Enlisted Conductor, and Small Ensemble Leader. In July 2006, Staff Sergeant Wilson and 17 of his Marines left for Al Asad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in Iraq, Staff Sergeant Wilson served as the Tactical Air Command Center (TACC) Guard Chief. In February 2007, shortly following his return from a successful tour in Iraq, Staff Sergeant Wilson was selected for Drum Major.

In July 2007, Staff Sergeant Wilson transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he served as the Drum Major of the Second Marine Division Band. In July of 2009 he was promoted to his current rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

In June 2011, Gunnery Sergeant Wilson transferred to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina where he currently serves as the Bandmaster and Drum Major of the Parris Island Marine Band.

Gunnery Sergeant Wilson’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (with gold star), Good Conduct Medal (with four bronze stars), National Defense Medal (with bronze star), Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy Unit Citation (with bronze star), Meritorious Unit Citation (with two bronze stars), and Sea Service Deployment ribbon (with bronze star). Gunnery Sergeant Wilson currently resides in Beaufort, South Carolina with his wife Rachel and daughter Leah.