Donald H. Keller, Jr.
Commander, U.S. NAVY

Commander Donald H. Keller, Jr, a native of Stockton, California, enlisted in the Navy in 1975. He was an accelerated graduate of the Machinist Mate "A" school in Great Lakes, Illinois and a Learning Resource Instructor while awaiting orders to Nuclear Power school. LCDR Keller attended the Navy Nuclear Power school in Vallejo, California, and was assigned to the USS San Jose (AFS-7) where he served as a Hydraulic and Air Conditioning specialist.

CDR Keller attended the Basic Music course and the Intermediate course at the School of Music in 1981. His first assignment as a musician was to Navy Band Great Lakes where he was promoted to Chief Musician. In 1988, while assigned to Navy Band Orlando, he was selected as a Limited Duty Officer and promoted to Ensign. His first assignment as an officer in the Navy Music Program was as Director, Navy Band San Fransisco, where he advanced from Ensign to Lieutenant. Subsequent tours included assignments as Fleet Bandmaster SEVENTH Fleet Band, Yokosuka, Japan, Fleet Bandmaster SIXTH Fleet Band, Naples, Italy, Training Officer at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia and as Fleet Bandmaster, ATLANTIC Fleet Band, Norfolk, Virginia. In August of 2001 he became the 25th Leader of "The Navy's Oldest and Finest Band," and was promoted to Commander in January, 2004.

His awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Battle Efficiency "E", Good Conduct Medal (three awards), Navy Expeditionary Medal (two awards), National Defense Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (two awards), Sea Service Ribbon (four awards) and the Overseas Service Ribbon. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences and a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Chapman University.

HISTORY