Ned E. Muffley
Commander, United States Navy (Retired)

Commander Ned E. Muffley grew up in Allentown, Pa. and displayed a rare talent for conducting in front of a floor model radio in his living room. As he progressed through school, he played the trumpet in the concert and dance bands and became the student director of the concert band. He was also a member of the famed Allentown Band under the direction of his mentor, Albertus Meyers.

Cmdr. Muffley joined the Navy in 1949 and made his way through the ranks becoming a Chief Musician while stationed at the Navy School of Music in 1959. From there, he was a detailer at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. and was commissioned an Ensign in 1965. He first reported to the Navy Band as Assistant Leader in 1966 followed by a tour as Assistant, then Head of the Music Branch. Cmdr. Muffley immediately decided to bring a new dimension to Navy music by actively recruiting women for Navy bands. He was appointed the Leader of the Naval Academy Band in 1972 and was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Commander before assuming command of the Navy Band on June 29, 1973. Known for his incredible memory, he conducted all Navy Band performances without using a score.

Commander Ned E. Muffley's goal was to present the American people with a package of "Total Entertainment." Cmdr. Muffley accomplished this by combining the various units in the band to present theme concerts designed to appeal to America's changing musical tastes. He packaged performers from different units to form entertaining small ensembles like the "Aquarians," "The Showtimers" and "Showtime USA." Although it was a new dimension for the Navy Band, it served a vital purpose in promoting good feelings about the military in those troubled times.

In 1976 the United States celebrated its bicentennial which included a year of celebration that put great demands on the military bands. Demand was so great that the Department of Defense decided to form a Bicentennial Band made up of members of the major service bands and those civilians selected at a national audition. It was also a busy year for the Navy Band that included many firsts. Country Current was featured on ABC's Academy of Country Music Awards Show and the Commodores were selected as the first military jazz band to appear at the famous Newport Jazz Festival. The Summer Pageant began that year featuring the Navy Band, the Ceremonial Band and the Sea Chanters chorus and was sponsored by Naval District Washington. The highlight of that celebratory year was the band's performance on the USS Forrestal during "Operation Sail" on July 4th in New York harbor and attended by President Ford, Vice President Rockefeller and Secretary of State Kissinger.

Cmdr. Muffley retired in December 1978 after serving 30 years.

HISTORY