“For outstanding performance of duty as Leader, United States Navy Band.... By his excellent leadership and musical ability, Lieutenant Brendler effected a musical organization which has gained an enviable reputation throughout the Nation and has earned recognition as one of the country’s leading and most versatile musical groups.... James Forrestal Secretary of the Navy.” Commander Brendler is married and has two grown children, who are both musical--but “home performers,” not professional. His son Ivan was graduated from the Maryland University in 1950. His daughter Alma (“Rickie”), is also a Maryland U. graduate. Both the son and daughter are married. A handsome, genial, gentleman is Commander Brendler; five feet, nine inches tall, with dark brown hair and dark blue eyes. He is possessed of a warm personality combined with a gracious, dignified manner. A perfect master of music, the Commander has composed several successful marches; among them are _Aye, Aye, Sir_, _The Fighting Fleet_ and _The Navy E_. Although the Navy Band has an extensive and varied repertoire of more than 20,000 compositions, Commander Brendler invariably conducts from memory. When asked about his hobbies Commander Brendler said, “Music has always completely absorbed me. When I was about nineteen or twenty years of age, I had a great love for Opera. At twenty-five I had turned to Tchaikovsky; at thirty-five my favorite was Brahms; at forty it was Wagner. I still ‘fall apart’ at a Wagner concert and when my band plays Wagner.” At fifteen Charles Brendler wanted a job that would give him more time for his music. At fifty Commander Charles Brendler as Chief of the U. S. Navy Band has little time for anything but music. And that’s the way he wants it. _The U. S. Army Band_ It was World War I. General Pershing was reviewing his troops in France. Suddenly he exclaimed to his aide, “Listen! Are our bands playing? I can’t hear them!” The General was surprised and ashamed at the pitiful showing made by the United States Bands’ music in comparison with that of the Allied soldiers. France, Belgium and England had fine bands of from eighty to ninety men, all well-trained and experienced. The U. S. players, twenty-eight in each group, had been hastily taken from various regiments. With little or no training they had been ordered to play together. “Black Jack” Pershing looked blacker than ever. “This won’t do!” he exclaimed. “Something _must_ be done at once!” Although the General did not know what to do about the situation, he knew who would. He cabled the United States Army Headquarters in Washington, D. C. and asked for Walter Damrosch, America’s foremost music authority.