John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa (1854–1932) is pictured on the 2-cent Famous American Composers stamp issued May 3, 1940. "The March King," as Sousa was known, was director of the U.S. Marine Corps Band from 1880 to 1892, and subsequently formed and conducted his own civilian band. He wrote more than 100 marches, including "Semper Fidelis" (the official Marine Corps march), "The Washington Post March," "El Capitan," and the most popular "The Stars and Stripes Forever."