Commandant Burrows sent Captain John Hall to southern Italy where American ships were stationed during the war with Tripoli.

[1] Captain Hall contacted a local band leader in Catania, Gaetano Carusi, who recruited the musicians.

The Band was supplied with instruments at the Corps' expense in Messina and then assigned to active duty on board the warship USS President.

After an adventurous journey, which saw them also participate in gunfire off the coast of Tripoli, the group sailed safely to the United States.

During the banquet hosted at the White House in celebration of the birthday of Lafayette, September 6, 1825, as the guests stood for the toast, Pulizzi led the Marine Band in playing The Marseillaise.