Roll On March

We're the 28th Men,
And we're out to fight again
For the good old U.S.A.
We're the Guys who know
Where to strike the blow
And you'll know just why
After we say:

Roll On, 28th
Roll On, set the pace,
Hold the banners high
And raise the cry,
"We're off to Victory!"
Let the Keystone shine
Right down the line
For all the world to see.
When we meet the foe
We'll let them know
We're Iron Infantry,
So, Roll On, 28th, Roll On!



Performed by the 28th Infantry Division (M) Band
Produced by: SPC Daniel A. Klingbeil
Recorded by: David Villani, Data Music Services, Altoona, PA
Project Manager: SFC J. Robert Hollanbach
23-25 June 1999

In the fall of 1944, MG Norman D. Cota, Division Commander, decided the Division should have its own march and song. He challenged the member so the Division Band to develop from which would be selected the official march. This contest was won by Sergeant Emil Raab who was a talented band member, before and after the war, he was a music professor and accomplisth violinist. Raab retired to North Carolina.

In December 1944, during the Battle of the Buldge, the Band was placed on the line to defend the Division Headquarters at Wiltz, Luxembourg. In this action, for which the Band was awarded the Meitorious Unit Comendation, all but thirteen of sixty member were killed or captured. Of the thriteen, eleven were wounded. Sergeant Raab avoided capture and helped re-form a new band after the Ardennes campaign.

March history provided by:
William O. Hickok, 5th
Lieutenant Colonel, Inspector General
Pennsylvania Army National Guard
Division Historian

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