United States Marine Corps Commandant. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the creation of the new US Marine Corps in 1798, he was commissioned a Captain. He served as officer in charge of the vessel's for Marine detachments during the Quasi War with France in 1801 and at age 36, he was promoted Lieutenant Colonel and the 3rd Commandant of the US Marine Corps in 1804. As Commandant, he participated in virtually every important naval battle, serving aboard warships during the War of 1812. In 1814, charges and specifications of neglect of duty with submitted against him by some Marine officers and Wharton became the first Commandant to be tried by court marshal. The court, consisting of senior Army and Marines officers, ruled out many of the specifications as being inadmissible and Wharton was acquitted. He died in office as Commandant at age 51 in New York City.
United States Marine Corps Commandant. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the creation of the new US Marine Corps in 1798, he was commissioned a Captain. He served as officer in charge of the vessel's for Marine detachments during the Quasi War with France in 1801 and at age 36, he was promoted Lieutenant Colonel and the 3rd Commandant of the US Marine Corps in 1804. As Commandant, he participated in virtually every important naval battle, serving aboard warships during the War of 1812. In 1814, charges and specifications of neglect of duty with submitted against him by some Marine officers and Wharton became the first Commandant to be tried by court marshal. The court, consisting of senior Army and Marines officers, ruled out many of the specifications as being inadmissible and Wharton was acquitted. He died in office as Commandant at age 51 in New York City.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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