Lieutenant Franklin Wharton
Item
full name
Lieutenant Franklin Wharton
full name (copy)
Lieutenant Franklin Wharton
Description
Marine Officer, later Commandant of Marine Corps in 1804.
note
Wharton was born into a prominent Philadelphia, Pennsylvania family. He had forsaken a successful business career to enter the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned as a captain in August 1798.
Captain Wharton's first duties as a Marine officer were performed at the Marine Barracks, Philadelphia. Within a few weeks, however, he was assigned to the frigate USS United States, where he served as officer in charge of the vessel's Marine Detachment until the close of the Quasi-War with France in 1801.
At age 36 and a Marine officer for only five years, he became Lieutenant Colonel and Marine Corps Commandant on March 6, 1804. He was the first Commandant to occupy the Commandant's House, Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
As Commandant, Lt. Col. Wharton ordered a detachment of Marines to Georgia and Florida in 1811 to cooperate with United States Army troops in an attempt to subdue an Indian uprising.
Captain Wharton's first duties as a Marine officer were performed at the Marine Barracks, Philadelphia. Within a few weeks, however, he was assigned to the frigate USS United States, where he served as officer in charge of the vessel's Marine Detachment until the close of the Quasi-War with France in 1801.
At age 36 and a Marine officer for only five years, he became Lieutenant Colonel and Marine Corps Commandant on March 6, 1804. He was the first Commandant to occupy the Commandant's House, Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
As Commandant, Lt. Col. Wharton ordered a detachment of Marines to Georgia and Florida in 1811 to cooperate with United States Army troops in an attempt to subdue an Indian uprising.
honorific prefix
Lieutenant
given name
Franklin
family name
Wharton