Franklin Wharton
| Franklin Wharton | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
July 23, 1767 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | September 1, 1818 (aged 51) New York City, New York |
| Place of burial | Trinity Churchyard New York City |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1798–1818 |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant Colonel
|
| Commands held | Commandant of the Marine Corps |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
Franklin Wharton (July 23, 1767 – September 1, 1818) was the third Commandant of the United States Marine Corps.
Wharton was born into a prominent Philadelphia, Pennsylvania family, the son of Joseph Wharton. He had forsaken a successful business career to become the Lieutenant of Marines for the frigate United States, which was still part of the War Department. He was quickly promoted to captain in August 1798 and 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.
Under Wharton's leadership, Marines participated in many important engagements during the War of 1812. They saw action at Annapolis, Fort McHenry, Portsmouth, Craney Island, Bladensburg and New Orleans, and fought under General Henry Dearborn on the northern frontier. At sea, they participated in virtually every important naval battle, serving aboard warships and privateers on the Great Lakes, the Atlantic, and the Pacific.
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