Franklin Wharton was commissioned a Marine Corps Captain in August 1798. At age 36 and having only been a Marine Corps Officer for five years, he became Lieutenant Colonel Commandant (3d Commandant) of the Marine Corps, and was the first Commandant to occupy the Commandant’s House, Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. He served in that post until his death while still on duty on September 1, 1818.