Sixth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Chester County, PA on May 20, 1790, he became Colonel Commandant on the death of Archibald Henderson and served through the Civil War. His leadership is overshadowed by his personal battles with other senior Marine officers, one of which resulted in his report to the Secretary of the Navy after the First Battle of Bull Run in which he ignored the accolades of senior Army commanders on the field and reported that it was “the first instance in history where any portion of its members turned their backs on the enemy.” The erroneous report has stained the reputation of the Corps for eternity. He died, in office, on May 12, 1864.