Who was the first Officer to be officially appointed as the Commandant?

• A. Archibald Henderson
• B. William Ward Burrows
• C. Samuel Nicholas
• D. John A. Lejeune

Answer: (B)

In Marine Corps history, the role of Commandant became an officially appointed position only after the earliest leaders, who are often honored by tradition rather than by formal appointment. The first officer to be officially designated to the post by the government was William Ward Burrows, establishing the formal appointment and the official line of command. Later commanders, such as Archibald Henderson, are remembered for long service, and John A. Lejeune for his era and rank, but neither was the first to hold the officially appointed post. Samuel Nicholas is traditionally cited as the first Commandant, but that reflects early leadership rather than the first formal government appointment.