James Edward Wharton

James Edward Wharton (December 2, 1894 -- August 12, 1944) was a career United States Army officer who attained the rank of Brigadier General before being killed in action during World War II.

Early life
James E. Wharton was born in Elk, Chaves County, New Mexico on December 2, 1894. He grew up in New Mexico and Arizona, and graduated from the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at New Mexico State University in 1917. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Start of career
Wharton was an Infantry officer. His World War I and subsequent assignments included the 62nd and 57th Infantry Regiments in the Philippines, and he later served at Camp Fremont, Fort Benning, Fort Lee, and with the 3rd United States Infantry at Fort Snelling. Wharton also served as an instructor at the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

In addition to graduating from the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Wharton was a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, United States Army War College, and Army Industrial College.

World War II
He was Chief of the Officer Branch in the Personnel Division (G-1) of the War Department General Staff when the United States entered the war. In March, 1942, he was promoted to the temporary rank of Brigadier General as Director of the Military Personnel Division in the Army Services of Supply.

In 1943 he served as Assistant Division Commander of the 80th Infantry Division during its creation and initial training.

Wharton commanded the 1st Engineer Special Brigade on Utah Beach as part of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Engineer Special Brigades were large organizations (15 to 20 thousand soldiers) which were responsible for transferring equipment and personnel off the beachheads and making them available for assault operations.

After the D-Day invasion he served as Assistant Division Commander of the 9th Infantry Division.

On August 12, 1944 Wharton succeeded Lloyd D. Brown as commander of the 28th Infantry Division.

Death and burial
On the same day that Wharton took command, he was visiting his front line units in order to gain an understanding of their current situation. He was shot and killed by a German sniper while at the command post of the 112th Infantry Regiment near Sourdeval, Normandy, France. He was succeeded by Norman Cota.

Wharton was temporarily interred in France. He was later buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 34, Site 1198.

Awards
Wharton received the Legion of Merit for superior service with the Services of Supply.

He was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his achievements with the 1st Engineer Special Brigade and the 80th and 9th Infantry Divisions.

He was also awarded the Purple Heart.

Legacy
In 1952 the 112th Infantry Regiment was stationed in Heilbronn, Germany when the 28th Division was activated for the Korean War. The casern used as its headquarters was christened Wharton Barracks. Wharton Barracks was closed in 1989.

Family
In 1921 Wharton married Madelyn Burke of Petersburg, Virginia (1893-1952). Their children included sons Edward B. (1927-1991) and Robert H. (born 1929). Robert H. Wharton became a priest in 1954.