Brigadier General James Edward Wharton | New Mexico State University

Legion of Merit

James Edward Wharton was born on December 2, 1894 on the Lower Penasco in New Mexico. His father apparently died a few years later leaving his mother, Mary Wharton, widowed with four small children, the oldest of which was James. He attended Tularosa Schools until entering the NMAMC Prep school in 1910. He entered the college proper in 1913 and graduated in 1917 with his Bachelor of Science. He was commissioned into the US Army and served in the First World War. His commission was quickly converted from reserve to regular army and he served his nation from that point until his death. His stations included tours in the Philippines, Minnesota, Georgia, Washington DC, Kansas, Wyoming and Tennessee. Around 1926 he married his wife Madeline and by 1930 they had two sons, Edward and Robert. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor he was promoted to Colonel. In March 1942 he was named Director of the Military Personnel Division and shortly thereafter promoted to Brigadier General. In July 1942 he assumed a position as Assistant Commander 80th Infantry Division.

Then in October 1943 he was sent to England to participate in the planning for Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy. His assignment at that time was unannounced due to security reasons. On D Day he had command of the 1st Engineer Special Brigade assigned to Utah Beach. He also had command of Shore Party 125.2. In July he was named Assistant Division Commander for the 9th Infantry Division. Then on August 13, 1944, he was given command of the 28th Infantry Division, then fighting as part of the Normandy breakout around Gathermo France. A few hours later, while touring the front lines with one of his infantry regiments, he was shot and killed by a German sniper. General Wharton was one of only 11 US Generals to die in the Second Word War as a result of enemy action. He was initially buried in the Le Chene Querin-Percy Cemetery in France. In 1949 his body was reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery. Brigadier General James Edward Wharton was 49 years of age at the time of his death.