Who was the first Commandant of the Marine Corps appointed by the President?

The first Commandant of the Marine Corps appointed by the President was William Ward Burrows. This historic appointment marked a significant change in the administrative oversight of the Marine Corps, transitioning from a system where the Commandant was appointed by the Secretary of the Navy to one where the President would make the selection.

William Ward Burrows served as Commandant from 1920 to 1923 and was pivotal in establishing a more formal structure and recognition for the Marine Corps. His leadership helped shape the modern identity of the Marine Corps, emphasizing the importance of a strong command structure and the need for the Marine Corps to be recognized as an essential arm of the military.

The other figures listed, while significant in their own rights, do not hold the distinction of being the first Commandant appointed directly by the President. John A. Lejeune, for instance, was instrumental in reforming the Marine Corps and is often associated with the legendary status of the institution, but he was not the first Commandant under presidential appointment.