Second Commandant
12 July 1798 - 6 March 1804

William Ward Burrows was named Commandant of the new U.S. Marine Corps by President John Adams the day after the Corps was reestablished by act of Congress. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1758, Burrows served as Commandant first as a major and then as a lieutenant colonel. He is credited with beginning many of the Corps' institutions, including most notably the U.S. Marine Band, which he financed in part by levying contributions from his officers. Ill health forced his resignation in March 1804 and he died one year later. Burrows demanded high standards of professional performance and personal conduct of his officers and these have become hallmarks of the Corps.

Colonel Burrows died in Washington, D.C., on 6 March 1805. He was buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Georgetown, in the District of Columbia. His remains were reinterred in Arlington National Cemetery on 12 May 1892.