Archibald Henderson

Archibald Henderson (January 21, 1783 – January 6, 1859) was the longest-serving Commandant of the Marine Corps, serving from 1820 to 1859. His name is learned by all recruits at Marine recruit training (Boot Camp) as the "Grand old man of the Marine Corps," serving in the United States Marine Corps for 53 years.

For other people named Archibald Henderson, see Archibald Henderson (disambiguation).
Archibald Henderson
5th Commandant of the Marine Corps (1820-1859)
Nickname(s)"Grand old man of the Marine Corps"
Born(1783-01-21)January 21, 1783
Colchester, Fairfax County, Virginia
DiedJanuary 6, 1859(1859-01-06) (aged 75)
Washington, D.C.
Place of burial
Congressional Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1806–1859
Rank Colonel
(Brevet Brigadier General)
Commands heldCommandant of the Marine Corps
Battles/warsWar of 1812
Indian wars

Early life

Born in Colchester, Fairfax County, Virginia, Henderson was one of six sons of successful merchant Alexander Henderson and Sarah (Sally) Moore. He was raised at the Henderson House in Dumfries, Virginia until he joined the Marine Corps at the age of 18.[1]

Career
The Henderson family monument in the Congressional cemetery, Washington DC

Archibald Henderson was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on 4 June 1806 and served aboard USS Constitution during her famous victories in the War of 1812. He participated in several shipboard engagements and was decorated for bravery. He was brevetted a major in 1814.

From 16 September 1818 to 2 March 1819, Henderson was the acting Commandant. On 17 October 1820, at age 37, Lt. Colonel Henderson was appointed the Commandant of the Marine Corps. He served for a little over 38 years, the longest of any officer to hold that position.

Henderson is credited with thwarting attempts by President Andrew Jackson to combine the Marine Corps with the Army in 1829. Instead, Congress passed the Act for the Better Organization of the Marine Corps in 1834,[2] ensuring the Marines would remain part of the United States Department of the Navy. He was promoted to colonel the same year.

He went into the field as Commandant during the Indian campaigns in Florida and Georgia during 1836 and 1837, and was promoted brevet brigadier general in 1843 for his actions in these campaigns. Tradition says that he pinned a note to his door: "Gone to Florida to fight the Indians. Will be back when the war is over."[3]

Marines also served in the Mexican–American War during Henderson's tenure as Commandant. The sword presented to him at the war's end was inscribed, "From the Halls of Montezuma, to the Shores of Tripoli", giving the opening words to the Marines' hymn.

Archibald Henderson died suddenly on 6 January 1859. He was buried in the Congressional Cemetery.[4] According to Marine lore, the Colonel Commandant had attempted to will his home — actually government-provided quarters in which he had lived for 38 years — to his heirs, having forgotten that they were government owned.[5]

Legacy

USS Henderson (AP-1), and Henderson Hall Barracks were named for him.

Promotions
  • Second Lieutenant – 4 June 1806
  • First Lieutenant – 6 March 1807
  • Captain – 1 April 1811
  • Brevet Major – 1814
  • Lieutenant Colonel Commandant – 17 October 1820
  • Colonel Commandant – 1 July 1834
  • Brevet Brigadier General – 27 January 1837
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See also

Notes
  1. Marine Corps Museums, "Henderson House: The Home of Alexander Henderson" (Quantico, Virginia, 1968), p. 2.
  2. U.S. Congress; Abner Riviere Hetzel (1846). An Act for the Better Organization of the United States Marine Corps. G. Templeman. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
  3. "Gone to fight the Indians". United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2008-03-04. Retrieved 2007-09-13.
  4. "Gen. Archibald Henderson". Historic Congressional Cemetery. Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  5. "Archibald Henderson Willed the Commandant's Quarters to His Heirs. This is of course just a legend. His will indicates nothing of this legend. It is actually very specific with noting personal property and the ability to verify government property in the home against quartermasters records". Marine Corps Legends. Archived from the original on 2006-05-11. Retrieved 2006-11-04.

References
This article incorporates public domain text and image from the official USMC biography.

Further reading
Military offices
Preceded by
Lt. Col. Franklin Wharton		 Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
(acting)
1818–1819		 Succeeded by
Lt. Col. Anthony Gale
Preceded by
Lt. Col. Anthony Gale		 Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
1820–1859		 Succeeded by
Col. John Harris
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