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 over 52 years.
8-667: 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. 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
16-789: Is a historic unincorporated community on the Occoquan River in Fairfax County , Virginia . Colchester is a former tobacco port established in 1753. The port town was located on the old post road and Thomas Mason (son of George Mason) operated a ferry across the Occoquan River here. In 1798, Mason built a wooden bridge across the river; the bridge was washed away around 1807. Only one of Colchester's original buildings exists—the Fairfax Arms (10712 Old Colchester Road), which had been an ordinary and now owned by
24-923: 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, 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
32-541: Is part of SR 612 , and Old Colchester Road , which runs north and becomes Telegraph Road leading to Alexandria , is part of SR 611 . Farther to the northwest, the Snickersville Turnpike was historically named Colchester Road before it was improved in the early 1800s. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors nearly renamed the county's portion of Braddock Road to Colchester Road in 1989. This Fairfax County, Virginia state location article
40-522: 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
48-828: The Fairfax County Park Authority. The decline of the tobacco trade, silting of the river, and diversion of most shipping to the towns of Alexandria and Occoquan caused Colchester's decline. It was a stop on the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad which was replaced by, CSXT . Interstate 95 , and the Jefferson Davis Highway ( U.S. 1 ) are located directly to the west of the Colchester area. Portions of roads that accessed Colchester still exist. Colchester Road in Clifton
56-683: The opening words to the Marines' Hymn . Archibald Henderson died suddenly on 6 January 1859. He was buried in the Congressional Cemetery . 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. USS Henderson (AP-1) , and Henderson Hall Barracks were named for him. Colchester, Virginia Colchester
64-648: 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." 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
#345654