Archibald Henderson was appointed a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1806 and by 1814 was appointed a major, by brevet. On October 17, 1820 as a Lieutenant Colonel, he was appointed the 5th Commandant of the Marine Corps and held that post for 38 years, becoming the longest serving Commandant in history to date. He retired as a Colonel and Brevet Brigadier General in the Marine Corps after fulfilling this role through January 6, 1859.