 Myles Standish ( c . 1584 – October 3 , 1656 ) was an English military officer hired by the Pilgrims as military adviser for Plymouth Colony . He accompanied the Pilgrims on their journey on the Mayflower and subsequently Standish played a leading role in the administration and defense of Plymouth Colony from its inception . On February 17 , 1621 , the Plymouth Colony militia elected him as its first commander and continued to re @-@ elect him to that position for the remainder of his life . Standish served as an agent of Plymouth Colony in England , as assistant governor , and as treasurer of Plymouth Colony . He was also one of the first settlers and founders of the town of Duxbury , Massachusetts . 
