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Smedley Butler

military officer, activist, lecturer, official, writer

1881 – 1940

Smedley Darlington Butler was an American major general in the United States Marine Corps, writer, anti-war activist, and whistleblower. During his 34-year military career, he fought in the Philippine–American War, the Boxer Rebellion, the Mexican Revolution, World War I, and the Banana Wars. At the time of his death, Butler was the most decorated Marine in U.S. military history. By the end of his career, Butler had received sixteen medals, including five for heroism; he is the only Marine to be awarded the Marine Corps Brevet Medal as well as two Medals of Honor, all for separate actions.

All Quotes by Smedley Butler

“I served in all commissioned ranks from a second Lieutenant to a Major General. And during that time, I spent most of my time being a high-class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street, and for the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for capitalism.”

— Smedley Butler

“War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.”

— Smedley Butler

“There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights.”

— Smedley Butler