Smedley Butler

1881 – 1940

Smedley Darlington Butler was a major general in the United States Marine Corps whose 34-year career made him one of the most decorated American servicemen of his era. He received the Medal of Honor twice—for actions at Veracruz in 1914 and in Haiti in 1915—becoming one of only a handful of recipients ever awarded the medal on two separate occasions. After retiring he wrote the influential 1935 book War Is a Racket condemning American military adventurism, and publicly testified that he had been approached to lead a fascist coup against President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Last checked: May 10, 2026, 1:06 PM