Smedley Butler

Smedley Butler was a prominent United States Marine Corps officer who served in several military campaigns, including the Boxer Rebellion, Banana Wars, and World War I. He is known for his Medal of Honor awards for his actions during the Boxer Rebellion and the Veracruz occupation. Butler's military career spanned over 33 years, during which he participated in numerous battles and was recognized for his bravery and leadership. He was also a vocal critic of United States foreign policy and the role of the United States military in international conflicts, often speaking out against the Military-Industrial Complex and the influence of Wall Street and J.P. Morgan.

● Early Life and Education

Butler was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to a prominent Quaker family, and was educated at The Haverford School and later at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He was a descendant of Richard Butler, a Continental Army officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War. Butler's family had a long history of military service, with his father, Thomas S. Butler, serving in the United States House of Representatives and his grandfather, Richard Butler, fighting in the War of 1812. Butler's early life was influenced by his family's strong Quaker values and their commitment to public service, which would later shape his own views on pacifism and isolationism.

● Military Career

Butler's military career began in 1898, when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the Spanish-American War. He quickly rose through the ranks, serving in the Boxer Rebellion and later in the Banana Wars, where he participated in the Occupation of Veracruz and the Haitian Revolution. Butler was awarded the Medal of Honor twice, first for his actions during the Boxer Rebellion and again for his role in the Veracruz occupation. He also served in World War I, where he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and commanded the 13th Marine Regiment. Butler's military career was marked by his bravery and leadership, earning him the respect of his peers and the admiration of his superiors, including John J. Pershing and Douglas MacArthur.

● Later Life and Politics

After his retirement from the military, Butler became a vocal critic of United States foreign policy and the role of the United States military in international conflicts. He spoke out against the Military-Industrial Complex and the influence of Wall Street and J.P. Morgan on American politics. Butler also became involved in politics, running for office in Pennsylvania and later serving as the Director of Public Safety in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a strong supporter of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, and he worked closely with Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower on issues related to national security and foreign policy. Butler's later life was marked by his commitment to pacifism and isolationism, and he became a prominent figure in the America First Committee, which opposed American involvement in World War II.

● Works and Legacy

Butler wrote several books, including War is a Racket, which criticized the Military-Industrial Complex and the role of Wall Street in promoting war. He also wrote The War Prayer, a scathing critique of the military-industrial complex and the war machine. Butler's works have been widely read and influential, shaping the views of Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, and other prominent critics of American foreign policy. His legacy continues to be felt today, with many regarding him as a pioneering figure in the anti-war movement and a champion of pacifism and isolationism. Butler's influence can be seen in the work of Ron Paul and other libertarian politicians, who have cited his critiques of the Military-Industrial Complex and the Federal Reserve System.

● Personal Life

Butler was married to Ethel Conway Peters, and the couple had one daughter, Ethel Butler. He was a close friend of Ernest Hemingway and John Dos Passos, and he was known for his love of literature and poetry. Butler was also a strong supporter of social justice and civil rights, and he worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and other prominent civil rights leaders. Despite his many accomplishments, Butler's personal life was marked by struggles with depression and alcoholism, which he wrote about openly in his memoirs. Butler's legacy continues to be celebrated by veterans' organizations and peace groups around the world, who regard him as a hero and a champion of peace and justice. Category:American military personnel