Major General Smedley Darlington Butler, USMC
1881 – 1940
Double recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor
“I spent 33 years and 4 months in active service as a member of our country’s most agile military force–the Marine Corps.
I served in all commissioned ranks from second lieutenant to Major General.
And during that period 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. I suspected I was part of a racket all the time.
Now I am sure of it.
Like all members of the military profession I never had an original thought until I left the service.”
Smedley D. Butler (1881-1940)
One of the most decorated combat veterans in US military history…but you’ll never hear his name.
