03/23/2026
Shared by our The Marine Corps League
It reminds me how much bravery it takes to be a Marine.
Smedley Butler was one of the most decorated Marines in American history. Later in life, he shocked the nation by declaring that war had often served powerful interests.
He was born in 1881 in Pennsylvania and joined the U.S. Marine Corps at just 16 years old during the Spanish American War.
Over the next decades Butler fought in conflicts across the globe.
He served in China during the Boxer Rebellion, in Central America, the Caribbean, and World War I. His aggressive leadership and personal bravery made him legendary among Marines.
Butler received the Medal of Honor twice, one of the very few Marines ever awarded the decoration two times.
By the time he retired in 1931 as a Major General, he was widely respected across the military.
Then came a surprising transformation.
After leaving the Marine Corps, Butler began speaking publicly about his experiences in war.
In 1935, he wrote a short book titled War Is a Racket.
In it, Butler argued that many wars had benefited corporations, bankers, and industrial interests while ordinary soldiers carried the cost.
His statements shocked many Americans.
Some praised him for speaking honestly.
Others accused him of betraying the military establishment he once represented.
Butler spent his final years giving speeches warning young Americans about the human and economic costs of war.
He died in 1940 at age 58.
The Marine who had once been celebrated as a warrior ended his life challenging the very system he had served.
Story based on historical records. This post is for educational purposes.