Smedley Butler

About the Author

Smedley Darlington Butler, a decorated United States Marine Corps major general who rose to the rank of two-star general after over three decades of service, became one of the most outspoken critics of American militarism and imperialism in the 20th century. Born in 1881 in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Butler earned the Marine Corps Brevet Medal and two Medals of Honor for his valor in conflicts including the Mexican Revolution, the Banana Wars, and World War I. Retiring in 1931, he channeled his experiences into anti-war activism, delivering fiery speeches and authoring influential writings that exposed the profiteering behind endless wars. His seminal work, 'War Is a Racket,' laid bare the financial machinations of the military-industrial complex, advocating for peace and economic justice until his death in 1940.