Smedley Darlington Butler was a Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps, the highest rank authorized at the time of his service; and at the time of his death the most decorated Marine in U.S. history.
During his 34-year career as a Marine, he participated in military actions in the Philippines, China, in Central America and the Caribbean, and France in World War I. By the end of his career, Butler had received 16 medals, five for heroism. He is one of 19 men to twice receive the Medal of Honor, one of three to be awarded both the Marine Corps Brevet Medal and the Medal of Honor, and the only Marine to be awarded the Brevet Medal and two Medals of Honor, all for separate actions.
Butler is well known for having later become an outspoken critic of U.S. wars and their consequences. After retiring from service, he became a popular activist throughout the 1930's, touring the country and speaking out against war profiteering, and the cost of war to human lives.
In 1935, Butler wrote an essay titled "War Is a Racket," where he described and criticized the workings of the United States government in its foreign actions and wars, including the American corporations and other imperialist motivations behind them.
To be honest, I was not aware of this American hero or his work until a friend, a Constitutional attorney, recently called it to my attention. This writing is as true today as it was 80 years ago, and should be read by everyone who considers themselves a patriot.
http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/warisaracket.html [Text of "War Is A Racket"]
[Factual information throughout from Wikipedia
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