Most Decorated Marine of His Time-Major General Smedley Butler-Two Medals of Honor
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- By the end of his military career, he was the most decorated Marine in U.S. history, having received not one but TWO medals of honor. After his service in the Marines, he became an outspoken critic of U.S. wars and wrote a scathing book called “War is a Racket.” Oh, by the way, he also exposed an alleged fascist coup to remove President Franklin D Roosevelt from office and overthrow the U.S. government.
This is the story of Major General Smedley D. Butler!
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He was a hero not only because he was awarded MOH twice. He was a hero for speaking the TRUTH. He exposed the military industrial complex before MIC was even coined by Eisenhower. Read his book 'War is a Racket.' He was a badass MARINE.
"War is a Racket" and Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" should be in every American voter's library.
@@jonkirkwood469 Actually both Paine and Butler were both a couple of NUTS.
He got a Metal of Honor for defeating a bunch of Haitian rebels, lmao! That was nothing! The US General On Omaha Beach deserves a Metal of Honor more than wimpy Butler!
I did, and I agree. God speed to our honorable military.
@@jonkirkwood469 not only American.
He lived the US Marines ethic of honour, honesty and integrity. Respect. The world needs people like him more than ever.
Pacifists and ppl who dont play the burgeoise and rich games, indeed we need. This guy must be heard.
Servants get medals, masters get millions.
Absolutely!🦅🇺🇸👌
It’s a shame he had none of those things. He was a Soviet stooge who spread thier lies. He definitely was working with them. It’s only a question if he knew he or were they manipulating him
@@jeffslote9671
Post proof or retract.
A true hero. Not because of his military service, but because of his push back after he realized what it was and still is all about.
_War is a Racket_, by Smedley D. Butler. It's a quick read, but it makes the point.
Also because of his Chinese drawings
It’s a dog shit rambling
He was prescient. Today we see how the big capitalist corporations have infiltrated and corrupted every aspect of democracies on every continent. They threaten the freedoms of citizens as much as any communist or totalitarian state, particularly through the mainstream media they own and the politicians they buy.
No offense -- and despite what Gen. Butler realized about the wars he fought in as a Marine -- but had he lived, I'm sure he'd have been another great American hero of World War II. Not all wars are rackets. Some -- only a very few, alas -- simply have to be fought.
Politicians love a warrior until he comes after their interest.
Like their supporters. They love sending them off to war. Cheer them if they're winning. But would rather not see them when they come back alive
TH-cam censored the other comment here besides mine LOL.
Amen. I love the fact my fellow devil dog went off on the civies
I could have believed some of this, until Trump and his Qanon cultists came into power and still to this day hold sway over uneducated people who are incapable of critical thinking. It just shows me that people/organizations like QAnon have been around a long time and really only care what they can do to bring them in to power. What is interesting, is that these same people are the ones that want to hold power to make themselves richer off the backs of these people, like Fox does. It will be people like you and the current trump cultists that will bring the end to this experiment. Why, because all you can do is hate. All you can do is complain, but not one of you can provide a solution that can help solve the problem. The people who drafted this government/constitution, did it in a way that would make it difficult to run and change. Even though all claim to be believers and supporters of the Constitution fail because they fail to realized that to be successful , truly successful, in governing under this living document, is that you have to truly compromise. The far right and left, fail to realize this basic premise, and neither are true patriots, because they fail to live up the real premise behind this document.
And the really most important question, how do you know this very short and edited, and clrearly biased video is true?
As usual a Bush is involved
I worked with his grandson also named Smedley Butler in Iraq running missions . He unfortunately passed away & the Marine corp. gave him a very nice send off when they discovered who he was .
Nice story. Thanks
Was he killed in combat?
@@jimjustice581 Google it. FFS make a little effort.
I tried a search (Google) and the closest I came was an obit for Medley Paul Butler of Wilmington N.C. Driver for KBR at Al Assad Iraq. No mention of service or relations. Not dissing you, it's for those wanting to know if he died in combat, etc.
Smedley not Medley. Damn Google or whatever.
I am disgusted that when I was in school, we were never taught about Gen. Butler.
I only learned of him some 10 years ago.
He should be a National hero, with his face on our money or something. Our country should be honoring his name and achievements, and be grateful for his actions and honesty.
What if this one man would have went along and allowed the business plot to succeed?
For what reason is he excluded from our history books?
Times were different then. History writes itself as it goes, and to Hell with the loser. I have heard, from my grandfather, though, that Elliot Ness himself patterned his approach to organized crime very much after Butler's methods. In principle. I suppose the rest you can read for yourselves. Or watch it on television.
But, yeah, war is a racket. But whose racket? The Soviets'? Ours? I could faint just thinking about it! And I don't faint.
Now you know that, he exposed business corruption and sedition.
Not in history books because of being on the wrong side of politics then and now. Our president is spoiling for a war as we speak. Hes nearly there.
@@dotmurphy7279 - The Sedition thing and how everything played out was nonsense. Butler was either paid off, or brainwashed with disinformation to peddle willingly or unwittingly to the American People. Had it been a factual scenario, only three possibilities existed:
1) the Globalist Usury International Central Bankers who confiscated the Nations Gold thanks to the criminal FDR (who was completely beholden and came from a banking family) wanted to take over the Government and make it a Communist/ Fascist Regime. OR
2) Patriotic Conservative/ Libertarian Americans even back then realized that our nation had already been taken over/ hijacked/ by Communist/ Fascist Zionist International Bankers/ Corporate special Interests and were plotting a Revolution like 1776. Not Likely.
Or 3) It was a Disinformation attempt at a false flag propaganda brainwashing campaign (like today) designed to trick the American People (and possibly Butler himself). It's also not at all impossible that Butler was paid off to give that public address. Whatever the case, it's clear that it was not as it seemed.
For that very reason.
Semper Fi General. Men like you make me proud to be a Marine for life.
What a great thing to say. Sent chills. lol Good luck, Coach.
Note how the Marine Corps praises him for his 2 Medals of Honor.
Note how the Marine Corps says nothing about his book, "War is a Racket".
I wonder why?
-A Marine
Did you ever read "War is a Racket"? It's never been more true. I love the Marine Corps tooo and I don't like these criminal wars of agression this regime of ours has been starting all over the world since 1990. No more dead marines for $$$.
Yea, but the ones these days make me throw up in my mouth - a lot.
That fucking ega is gangster. I bet having him as your c.o. would have been one hell of a ride!! That's a person that if you had a time machine you would absolutely have to go have a beer or 10 with. SEMPER FI!!!
President Eisenhower was right. Exactly what happened.
In a speech of less than 10 minutes, on January 17, 1961, President Dwight Eisenhower delivered his political farewell to the American people on national television from the Oval Office of the White House. Those who expected the military leader and hero of World War II to depart his Presidency with a nostalgic, "old soldier" speech like Gen. Douglas MacArthur's, were surprised at his strong warnings about the dangers of the "military-industrial complex.
When I was in high school in the mid 70s, I read a book called "The Plot to Seize the Whitehouse" by Jules Archer. The book detailed Butler's life and Marine Corp history, then focused on the plot to overthrow FDR. Fascinating stuff and overlooked by historians.
Although it is a very loose telling of the events, the 2022 movie Amsterdam is a fictional telling of the plot, Robert Dinero plays a character based on Butler named Dillenbeck. Although the movie is fiction, it has prompted me to learn more about the true event
Definitely wasn't taught in our U.S. history class. Lol. An amazing read.
AND THE ZIONISTS DID TAKE OVER U.S.
@Gully Bull No, the Oligarchs did and still have control. None of the key players in the plot were ever prosecuted. It never went beyond a Senate investigation. Rockefeller, Jp. Morgan, etc... Familiar names that still exist today. Throw Blackrock, Vanguard, and Silicon Valley in there today. Phyzer has a felony conviction and is responsible for an untold number of deaths, and that's before their vaccine. How are they allowed to still exist as a corporation? They're responsible for all the war we fought in the 20th century, and they're trying to get us in one now. Why? The same as always, money. They don't care how much blood they spill or how much suffering they inflict. Their god is money, and that's what they serve.
I've read this book. I truly wish every American would. They would understand a lot more about the state of their country then (1930s) and now. Thanks for mentioning it.
One of the most honorable Americans to have ever lived.
@Jim Burg Hello, how are you doing?
He wasn't loved by prescott bush, one of the facists wanting to overthrow FDR.
Thank you for your kind words. Semper Fi.
Interesting
So true. Some believe the recent insurrection was pretty much in line with what happened with General Butler and the 1934 attempt to oust FDR. The 1934 event, now known as the "Wall Street Putsch" or simply "The Business Plot", is something Americans would do well to read up on. I say this because it looks like we might be seeing something very similar happening again. As we saw in 1934 many of America's wealthiest people, (the tycoons, magnates and captains of industry), are on record for believing capitalism would work better under a fascist regime lead by an authoritarian stooge (sound familiar). Many people think that the new GOP is simply the old American Liberty League reincarnated.
As a Marine Combat Veteran of the Viet Nam War and later on as Union Steward working at the Post Office and having to battle with Postal Managements unfair treatment of its Employees I can very much admire General Butler and what he stood for.
That’s cool you have the a similar life story as my dad. Although he was a Army Combat Vet and Minus the Union stewardship. Although he did wind up marrying a Union steward coworker. My dad was always a guy who wouldn’t sit back and watch somebody get bullied by the higher ups. It did cost him though. I think he was fired twice. rehired and sent to another station.
Agree! I was a City union Steward for 19 years with the NALC.
Thank for your service Sr. Is a shame that WE don't know more about this true Patriot.
When I was in the Air Force, toward the end of my service, I had a slow day and was in front of a computer, but being that it was a locked down computer on DOD internet, all I could really access for entertainment was Wikipedia. I found a list of Medal of Honor recipients, and that's how I came across Butler's wikipage. Reading through it completely, radically, changed my life. I paid out of my own pocket to reprinted some 3,000 to 4,000 copies of War is a Racket and distributed them around to anyone who wanted them. I joined, and eventually led, multiple anti-war organizations for veterans - which was real and serious work with people's lives on the line, including my own. This man changed my life. He's without a doubt the greatest hero in American history - there's none that even come *close* to him.
Not mentioned in this video is that allegation that Butler was being "groomed" to be the future President of the United States, and that his family had multiple ties to New York financial elite. Butler came from a major political dynasty and was well known at the time. By comparison, imagine if General David Petraeus had two medals of honor and his mom was Nancy Pelosi.
If his mom was Nancy Pelosi, he woulda been raised to fear guns, disrespect the military, and to place power over honor. We should all be grateful to General Butler’s mother!
Seriously, he's one of the realest motherfuckers in american history. I forget who but someone described him as his "own yin and yang"
Smedley should be recognized more today than ever.
never will be if our information controlling "elite" has any say about it! and they Do !
He stood against the new world order and their plans
why today ? nonsense man !
The truth from a highly recognized hero "War is a Racket". It was true then and is true now. This book is one of my most prized possessions and I believe that it should be required reading for all American students. Smedley Butler should be held up as a example of what a real man and a good American should aspire to be.
Semper Fidelis
Bill
I've read War is a Racket and am trying to get through my dads' signed by him, first edition of The Old Breed
At my age it's hard to concentrate. 70 pages in I've read about 4 actions he prarsipated in.
God Bless the USA!
A great American and a patriot in the truest sense of the word. His book is as relevant today as when it was written.
My father who was in the Marine Corps from 1932 to 1953 was stationed at Quantico for a while in the 30's of the previous century. He said that Smedley saw a young Marine with his hands in his pockets. He made him fill his pants pockets with sand and sew them shut for 30 days. I almost never put my hands in my pants pockets since I heard and imagined that story. Two Medals of Honor, but could be firm in his punishments!
@James Cregg Hello, how are you doing?
@@elahward01 No sand in my pockets!
Butler retired from the military in 1931.
Also raised by a Marine. When he would see any of us with our hands in our pockets he would yell ( no matter where we were ) "get your hands out of your pockets! What are you, in the Army!"
I would also point out that higher decorations have always been a political decision and the levels of courage to qualify have been fluid. This is not to take away from the General's level of courage. It was of the highest variety. I would also point out that his father was a member of the Naval Affairs Comittee in the House for much of the General's career. He was overlooked somewhat in the history of the Corps because of his post career political stances.
Since Gen. Butler retired in 1931, you either have the wrong year or the wrong officer... or you were told a second-hand story by someone who was there before 1932.
This man is founding father-level worthy of historical note.
I am proud to have learned of this man in Marine Corps Recruit Training. Througout my time in the Corps, his name and his legacy was revered. THANK YOU for showing us how he continued to serve beyond The Marines. Semper Fi, General Butler...you made us all PROUD.
Thank you for this Episode. Although a Marine myself (enlisted in 1967) the only information I had known about Smedley Butler was his WW-1 service, and his involvement with the "Bonus Army." Now I feel better educated about a great Marine.
He might just be the finest citizen soldier in American history.
I think that honor still goes to George Washington, who, incidentally, had something to say about avoiding foreign entanglements like the plague.
In his worst nightmares, though, Washington could not have conceived of the racket war has become in our time, foisted by battalions of Lapel-Pin-Patriots
A true hero in service and later, in civilian life. SEMPER FI General.
A TRUE TRAITOR.....Learn the Truth.
@@harrynut3044 humbug. Why would you assume that it is I who needs to learn some form of truth that you see and I don’t?
@@tomhamilton7726 Easy.....I presumed and KNOW you are Lost AF....Because of your comment. Have You studied the Law, Legal, Congressional Records and Case Law for the last 13 years ? because i have and i know what is the FACT BASED TRUTH.
War is still a business endeavor. We NEVER learn!
Thanks for this. We can use his kind of warrior for democracy these days.
It was said long ago , that “ No one hates war more than someone that has been in one”. I wholeheartedly concur with that statement. Been there, done that.
I learned about Butler when I served in the military, I have tried to live up to his example ever since. Now is the most important time for his story to be told.
We need someone like him right now in 2023.
That's for sure!!
A card carrying communist false flag perpetrator?
A TRUE BADASS! I am proud and humbled to be a part of this family!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
When the coast have been invaded and the enemy has American blood on their mind… the marines will meet them first and head on. 🇺🇸🇺🇸 marines will spill the most American blood 😢🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 THANK YOU
@@LprogressivesANDliberals ❤️🇺🇸👍🏽
GREAT video , story and human being. I married a U.S. Marine from Philadelphia who was the most loyal person I ever knew.. Lowell Kaplan served in the Philippines, the P.I. he called it, aboard the Midway, largest ship in the world at that time, the 1960s, in intelligence, and LOVED every minute of his service then and for the rest of his life till 78 years old. Means the world to me knowing someone like Smedley saw war as the RACKET it was in his time and into my own. His personal courage is memorable and a beacon to others .Terrible today the U.S. military, meant to 'protect our shores' is given half a TRILLION $$$ to do that. Clearly, still War Is A Racket, with today our NOT being IN a war yet spending taxpayers HARD earned monies on that while 100S of 1000s ARE HUNGRY, HOMELESS, SICK, and frightened to within an inch of their lives existing in DIRE STRAITES into their unknown, frightening future, including 8 EIGHT MILLION babies and young children STARVING in this the richest nation on the planet.
Its something I never knew. In fact I never heard of General Butler. Twas an eye opener. You did a great service by airing this show Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it
One of 19 two time Medal of Honor recipients who would go on to say war was a Raquet and nothing more. Everybody plays the fool eventually and some of us lost all we had learning the lesson this man did over a century ago.
I read his book, but didn't know his full history. Great vid. If anyone earned the right to be highly critical of the scam that is many wars, it's Butler. His book is free online BTW.
@WillBrink Hello, how are you doing?
Thank you for your kind words. Semper Fi.
Yes, definitely @willbrink. It definitely is free online, have it on my phone now. Gen. Butler was a man of few words, but direct.
I knew bits and pieces of the story of General Butler but not all the details. Thank you for putting it all together for us. I learned quite a bit and I feel that if young Americans would watch this then they would learn something, too.
Butler was abundantly featured in Oliver Stone’s “The Untold History of the United States”…A very significant figure in US history
As a Marine officer and historian I think Smedley Butler is an interesting Marine legend albeit one who doesn’t get enough scholarly study or attention. The man was awarded 2 MOH’s but Lewis Puller is always claimed as the “most decorated Marine”. He was sent on his temporary duty to Philadelphia by the Coolidge administration (Republican) yet Hoover (Republican) “hated” him in the words of the narrator in this video and was responsible for ordering the SecNav to court martial him. I wish there was more discussion of the behind the scenes politics of this in the story. I believe his family was well connected politically. This whole part of his life and career would be great to look into in a book. I was surprised not to see any of his detractors in the comment section here not labeling his as a communist or socialist as some claim. Butler is definitely an enigma.
@jeffreylc I referenced three books on SDB, His biography by Mark Strecker, his autobiography Old Gimlet Eye and War is a Racket.
Being backstabbed by your boss in a political administration is a re occuring theme today much the same back then?🤔
@@mikeraffphone829 ppl who like to use their brains care
Hoover was a pos.
Butler is not so cited because the machine needs no criticism, only pawns and good propaganda to keep the bloodsucking and moneysucking scheme of exporting wars going on.
Smedley Butler was a man who lived his life with integrity and honor. End of story. If you disagree,
I have been informed by a Bot that the rest of my sentiments could have been construed as a possible threat to, I guess, society. I'm changing it. Let's say, now, I'm a threat to society because I learned well how to efficiently and effectively harm the very society that raised me this way. What way? Why not just genetically engineer a bunch of perfect warriors who'll expire? Oh, yeah, that's right. It's been done. Blade Runner.
Give it a watch. Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer.
Who will you cry for?
Once a Marine Always a Marine!
I remember singing cadences about him back at the MCRD... "Give that good ol' Marine Corps spirit; 'cause it's good enough for me. It was good for Chesty Puller, it was good for Dan Daley, it was good for Smedley Butler...and it's good enough for me." Damn...that takes me back.
Wtf’s a layo?
Semper Fi MY BROTHER. LONG LIVE THE MARINE CORPS
@@robertkoth4022 And to you my friend.
A truly remarkable man and Marine. Thank you for sharing his story.
Thanks for your kind words. Semper Fi.
A man who earned medals and rank only to turn them in for a conscious. That’s true bravery!
The book war is a racket needs to be put on the ,commandant's reading list for Marines.
The country hated hoover for the bonus army , but ignored the fact that the order to destroy the encampment was Douglas MacArthurs!
A military officer couldn't give an order like that without the okay of the President.
@@tw5139 President Herbert Hoover ordered MacArthur to order the encamped veterans to disperse, - and while Eisenhower, then MacArthurs adjutant, followed his commander in chiefs order, MacArthur let the veterans refusal to abide by his orders, push his anger into overdrive, and HE DECIDED TO TORCH THE ENCAMPMENT ON HIS OWN! Hoover almost had him arrested, and had his superiors in DC promised to send them brigadier MacArthur as far away from DC as possible, the President saw no other choice besides court martial and execution! MacArthur was a show boat dick that most of the Army DESPISED!
Hoover had Butler arrested for revealing dirt about Musselini. Later journalist proved it true
@@tw5139Military officers propose actions
I believe had Hoover won again the great depression wouldn't have been so great and the progressive movement in this country wouldn't have gained so much ground the way it did under FDR.
Very well done! I was stationed in Okinawa and remember seeing his name on Camp Smedley Butler. I just never knew his life story. Thank you!
Almost everywhere you look in Okinawa you see Camp Smedley Buttler
An American and hero in every sense of the word. Not only did he fight with honor but he also spoke out against the fighting he was forced to participate in. Then he stops a coup against FDR and the US government at the time. I would be willing to bet that he would be willing to start a civil war against the US governments gone wild with power and lies such as the ones we have had for the past 30 years. He understood fully how an American citizen should be no matter what the actual situation was.
Puller, Butler and Daly are required knowledge for a Marine to even make it out of boot camp, all amazing men.
And Archibald Henderson. Ooh Rah!!
Thanks guys, I knew of Puller and Butler. Now I can look up the other two. By the way, my son is a former marine.
Aside from his long service & his battlefield heroism,the Marine was one hell of an American.Hopefully his sons & grandson's & granddaughters made as good a service personel as he did.BIG EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW & BIG COMBAT BOOTS TO FILL!
@Mitchell Culberson Hello, how are you doing? I hope all is well with you.
So your hope is that none of his offspring head his warnings of the military's predatory and seditious racket and just enlist and make the same mistakes he did? Waste their lives, hurt people and lose people all just to keep the banks running?
War is a Racket.
We need Butler today. I can see him wanting to make America great again.
We need him now; he's right! I'd stand with him...
Instead we have *hitbags like austin, patreaus, mattis, ollie north, etc.
@@mochiebellina8190 Larry is not a bad guy. The others, I'm not happy with. Four of my children enlisted into the United States Marines.
Yeah. Old Smedley would've cleaned up those Jan 6 traitors in jig time. A few more guys like him and the Great Orange Turnip would be behind bars.
The last thing in the world Smedley Butler would be is a Trump supporter
Thank you for the great documentary. Now I know the story behind MCB Camp S.D. Butler on Okinawa.
He was one of those we learned about in Boot Camp, when they taught Marine Corps History.
Thanks for your kind words. Semper Fi.
I'm 75 now and with age came the understanding that he came to...our government is a fucking racket...
We Marines have not forgotten our mentor. He’s one of the people responsible for the foundation of the Marine Corps.
Never heard of this man until now, what a man. A true blue patriot, in this day and time we need more men like him.
I agree he stood against a bunch of devils
Loved this video, I have hear the name Smedley Butler for years and knew nothing about him and this video gave an insight into the man - thank you
This man’s life should be taught in every American school -
They won't. But you're right
@@allencollins6031 Course not, the 1% want to keep getting richer
It should really he was a hero he stopped our country from being turned into a police state
Very interesting, especially Butler's perception of war. So many men have given their lives for the wrong reasons.
Hero and GREAT AMERICAN, unfortunately we probably will not see his kind again. Semper Fi
Thank you for this presentation. Most concise and informative review of General Butler I've come across.
Thank you for your kind words. Semper Fi.
Tragic times, he was a shining star. Never forgot his oaths! RIP Marine Semper Fi
Semper Fi Marine
Semper Fi.
Most people, including surprisingly many Marines, don't realize he was not only the most decorated Marine with the two Medals of Honor, but he was actually thrice (three times) decorated for exceptional bravery at the MOH level. His third medal was a unique medal and only given to twenty Officers in Marine Corp history and was roughly equivalent to the Medal of Honor for extreme heroism. The Marine Corps Brevet Medal recognized an Officer's promotion at the time of their act of extreme or exceptional heroism at risk to their lives and was only issued in 1921 by Marine Commandant General Lejeune to still living Marine Corp Officers who were promoted between 1863 and 1900 for extreme heroism. His Marine Corps Brevet Medal was for exceptional heroism during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. During which he saved a wounded man (while himself being injured) and helped carry him several miles back to their lines till relieved and kept him his men in good order during the retreat and repeated attacks by enemy forces. As he was not eligible for the Medal of Honor due to regulations preventing for Marine Corps Officers from receiving the MOH (1863-1913), he was immediately promoted to Captain in 1900 and later received the Marine Corp Brevet Medal to recognize that fact.
This has brought back so many great memories! I first heard of this great man from a Vietnam vet friend of mine. I checked out the book, “The Plot to Seize the White House,” by Jules Archer and interviewed the author. I photocopied many copies of, “War is a Racket,” by Gen. Butler and would hand them out. This was some 25 years ago. My very friend found a few more interesting details in the attempted coup as well. What an amazing man Butler was. If he had an equivalent, I might have joined the military, which I never did.
Gen. Butler has been a personal hero of mine for several decades; it is shameful how our govt mistreated him; he should have been promoted to the Joint Chiefs of Staff!
Well, to be factual, at the time of Gen. Butler's service, the US Marine Corps was indeed not even of "Corps" size, (a Corps is quantified as 100,000 troops), ranging between 20,000 to 50,000 Marines depending on the event, and I'm being generous with the upper number. Just prior to WWII, Marine Corps strength was only 19,432.
The 2nd fact is that in that era, the USMC was still a subordinate service to the US Navy and not yet congressionally authorized as a co-equal member of the Joint Chief of Staff, therefore the Commandant of the Marine Corps was not eligible as member of the JCOS. All Marine Corps matters were handled and addressed by the CNO or Chief of Naval Operations, the Marine Corps being a Naval Service.
The Current Marine Corps is well in excess of Corps size with approx. 175,000 Marines and is a fully independent, stand-alone branch of the US Military with co-equal status and a full seat on the Joint Chiefs. In fact, 2 Marine 4-Star Generals have been Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen Peter Pace USMC and Gen Joe Dunford USMC.
Because the US Navy and US Marine Corps are both Naval Services with often a hand-in-hand mission, both fall under the civilian leadership of the Department of the Navy.
Absolutely loved this story. History always repeats.
I'm at a loss of words we a man like this for today and the future God Bless America
A remarkable man, should be better known. I first heard about him in the sleeve notes for a Billy Bragg cd, I can't remember which song the notes referred to, but I remember reading that Butler described himself as 'a hit man for Wall Street'.
That coup attempt was a scary and huge event that I never heard one word of in all of my school days. I was in my 60s when I read about that coup attempt. Butler was a patriot. He took the whole thing into a closed joint session of Congress.
Some believe the recent insurrection was pretty much in line with what happened in the 1934 attempt to oust FDR. The 1934 event, now known as the "Wall Street Putsch" or simply "The Business Plot", is something Americans would do well to read up on. I say this because it looks like we might be seeing something very similar happening again. As we saw in 1934 many of America's wealthiest people, (the tycoons, magnates and captains of industry), are on record for believing capitalism would work better under a fascist regime lead by an authoritarian stooge (sound familiar). Many people think that the new GOP is simply the old American Liberty League reincarnated.
Don't forget to read the book by this great man: "War is a Racket".
Smedley Butler, when virtue meets its destiny!
Honor, courage, commitment
Thanks for this video, never heard of Smedley Butler before today! Seems like he spoke the truth👍
Thanks for your kind words. Semper Fi.
A friend who was a retired USMC Colonel told me 25 years ago that HIS father was denied an MoH by Butler in WWI because, Butler said, “Too many brave Marines had died to give that medal to somebody who lived to tell about it.” My friend’s father was FURIOUS when they gave Butler, not one, but TWO of them.
Fair enough, but was Butler referring to himself as one of those 'who lived to tell about it'?
@@kyle381000 I assume so.
Are you sure that wasn't a mis- quote of MacArthur?
Wow! I had no idea how much Butler did for our country, Thank you to the poster, I love American History!
The man understood what his oath meant.... AND what the U.S.Constitutuon means.
"I Was A Gangster For Wall Street" Major-General Smedley D. Butler
War is a racket is a must read 📚.
This video is very informative and interesting. Never knew much of its history before. Thank you for creating it and sharing it Robert.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Until this video, I had never heard of this man,or some of the history shown !
That statement he made about fighting reflects my sentiments perfectly
I knew a little about this great man. Thank you for an informative and entertaining video.
Thank you for your kind words. Semper Fi.
My Grandfather and father served as Marines in WWII, the only conversation around the
dinner table was stories about the Marines they served with and war stories that I didn't care hearing about, That was nearly '60-years ago maybe longer, I'm '77, served '26-years
in the Marine Corps '63 to 89-'90. retired E-9 Master Gunnery Sergeant. Who would have thought I'd be telling the same stories about Marines I served with and the history of other Marines but less on the war stories '68, 69 years later. semper fi
Semper Fi.
Of course, they never told us in boot camp that two time MOH winner Gen. Smedley Butler had written War is a Racket. I did not discover this fact until the mid 2000s.
I was somewhat gung ho as a young man and Marine, and yet l myself became a pacifist and a cynic by the time I was in my forties. The film Why We Fight by Eugene Jarecki, I believe, mentioned Butler's essay. The 2005 film was a real contrast to the WW2 propaganda film of the same name. American power, our global interests, US foreign policy, and post war geopolitics had, indeed, undergone massive changes in the decades since WW2. Even so, there were similarities to the use of military power in the first half of the twentieth century that were not altogether different from the post war years--hence the continued relevance Butler's little book.
I guess since the GW Bush presidency, we call it hubris rather than folly or "a racket". I'm just glad I didn't have to go to Irag or Afghanistan. What a waste. But this in no way tarnishes the reputations of those who did go. They did what they were sent to do as well as could be expected. I just fear that we keep making the same, or similar, mistakes. It's a waste of good men (and women), but then life is full of complexity and irony that leads public figures to send our military all too readily. Worse still is if it actually is required in the modern era, when WOKE has infected the Pentagon and all the branches of the military. Will we be ready if China starts a war with us---a war that we probably will have to fight should that happen? Considering how untethered from reality WOKE ideology is, I wonder if we will be prepared. This religion has effed up nearly everything else that matters, as well.
Hey. At least the defense contractors do well whenever we fight. It's as American as hypocrisy pie to make money on any wars--necessary or not, winnable or not. And the investors do well, too. Just look at my 401K!!!!!
I'm glad there are modern authors such as Andrew Bacevich who have taken up the mantle of exposing our hubris and folly. Too bad too few listen to him or read his work.
The sad reality is, we are inching closer to needing another man to win 2 medals of honour or 2 Victoria Crosses. The west is slowly but surely inching towards the inevitable war with Russia and china. While people are angry that countries are sending Ukraine money and weapons, an over looked aspect is that places like America are building these weapons and creating the soon to be needed arms manufacturing facilities. I know as an Australian we’ve sent 10,000,000,000 to the United States to purchase weapons for Ukraine. So the manufacturing is getting set up. The Australian army is expanding with a targeted increase of 40% the largest our army has been since Vietnam when we conscripted most of the men deployed. So we are gearing up and we will need men like this man, and as an Australian we have a long standing history alongside New Zealand which created the famous name ANZac. But a quick glance through history shows that the ANZacs often worked in tandem with USA or UK and definitely Canada. So I’ve made efforts to promote what we will need in the future and call it
CANZUKUS
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States.
I just hope we can have a bunch more like this man, and prey this time we never need this type of heroism again.
Liked and subbed. I forgot to do that earlier.
I love history. Especially Military (Marine in particular) history.
Two of my favorite reads that go well together is Chesty , the biography of Chesty Puller - written by Hoffman, Lt.Col USMCR and Fortunate Son - written by Lewis B. puller Jr. The first you learn about the Marine, Chesty Puller. The second you learn about the father, Chesty Puller, and his son's experience in Viet Nam and after.
Many of the old Corps were amazing men. There are so many. Smedley, A. A. Cunningham, Chesty, Basilone, Boyington, Hathcock the list goes on and on with amazing feats of bravery and Marine style bravado.
I myself retired in 2011. Joined 1984.
Very well done video. My regards.
Sgt Maj Dan Daly earned 2 Medals of Honor also. 1900 Peking China Boxer Rebellion and a second in 1915 in Chapultepec Haiti. Many great Marine Hero’s!!!
Tom Custer also won two Medals of Honour during your civil war in 1860s. An Aussie colin John.
He also received the Marine Brevet Medal which was given to officers because they could not receive the MOA. SO in a real sense he received THREE MOAs, the only one to be so decorated.
Notice that politics hasn't changed.
gotta give him credit....the same government that they wanted to overthrow had him arrested for a ridiculous charge and almost ruined his career....he chose loyalty to his oath.
What a cool guy. Thanks for sharing his story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. My major problem with it, however, is that it failed to identify those traitors who were behind the plot to destroy our country. JP Morgan, DuPont, and the CEOs of General Motors, Birds Eye, and General Foods were involved.
True. That should be for another time. But their relatives and wall street probably will put a stop to that
Thank-you for posting this video. I read the words of this great man years ago and wanted to use his statements that you've reiterated here as a illustration. I looked everywhere but could not find the USMC Maj Gen who uttered these words. There's no listing for him in the record of the USMC MOH recipients.
You're very welcome
Correction. Filipinos did not “rebel”, they instead continued to fight for their independence. This time against American occupation.
Major General Smedley Butler should have gotten a third Medal of Honor for his unvarnished honestly. 🙂
Servants get medals, masters get millions.
He was a Marines Marine. Fifty years ago today 28 Dec 73, I graduated boot camp at Parris Island. Plt 395, India Co, 3rd Bn. Thanks SSGT Stewart, SSGT Johnigon, SGT Valentine & SGT Guest, best Drill Instructors. Semper Fi
This channel is good channel, very very informative
Thanks
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
You are providing some context to the history of the Medal of Honor. As a history major and former Marine, do you have any more details on the veracity of the battle of Vera Cruz. There were 56 Medals of Honor awarded, which is astonishingly high. I'm simply wondering if the rules changed over time for this award, and maybe this was the first opportunity to award it to officers as well? Butler was very, very straight forward, I tend to take him at his word.
According to SDB's biography, the "American military issued Medals of Honor like candy, fifty six in all." Wikipedia lists 63 medals including those issued for after battle action. Here is the list - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Medal_of_Honor_recipients_(Veracruz)
Semper fi!
I remember going to Camp Butler a couple of times in Oki!
He was a man we could certainly benefit from having in the service of our country today. Semper Fi, General Butler!
He epitomizes "SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER!!!!"
Smedley D. Butler was not a soldier, he was a Marine. Get it right.
Probably one of the most unknown and most decorated Marine was Sergeant Major Daniel Daley;
Medal of Honor (2)
Navy Cross
Distinguished Service Cross
Citation Star
Médaille militaire (France)
Croix de Guerre (France)
No wonder butler became soured about his service. Medals to defend American business interests.