Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Major Smedley Darlington Butler received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 17, 1915 at Fort Riviere, Haiti during the 1915 Haitian campaign. At the time he was serving with 2d Marines, U.S.S. Connecticut. Butler was 34 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on June 17, 1916. He later rose to the rank of Major General. Butler is one of the few people to receive the Medal of Honor twice; see his other award (April 22, 1914).
Butler was born on July 30, 1881 in West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Butler died on June 21, 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 58. He is buried at Oakland Cemetery in West Chester, Pennsylvania. His medal is held by National Museum of the US Marine Corps (Medals for both actions), Quantico, VA.
Butler is one of 6 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1915 Haitian campaign.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Second Award: As commanding officer of detachments from the 5th, 13th, 23d Companies and the marine and sailor detachment from the U.S.S. Connecticut, Maj. Butler led the attack on Fort Riviere, Haiti, 17 November 1915. Following a concentrated drive, several different detachments of marines gradually closed in on the old French bastion fort in an effort to cut off all avenues of retreat for the Caco bandits. Reaching the fort on the southern side where there was a small opening in the wall, Maj. Butler gave the signal to attack and marines from the 15th Company poured through the breach, engaged the Cacos in hand-to-hand combat, took the bastion and crushed the Caco resistance. Throughout this perilous action, Maj. Butler was conspicuous for his bravery and forceful leadership.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
How he died
- Manner of death: natural causes
- Cause of death: cancer
- Age at death: 58
- Resting place: Oakland Cemetery
Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Smedley Darlington Butler received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Mexican Revolution, Philippine–American War, Boxer Rebellion, World War I, Banana Wars, Spanish–American War.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Occupations: lecturer, activist, official, writer
- Education: The Haverford School
Source: Wikidata.
Places
From the archives
Additional information on his action comes from U.S. Navy General Order No. 319, dated August 25, 1917:
“On November 17, 1915, it was planned to attack Fort Riviere, Haiti, with a force made up of detachments from the Fifth, Thirteenth, and Twenty-third Companies, and the marine detachment and sailors from the Connecticut. Fort Riviere was on old French bastion fort, about 200 feet on the side, with thick walls of brick and stone, the walls being loopholed. The original entrance had been in the northern side but had been blocked, a small breech in the southern wall being used in its stead. As this breach in the wall was the only entrance to the fort it was naturally covered by the defenders on the inside making passage through it into the fort a most hazardous undertaking for the leading men. Notwithstanding the fact that the fire of the Cacos was constantly passing through this hole in the wall, Sergt. Ross L. Iams, Fifth Company, unhesitatingly jumped through, closely followed by Pvt. Samuel Gross of the Twenty-third Company. A melee then ensued inside of the fort for about 10 minutes, the Cacos fighting desperately with rifles, clubs, stonce, etc., during which several jumped from the walls in an effort to escape, but were shot by the automatic guns of the Fifth Company and by the Thirteenth Company advancing to the attack.
Gunnery Sergt. Daniel Daly, Fifteenth Company, during the operations was the most conspicuous figure among the enlisted personnel.
Sergt. Ross L. Iams, Fifth Company, is recommended for a medal of honor for coolness and bravery in entering Fort Riviere at the head of the attacking force, when such action on his part seemed almost certain to result in his being killed or wounded.
Pvt. Samuel Gross, Twenty-third Company, to receive a medal of honor for his coolness and bravery in entering Fort Riviere immediately behind Sergt. Iams, when such action on his part seemed almost certain to result in his being killed or wounded.
It is urged that Maj. Smedley D. Butler be given a medal of honor for his conspicuous bravery during the assault on Fort Riviere. Two men entered ahead of him, doing so to prevent him from being the first. Theirs was devotion to him, while his action was devotion to duty. The assault inside the fort was made by 23 men with the knowledge that no quarter would be given them."
Timeline
- July 30, 1881Born in West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania
- November 17, 1915Act of valor — Fort Riviere, HaitiAge 34. 2d Marines, U.S.S. Connecticut
- June 17, 1916Medal of Honor presented
- June 21, 1940Died in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAge 58.
- Resting placeOakland CemeteryWest Chester, Pennsylvania
Biography
Major General Smedley Darlington Butler (July 30, 1881 – June 21, 1940) was a United States Marine Corps officer and, later, an anti-war advocate. During his 34-year military career, he fought in the Philippine–American War, the Boxer Rebellion, the Mexican Revolution, World War I, and the Banana Wars. At the time of his death, Butler was the most decorated Marine in U.S. military history. By the end of his career, Butler had received sixteen medals, including five for heroism; he was awarded the Marine Corps Brevet Medal as well as two Medals of Honor, both for separate actions.
From the Wikipedia article “Smedley Butler”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler — military base
- USS Butler — destroyer
Further reading
- Continuing Service: Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Recipientscmohs.org · 2022
- Smedley Butler’s fiery speech to World War I veterans is still relevant todaytaskandpurpose.com · 2020
