Smedley Darlington Butler-West Chester, PA
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 39° 58.794 W 075° 37.212
18S E 447044 N 4425710
He was awarded the Medal of Honor twice. His first award was for the Mexican Campaign-Vera Cruz for action in the engagement of Vera Cruz, Mexico on April 22, 1914. His second award was for the Haitian Campaign 1915 for action at Fort Riviere, Haiti on November 17. 1915. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery, West Chester, PA in Section B, Lot 1.
Waymark Code: WMXWZ9
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 03/10/2018
Views: 1
He was born on July 30, 1881 in West Chester, PA and died on June 21, 1940 in Philadelphia, PA. He attained the rank of Major General in the U.S. Marine Corps. His Medal of Honor information for the first award is: BUTLER, SMEDLEY DARLINGTON
• (First Award)
• Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps
• Appointed from: Pennsylvania
• G.O. No.: 177, 4 December 1915
• Other Navy awards: Second Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Medal
Citation: For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914. Maj. Butler was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22d and in the final occupation of the city.
His Medal of Honor information and citation for the second award is: BUTLER, SMEDLEY DARLINGTON
• (Second Award)
• Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps
• Appointed from: Pennsylvania
• Other Navy awards: Second Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Medal
Citation: 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.
Armed Service: Marines
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