In summer 1932, during the Great Depression, 20,000 WWI veterans and their families marched on Washington D.C. demanding early payment of service certificates. The peaceful protest ended in tragedy when President Hoover ordered military forces to violently disperse the protesters.
In the summer of 1932, amid the depths of the Great Depression, thousands of World War I veterans and their families marched on Washington, D.C. These veterans, known as the Bonus Army, demanded early payment of their service certificates - compensation promised by Congress but not scheduled for distribution until 1945.
The Bonus Army's march marked one of the most dramatic protests in American history. Nearly 20,000 veterans established makeshift camps around the nation's capital, creating a powerful visual reminder of the economic hardship faced by many Americans. Their peaceful demonstration would ultimately end in tragedy when President Herbert Hoover ordered military forces to disperse the protesters, leading to violent clashes that shocked the nation and influenced the political landscape of the 1930s.
The Origins of the Bonus Army Movement
#The Bonus Army movement emerged from the financial struggles of World War I veterans who received service certificates as compensation for their military service. These certificates, promised by the World War Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924, represented a significant but delayed form of payment for veterans' service.
World War I Veterans' Bonus Certificates
#Congress issued service certificates to 3.6 million World War I veterans in 1924. The certificates carried a face value of $1 per day for domestic service and $1.25 for overseas duty, plus compound interest. The total value reached $3.5 billion, payable in 1945. Veterans dubbed these certificates "bonus" payments, though government officials avoided this term. The certificates functioned similar to 20-year government bonds, offering veterans future compensation for their wartime service.
| Certificate Details | Value |
|---|---|
| Domestic Service Rate | $1.00/day |
| Overseas Service Rate | $1.25/day |
| Total Value | $3.5 billion |
| Maturity Year | 1945 |
The Great Depression's Impact
#The 1929 stock market crash plunged millions of Americans into poverty, including countless veterans. Unemployment rates reached 25% by 1932, affecting veterans disproportionately. The economic crisis created immediate financial needs:
- Loss of jobs forced veterans to seek alternative income sources
- Bank failures wiped out personal savings
- Widespread foreclosures left many veterans homeless
- Rising poverty rates impacted veterans' ability to support their families
The harsh economic conditions transformed the service certificates from future investments into potential immediate relief. Veterans viewed early redemption of their bonuses as a solution to their financial hardship, leading to organized demands for immediate payment.
The March Begins: Summer of 1932
#The Bonus Army march started on May 29, 1932, when a group of 300 veterans from Portland, Oregon, led by Walter W. Waters, began their journey to Washington D.C. The movement quickly gained momentum as veterans from across the country joined the march.
Veterans Gather in Washington D.C.
#By June 1932, 20,000 veterans plus their families converged on the nation's capital. The demonstrators arrived by various means: freight trains, trucks, automobiles. Local police welcomed the protesters, establishing a cooperative relationship that helped maintain initial order. The veterans organized themselves into military-style units, reflecting their military background and creating an efficient system for managing the growing crowds.
Setting Up Camp Marks
#The Bonus Army established two main encampments: one at Anacostia Flats across the Anacostia River and another in vacant buildings along Pennsylvania Avenue. The camps featured:
- Military-style organization with designated leaders responsible for sanitation
- Makeshift housing constructed from salvaged materials
- Community kitchens serving 3 meals daily
- First aid stations staffed by volunteer medical personnel
- Daily police patrols coordinated with local authorities
| Camp Statistics | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Total Residents | 43,000 |
| Veterans | 20,000 |
| Family Members | 23,000 |
| Main Camps | 2 |
| Occupied Buildings | 27 |
The camps operated under strict rules prohibiting alcohol and maintaining cleanliness standards. Veterans established committees for food distribution, camp maintenance and security, creating a self-sustaining community structure.
Key Leaders and Organization
#The Bonus Army operated under a structured leadership hierarchy with clear organizational principles. The movement's disciplined approach reflected the military background of its participants.
Walter W. Waters Takes Command
#Walter W. Waters, a former Army sergeant from Portland, Oregon, emerged as the primary leader of the Bonus Army. He established a command structure that divided the protesters into units organized by state with designated officers maintaining order through daily inspections. Waters implemented strict rules in the camps:
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No drinking or disorderly conduct
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Regular sanitation inspections
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Military-style reporting procedures
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Mandatory identification cards for all members
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Daily roll calls at 5:30 AM
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Police Superintendent Pelham Glassford coordinated food distribution
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Local restaurants donated surplus food supplies
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Churches offered shelter space for families
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Civilian medical professionals provided free healthcare services
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District businesses contributed basic necessities such as blankets clothing
| Community Support Statistics | Number |
|---|---|
| Daily meals served | 10,000 |
| Local volunteer workers | 850 |
| Supporting businesses | 124 |
| Medical clinics operated | 6 |
Government Response to the Protests
#The government's response to the Bonus Army protests evolved from initial tolerance to violent confrontation in the summer of 1932. The escalating situation prompted President Herbert Hoover to take increasingly aggressive measures against the veterans.
President Hoover's Initial Reaction
#President Hoover adopted a hands-off approach during the first weeks of the protests in June 1932. The administration provided $100,000 in supplies including water, food rations and medical care to the veterans. Congress attempted to address the situation through legislation, introducing the Patman Bonus Bill to authorize early payment of the service certificates. The bill passed in the House of Representatives on June 15 but failed in the Senate two days later with a vote of 62-18 against.
The Army's Violent Intervention
#On July 28, 1932, Attorney General William Mitchell ordered the Metropolitan Police to evict veterans from vacant government buildings along Pennsylvania Avenue. The confrontation turned violent when two veterans died during clashes with police. President Hoover then authorized Army Chief of Staff Douglas MacArthur to remove the protesters using military force. Key military actions included:
- Deployment of 600 infantry troops
- Use of 6 tanks commanded by Major George Patton
- Release of tear gas on veteran camps
- Burning of the Anacostia Flats settlement
MacArthur exceeded his orders by:
- Pursuing protesters across the Anacostia River
- Destroying the main veteran encampment
- Driving out 20,000 veterans including their families
- Using cavalry charges against unarmed protesters
The military intervention resulted in:
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Deaths | 2 |
| Injuries | 55 |
| Arrests | 135 |
| Evacuees | 20,000 |
The forceful eviction generated widespread public criticism of the Hoover administration's handling of the crisis. Media coverage of soldiers attacking veterans damaged Hoover's reputation months before the 1932 presidential election.
Aftermath and Legacy
#The Bonus Army march left an indelible mark on American political history through its profound impact on public policy veteran benefits. The violent dispersal of veterans catalyzed significant changes in both political leadership and veteran support programs.
Political Impact on Hoover's Presidency
#The military action against the Bonus Army severely damaged President Hoover's public image during the 1932 presidential campaign. Democratic candidate Franklin D. Roosevelt capitalized on the incident, leading to Hoover's decisive defeat in the presidential election with only 39.7% of the popular vote. Newspaper photographs showing troops using tear gas against veterans generated widespread public outrage, turning many Americans against the Hoover administration. The incident became a defining moment of Hoover's presidency, symbolizing his perceived inability to address the human toll of the Great Depression.
- Congress passed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act (GI Bill) in 1944, providing education benefits social services military personnel
- Veterans received early bonus payment in 1936 through the Harrison Bonus Bill, distributing $2 billion in compensation
- The Veterans Administration expanded its services, establishing new medical facilities counseling centers
- Congress created the Veterans Preference Act of 1944, giving veterans priority in federal employment
| Year | Legislative Action | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1936 | Harrison Bonus Bill | $2 billion paid to WWI veterans |
| 1944 | GI Bill | Education housing loan benefits |
| 1944 | Veterans Preference Act | Priority in federal hiring |
Key Takeaways
#- The Bonus Army march occurred in the summer of 1932, when approximately 20,000 World War I veterans and their families protested in Washington, D.C. for early payment of their service certificates
- The protest emerged during the Great Depression, as veterans faced severe economic hardship and sought early redemption of bonus certificates originally scheduled for payment in 1945
- Led by Walter W. Waters, the veterans established organized camps at Anacostia Flats and along Pennsylvania Avenue, maintaining military-style discipline and organization
- The protest ended violently on July 28, 1932, when President Hoover ordered military forces under Douglas MacArthur to remove the protesters, resulting in deaths, injuries, and the burning of veteran camps
- The incident significantly damaged President Hoover's reputation and contributed to his defeat in the 1932 presidential election
- The Bonus Army's legacy led to important veteran benefit reforms, including the early payment of bonuses in 1936 and the creation of the GI Bill in 1944
Conclusion
#The Bonus Army march of 1932 stands as a pivotal moment in American history that transformed the relationship between veterans and their government. The tragic confrontation at the nation's capital sparked widespread reforms in veteran benefits and reshaped public perception of how America should treat its military personnel.
The movement's legacy lives on through landmark legislation like the GI Bill and continues to influence modern veteran support programs. What began as a desperate plea for help during the Great Depression ultimately led to lasting positive change in veteran care and benefits - though at a devastating cost to those who marched that summer.