The Bonus Army March: When Veterans Were Gassed in Washington, D.C.

The Bonus Army March: When Veterans Were Gassed in Washington, D.C.

In the long, hot summer of 1932, as the Great Depression cast its darkest shadow over the United States, a group of desperate veterans and their families made their way to Washington, D.C. They were not armed with rifles or bayonets but with a righteous cause: demanding the bonus payments promised to them for their service in World War I. This historic protest, known as the Bonus Army March, ended not with justice but with tear gas, tanks, and a brutal government crackdown that shocked the nation and changed the course of American protest movements.

The Origins of the Bonus March

After World War I ended in 1918, Congress passed the Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924, awarding veterans certificates of service bonuses to be paid in 1945. These certificates were intended as deferred compensation, but the value of money was collapsing during the Depression, and many veterans could not wait more than a decade to receive what they were owed.

By 1932, unemployment had soared to over 25%, and many veterans were jobless, homeless, and destitute. A grassroots movement emerged, led by former Army sergeant Walter W. Waters, who rallied fellow veterans to demand immediate cash payment of their bonuses. Their goal was simple: bring their plight to the doorstep of the federal government.

The Journey to Washington

What began with a few hundred marchers grew into a massive protest of over 20,000 veterans and their families. They traveled from across the country, hitchhiking, riding freight trains, or walking. Many brought wives and children, turning the march into a humanitarian crisis as well as a political one.

Upon arriving in Washington, D.C., the Bonus Army—also known as the Bonus Expeditionary Force (BEF)—set up sprawling camps, the largest being Anacostia Flats, a muddy area across the Anacostia River from the Capitol. These makeshift settlements quickly grew into a semi-permanent community, complete with sanitation, streets, and a code of conduct.

Despite their poverty, the veterans remained largely peaceful and orderly. They held parades, gave speeches, and lobbied Congress to pass the Patman Bill, which would have authorized early payment of their bonuses. Although the House of Representatives approved the bill, the Senate rejected it on June 17, 1932.

President Hoover’s Response

President Herbert Hoover, already under fire for his handling of the Depression, saw the Bonus Army as a threat to public order. Although many veterans left after the Senate defeat, thousands stayed, refusing to leave without their bonuses. Hoover grew increasingly concerned about the potential for violence and communist agitation, though no significant unrest had occurred.

On July 28, 1932, Hoover ordered the U.S. Army to forcibly remove the Bonus Army from federal property. The mission was led by General Douglas MacArthur, with assistance from Major Dwight D. Eisenhower and Major George S. Patton—names that would become famous during World War II.

The March Turns Tragic

MacArthur, believing the Bonus Army posed a grave threat, vastly exceeded Hoover’s orders. Troops armed with bayonets, cavalry, and tear gas stormed the veterans' encampments. Tanks rolled through the makeshift communities, and fires broke out as tents and shacks were set ablaze.

The veterans, many of whom had fought bravely in World War I, were chased, beaten, and gassed by the very government they had served. Two infants died as a result of tear gas exposure. Hundreds of veterans were injured, and their few belongings were destroyed.

The violence was captured by journalists and photographers and quickly spread through newspapers nationwide. Americans were outraged. The sight of uniformed troops attacking unarmed veterans and their families became a national disgrace and marked a turning point in public opinion against the Hoover administration.

The Fallout and Legacy

The brutal suppression of the Bonus Army contributed heavily to Hoover’s defeat in the 1932 presidential election. His opponent, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was appalled by the violence but did not immediately promise the bonus. However, Roosevelt approached the issue differently.

In 1933, some veterans returned to D.C., and this time they were treated with compassion. The Roosevelt administration provided food, shelter, and work opportunities through the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). While the bonus payment was still delayed, the government's more humane approach marked a significant shift.

Eventually, in 1936—over Roosevelt’s veto—Congress passed legislation granting immediate bonus payments to the veterans. It was a hard-won victory, built on years of suffering, advocacy, and sacrifice.

The Bonus Army's Impact on American Protest

The Bonus Army March is more than a tragic footnote in Depression-era history; it’s a powerful lesson in protest, public opinion, and government responsibility. The event exposed the growing divide between the government and its citizens, particularly those who had served in uniform. It also demonstrated the power of visual media in shaping public sentiment.

Furthermore, the protest became a blueprint for future movements. The civil rights marches, Vietnam War protests, and even the Occupy Wall Street movement all drew from the strategies and symbolism of the Bonus Army. Veterans, once perceived as passive recipients of state benefits, became active participants in shaping policy and demanding justice.

Conclusion: Remembering the Forgotten Soldiers

Today, the story of the Bonus Army serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibilities a nation bears toward its veterans. It also highlights the enduring power of collective action in the face of governmental indifference.

Though they were met with batons and bayonets, the Bonus Army marchers ultimately forced the nation to confront its treatment of those who risked everything in its defense. Their sacrifice laid the groundwork for future veterans' rights legislation and underscored the importance of dignity, respect, and support for all who serve.

The Bonus Army may have been scattered by gas and flame, but their cause endured—and in time, justice followed.