The Saga of the Bonus Army

Historical Context

  • Time Period: Summer of 1932, during the height of the Great Depression.

  • Key Event: Approximately 45,000 World War I veterans collectively marched on Washington D.C.

  • Motivation for March: Veterans believed Congress would approve immediate payment of bonds promised to them for losses incurred during their service in World War I.

  • Outcome: Congress refused to authorize the payment, and the military violently dispersed the veterans. This event marked the greatest concentration of fighting troops in Washington since 1865.

Funding and Support

  • Major Funding Sources:

    • The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Service Foundation acted as a major supporter, helping veterans recover from the physical and emotional tolls of war.

    • The Towani Foundation contributed to promoting the ideal of the Citizen Soldier.

    • The support of the Human Council of Washington D.C. was also noted.

U.S. Entry into World War I

  • Unpreparedness: America was not prepared when it entered the war in 1917.

  • Conscription: Required to gather young men for military service, leading to the draft known as Selective Service.

    • Troops were composed mainly of conscripts for the first time in history. Some men were drafted to fight while others served in defense industries or as farmers.

  • Service as Work: The conception of military service was framed as work rather than merely civic duty.

American Casualties

  • Troop Deployment: The first American troops arrived in France in June 1917.

  • Casualty Statistics: Within 18 months, nearly 100,000 American soldiers died, and 200,000 were wounded or exposed to gas attacks.

  • African American Soldiers:

    • Hundreds of thousands were barred from combat in American units.

    • Many fought valiantly for the French, experiencing, for the first time, fair treatment by white individuals.

Post-War Realizations

  • Armistice Date: November 11, 1918, ended active fighting.

  • Veteran Recognition: Upon returning, veterans were honored with parades, yet they quickly recognized the severe costs of their service, including loss of wages.

  • Compensation Argument: Veterans argued for compensation commensurate to the wages lost while serving; they referred to it as adjusted compensation, a term intended to clarify their demand for back wages, contrary to public perception labeling it as a 'bonus'.

Legislative Developments

  • 1924 Legislation: Congress granted the adjusted compensation, which would pay veterans $1 to $1.25 for each day served. However, this payment was deferred until 1945 unless the veteran died, leading to the term "tombstone bonus".

  • Economic Climate: In 1928, Herbert Hoover was elected, projecting a bright future. However, the stock market crash later that year initiated the Great Depression, with 25% of the workforce unemployed in 1932.

The March on Washington

  • Walter W. Waters: A veteran sergeant from Portland, Oregon, who was pivotal in organizing the march for immediate cash payment of the veteran's bonus, after he observed organized lobby efforts in Washington.

  • Formation of the Bonus Expeditionary Force (BEF): The veterans referred to themselves as the BEF, inspired by the American Expeditionary Force sent to France. They traveled across the country, gathering more participants along their route.

  • Arrival in Washington: The march culminated with many veterans converging on Washington, with some entering the National Capital such as:

    • 25 veterans from Tennessee forming a march circling the White House demanding their bonus.

    • Antonio Oliver, a veteran from Pennsylvania, drove with his twin sons to support the march.

Response to the March

  • Pelum Glassford: The new D.C. police chief was aware that the BEF symbolized the larger unemployment crisis and was concerned that any incident could lead to civil unrest. He was supportive but understood the political climate was not favorable for the veterans.

  • Concerns of Racial Integration: The presence of African American veterans was significant as they were generally segregated in military service. This mixed composition heightened political tensions.

  • Military Readiness: General Douglas MacArthur was involved in preparatory measures to safeguard the Capitol against potential insurrection. This included plans to deploy weapons like tanks and machine guns against potential disturbances.

Conclusion

  • Historical Significance: The Bonus Army march highlighted the struggles of veterans post-WWI, the inadequacies of governmental responses to their needs, and the extreme measures these veterans were willing to undertake to demand their rights. This event was influential in shaping future veterans' policies and the broader discussions about civil rights and social welfare in America.