The Bonus Army was a movement of WW1 veterans who marched on Washington DC in 1932. Demanding the benefits guaranteed to them by the U.S. government for fighting in the war, 43,000 veterans, their family members, and people marching in solidarity camped out in Washington. President Hoover and the U.S. Congress refused to meet their demands, and launched an assault with tanks and tear gas on the encampment. The encampment was burned, 55 veterans were wounded, 2 killed, 135 arrested. 12 week old Bernard Meyers died after being exposed to the tear gas.
The veterans came back to protest every year. In 1936, Congress finally passed legislation which gave the veterans their benefits. The struggle influenced the eventual passing of the GI Bill in 1944.
The veterans came back to protest every year. In 1936, Congress finally passed legislation which gave the veterans their benefits. The struggle influenced the eventual passing of the GI Bill in 1944.
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