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Unemployed war veterans tied up freight traffic on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad out of St. Louis on May 23, 1932 on their way to Washington to demand payment of their war bonus. Two hundred of the veterans were in East St. Louis with 200 more in Caseyville, Ill. This picture was taken in St. Louis where they arrived from Portland, Oregon, and other western points, commandeering box cars as they went.
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Unemployed war veterans tied up freight traffic on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad out of St. Louis on May 23, 1932 on their way to Washington to demand payment of their war bonus. Two hundred of the veterans were in East St. Louis with 200 more in Caseyville, Ill. This picture was taken in St. Louis where they arrived from Portland, Oregon, and other western points, commandeering box cars as they went.

1932 Bonus March

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Unemployed war veterans tied up freight traffic on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad out of St. Louis on May 23, 1932 on their way to Washington to demand payment of their war bonus. Two hundred of the veterans were in East St. Louis with 200 more in Caseyville, Ill. This picture was taken in St. Louis where they arrived from Portland, Oregon, and other western points, commandeering box cars as they went.
Unemployed war veterans tied up freight traffic on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad out of St. Louis on May 23, 1932 on their way to Washington to demand payment of their war bonus. Two hundred of the veterans were in East St. Louis with 200 more in Caseyville, Ill. This picture was taken in St. Louis where they arrived from Portland, Oregon, and other western points, commandeering box cars as they went.
The Bonus Army camped on the bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, with the capitol in the background, in the summer of 1932. Troops set fire to the camp to drive the veterans from the area. Before the troops attacked the camp, 380 women and 488 children left, but nearly 6,000 men remained in it.
The Bonus Army camped on the bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, with the capitol in the background, in the summer of 1932. Troops set fire to the camp to drive the veterans from the area. Before the troops attacked the camp, 380 women and 488 children left, but nearly 6,000 men remained in it.
A caravan of trucks pulled out of Caseyville, Ill. in May of 1932, carrying World War I veterans to Washington DC in preparation for the Bonus March of 1932. Indiana used National Guard trucks to carry the veterans through the Hoosier state.
A caravan of trucks pulled out of Caseyville, Ill. in May of 1932, carrying World War I veterans to Washington DC in preparation for the Bonus March of 1932. Indiana used National Guard trucks to carry the veterans through the Hoosier state.
Bonus marchers gather hay for their beds in a nearby field on June 4, 1932. The veterans were in Washington demanding payment of their war bonuses from Congress.
Bonus marchers gather hay for their beds in a nearby field on June 4, 1932. The veterans were in Washington demanding payment of their war bonuses from Congress.
A young woman buys an apple from an unemployed veteran on South Wells Street in 1930.
A young woman buys an apple from an unemployed veteran on South Wells Street in 1930.
A crowd of World War I veterans wait in line at the Chicago Herald and Examiner newspaper's bonus bureau, circa March 4, 1931, for loans on their war bonus.
A crowd of World War I veterans wait in line at the Chicago Herald and Examiner newspaper’s bonus bureau, circa March 4, 1931, for loans on their war bonus.
Veterans fill out applications for bonus loans inside the new branch of the Veteran’s Bureau at 206 W Van Buren Street on March 2, 1931. The Tribune reported that more than $100,000 was paid out in loans to veterans during that day. When the Tribune asked John Karela, who was waiting in line, what he was going to do with the money, he replied, “That’s a silly question. I’m going to buy my five kids -the youngest is 18 months, the oldest is 9 years-old- some good solid food. I’m going to buy ’em shoes.”
Veterans from Chattanooga, Tenn., during the Bonus March on the White House in May of 1932.
Veterans from Chattanooga, Tenn., during the Bonus March on the White House in May of 1932.
Bonus Army vets, who arrived in Chicago from Johnstown, Pa., on Aug. 4, 1932, wait on the sidewalk in front of 17 W Pearson Street. Over 300 veterans arrived in five cars on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad with no plans and no arrangements for housing. According to the Tribune, “The marchers were weak from lack of food and rested on the curb while food was being prepared in an emergency kitchen inside. Only a small portion of the (300) veterans were able to find sleeping quarters in the building and the others prepared to sleep on the sidewalks.” An anonymous donor gave the veterans permission to use the building.
R.P. Ober, from left, Frank Rincione, and Jack Hartke prepare soup at the Bonus Army headquarters at 17 West Pearson Street on Aug. 9, 1932. The Bonus Army camp had been ordered closed as a fire hazard.
R.P. Ober, from left, Frank Rincione, and Jack Hartke prepare soup at the Bonus Army headquarters at 17 West Pearson Street on Aug. 9, 1932. The Bonus Army camp had been ordered closed as a fire hazard.
Veterans throw bricks and stones at charging policemen as the police try to evict the Bonus Army from camping on government property on July 28, 1932. One of the rioters is seen swinging a section of pipe. The fight was one of several clashes in Washington in which several lives were lost before the United States Army was called to oust the marchers. The veterans demanded immediate payment of their bonuses by the government, and lost.
Veterans throw bricks and stones at charging policemen as the police try to evict the Bonus Army from camping on government property on July 28, 1932. One of the rioters is seen swinging a section of pipe. The fight was one of several clashes in Washington in which several lives were lost before the United States Army was called to oust the marchers. The veterans demanded immediate payment of their bonuses by the government, and lost.
War machines rumbled down Pennsylvania Avenue to oust the unemployed war veterans from their shacks near the capitol in July of 1932. The veterans were seeking their bonus checks from the government.
War machines rumbled down Pennsylvania Avenue to oust the unemployed war veterans from their shacks near the capitol in July of 1932. The veterans were seeking their bonus checks from the government.
Doughboys wearing gas masks advance with fixed bayonets in the section of Washington between the White House and the capitol, spraying tear gas on bonus army veterans in the summer of 1932. Coughing and spitting from effects of tear gas, the bonus army men are helpless, only one offering any resistance to the soldiers.
Doughboys wearing gas masks advance with fixed bayonets in the section of Washington between the White House and the capitol, spraying tear gas on bonus army veterans in the summer of 1932. Coughing and spitting from effects of tear gas, the bonus army men are helpless, only one offering any resistance to the soldiers.
Smoke rises from the ruins of shacks where World War I veterans had made their homes in the summer of 1932. The former soldiers were driven from the Anacostia neighborhood after Congress voted down their request to be paid their bonus checks early.
Smoke rises from the ruins of shacks where World War I veterans had made their homes in the summer of 1932. The former soldiers were driven from the Anacostia neighborhood after Congress voted down their request to be paid their bonus checks early.
The ruins of the Bonus Army's camp in Washington on Aug. 8, 1932, after troops set fire to the shanty town built by World War I veterans who were asking Congress for their bonus checks.
The ruins of the Bonus Army’s camp in Washington on Aug. 8, 1932, after troops set fire to the shanty town built by World War I veterans who were asking Congress for their bonus checks.
World War I vets line up for Bonus Application Blanks in the Hearst Square lobby, circa Feb. 6, 1936.
World War I vets line up for Bonus Application Blanks in the Hearst Square lobby, circa Feb. 6, 1936.
Early arrivals sign over their bonus bonds for cash at the Federal Building's bonus headquarters, circa June 23, 1936.
Early arrivals sign over their bonus bonds for cash at the Federal Building’s bonus headquarters, circa June 23, 1936.

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