The Bonus Army was composed of approximately 43,000 World War I veterans, many accompanied by their families, who gathered in Washington, D.C., in the spring of 1932 to demand early payment of a bonus that had been promised to them in 1924 but was not due until 1945. As the Great Depression worsened, these veterans found themselves in desperate economic conditions and sought to pressure the federal government for immediate payment. By July, the group had established a sizable encampment known as ‘Hooverville’ across the Anacostia River. Tensions had been high, and President Herbert Hoover viewed the gathering as a potential threat to public order. On July 28, he ordered the U.S. Army to disperse the Bonus Army, leading to a well-documented confrontation. General Douglas MacArthur, along with Major Dwight D. Eisenhower and General George S. Patton, led troops in the eviction, which involved aggressive tactics including tear gas and bayonets against the unarmed veterans and their families.

The confrontation escalated into violence, resulting in multiple injuries among the veterans and several deaths. The army burned the veterans' camps, leading to further outrage across the nation. This action not only highlighted the challenges faced by veterans during the economic turmoil of the Great Depression but also illustrated the broader societal tensions of the era. The images of the military confronting veterans shocked the American public and sparked protests and debates about the government's treatment of its War heroes. As a result, the Bonus Army incident remains a pivotal moment in understanding the relationship between the government and its citizens during periods of economic distress.

In the aftermath, the veterans' demands gained sympathy, eventually leading to legislative changes regarding veterans' benefits. However, the event severely damaged Hoover's reputation, as many citizens perceived the military response to a peaceful protest as excessive and indicative of the ineffectiveness of his administration in addressing the needs of Americans during a time of crisis.