US army led by MacArthur, Eisenhower, Patton attack WWI Bonus Army

[bobbieinok]

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/pfsnprelief4.htm
EyeWitnesstoHistory.com


The Bonus Army
In 1924, a grateful Congress voted to give a bonus to World War I veterans - $1.25 for each day served overseas, $1.00 for each day served in the States. The catch was that payment would not be made until 1945. However, by 1932 the nation had slipped into the dark days of the Depression and the unemployed veterans wanted their money immediately.

In May of that year, some 15,000 veterans, many unemployed and destitute, descended on Washington, D.C. to demand immediate payment of their bonus. They proclaimed themselves the Bonus Expeditionary Force but the public dubbed them the "Bonus Army." Raising ramshackle camps at various places around the city, they waited.

The veterans made their largest camp at Anacostia Flats across the river from the Capitol. Approximately 10,000 veterans, women and children lived in the shelters built from materials dragged out of a junk pile nearby - old lumber, packing boxes and scrap tin covered with roofs of thatched straw.
....

A month later, on July 28, Attorney General Mitchell ordered the evacuation of the veterans from all government property, Entrusted with the job, the Washington police met with resistance, shots were fired and two marchers killed. Learning of the shooting at lunch, President Hoover ordered the army to clear out the veterans. Infantry and cavalry supported by six tanks were dispatched with Chief of Staff General Douglas MacArthur in command. Major Dwight D. Eisenhower served as his liaison with Washington police and Major George Patton led the cavalry.

....

...Suddenly Patton's troopers turned and charged. "Shame, Shame" the spectators cried. Soldiers with fixed bayonets followed, hurling tear gas into the crowd.

By nightfall the BEF had retreated across the Anacostia River where Hoover ordered MacArthur to stop. Ignoring the command, the general led his infantry to the main camp. By early morning the 10,000 inhabitants were routed and the camp in flames. Two babies died and nearby hospitals overwhelmed with casualties. Eisenhower later wrote, "the whole scene was pitiful. The veterans were ragged, ill-fed, and felt themselves badly abused. To suddenly see the whole encampment going up in flames just added to the pity."

[ThoughtCriminal]

1. One good thing

It probably put a bit of a damper on MacArthur's political carreer.

[oneighty]

3. Mac Arthur

also at one time said firing over the heads of a mob was a waste of time--Paraphrasing. If you would like the actual quotation tell me.

180

[HawkerHurricane]

4. It would later save his military career...

see post #2.

But you're right, it killed any chance he had of national office... and his incompetence in Korea would finish any chance of a lower one.

[HawkerHurricane]

2. Eisenhower told MacAurther it was a mistake...

but MacAurther never repented.

THIS is why Douglas MacAurther was not RELIEVED and COURT MARTIALED after his defeat in the Phillipines... he was a favorite of the Republican Party. Admiral Kimmel and LGen Short were court martialed for less cause, but 'Dougout Doug' (so named for his habit of staying in the rear area bunkers) was promoted and glorified.

[oneighty]

6. It has been said

his efforts to glorify himself by returning to the Philippines actually delayed the end of the war against Japan

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[HawkerHurricane]

7. The return to the Phillipines...

was part of "War Plan Orange" which was written well before the war. Not MacAurther's fault.
I'll blame him for a lot of things, but not that.

[necso]

5. Um,

Eisenhower's position was that of an aide to MacArthur.

"Dwight D. Eisenhower, as a member of MacArthur's staff, had strong reservations about the operation..."

http://www.answers.com/topic/bonus-army

This (the above) quote reinforces my memory of the details.