#service bonus

World War I veterans seeking early payment of a promised service bonus gather on the grounds of the Washington Monument June 2, 1932.

Upwards of 17,000 veterans and another 28,000 family members and supporters descended on Washington, D.C. and camped in a number of different locations around the city, including vacant buildings. The largest and most famous was on Anacostia flats.

Note that black and white veterans are mixing freely on the Monument grounds in contrast a nearby segregated beach on the Tidal Basin.

A view of the Bonus Expeditionary Force (BEF) Camp Bartlett, located on private property on Alabama Ave. SE is shown in this June 24, 1932 photograph.

Early in their two-month occupation of Washington, D.C., the Bonus Army marches on Pennsylvania Avenue on their way to the U.S. Capitol June 6, 1932 to demand early payment of a promised World War I bonus.

The sign reads “millions for ….., not one cent for hungry veterans.”

They had earlier circled government buildings in the city before making their way to the Capitol where they picketed for 30 minutes before returning to their camps.