The Bonus Army

Discussion in 'Politics & Government' started by Frank Sanoica, Aug 22, 2019.

  1. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
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    In summer, 1932, the Bonus Army marched into Washington, D.C. from all parts of the nation, eventually 43,000 strong, to request early payment of pensions due 10 years later. These were WW-I veterans and their families, along with various other protest groups. They were unable to feed their families, had risked their lives for their country, many had been wounded in action, because of the Great Depression. They brought wives and children, erected tents, shacks, lined out streets even, and made their request, which was denied.

    Skirmishes with police ensued; the veterans were NOT ARMED. President Hoover, in final desperation, fearing a blot developing upon his popularity, ordered his top three Commanding Officers to disperse the intruders in "any way necessary". They responded in arms, used TANKS to raze and burn.....

    "The camps were tightly controlled by the veterans, who laid out streets, built sanitation facilities, and held daily parades. To live in the camps, veterans were required to register and to prove they had been honorably discharged."

    ......."commanded by General Douglas MacArthur, the
    12th Infantry Regiment, Fort Howard, Maryland, and the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, supported by six M1917 light tanks commanded by Maj. George S. Patton, formed in Pennsylvania Avenue while thousands of civil service employees left work to line the street and watch. The Bonus Marchers, believing the troops were marching in their honor, cheered the troops until Patton ordered[citation needed] the cavalry to charge them, which prompted the spectators to yell, "Shame! Shame!"

    "During the military operation, Major Dwight D. Eisenhower, later the 34th president of the United States, served as one of MacArthur's junior aides.[23] Believing it wrong for the Army's highest-ranking officer to lead an action against fellow American war veterans, he strongly advised MacArthur against taking any public role: "I told that dumb son-of-a-bitch not to go down there," he said later. "I told him it was no place for the Chief of Staff." [24] Despite his misgivings, Eisenhower later wrote the Army's official incident report that endorsed MacArthur's conduct."

    "MacArthur ordered General Perry Miles to assemble troops on the Ellipse immediately south of the White House. Within the hour the 3rd Cavalry led by Patton, then a Major, (The General of WW-II) crossed the Memorial Bridge, with the 12th Infantry arriving by steamer about an hour later."

    See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonus_Army

    The most disgusting part, to me, is that the Constitution forbids use of U.S. Military forces against U.S. Citizens. Thus, three highly prominent U.S. Military Officers who later went on to glory, in reality committed Treason.

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    Look of desperation......


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    Torching the shanties as the Capitol looks on.......
    A blot hidden in our country's history. Was it ever remarked about when you were in school? Frank
     
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  2. Don Alaska

    Don Alaska Supreme Member
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    @Frank Sanoica it is not the Constitution that forbids the use of the military against civilians, it is the "Posse Comitatus Act, a law passed in 1878. The Bpnus Army incident was a very sad episode in U.S. history, but Washington himself use the military against farmers in the Whiskey Rebellion.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posse_Comitatus_Act
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiskey_Rebellion

    Militia were also used against civilians during Shay's Rebellion, but that was Massachusetts militia and was before the Constitution was adopted.
     
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  3. Tom Galty

    Tom Galty Veteran Member
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    And also Kent State Uni where 4 unarmed students were killed by the Ohio NG
     
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  4. Peter Renfro

    Peter Renfro Veteran Member
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    Kent state was a legitimate use of the national guard. The shootings were a result of poor training and lack of discipline,
    The other instances were tyranny of a government against its citizens., National or state troops were almost routinely called on numerous times in support of capitalist profit against organized labor through out the early part of the 20th century.
     
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  5. Bess Barber

    Bess Barber Veteran Member
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    Does this include the National Guard?
     
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  6. Don Alaska

    Don Alaska Supreme Member
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    I don't know, as I am not a lawyer, but I think the National Guard is considered a militia, such as was used at Kent State. I think only the Army and the Air Force (added later are included. According to Wikipedia, the Navy and Marines are not included in the prohibition either.
     
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  7. Tom Galty

    Tom Galty Veteran Member
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    At Don Alaska.

    Had never heard of that 1878 Act so did a search.

    Interesting.

    From what I understand the NG can be called up if there is a threat of invasion by locals and others and to defend the state.

    On reading on wards was surprised how Obama watered down this act.

    Also as you are interested in English history google Peterloo.

    That will explain why I was so disgusted by the Kent State murders at the time
     
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  8. Tom Galty

    Tom Galty Veteran Member
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    @Frank Sanoica

    Had read of this 30 years ago and thought the army had killed theses protesters.

    Seems the only poor sods killed were by the police before they called in the Army and the Army did not kill anyone.

    So thanks for the link.
     
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