Regardless, the bill is defeated. Some demonstrators resist police efforts to remove them so Hoover orders federal troops to do so. General Douglas MacArthur declares it a communist attempt to overthrow government & orders his troops to attack.
Hundreds of veterans are injured & several killed. Image of US armed soldiers confronting poor veterans of the recent Great War sets the stage for Veteran relief & eventually Veterans Administration. Butler, although a prominent Republican, is outraged at the sight of the armed forces attacking their own, & as a result supports Democrat FDR in election.
A Bonus Army encampment set aflame.