In May 1932, a group of veterans headed to Washington, D.C. to ask Congress to pay the bonus early. Many of the veterans with their families set up camp in Anacostia Park in the eastern part of the capital; holding huge marches down Pennsylvania Avenue.

On July 28, President Hoover ordered the Bonus Army dispersed under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. Across the nation, the press condemned the president for the attack.