Paul Dickson & Thomas B. Allen: The Bonus Army: An American Epic

In the summer of 1932, 45,000 veterans of World War I marched peacefully on Washington, D.C. -- their two month rally to demand immediate early payment of a cash bonus promised to them in 1924 for their military service.

With the defeat of the "Bonus Bill" in Congress, President Hoover directed Army Chief of Staff Douglas MacArthur to remove the veterans from their encampment near the Capitol. On July 28, 1932, tanks and soldiers with tear gas drove the veterans from their positions and forever changed the course of veterans affairs in America.

In their new book, authors Paul Dickson and Thomas B. Allen recount the true story of the veterans march to win approval of the bonus in 1936, and the ultimate result -- the passing of the GI Bill of Rights in 1944. John S.D. Eisenhower praises The Bonus Army as "a terrific book. I personally remember the momentous events of the July day in 1932, but before reading this account I had no idea of the drama, the pathos, the confusion, and the lasting importance of the event."