The Soldier’s Bonus & The Bonus Army: WWI Veterans' Fight for Fair Compensation

📌 Discover the struggles of WWI veterans to secure fair compensation through the World War Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924 and the Bonus Army protests of 1932. Explore historical documents, payment vouchers, and firsthand accounts detailing the fight for justice.

Collage of Soldiers' Bonus Materials Including Poster of Discharge Bonus, Application for Adjusted Compensation for Service in the Army, and an Image of the Soldiers' Bonus Check From the State of Minnesota. GGA Image ID # 18713868bd

📜 The Soldier’s Bonus & The Bonus Army of World War I

🔍 The Fight for Compensation & The Legacy of WWI Veterans

This section provides a comprehensive look at the World War Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924—also known as the "Bonus Act"—which was designed to compensate World War I veterans for the wages they lost while serving. The page also examines the Bonus Army protests during the Great Depression, a pivotal moment in U.S. history when thousands of veterans marched on Washington, D.C. to demand their promised payments.

Featuring historical documents, payment records, letters, and firsthand accounts, this collection gives teachers, students, genealogists, and historians a rare glimpse into the economic struggles of returning veterans and how their demands for fair compensation shaped future military benefits.

The World War Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924, popularly known as the "Bonus Act," promised veterans compensation for wages lost during World War I service. During the Great Depression, veterans took to the streets to demand these promised payments.

Our collection of documents in this section is from the GG Archives and other sources. The papers include certificates, vouchers, and payments of the Adjusted Compensation Act and the Minnesota Soldier's Bonus.

WWI Veterans' Discharge Bonus (1919): Compensation, Challenges & Government Support

The Discharged Soldier’s “Bonus” (1919) sheds light on one of the earliest forms of veteran compensation following World War I. This document details how returning soldiers, sailors, and marines were entitled to a mere $60 "bonus" upon discharge, an amount that many veterans found insufficient given the hardships they faced after the war.

For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this article is a crucial piece of primary history that highlights:

✔ The limited financial support given to returning soldiers.

✔ The bureaucratic process veterans had to go through to claim their bonus.

✔ The contrast between military and civilian government employee benefits post-war.

✔ The precursor to later veteran advocacy movements, including the Bonus Army protests of 1932.

This page provides valuable insight into how WWI veterans were treated post-war, raising questions about government responsibility toward those who served.

WWI Veteran Compensation: Application for Adjusted Compensation (1924)

This historical document is a firsthand account of a World War I veteran’s journey through the bureaucratic process of securing compensation for his wartime service. It is part of the larger World War Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924, commonly referred to as the "Bonus Act", which aimed to provide financial compensation to veterans for the wages they lost during their military service.

This application, completed by Ludvig K. Gjenvick on July 8, 1924, is an authentic, detailed primary source that offers insight into the personal struggles, bureaucratic challenges, and legal framework surrounding veteran compensation after World War I.

For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this document provides an invaluable look at how the U.S. government handled post-war benefits, while also offering genealogists a rare glimpse into the personal data of a WWI veteran.

WWI Veteran Compensation: Adjusted Service Certificates & Transmittal Letters (1925)

This historical document collection features examples of Adjusted Service Certificates and their transmittal letters, issued under the World War Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924, commonly known as the Bonus Act. These certificates were a form of financial compensation for WWI veterans, designed to make up for wages lost while serving in the military.

Two authentic letters, sent from the United States Veterans Bureau in 1925, detail the transmission of Adjusted Service Certificates to veterans Ludvig K. Gjenvick and Harry B. Coulter, informing them of their awarded amounts—$1,499 and $1,581, respectively. These sums were calculated based on their length of service and Adjusted Service Credit.

This collection is an invaluable primary source for teachers, students, genealogists, and historians interested in post-war veteran policies, government compensation programs, and the broader social impact of WWI on returning soldiers.

1936 WWI Veteran Compensation: Adjusted Service Certificate Receipt & Settlement Process

This historical document collection features a receipt for an application for settlement of an Adjusted Service Certificate, issued in 1936 to WWI veteran Ludvig K. Gjenvick. This receipt, along with details of the Adjusted Compensation Payment Act of 1936, illustrates the U.S. government’s delayed response to compensating World War I veterans.

Originally promised Adjusted Service Certificates in 1924, WWI veterans were forced to wait over a decade to redeem their payments, leading to economic hardship, political unrest, and the famous Bonus Army protests of 1932. This document confirms that Gjenvick's application was received by the Veterans Administration but warns that processing could take a significant amount of time—a reflection of the bureaucratic struggles veterans faced in claiming their promised benefits.

This page serves as an essential historical reference for educators, researchers, genealogists, and military historians, providing a real-world example of how governments handled veteran compensation and the economic struggles of soldiers after the war.

1936 WWI Veteran Compensation: Receipt for Adjusted Service Bonds Payment

This historical document serves as an official receipt from the U.S. Post Office Department for WWI veteran Ludvig Gjenvick’s surrender of 14 Adjusted Service Bonds, each valued at $50, for a total of $700 in 1936. This document represents the final step in a decade-long struggle by World War I veterans to receive their promised compensation under the Adjusted Compensation Payment Act of 1936.

Issued more than 12 years after WWI veterans were originally granted Adjusted Service Certificates (1924), these bonds were a compromise between the government’s financial concerns and veterans’ demands for immediate payment. Unlike cash payments, these bonds were interest-bearing instruments, accumulating 3% annual interest until their maturity in 1945.

This receipt marks the moment when a veteran could finally convert their bonds into cash, highlighting the bureaucratic process, economic challenges, and perseverance of WWI veterans in securing their rightful benefits.

For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this document is a valuable artifact that brings to life the struggles of returning soldiers, post-war economic policies, and the U.S. government’s response to veteran compensation demands.

It is particularly relevant for those studying military history, the Great Depression, and social justice movements like the Bonus Army protests.

1936 WWI Veteran Compensation: Transmittal Letter for Adjusted Service Bonds Payment

This official transmittal letter from the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Morgenthau Jr., marks an important moment in the financial compensation of WWI veterans. It informs Ludvig K. Gjenvick that his Adjusted Service Bonds, valued at $700, plus $40.16 in accrued interest, were officially issued and ready for redemption.

The document is part of the Adjusted Compensation Payment Act of 1936, a long-overdue policy that allowed veterans of World War I to cash in their Adjusted Service Certificates early after years of financial hardship, particularly during the Great Depression.

This transmittal letter is a historical artifact that offers insight into:

✔ The bureaucratic process of veteran compensation after World War I.

✔ The economic struggles of veterans, including the impact of the Bonus Army protests of 1932.

✔ The government’s effort to honor its financial commitments through bonds and cash payments.

✔ The role of the Treasury Department and Veterans’ Affairs in handling these payments.

For teachers, students, historians, and genealogists, this document provides a real-world example of how government policies affected veterans, making it a vital resource for understanding the long-term effects of war on soldiers' financial stability.

1919 Minnesota WWI Soldiers' Bonus Application: A Look at Veteran Compensation

The Minnesota Soldiers' Bonus Application of 1919 represents a significant effort by the State of Minnesota to financially compensate its veterans for their military service during World War I. This document captures the vital details of Ludvig K. Gjenvick, a Norwegian immigrant and Minnesota resident, who served in the U.S. Army from 1917 to 1919.

Under Chapter 49 of the Special Laws of Minnesota (1919), eligible veterans were entitled to $15 per month of service between April 6, 1917, and July 30, 1921, as long as they were Minnesota residents at the time of enlistment or induction.

For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this application provides an authentic and personal glimpse into how states supported their veterans after World War I, shedding light on:

✔ Veteran compensation policies at the state level after WWI.

✔ The bureaucratic process of applying for wartime benefits.

✔ How individual soldiers documented their military service.

✔ The challenges of immigrant veterans, like Ludvig K. Gjenvick, seeking recognition for their service.

✔ A vital genealogical resource, offering residence, employment, and family details.

This application is a crucial historical record that reveals the post-war treatment of veterans and the state’s acknowledgment of their sacrifice.

Minnesota Soldiers' Bonus Board Notification (1920): WWI Veteran Compensation Process

The Minnesota Soldiers' Bonus Board Notification of Receipt for Bonus Application (1920) is a vital piece of post-World War I history, documenting the process through which veterans received financial compensation from the state. This postcard-style notification, postmarked March 25, 1920, informed veterans like Ludvig Kristian Gjenvick that their application had been received and assigned a case number.

For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this document offers fascinating insight into post-war bureaucracy, veteran compensation, and the challenges soldiers faced in obtaining benefits.

📌 Key Topics Covered in This Document:

✔ The Minnesota Soldiers’ Bonus Program & Its Challenges

✔ Government Efforts to Process Over 140,000 Bonus Claims

✔ Strict Vetting Process for Eligibility & Draft Evasion Investigations

✔ Instructions for Veterans on Avoiding Payment Delays

✔ The Reality of Bureaucratic Backlogs for Returning Soldiers

This primary source sheds light on the government’s attempts to aid veterans while navigating logistical hurdles.

Minnesota Soldiers’ Bonus Fund (1920): WWI Veteran Compensation & Financial Aid

The Minnesota Soldiers' Bonus Voucher (1920) represents a statewide effort to financially compensate World War I veterans who were Minnesota residents at the time of their induction or enlistment. This specific voucher, issued to Ludwig K. Gjenvick, reflects an official recognition of his military service during the Great War.

For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this document is a valuable primary source, showcasing:

✔ The bureaucratic process of veteran compensation after WWI.

✔ How states supplemented federal efforts to assist returning soldiers.

✔ The financial struggles faced by veterans after the war.

✔ The importance of records for genealogical and historical research.

This soldier’s bonus payment reflects the state’s role in helping WWI veterans reintegrate into civilian life, providing much-needed financial assistance to ease their transition.

🌟 Why This Page is Important:

✔ Explores the economic hardships WWI veterans faced upon returning home

✔ Documents the legislative battle over adjusted compensation for soldiers

✔ Examines the rise of the Bonus Army and its impact on veteran rights

✔ Features authentic historical documents, payment vouchers, and applications

✔ Provides insight into how various U.S. states handled veteran compensation

This collection highlights the struggle for fair treatment of veterans and the government’s response, making it a valuable resource for anyone studying military history, public policy, or economic struggles after World War I.

📌 Key Highlights & Most Engaging Content

📜 The World War Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924

📌 Passed by Congress over President Calvin Coolidge’s veto, the Act promised WWI veterans a bonus certificate that would mature in 1945, effectively delaying payments for two decades.

📌 Veterans argued this was unfair, as they needed financial assistance immediately upon returning home.

📌 This led to years of lobbying from veterans' organizations, eventually resulting in a nationwide demand for immediate compensation.

📝 Why It’s Important:

🔹 Explains why veterans fought for the Bonus Bill and how the government delayed payment.

🔹 Provides context for the later protests by the Bonus Army in 1932.

🔹 Demonstrates the challenges faced by veterans transitioning back into civilian life.

📜 Bonus Army Protest & The March on Washington (1932)

📌 In the depths of the Great Depression, tens of thousands of desperate WWI veterans marched to Washington, D.C., demanding their bonuses be paid immediately rather than in 1945.

📌 Led by Walter W. Waters, veterans set up camp in the nation’s capital for weeks, forming what was called the Bonus Expeditionary Force (BEF).

📌 President Herbert Hoover ordered the U.S. Army to remove the protesters, leading to a violent crackdown led by General Douglas MacArthur and Major George S. Patton.

📌 The brutal eviction of veterans, including tear gas and setting fire to their encampments, shocked the nation.

📝 Why It’s Important:

🔹 One of the most significant veteran protests in U.S. history, influencing future policies.

🔹 Highlights the U.S. government’s harsh response to struggling veterans.

🔹 Shows how this event shaped later veteran benefits, including the G.I. Bill after WWII.

📜 The States & The Soldier Bonus – 1920

📌 Before the federal government acted, many individual states created their own bonus programs to support WWI veterans.

📌 Sixteen states had already enacted legislation to provide direct payments or land grants to returning soldiers.

📝 Why It’s Important:

🔹 Demonstrates the uneven treatment of veterans across the U.S.

🔹 Shows how some states took initiative while the federal government delayed payments.

🔹 Offers genealogists insights into records that may help trace military ancestors.

📜 The History of Adjusted Compensation - Veterans’ Administration (1936)

📌 Provides a detailed account of how the compensation program evolved under the Veterans’ Administration, including amendments to the original Act.

📌 Covers the legal and political battles that delayed payments until the 1930s.

📝 Why It’s Important:

🔹 Explains how veterans’ benefits were gradually expanded.

🔹 Reveals the long bureaucratic fight veterans had to endure.

🔹 Valuable resource for understanding military policy changes.

📜 The Minnesota Soldiers’ Bonus Program (1919-1924)

📌 The State of Minnesota provided direct payments to WWI veterans, creating a model for state-based veteran assistance.

📌 Includes original application forms, payment vouchers, and correspondence between veterans and state officials.

📝 Why It’s Important:

🔹 A great resource for researchers looking into Minnesota WWI veterans.

🔹 Highlights how states played a key role in supporting soldiers.

🔹 Offers historical context for state and federal veteran programs today.

📸 Noteworthy Images & Their Significance

📷 Collage of Soldiers' Bonus Materials

A visual representation of payment checks, applications, and certificates issued to WWI veterans.

📷 Bonus Expeditionary Force Marches on Washington (1932)

Captures the desperation of veterans and the scale of the protest.

📷 Walter W. Waters, Commander of the Bonus Expeditionary Force

The leader of one of the most famous veteran protests in U.S. history.

📷 Minnesota Soldiers’ Bonus Check (1920)

Shows how some veterans received state-level payments before federal compensation was approved.

📚 Relevance for Different Audiences

📌 🧑‍🏫 For Teachers & Students:

✔ A powerful case study of veterans’ rights and government policy failures.

✔ Provides primary sources for understanding the economic impact of WWI.

✔ Illustrates the link between the Great Depression and the Bonus Army protests.

📌 📖 For Historians & Researchers:

✔ Offers official documents detailing the fight for veteran compensation.

✔ Includes rare letters, applications, and financial records from the period.

✔ Explains the Bonus Army’s influence on later policies like the G.I. Bill.

📌 🧬 For Genealogists & Family Historians:

✔ Useful for tracking ancestors who applied for WWI benefits.

✔ Contains original forms and payment records that may help with research.

✔ Provides historical context for military service and veteran compensation.

🌟 Final Thoughts: A Defining Moment in Veteran History

📌 The Soldier’s Bonus issue revealed how governments struggled to support veterans after wartime service.

📌 The Bonus Army protests became a turning point in U.S. history, leading to reforms in veteran benefits.

📌 This historical collection provides an invaluable look at how America treated its veterans, shaping policies for future generations of servicemen and women.

This powerful account of veterans’ resilience and activism is a must-read for anyone interested in military history, social justice, and the evolution of veteran benefits. 🇺🇸 🏅