Walter W. Waters

Walter W. Waters was a prominent figure in the Bonus Army march on Washington, D.C. in 1932, which was a major event in American history. He was a veteran of World War I and a member of the American Legion, an organization founded by Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and John J. Pershing. Waters' experiences during the war, including his time in the Trenches of World War I and his involvement in the Battle of the Argonne Forest, had a profound impact on his life and shaped his future activism. He was also influenced by other notable veterans, such as Eddie Rickenbacker and Alvin York, who were also members of the American Legion.

● Early Life

Walter W. Waters was born in 1900 in Bellevue, Washington, to a family of pioneers who had settled in the Pacific Northwest. He grew up in a time of great change, with the Industrial Revolution transforming the United States and the Spanish-American War marking the country's emergence as a global power. Waters was educated in the public schools of Washington state and later attended the University of Washington, where he studied business administration and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, alongside other notable alumni, such as Warren G. Magnuson and Henry M. Jackson. He was also influenced by the Progressive Movement, which was led by figures such as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.

● Military Career

Waters enlisted in the United States Army in 1917, during World War I, and served in the American Expeditionary Forces under the command of John J. Pershing. He saw action in several major battles, including the Battle of Château-Thierry and the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, and was wounded in combat. After the war, Waters returned to the United States and became involved in the American Legion, which was founded by Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and other prominent veterans, including Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. He also worked with other organizations, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans, to advocate for the rights of veterans.

● The Bonus Army

In 1932, Waters became a leader of the Bonus Army, a group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington, D.C. to demand early payment of a promised bonus for their military service. The bonus had been authorized by Congress in 1924, but it was not scheduled to be paid until 1945. The Bonus Army was made up of veterans from all over the United States, including California, New York, and Illinois, and was supported by organizations such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The march was also influenced by the Great Depression, which had left many veterans without jobs or homes, and was seen as a way to bring attention to the struggles of veterans, as highlighted by figures such as Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Waters and other leaders of the Bonus Army, including John T. Pace and George S. Brown, worked with politicians such as John Nance Garner and Henry A. Wallace to try to secure passage of the Bonus Bill, but it was ultimately vetoed by President Herbert Hoover.

● Later Life

After the Bonus Army march, Waters continued to be involved in veterans' organizations and advocacy. He worked with the American Legion and other groups to support the passage of the G.I. Bill of Rights, which was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. Waters also worked with other notable veterans, such as Omar Bradley and George S. Patton, to support the United States war effort during World War II. He later settled in Portland, Oregon, where he worked as a businessman and remained active in veterans' affairs, including working with the Portland Veterans Administration and the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs.

● Legacy

Walter W. Waters' legacy is complex and multifaceted. He is remembered as a leader of the Bonus Army and a champion of veterans' rights, but his actions were also criticized by some as radical and unpatriotic. Despite this, Waters' efforts helped to bring attention to the struggles of veterans and to secure important benefits and support for those who had served in the United States Armed Forces. His legacy continues to be felt today, with organizations such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars remaining active in advocating for veterans' rights and supporting those who have served in the United States military, including those who have served in Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East. Waters' story has also been recognized by historians such as Doris Kearns Goodwin and David M. Kennedy, who have written about the Bonus Army and its significance in American history. Category:American veterans