Neither man ever accepted the Bonus Army as primarily a group of destitute, desperate, hungry men trying to support their families. The day’s toll was three dead, 54 injured and 135 arrests.

U.S. officials and investigators are seeking to correct the records of individuals who were wrongly blamed and punished in an Army recruiting bonus scandal up to a decade ago.

Army Chief of Staff and Maj. Gen. Douglas MacArthur watched a brigade of steel-helmeted soldiers precisely align themselves in a straight four-column phalanx, bayonets affixed to rifles. He nodded ...