By Adam Allington, KWMU
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwmu/local-kwmu-853961.mp3
St. Louis – In 1973, a five-alarm fire at the National Personnel Records Center in the St. Louis suburb of Overland destroyed the service records of some 17 million soldiers and airmen.
In addition to providing a written record of some of the most significant events in modern American history, service records are essential for veterans claiming government benefits.
KWMU's Adam Allington has the story.
(All photos courtesy NPRC.)