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.