[Inyo-Mono]

nearly 80% of ww2 files were destroyed in a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center

Which is very sad. I am able to get most of my four great-grandfather's Civil War records but not my Father's WWII records.

[GreyFriar]

Yes. The Civil War records, both unit and personnel, are at the main Archives building on the Mall in the center of Washington DC. And at various state archives.

[GreyFriar]

Here is NARA’s account of the fire:

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/fire-1973.html

What is not mentioned are the allegations of it either being deliberately set by a disgruntled employee, or accidental from a cigarette that was left on a shelf or ashtray and never properly put out.

[no-to-illegals]

it shall not be the barren Barracuda, my promise.