I have been told that military records were destroyed in a fire in a St. Louis facility. I have also been told that my great uncle was sitting not all that far away when the flag was planted, and earned a Purple Heart. I have been told that because of the fire his records were destroyed. Of course this man has long since returned home so I do not have him here to asked about his experiences.
No the records for WWII where not destroyed in the fire in 1974. Records from the Spanish-American war where lost in the fire. I obtained my Fathers records in 1987 along with his original boot camp photo.
Sgt V. USMC