On this day, July 12, 1973, the National Personnel Records Center caught on fire.

[yellowdogintexas]

2. We are unable to replace my Dad's WW II Bronze Star

because of this fire.

Ironically, the original was destroyed in our mother's house fire in 1988.

Despite my family's tendency to hold on to miscellaneous papers, no one has his copies of the advisement that came to my grandmother

Of all the things I would have expected her to still have, that paperwork would be near the top.

Back then, families were notified by telegram when these awards were bestowed, so I am totally surprised that telegram isn't buried somewhere in a pile of papers. I am told my grandmother nearly fainted when the telegram came because she was sure my dad had been killed.