The New York Times
July 12, 2004
Destroyed, in Triplicate?
To the Editor:
A July 9 news article reports that the Pentagon says that payroll records that included records for President Bush's National Guard service were accidentally destroyed and that there were no backup copies.
Anyone who has served in the military, especially in the Vietnam era, knows its notorious reputation for redundant paperwork. Forms were routinely filled out in duplicate, triplicate, quadruplicate. Multiple copies were then routed to multiple record centers.
Microfilm is regarded by archivists to be extremely stable and reliable. It is still the backup record of choice, as electronic storage formats become obsolete overnight. It does not deteriorate in storage and, if stored properly in metal containers, can even withstand fire.
It is certainly conjecture to suggest that the records were deliberately destroyed, but without more information, a reasonable doubt remains. Only an investigation can reveal who was responsible for the missing records.
KERRY W. BUCKLEY
Northampton, Mass., July 9, 2004
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/12/opinion/L12BUSH.html?pagewanted=print&position=
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