The Adjutant General and the Service Recognition Board, respectively, are authorized to destroy any records in their custody relating to the payment of compensation to veterans of World War I and to persons who served in the armed forces between September 16, 1940 and September 3, 1945, if such records have first been microphotographed, photographed, microfilmed or otherwise reproduced on film and provision has been made for the filing and preservation of the reproductions.