Fighting Fred Funston

During one of California's biggest disasters, one soldier chose to act illegally and without orders to save lives and a city.

Overview

On April 18th, 1906, San Francisco witnessed its most devastating natural disaster – an earthquake that initiated a city-wide fire. The commanding officer of the U.S. Army base at the Presidio, Fred Funston, gathered citizens to fight the fire, patrol the streets, and rebuild the city – all without authorization.