When the Army Corps of Engineers built a giant new headquarters for the Navy and War Departments in record time during World War II, locals marveled at how unobtrusive the five-sided building was.

FORBES: Pentagon Should Cut Bloated Head Count, Not Weapons Programs

Just two hours before the blast at Pemex headquarters, the company touted its security record at a conference titled "First Congress for Security, Health and Environmental Protection" in the city of Merida in eastern Mexico.

WSJ: Deadly Blast Hits Mexico Oil Giant