Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 75,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

Back to Collection Search

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.007 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Nashville, Tennessee Type: Postcard Date: 16 February 1943 Pagination: 2 p. ; 9.9 x 15.0 cm.

Summary of Content: Addressed to "Folks." Writes a brief note following a call they had last night. He sent his parents both his watch to be repaired and his "civies," and asks that they let him know when they arrive. He asks them to send the things he asked for by phone as soon as they can, as well as any extra candy or cookies that he would gratefully receive. Postcard has a picture of a silver plane flying on a light blue background with clouds and the words "Keep 'Em Flying!" in red lettering. Same image as GLC09620.001 and .004.

Background Information: Robert "Bob" Stone was a Bombardier in World War II and served in the Pacific Front. These letters, were compiled by Bob's wife, Sheila M. Stone, and Ali Adair into ...a book named Letters in a Box. This book details Bob's service to his country, and his life after the war. Bob's letters were donated to the collection by his wife, Sheila M. Stone, in 2017. It contains a variety of letters, postcards, patches, pins, photographs, and scrapbooks that relate to Bob's training and combat missions. See More

Full Transcript: [Draft Created by Crowdsourcing]
Keep 'Em Flying!
LIGHTNING INTERCEPTOR

[2]
A/C R.L. Stone 12120188
Squadron D-4
Nashville Army Air Center
Nashville, Tenn.

Dear Folks -
Was good to talk to ...you last night. This morning I sent out my watch and civies so please let me know when they arrive so's I can ripup the insurance slips. Please send the things I asked for as soon as possible. Also, any candy and cookies will be greatfully [sic] received. Still no word as to when we'll be classified, but I think we're going to take a rooking.
Love - Bob

Lt. Comdr J. C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City
N.Y.See More

People: Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009
Stone, Beatrice Marks, fl. 1900-1950
Stone, Jacob, fl. 1894-1985

Historical Era: Great Depression and World War II, 1929-1945

Subjects: World War IISoldier's LetterNashvilleMilitary CampMilitary ServiceTranscript AvailableCrowdsourced Transcript AvailableTranscript Project: Robert L. Stone's World War II letters

Sub Era: World War II

Order a Copy Citation Guidelines for Online Resources

Copyright Notice: The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.