Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.011 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Nashville, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 February 1943 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 27.9 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad and Bee." He is on detail as a runner in the section headquarters and writing this letter when he is sitting around. No word on when he will start his "psychs" but could start next week. Mentions that many fellows are getting their classifications and disqualifications, thirty-five men have "washed out," and many more are waiting to hear back.
Writes briefly about being out of quarantine and meeting Lois and Phil for dinner at the Andrew Jackson. He and the other men now have Wednesdays and Fridays off. Details rigorous training program of two lectures, drilling, and mass callisthenics. In addition, they still participate in guard duty, K.P. [Kitchen Patrol], latrine, and other duties on the base.
Thanks Bee for the towels and "handkerchiefs" and asks that as soon as his watch is fixed to send it to him. Asks for all of his "underwear shorts" and black sneakers to be sent to him.
The letter is written on stationary with "U.S. Army Air Forces" written in blue at the top of the letter, with the blue U.S. Army Air Forces logo.
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.
[Draft Created by Crowdsourcing]
Saturday
Dear Dad & Bee -
Today I have some time to write although it may be a bit inter [insert: r] upted. You see I'm on a detail as a runner in section headquarters today, and when we're not out we just sit put.
Still no word as to when we'll start our psychs but it's possible we may at the start of next week. All week the other fellows in the squadron have been getting back their classifications - also their disqualifications. Already about 35 have been washed out and not nearly all of the classifications are back yet. Some of the boys in the barracks were really broken up last night when they heard they'd been disqualified. By the way, Pete was classified as a pilot.
We got off quarantine last wednesday and that was our first open-post night. I went to Nashville and met Phil and Lois for cocktails (can't buy anything but beer unless you bring your own bottle.) Had supper with a bunch of the boys in the Hotel Hermitage and stuck around until about 10:00 when we had to come back on the bus. Was really great to go into Nashville and be free for a few hours after our long confinement.
[2]
Last night I went to Nashville again and met Phil and Lois for dinner at the Andrew Jackson. We really had a swell time and they drove me home afterwards. It's such fun having them down here when we get off on wed-esday and fridays.
Bee, thanks so much for sending me the towels and handkerchiefs so promptly - they're both perfect, and fit the bill to a "T." I hope by now you've [struck: gotten] [inserted: received] my watch which I'd like back as soon as possible, as I miss it very much. Also, I hope my clothes have arrived and that you'll have them laundered and put away for me. I sent you a card asking for my black sneakers in the bottom of my trunk and also please send with them all my underwear shorts that are in my big suitcase with my [strikeout] shirts [struck: etc.] [inserted: and summer clothes etc..] Thanks muchly, Bee.
All week we've kept extremely busy with a rigorous program of two lectures (illustrated with movies, long periods of drilling, and mass calesthenics [sic] every day. We hardly have a minute to ourselves cause they've got us on the jump at all times. Besides all this we still pull K. P., guard duty (which I haven't had yet), latrine and various other duties.
No more now as I must be off. Thanks for your letters and also for forwarding my mail from 375. Incidentally, I should have a bill from the florist or hasn't it come yet. If so, please send it on.
All love -
Bobby
[envelope]
A/C R. L. Stone 12120188
Squadron D-4
Nashville Army Air Center
Nashville, Tenn.
Lt. Comdr. J.C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City
N.Y.
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