Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.018 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Ellington Field, Texas Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 April 1943 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 27.8 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad and Bee." The class work is very difficult, physics and math are college courses taught in a very short amount of time. His squadron was surpised with an "open-post" where they could leave the base and many people left to go to Houston while he stayed to study and keep up in his classes. He recieved many of the things he asked for, and the letters that were sent. The weather is still very warm, and bearable now. The fellows in the barracks are great, and the food continues to be fantastic. Asks that they continue writing.
The date is written as "Monday Nite" but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on April 12, 1943.
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]
Monday Nite
Dear Dad & Bee -
This is gonna be short and snappy because I have lots of work to do. Things are going only fairly well since the class work is very hard for me. Physics and math are really college calibre courses that they try to cover in a short time.
This week-end our squadron was surprised when they gave us open-post when we weren't supposed to get it for three weeks. I didn't go to town but stayed here and studied over the week-end. It was really dead in the barracks because nearly all of the gang beat it for Houston. I'd loved to have gone but didn't feel I could afford to with the work moving so fast.
Thanks loads for all the various things that I received this afternoon. Everything was perfect and muchly appreciated. Also, thanks for your various letters. I'm glad that you're over the measles now, Bee. What a silly disease to catch at your age!
The weather continues to be very warm and at times quite uncomfortable - it's more bearable now that we're wearing sun-tans. It's just as warm here as it is at home in the middle of summer.
[2]
The fellows here are really the best. We have a swell bunch in our barracks and we all get along fine. The food continues to be great and it's a treat to go to each meal.
Gotta run now but I did want you to at least hear from me. Please continue to write often cause your letters are really appreciated.
Lots of love -
Bobby
[envelope]
A/C R. L. Stone
Group 20 Squadron D
A. F. P. S. (Bombardier)
Ellington Field, Texas
Lt. Comdr. J. C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City
N. Y.
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