Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone
Order a pdf of this item here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.042 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Childress, Texas Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 August 1943 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 27.2 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad." Writes a quick "thank you" for a generous check from his father. Dropped two more bombs since he last wrote, and passed his "64" [physical], even though his eyes were considerably weaker this time around. Training is exhausting, the food isn't good, and they don't get enough sleep.
Letter is dated as "Monday Nite." "Letters in a Box" notes the date as August 16, 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 -
Just a quickee to say thanks a million for the generous check that came today. I don't know what the occasion was but I certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thanks a heck of alot, Dad.
Flew again this afternoon and dropped two more instructional bombs. This flying every day is really darn tiring although lots of fun. It was tough bombing today because of the low clouds that constantly obscured the vision to the target.
On Sunday our class took out "64" and I got by it O.K. My eyes were considerably weaker than they were six months ago although this was to be expected after all our hours of concentrated study. Most all of us have lost quite alot of weight since we've been out here. The food isn't too good and we don't nearly get enough sleep.
Must get to bed in a few minutes, but I did want to get this off to thank you ever so much for your swell present. Can't express how much I appreciate it - I'm sure you understand. You're a great guy, Dad.
Please thank Bee for her letter that I
[2]
also received this morning. Also congratulate her for me about Ken and Bunny.
Lots of love -
Bobby
[envelope]
A/C R. L. Stone 12120188
Class 43-15
Squadron 7 Flight D
Childress, Texas
Lt. Comdr. J. C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City
N. Y.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
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.