Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009 to Jacob Stone, Beatrice Stone, Don Stone, Jim Stone, and Barry Marks
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.047 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009 Place Written: Childress, Texas Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 September 1943 Pagination: 6 p. : envelope ; 27.3 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad, Bee, Don, Jim, and Barry." He finished up with "maneuvers," and he is mighty glad to be back after spending six days in "the wilds of West Texas." He and thirteen others flew out in a B-18 bomber plane, they landed and began their duties. They lost one plane on the way and lost two cadets, the pilot, and crew chief. On Tuesday, he went on a Navigation mission, and completed three separate bombing missions in the afternoon. The next day, he filled bombs with sand and loaded them on trucks. Thursday contained two more bombing missions and overnight guard duty. He was on K.P. [Kitchen Patrol] on Friday and after supper, a small plane lost a wing in mid-air and blew up, killing two officers immediately on the field. He writes of Capt. Sayer, one of the officers who died, in high regard. The next morning, a heavy fog rolled in and they could not fly, which was good because everyone was a bit shaken. The following day they couldn't drop bombs so they went back to Childress a day early. They were "tired, dirty, and mighty anxious," from the tough conditions and the training accidents.
Mentions a new, "screwy" schedule for bombing raids from Midnight to 6AM, and plans on getting some rest after the close of this letter.
The letter is written on "Army Air Forces, Bombardier School, Childress, Texas," letterhead and is dated "Saturday nite." "Letters in a Box" notes that the date is September 25, 1943.
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