Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone, Beatrice Stone, and Ken Marks
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.049 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Childress, Texas Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 October 1943 Pagination: 2 p. ; 27.2 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad, Bee, and Ken (if he's still home)." Writes that Ken and Bunny are "darn lucky kids," and he wishes he could've been there in person. They've had a tough break on the weather, and haven't been able to fly. However, to the class' surprise, they are graduating five days early, and they'll get their wings on the 23rd instead of the 28th. He hopes that he has those wings "in the bag," as he doesn't believe he could handle washing out now. He thanks his father for the "box of eats." Closes the letter asking them all to write, even though it might take him a while to respond.
The letter is dated as "Saturday Nite." "Letters in a Box" notes it as October 16, 1943, but it mentions that graduation is 21 days away which puts it at October 2, 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]
Saturday Nite
Dear Dad, Bee, and Ken (if he's still home) -
Congratulations to all of you on the big news of the week. As I've written before I think it's swell and I think Ken and Bunny are darn lucky kids. Am sure sorry I wasn't on hand to say so in person.
Very little news since I wrote you two days ago. We've really had a tough break on the weather and consequently [inserted: haven't] been in the air for over a week now. The thick blanket of dark clouds hasn't yet lifted, and so we've been grounded for awhile. From now on we'll really be rushed trying to catch up again. You see we have a certain number of bombs to drop from high altitude and on each type of target. Laying off for a week does wonders to pile things up. From now on we'll have to fly as many as three missions a night in order to catch up. Every night this week we've been on [inserted: the] trainers from 9:00 until about 1:30 trying to get in our required forty hours.
We got a great surprise and welcomed break when our graduation was moved five days
[2]
nearer. If all goes well we'll get our wings on Saturday the 23rd instead of the 28th as previously planned. It's swell because it cuts five extra days of worry from [inserted: our] list. Each day is an orgy in itself and so it's good to have only 21 left to go. It isn't in the bag yet and I doubt if it will be until our last bomb is dropped. We've come a long way and to miss now would be awfully tough to take - I doubt if I could.
Before I forget, thanks loads for the box of eats, Dad. They came in fine shape and were particularly welcomed. You see the Cadet Detachment went on field rations and our food isn't too hot.
Can't think of any more now. Let's hear from you all. It's always swell to get letters. Will really be busy flying all the time this coming week and doubt if I'll have time to write. Know you understand.
My love to you all -
Bobby
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