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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Army Air Forces Temporary Appointment

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.057 Author/Creator: Army Air Forces Place Written: Childress, Texas Type: Printed document signed Date: 23 October 1943 Pagination: 1 p. ; 27.7 x 21.3 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document

Document from "Headquarters, Army Air Forces Central Flying Training Command," naming Robert L. Stone a Second Lieutnenant for the Army of the United States. Signed by J.E. McCord, Lieutenant Colonel, and Assistant Adjutant General.

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]
HEADQUARTERS
ARMY AIR FORCES CENTRAL FLYING TRAINING COMMAND
Office of the Commanding General

Randolph Field, Texas
23 October 1943

In reply
refer to: AG 201 Stone, Robert Lewis

Subject: Temporary Appointment

To: Aviation Cadet Robert Lewis Stone, A 0-696,041
U.S.A.,
Childress, Texas.

1. The Secretary of War has directed me to inform you that the President has appointed and commissioned you a temporary Second Lieutenant, Army of the United States, effective this date. Your serial number is shown after A above.
2. This commission will continue in force during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time being, and for the duration of the war and six months thereafter unless sooner terminated.
3. There is inclosed herewith a form for oath of office which you are requested to execute and return. The execution and return of the required oath of office constitute an acceptance of your appointment. No other evidence of acceptance is required.
4. This letter should be retained by you as evidence of your appointment as no commissions will be issued during the war.

By Command of Major General BRANT:
JE McCord
J.E. McCORD
Lieut. Colonel, A.G.D.
Assistant Adjutant General
Inclosure: Form for oath of office.

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

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