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Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.067.02 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: March Field, California Type: Typed letter Date: 16 December 1943 Pagination: 2 p. ; 26.8 x 21.4 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document

Document is a compliation of copies of GLC09620.066 and GLC09620.067.01. Letters separated in the text by a line of asterisks. Text of GLC09620.066 is misdated as "Wednesday Dec. 16th."

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]
MARCH FIELD, CALIFORNIA
Wednesday Dec. 16th.
Dear Dad and Bee -
It seems like ages since I last heard from you, but I guess you're pretty well occupied with Don being home. I too have been mighty busy with a very full schedule of ground school and flying.
The crew continues to be swell and Hap is a very able pilot. Incidentally "Whitey" has turned out to be an A-1 gent, contrary to a hasty first impression.
Our schedule here is even rougher than in the cadets and we have even less time to ourselves. Our flying schedule is gruelling cause we're "in the blue" six hours a day or night, every day. That's a long time to be up there at one clip.
We've taken some rotten deals out here and as yet we haven't left the post. We were to go on a 24 hour pass starting tomorrow but this afternoon they cancelled all passes until further notice. It's really rough when you think that we'll be in combat in less than three months and there we won't have any place to go on passes. Incidentally, according to all information we'll be sent into the Pacific theater. We're in an R.T.U. (Replacement Training Unit) not O.T.U. which means that we will not be sent as a large unit but rather as single ships joining a large unit as a replacement.
Before I forget, I hope you'll understand and excuse a delay in any Xmas presents but since we won't be getting off tomorrow I won't have a chance to get anything to any of you by the 25th; I hope you'll understand but it's not my doings.
Speaking of Xmas, Bee, you mentioned that I might like a "Parker 51" pen. At the time I said no but since then my pen got broken. If you can get me one, I'd love a medium in black and silver. It's just a suggestion if the offer still holds good. I'd love one, cause I've had to borrow a pen ever since I broke mine.
No more now, except let's hear from you cause mail is really welcomed my way out here.
Lots of love -
Bobby.

******************************************************************************
December 16.
Dear Dad -
It was with the greatest pleasure that I just received your long newsy letter. I wrote you last night saying I hadn't heard from you for some time, and so hence this note.
I'm sorry to hear that Bee is laid up and I hope she's in A-1 shape by now. Give her my best and tell her to get well real quick like.

[2]
It sounds like Don had a swell furlough and I'll bet you loved having him home. I sure wish I could have seen him. Congratulate Barry on his going into the Marines.
I was terribly sorry to hear of the death of Len's mother. I, of course, wrote him immediately. I sure hope he isn't too upset cause i know how close he was to her.
Nothing much now - still flying and going to school for long hours. Everybody is plenty irate because we still haven't been given our pass and we're indefinitely restricted to the post. Nuff for now.
Write soon.
All love -
Bobby.

Lt. R. L. Stone 0-696041
399th Bomb Group
Squadron 607
March Field, California

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009
Stone, Beatrice Hecht Marks, 1901-1962
Stone, Jacob, fl. 1894-1985

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