Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.068 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: March Field, California Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 December 1943 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 24.9 x 18.1 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." Thanks them both for the "swell birthday letters and for the over-generous check." He had his first pass and went to Hollywood. They "did a little drinking and saw some entertainment," but his birthday didn't feel like his birthday, and he wishes "this mess was over." Thanks his parents for the call on the 19th and apologizes for the reverse charge.
The letter is dated "Tuesday." "Letters in a Box" notes the date as December 21, 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]
Tuesday
Dear Dad & Bee -
I want to thank both of you for your swell birthday letters and, Dad, for the over-generous check. Yesterday we had our first pass and the check really came in handy to provide for a good time in Hollywood. This year my birthday wasn't anything like years gone by, but instead just another day. Being away from home on such an occasion just isn't fun, and makes me wish this mess was over even more than I already do.
It was fun to get off the post and go to Hollywood where we stayed over night. Did a little drinking and saw some entertainment. 'Twas kinda fun.
You asked about our navigator, Bee. Well, he's a darn swell guy and we all like him alot.
[2]
By the way you asked about an Xmas box you'd sent and it hasn't come yet. The mails are so so slow that I imagine it will come soon.
Before I forget, thanks oodles for the phone call on the 19th - 'twas so swell to talk to you on my birthday. I hope you don't mind being stuck with reversed charge calls now and again, but it gets kinda lonely stuck way out here so damn far from home.
Again a million thanks for the swell letter and the check, Dad.
All love -
Bobby
[envelope]
<text loss> L. Stone 0-696041
<text loss> Bomb Group
<text loss> dron 607
<text loss> Field, California
Lt. Comd. J.C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City
N.Y.
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