Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.077 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: March Field, California Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 January 1944 Pagination: 1 p. : envelope ; 25.3 x 17.0 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He writes that his lack of letters is due to their very routine days and it's hard to write sometimes. Their flying hours increased as their class hours dwindle down. He recounts a miraculous accident another crew got into. They ran out of fuel and most of the crew bailed out, while the two pilots landed the plane in a field. One soldier broke his leg, but the two pilots escaped the wreckage unharmed after their crash landing.
The letter is dated "Sunday 24," and as he is still in March Field, it can be assumed it is still 1944.
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]
Monday 24th
Dear Dad & Bee -
Have nothing in the way of news but I received your letters today saying you hadn't heard from me in some time. Our days are so routine that it's hard to write often.
The flying continues as usual and lately they've cut down on our ground school classes. The other day a crew in our flight had a miraculous escape from danger. They ran out of gas about 90 miles from here. First one engine quit, then another, and finally all four. The pilot gave the order for his crew to bail out which they did. All eight of them got down O.K. although one kid broke his leg. The pilot and co-pilot landed the ship (without power) with the wheels up out in the middle of the desert. The ship was demolished beyond repair yet neither of them were even scratched. It was a miraculous accident, with nobody being seriously hurt. All of the kids who jumped were petrified and just hated it.
No more now - write soon.
Love -
Bobby
[envelope]
Lt. R.L. Stone 0-696041
399th Bomb Group
Squadron 607
March Field, California
Lt. Comdr. J. C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City
N.Y.
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