Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.086 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: March Field, California Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 March 1944 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 25.1 x 16.7 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." "Swell to talk to you all yesterday." All goes well, and he's leaving the hospital tomorrow after seven weeks. The leg is a little weak, but he's in good shape. He was wandering around base, confused as he didn't know anybody, but saw Eddier Cantor's broadcast with Carole Landis. He heard that Jack Benny, Kay Kyser, and Bob Hope were on base as well, but this was the first broadcast he made it to. He tells his parents to thank O'ma and Bunny for their letters.
The letter is dated "Wednesday 15th." "Letters in a Box," notes the letter was sent on March 15, 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]
Wednesday 15th
Dear Dad & Bee -
It was really swell to talk to you all yesterday. I've tried to reach you several times but as you know, it always entails an awfully long delay.
All goes well here and I'm leaving the hospital tomorrow. It's been a long siege, a little over seven weeks, and I'm mighty glad to be getting out. My leg is in good shape, although it's still rather weak. Of course I lost a little weight but I'm sure I'll gain that back when I start living a normal life again. You never eat properly in a hospital or at least I don't.
As yet I don't know what will happen with me [strikeout] but as soon as something develops I'll notify you. If I were lucky enough to get a leave it would be great, but unfortunately they don't give sick leaves
[2]
any more. If I could get a few days you can be sure I'd be on the earliest airliner to N.Y. Excuse me while I go off on a little day-dreaming.
I was out of here for a few hours tonight and saw the Eddie Cantor broadcast at the post gym. He had Carole Landis on his program and all in all it was a swell show. We've had Jack Benny, Kay Kyser, and Bob Hope since I've been here although this is the first broadcast I've gotten to.
It really felt odd wandering around the field today. I seemed almost lost, not knowing a soul. I dread the [struck: the] thought of starting from scratch again. It made it so much easier knowing all the kids so well.
Before I forget, please thank Bunny for her last letter and tell her I'll write as soon as I'm settled again. Please also thank O'ma for her letters and tell her why I haven't been able to write. Thanks.
No more for now except to say again 'twas swell to talk to you yesterday.
All 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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