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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.

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

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.087 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: March Field, California Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 March 1944 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 25.2 x 16.2 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He's been out of the hospital for a week, and went into LA illegally with his friends. One took them to Warner's and they saw Humphrey Bogart making a new movie. The army doesn't know what to do with him, but they'll probably put him in as a replacement for another unit. Something should happen within the next week, but he still has to pass his "64" [flying physical exam].

The letter is dated "Friday 24, 1944." "Letters in a Box," notes the letter was sent on March 24, 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]
Friday 24, 1944
Dear Dad & Bee -
Just a quickee to say that all goes well with R.L.S. I've been out of the hospital for just a week and believe me it's mighty good.
Last Friday I went into LA (illegally) and spent three days with Ronnie and Doug. Had a fine time eating good food, taking it easy, and in general enjoying myself. Had quite a treat when Doug took us out to Warner's where we saw Humphrey Bogart making a new picture. It was really interesting since I'd never been on a movie lot before.
Incidentally Dad, Ronnie's address is
Mrs. Douglas Drake
[strikeout] [inserted: 10531] Rochester Avenue
West Los Angeles
California

[2]
As yet they haven't decided what they are going to do with me but I think I will go into a pool and replace somebody on a crew if there is a vacancy. I'm not sure of this, but something ought to happen within the next week or so. I'm still not on flying status because I have to take my "64" which is the flying physical exam.
Can't think of any more now so I'll write again as soon as anything comes up.
Lots of 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
717

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

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