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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 #: GLC09620.092 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: March Field, California Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 April 1944 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25.9 x 15.2 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He's finally on a new crew, but hasn't met them yet. The weather is beautiful and he's been playing tennis and swimming. The "Grapevine" newspaper arrived with lots of news and a list of addresses.

The letter is dated "Sunday." "Letters in a Box," notes the letter was sent on April 30, 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]
Sunday
Dear Dad & Bee -
Just a few lines to say that I believe I'm finally on a new crew. As yet I haven't met the fellows because it just came out on orders yesterday. I'll write all details next week.
The weather out here is most summery and beautiful. I have a wonderful tan from the five or six times I've played tennis and swam. Two days ago the mercury hit a high of 97°.
The Grapevine arrived this morning and was certainly lots newsier than ever before. It always brings back many pleasant memories to receive the Grapevine. I think the list of addresses was a clever idea.
Many thanks for your letter earlier in the week Dad, and your long message two days ago, Bee.
All love - Bobby

[2]
Lt. R.L. Stone 0-69604
Box 1416
March Field, Calif.

Lt. Comdr. J.C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City
N.Y.

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

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