Our Collection

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

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.096 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: March Field, California Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 May 1944 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 25.3 x 16.2 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." Attempted to place a call but there was a long delay. He just wanted to talk to his parents. Writes about Don's most recent letter as he settles in with a new outfit. Mentions the long letter he wrote yesterday before signing off.

The letter is dated "Sunday Nite." "Letters in a Box," notes the letter was sent on May 14, 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 Nite
Dear Dad & Bee -
Just a note to say that I've been trying to reach you by phone the last couple of days, but unfortunately you've been out each time. I tried again tonight but there was a five to six hour delay and so I gave up. Didn't have anything particular to say but I just thought it would be fun to talk to you again! Perhaps I can get a line through some time this week.
I received a long letter from Don today telling of his new set-up etc. I think his change-over is a good break and I only hope he can stick with it [strikeout] for a while and not get shifted to another outfit before he even has

[2]
a chance to get started. He has certainly done the rounds during his short time in the army.
No more for now cause I wrote all the news in my long letter yesterday - just wanted you to know that it was I who called, so you wouldn't worry.
All love -
Bobby

[envelope]
Lt. R.L. Stone 0-696041
Box 1416

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

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources