Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.125 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Oahu, Hawaii Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 August 1944 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 27.6 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." Life is very routine as they finished classwork and have been on the range. Next week will be a course in "air to air firing." He's been living and eating like a king, but he knows it will come to end soon enough. He writes that they'll probably go to the "Bonins" next.
He thanks Bee for sending him magazines and talks about how weird the mail system is. He's hoping to bump into Ken if he should ever come this way. He also asks if Bunny got his letter and to tell her she owes him one!
The letter is dated as "Thursday 17th." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as August 17, 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]
Thursday 17th
Dear All -
There isn't much in the way of news from these parts because our life at the Gunnery School is very routine. We finished our two weeks of class work and have been out on the range all week. We've really gotten alot of valuable training here. Next week we wind up the course with air to air firing.
It's really a pleasure to be here, living like a king compared to our former mosquitos' paradise. The officers club is as nice as any in the states and we eat royally. We're making the most of it since another month will doubtless find us on some small island in the large Pacific. Kinda looks like the Bonins are next on the list!
A friend of mine just brought in some mail among it your letter, Bee. I [struck: was] [inserted: am] certainly sorry to hear of the tragedy. Although I only met him once, Seymour seemed like a great guy and I know how fond you all were of him.
It's odd how the mail comes through. Yesterday I received a letter from Dad postmarked
[2]
August 9th and your letter came today dated August 2nd. I guess some of it comes by plane and the rest by boat. Thanks for sending Readers Digest and the Scrolls, Bee.
The other day I ran into Bob McCollum who asked after all the boys as did Jim Hill who went to Deerfield and Williams. I always keep an eye open in case Ken should ever get my way - I'd certainly love to bump into him.
By the way ask Bunny if she ever got my letter from Seattle and if so tell her she owes me a letter.
Can't think of any more now except please continue to write often as mail is our greatest treat out here.
All love to you -
Bobby
[envelope]
Lt. R. L. Stone 0-696041
VII Bomber Command (Heavy Tng. Det.)
APO 953 ? Postmaster
San Francisco, Cal.
Lt. Comdr. J. C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City
N.Y.
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