Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.126 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Oahu, Hawaii Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 August 1944 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 27.6 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Folks." He thanks them for keeping their "pens in action," as he received a lot of mail from his family. He doesn't want to stop living like a human being. He keeps bumping into friends from college and from school. He received a letter from his best friend from Childress who completed his fiftith mission in Italy and is going home. If he hadn't gotten his plate taken out, he would be finished too.
He did a little shopping but Honolulu "ranks high among the biggest dumps" he's ever visited.
The letter is dated as "Tuesday Aug. 22nd." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as August 22, 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]
Tuesday Aug. 22nd
Dear Folks -
The last few days have brought in alot of mail and a good share of it from all of you - many thanks and be sure to keep your pens in action.
At the end of the week we'll be finished with Gunnery School and then back to "mosquitos paradise." This week we are doing air to air firing every day to finish up the course. I kinda hate to leave here since it's been a pleasure to have lived like a human being for a few weeks, eating three good meals today.
I continue to bump into kids from college or else former army acquaintances. It certainly is a small world even way out here. Had a letter from my best friend from Childress and he just completed his 50th mission in Italy and he's ready to come home. He's really seen alot of hell but he made the grade. If it hadn't been for my leg I'd be with him now and finished up myself if I'd fared as well.
Was in town today doing a little shopping and a few odds and ends. We had the day
[2]
off today since we flew all day yesterday. I came back early this afternoon because there isn't a darn thing to do in town. Honolulu certainly ranks high among the biggest dumps I've ever visited.
Must run now but I hope this letter finds you all fine and in good spirits. Write often!
All love -
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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