Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.130 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Oahu, Hawaii Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 September 1944 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 26.3 x 21.4 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He's been flying very little, but next week he will be able jump back in. He and other crew members grew lazy and indifferent, but now they want to get their missions in and go home if they're lucky enough to do so. He mailed home a footlocker with extra clothes, some papers, and a framed picture of Pam that he didn't want to break. It should arrive in a month or so. He had some survival lectures, which he hopes to never use. He saw the Jack Benny show, which co-starred Carole Landis, Martha Tilton, and Larry Adler.
He doesn't know what he wants for Christmas this year, besides some kind of token he can carry with him. He doubts he'll be able to find adequate presents this year as their are no nice stores.
The letter is dated as "Oahu, Hawaii, September 16th." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as September 16, 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]
Oahu, Hawaii
September 16th
Dear Dad & Bee -
Still very little flying due to a scarcity of planes in commission, but starting next week we'll be back at it again thick and heavy. I hope we finish up here before long because everyone has become restless and quite irritable just waiting around. All of us were very eager when we first arrived, but when we didn't go "down under" we became lazy and indifferent. Now we want to go down and get our missions in and come home if we're that fortunate.
Before I forget, I mailed home a foot locker today with my blouse, pinks, raincoat, green shirt, a few odds and ends, and some pictures and papers of mine. Please put the clothes away and put the package of papers etc. in my closet. There's a picture of Pam wrapped up in a towel so it won't break, that I'd like you to put up on my dresser. I have a couple of her in a leather frame, and I was afraid this one would break if I lugged it around with me. I'm sending all these things home because they'd only be excess baggage where we'll be, and so I want to get rid of them. Be sure to let me know when it arrives, probably in a month or so.
Yesterday we had a series of lectures and demonstrations
[2]
about survival if you're forced down. They showed us how to make huts and various articles we'd need. They taught us what to eat and how to prepare it. It's a situation you wouldn't like to be in, but it's good to know how to cope with it in the event it should present itself.
Went to Hickam for lunch after the lectures and stayed over to see the Jack Benny show last night. It was his last before returning to the U.S. after a summer of touring the Pacific theater. He had Carole Landis, Martha Titton, and Larry Adler with him to make an excellent show. You really appreciate good entertainment like that occasionally because it kinda carries you away temporarily and you forget about the things at hand.
You asked for suggestions as to Christmas presents and I'm afraid I won't be too much help. It's so hard to think of anything I really need or want. If you can think of something personal that I can carry with me - just exactly what, I don't know but perhaps you'll have some ideas.
As for my sending presents to all the family I doubt if I'll be able to find adequate presents. I'm always looking but there are no nice stores and most of them only carry curios and souvenirs.
Enough for now - keep up your letters.
My love -
Bobby
[envelope]
Lt. R. L. Stone 0-696041
VII Bomber Command (Heavy Trng. Det.)
APO 953 ? Postmaster
San Francisco, Cal.
Mr. J. C. Stone
11 Wall Street
New York City
N.Y.
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