Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.132 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Oahu, Hawaii Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 September 1944 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope ; 27.3 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He finished up his training missions and will be heading to "destination unknown." He writes that his family can follow his whereabouts by reading about the "7th AAF Liberators in the daily papers." He asks that his parents keep their fingers crossed that he can get his thirty-five missions completed. He was upset when he recieved the "Grapevine" newspaper from Pam announcing the death of Jimmy Levy, a friend of theirs. He is surprised that everyone is getting married back home, and hopes there will be someone left for him! He jokingly asks his father to call Eddie Hilson a "stinker' for stealing away my gal."
Mentions that most of his letters get postmarked in San Francisco, rather than when he writes them. He asks that they all keep writing, even though he may not have a lot of time to write back.
The letter is dated as "Oahu, Hawaii, September 30th." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as September 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]
Oahu, Hawaii
September 30th
Dear Dad & Bee -
Finally we finished up our training missions when we flew out last this week. By the time you get this letter I'll almost certainly be on my way to destination unknown. As I've said before you can follow my whereabouts by watching the doings of the 7th AAF Liberators in the daily papers. Incidentally, enclosed is a clipping from a local paper that I thought might interest you. It gives some idea of the type of flying etc we're up against out here. It won't be any tea party but we're all pretty anxious to get going and take a crack at the Nips. From now on you'll have to cross your fingers for me to get my thirty-five missions completed. Would that it were as easily done as said!
I was terribly upset last week when I received the grapevine and a clipping from Pam with the news of the death of Jimmy Levy. I don't recall if you ever met him, but he went on one of the skiing trips to Conway with Pam et moi. We' [struck: re] were quite close and he was really a great guy. Somehow I didn't think he'd lose out in the war but the odds were against him and he was shot down over Elba. A really swell kid I'll never forget. It
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always seems that's it's the best who have to pay the price of war while the no-goods get by untouched. I don't mean to seem bitter but Jimmy's death really hit me a low blow.
I wasn't too surprised but yet very happy to hear of Timmy's engagement. Delia's wedding sounded swell and I'm sure she made a lovely bride. (Just entre nous, I can't picture she and George hitting it off but maybe she's changed alot.) I hate to hear of everybody getting hitched up because there won't be anybody left for the poor fools who are off at the wars. All I've got to hear is that a certain person is engaged, and I believe I'd settle over here on some small island. Enough said!
I was certainly glad to hear that Don got home for a few days. From what I gather, he must have had a fine time while in town. The St Regis and Stork club sounded rather gay. What I wouldn't give for a night of that now! By the way, be sure to tell Eddie Hilson that I think he's a "stinker" for stealing away my gal when I'm away and can't defend myself. Be sure to kid him along for me.
Many thanks for all your letters [struck: ,] which have been coming through quite regularly of late. Please be sure to keep writing regularly because mail will
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mean more than ever once we get down under. As soon as I have a new address I'll write you but until then continue to use my present address. I doubt if I'll have a chance to write much more before we pull out because we'll be kinda busy, so don't expect to hear from me for awhile. Incidentally Dad, you wondered about the dates on my letters. I believe that the postmark is put on in Frisco since that's where we pay postage from. Mail from here to the mainland is sent on a basis as of Frisco to where it's going - that is packages go to Frisco for nothing, and you're charged rates from there to where it's going. I think that explains it because the dates that I put inside the letter is always accurate when I write it. Incidentally Bee, the film hasn't arrived yet but I'm sure it will after awhile because most packages go by boat. I'll let you know as soon they do arrive.
Well all, I guess that's about it for now. Please be sure to send my letters around to all the boys from now on because I doubt if I'll have too much time to write from here on - bear with me and I'll write as often as possible.
My love to you all -
Bobby
[envelope]
Lt. R. L. Stone 0-696041
VII Bomber Command (Heavy Trng. Det.)
APO 953 ? Postmaster
San Francisco, Cal.
Mr. J. C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City
N.Y.
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