Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.136 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Marshall Islands Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 October 1944 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 24.3 x 16.7 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." All is well, if a little dull. The squadron went on a raid, but his crew stayed back. He walked around the atoll, but "it's just a flat coral atoll with no plant life of any sort, any more," due to earlier bombing. He complains briefly about the rations and the "terribly hot and very sultry weather." They're constantly perspiring. Some mail has been forwarded, but so far none from his family.
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]
Kwajalien, the Marshalls
October 10th, 1944
Dear Dad & Bee -
There's very little in the way of news from down here but a few lines are in order to say that all goes well with R.L.S.
The last few days were kinda dull around here because most of the boys were away on a raid. We didn't go with them so we still have our first mission to look forward to. It's hard to believe that after all this time we're actually going to fly in the real thing. Ugh, what a thought! Today I walked around the atoll taking a few pictures for my scrap book. There are still a bunch of Jap installations with gaping holes in them from U.S. gunfire. Actually, there's very little
[2]
on the island worthy of a picture. It's just a flat coral atoll with no plant life of any sort, any more.
The two big gripes here are the food and the weather. Of course, we eat rations which aren't the most appetizing food in the world. The weather is terribly hot and very sultry. Most of the boys wear short pants and half-sleeved shirts. Even so it's unbearably unpleasant because you're constantly perspiring, even right after showering.
As yet I haven't heard from you down here but I imagine I will in a day or so. Some mail has been forwarded from APO 953 but none from any of you.
Write often.
Love -
Bobby
[envelope]
Lt. R. L. Stone 0-696041
431st Bomb Squadron (Heavy)
APO 241 ? Postmaster
San Francisco, Cal.
Mr. J. C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City (22)
N.Y.
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