Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.137 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Marshall Islands Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 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." He is still waiting for his first mission. Actress Betty Hutton put on a show but had to cut it short as she got sick, probably due to the "sultry weather." He really does not like this weather as it is sweltering and uncomfortable. He has yet to receive any mail, minus a letter from Pam sent to his old APO number. Everyone is feeling "down in the mouth" as an order came through requiring forty missions. Some were almost finished and would've been home for Christmas, but now it will take longer.
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 15th, 1944
Dear Dad & Bee -
There's very little to relate since we're still sweating out our first mission. By the time you receive this letter we should have had our first taste of combat.
The other night we had some entertainment when Betty Hutton put on a show for us. Unfortunately the program was cut short when she became sick. I think that it was a combination of her wild antics [struck: of] and the heat - they just didn't mix.
The weather down here is really getting me. It's so sweltering during the day time that we go around with very little clothing on but none the less perspire continually. It's a sultry heat that's very unpleasant, and tends to make you feel uncomfortable.
[2]
As yet I haven't received mail from any of you. I did get one letter from Pam that was forwarded from APO 953. Perhaps some mail will be coming along from you in a day or so. I hope so because mail call is the big occasion of the day down here.
All of the boys are down in the mouth right now since an order came through requiring forty missions. It always used to be thirty and then became thirty five and now forty. Some of the boys were almost finished and would have been home by Christmas until the new order came through. Now it will take about a year to finish up and that's not a very comforting thought. Oh well, c'est la guerre.
Write often,
All love -
Bobby
[envelope]
Lt. R. L. Stone 0-696041
431st Bomb Sqdn. 11th Group
APO 241 ? Postmaster
San Francisco, Cal.
Mr. J. C. Stone
11 Wall Street
New York City
N. Y.
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