Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.145 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Mariana Islands Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 November 1944 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 27.4 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He now has four missions under his belt. As he completes more missions, the tension and anxiety lessens, though "you're always scared of flak bursting around your ship." He's learned to keep calm enough to perform his duties. After Church on Sunday, Barry was waiting for him at his tent and he treated Barry and his friend to a "delicious Sunday dinner." He hasn't seen Jack Naylor at all, but he'll look out for him. He hasn't received the film or the Christmas box yet. He does ask if his parents could send along the gifts he has for Don and Jim. He can't talk about much more as missions can't be discussed.
The letter is dated "The Marianas, November 14th." "Letters in a Box" dates this leter as November 14, 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]
The Marianas
November 14th
Dear Dad & Bee -
Been rather busy all week and this is the first time I've had a chance to dash off a few lines. Everything is about the same as ever out here and life goes on as usual. I've now got in four missions which is only a step in the right direction - forty! As each mission comes up the great tenseness and anxiety gets less as you become more accustomed to what happens. I guess you're always scared of the flak bursting around your ship and the attacking fighters but still you learn to keep calm enough to perform your duties.
The mail is coming in lots better now and I've already received mail to APO 246. Some letters came through in eight and some in eleven days. It certainly must have been swell to have both Don and Jim home for a few days. Be sure to keep me posted as to their new addresses and whereabouts when you receive them.
On Sunday when I came back from church Barry and two of his tentmates were waiting for me. I took them all to a delicious Sunday dinner - we really had a super special meal. As I said in my last letter, he's in fine spirits. I still can't get over the fact that we should end up so close together out here - it's almost incredible.
[2]
You've asked several times if I'd seen Jack Naylor and as yet I haven't. I've had numerous opportunities to call on him but somehow I just haven't gotten around to looking him up. Perhaps I'll give him a buzz the next time I'm up his way.
As yet the Xmas box you sent has not arrived but I'm almost certain that it will be forwarded on eventually. I still haven't gotten the film that you sent Bee, but I'm hoping it will catch up to me. sometime - I sure hope so! Speaking of Xmas Dad, please be sure to mail Don & Jim's gifts in plenty of time to their new addresses.
Guess that's about all for now cause there's so little to tell you about our existence out here. Our strikes of course can't be discussed so we're kinda limited on what we can write.
Let's hear from you often.
All love -
Bobby
[envelope]
Lt. R.L. Stone 0-696041
[H-31st] Bomb Sqdn 11th Group
APO 246 ? Postmaster
San Francisco, Cal.
Mr. J.C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City (22)
N.Y.
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