Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.154 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Mariana Islands Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 January 1945 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 26.1 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He received a package from his parents containing "various canned eats" including cake in a can. Barry is "perfectly fine" and in the "best of shape" even after a bout of tropical fever. He normally takes Barry to dinner, but couldn't this time. "C-rations all taste the same wherever you eat them." He is seeing Barry again this afternoon.

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
January 3rd, 1945
Dear Dad & Bee -
Haven't much of anything to write, but I received a package from you and a letter from Bee this morning. Many thanks for the various canned eats (lobster, tongue, & sausage) which arrived in perfect shape. The cake was delicious and fresh as could be, packed in a can. All your selections will really hit the spot and are muchly appreciated. Thanks loads!
I was glad to receive the announcement and clipping of Timmy's wedding, Bee. Thanks for sending them along. You asked about Barry and he is perfectly fine. He came over this afternoon and I just returned from taking him back. Frankly I didn't even know he'd had tropical fever and if he did, it didn't do him any harm because he was in the best of shape today. He gets off every wednesday and generally stops over to see me unless I'm off on a raid. Ordinarily I take him to supper, although I didn't today because we're eating with another squadron while our mess-hall is being rebuilt - next time he's over ours will be finished up. Actually it's no treat

[2]
for him to eat with us because rations taste the same wherever you eat them, and that's all we've had on the menu of late
Guess that's about all for now. I didn't have much to say, but I did want you to know that the food had arrived and that I'd seen Barry this afternoon. S'long for awhile.
All love -
Bobby

[envelope]
Lt. R. L. Stone 0-696041
431st Bomb Squadron (H) 11th Group
APO 240 ? Postmaster
San Francisco, Cal.

Mr. J. C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City (22)
N. Y.

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009
Stone, Jacob, fl. 1894-1985
Stone, Beatrice Hecht Marks, 1901-1962
Marks, Barry, 1926-1983

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources