Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.162 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Mariana Islands Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 February 1945 Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.7 x 15.7 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." All is well and he has flown twenty-five missions now. He normally flies with the same crew, with an extra person now and then. He's certain that he wrote to his parents about the boys and where they're from. He would've notified them immediately if any were from the east coast. They're an "A-1 crew as proven by several close calls that we've pulled through together." They finished up the "nearly professional" looking officers club a few days ago and hope to have a "gala opening" in a few days.
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
February 20th, 1945
Dear Dad & Bee -
Just a line or two to say that all's well out here and we've got a couple more missions to our credit - we now have twenty-five. You asked if we all have the same number on the crew and in general we do except for two of the boys who have one extra. Ordinarily we've flown as a complete crew but once or twice when the crew hasn't gone on a raid one man might fly with another crew.
Speaking of the crew I'm certain I told you all their names and where their homes are, way back when I was at March Field. If you think back I'm sure you'll recall it. There isn't much likelyhood [sic] that their families would be in the East inasmuch as Bill and Mac live in Texas and our navigator is from Oregon. If ever they were to come East I'll certainly
[2]
notify you. We've really got an A-1 crew as proven by several close calls that we've pulled through together. It's a real test of a crew when the chips are down as they have been for us on several occasions.
A few days ago we finished up our officers club and we plan to have a gala opening in a few days. It really turned out to be a swell job and it nearly looks professional. I'll let you know how the blow-out turns out in a few days.
Chow time, so I'll put an end to my scrawling. Keep your letters coming as always and I'll try to write soon again myself.
Love -
Bobby
[envelope]
Lt. Robert L. Stone 069041
431st Bomb Sqdn. 11th Group
[APO] 246 ? Postmaster
San Francisco, Cal.
Mr. J.C. Stone
375 Park Avenue
New York City (32)
N.Y
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