Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.163 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Mariana Islands Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 February 1945 Pagination: 3 p. ; 24.6 x 15.6 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He's received several letters from his parents and asks that they send a small thank you note to his hosts in Hawaii. He includes their address. He already sent a small card and a token of his gratitude. His letter from February 9, 1945 (GLC09620.158) was postmarked the day before the date he wrote on the letter as he crossed the date line when he mailed it. He asks his parents to send a roll of 620 film and encloses a few photos [not included] taken on rest leave. Everything on the war front is progressing quickly and "the old U.S. is getting in a few good licks" in the Pacific Theatre. He's glad he could call his parents twice and thanks them for trying to reach Pam as well.
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 22nd, 1945
Dear Dad & Bee -
I've had several letters from you in the last few days. I was glad to hear that my long letter, telling about rest leave, had arrived. Our hosts full name and address is as follows -
Mr. & Mrs. Hans Hansen
Kekaha Plantation
Kauai, T. H.
I think it would be awfully nice if you were to send them a trifle with a note of appreciation for having R. L. S. as a guest at their home. I, of course, wrote them and thanked as well as sending them something from Honolulu before I left.
Incidentally, the explanation of the different dates on my letter written in flight is the fact that we crossed the date line when I mailed it. Guess it was one of the speediest letters I've ever sent you.
[2]
ok ok 3/2/45
I wonder if you'd be able to send me a few rolls of 620 film. I'm just about out and have no means of getting any here or on Oahu. Speaking of pictures, I don't believe I'll be able to send you any of Barry and me. I'd always planned to take some but never got around to it.
Enclosed are a couple of snaps (poor ones) that I thought you might like to have. One was taken on rest leave and the other when I was up on Oahu before. In fact, I don't know but I may have sent you a copy before
[struck: I'm] I imagine you're as much up on the big happenings out this way as we are right in the thick of it, judging from the newscasts coming from San Francisco. Everything is happening very fast and the old U.S. is getting in a few good licks after a long period of just holding their own.
I'm so glad that you got such a kick out of my two phone calls. You
[3]
can be sure it was a real thrill for me too. It was swell of you to have tried to get Pam for the second time I called you, and it was just unfortunate that I had to change the date. 'Twas fun to talk to Bunny, anyway.
That's all for now but I'll write again in a few days. By the [strikeout] time this arrives you should have received the crew picture I sent you. I hope so, anyway.
All love -
Bobby
[envelope]
Lt. Robert L. Stone 0-696041
431st 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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