Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.164 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Mariana Islands Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 March 1945 Pagination: 3 p. ; 24.6 x 15.6 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He apologizes for not writing for the past ten days, but they've been busy. All of the various letters from his family have been "swell." He was unable to discuss Barry's whereabouts until now. After he came back from leave he found a note from Barry saying "when you next bomb Iwo be careful you don't hit me." He is certain Barry will make it through with flying colors and mentions how weird it was knowing his brother was on the beach while he was in the air bombing the same island. He's plugging along on his missions, and now has twenty-seven completed. He's feeling the tension increase as they near the end of their mission goal.
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]
The Marianas
March 4th 1945
Dear Dad & Bee-
I'm afraid I've been a mighty poor correspondent for the last ten days or so but I'm sure you can appreciate that we've been fairly busy. All of your various letters have been swell, and they do wonders for keeping up the old morale when the going gets rough.
Until now I was unable to discuss the whereabouts of Barry's outfit because it hadn't come out in the newscasts or the papers. When I returned from rest leave, he left me a note saying "when you next bomb Iwo be careful you don't hit me" so of course I knew the 3rd marines were Iwo bound. From all the news reports their going has been tough, but I'm certain Barry will come through with flying colors. I've often thought what a small world it is when we were hitting Iwo during the invasion, and knowing that my [2] brother was down on the beaches. If I get any word about his outfit, I'll write as soon as censorship regulations permit. Ordinarily you've got to wait until it's been related on the radio or in the papers, however.
A week or so ago I was up to see Jack Naylor. I've intended to see him a hundred different times, but never got to it until then. He was fine as ever and asked to be remembered to all of you. It was loads of fun hashing over old times with Jack. Really had a pleasant dinner and evening with him.
Still plugging along on our missions. I now have twenty-seven and going strong. When you get up above twenty they seem to slow down and tell on you more. As you near the end you seem to get jumpy and tense about the least little thing that goes wrong, just as on the first few missions. [3]
I don't know whether I requested or not, but I'd appreciate it if you'd send me a couple of rolls of 620 film. Speaking of pictures, have you received my crew picture yet?
That's all for now but I'll try to write again in a few days.
Best love-
Bobby
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