Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.174 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Mariana Islands Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 April 1945 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 27.5 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He hasn't flown his fortieth mission yet, but wanted to drop a line as he was finally promoted after eighteen short months. Promotions are few and far between overseas, but desk officers tend to get promoted faster. They received a few new crews with fresh faces and "newly pressed khakis." He hopes he can say he flew his fortieth mission in his next letter.
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
April 18th, 1945
Dear Dad & Bee -
No, as yet I still haven't flown my all important fortieth mission but am still sweating it out. Thought I'd drop you a line however, to say that after eighteen short months (twenty-three if you count time and a half for overseas) my promotion came through and I'm now a 1st. Promotions are a sure point with all of us because they are so slow out here and back in the states all the ground officers behind desks get their promotions in no time. Oh well enough griping because it finally came through and I ought to be happy about it. My gold bar was turning silver after aging all this time!
Every day we seem to get in a few new crews and the squadron is overrun with strange faces and newly pressed khakis. Some of the boys were actually in the states two weeks ago.
No more for now but I hope in my next letter I can write that I've flown my fortieth.
Love -
Bobby
[envelope]
Robert L. Stone 0-695041
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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