Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.179 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Mariana Islands Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 May 1945 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 27.5 x 19.4 cm.
Addressed to "Dad." He writes a million thanks for the "over generous check for a party" his father sent him. He turned the check into traveler's checks and plans to have a "real blow-out" when he and his crew hit Honolulu or San Francisco. Still no word on when he'll be leaving, but they're all lounging around in the sun, catching up on letters, and generally taking it easy. He still resents the men who stole money from his wallet, so he hasn't gone swimming for a while.
He's sorry to hear about the death of George Carrington.
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
May 3?? 1945
Dear Dad -
Received your letter this morning with the over generous check for a party. You know how much I appreciate it and can't adequately thank you for it Dad. I've already cashed it into travelers checks so that I'll have the money for a real blow-out when we hit Honolulu or possibly Frisco. That's a party we've been waiting to throw for just about a year now and it couldn't be sweller than to have you sponsoring it!
Still no definite word as to our leaving here, but I don't think it should be too much longer. We are all very anxious to get out of this environment as it gets awfully routine after all this time. All we've been doing for the last week is lounge around in the sun, write a few letters, and in general take it easy. After my unfortunate experience on the beach I'm a little resentful about going back so I rarely go swimming. The more I think of it the madder it makes me to think that anyone would be so rotten as to steal another man's money. My faith in human nature really took a tumble to say nothing of my financial status. C'est la guerre!
[2]
I was certainly sorry to hear about George Carrington's death: I know how fond of him you all were, and I vaguely remember him from various occasions at Williamstown.
Guess that about does, Dad, but again a million thanks for treating us to the party we plan to throw when we hit civilization again.
Best 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
N.Y
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