Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.185 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Camp Davis, North Carolina Type: Typed letter signed Date: 20 July 1945 Pagination: 1 p. : envelope ; 27.6 x 21.3 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Nothing is definite for his future assignment. His interviewing officer placed a few calls to get him assigned at a redistribution center and they're holding him rather than sending him straight to Texas. He writes that he is incredibly lucky to have met a good man in the army.
The camp is closing and they aren't taking any more people. He won a duplicate bridge tournament and received a free meal for two in town. He took a pilot friend of his. He'll let his parents know as soon as he is assigned and hopes they are catching a lot of trout.
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]
Camp Davis, N.C
July 20th, 1945
Dear Dad and Bee:
Still down here at Davis and as of yet nothing is definite. At the moment I'm waiting on word about an assignment. So far I've been lucky as the devil. Except for me all the bombardiers coming through here have been sent out to the refresher course and pool at Midland Texas, much against their desire. After spending six weeks there they will get some sort of assignment. For some reason, the fellow that interviewed me went to bat for me and is trying to get me a job that has to do with redistribution. He even made a phone call up to Louisville, which is the headquarters for all personnel redistribution, and he spoke to someone up there about me. I'm not completely sure of getting the job but at least it's a step in the right direction. The officer he spoke to told him to hold Lt. Stone until we heard from him, so right now I'm waiting with my fingers crossed. Why my interviewing officer even bothered to do all of this for me I don't know as ordinarily they don't give a darn and just rush you right through to Midland and that's that. I must say it was one heck of a good break but it won't mean a thing if nothing comes through. All I can do now is wait and hope. Even in the army you run across a good man once in awhile and I was certainly lucky to hit one of the few.
Aside from the above there's nothing new. This place is definitely closing and they're not taking any more returnees. The other night I won a duplicate bridge turnament [sic] up at the officer's club. The prize was a free meal (for two people) in town at a darn nice place. I took a pilot friend of mine who came here with me.
That's about all for now, but I'll let you know as soon as I find out anything one way or the other as to my reassignment. I trust you're having a swell time and are catching lots of trout.
Best love,
Bobby
[envelope]
Lt. Robert L. Stone 0-696041
1679th AAF Base Unit
Camp Davis, N.C
Mr. J. C. Stone
Alderbrook Park
Ausable Forks
N.Y
AIRMAIL
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