Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.141 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Mariana Islands Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 October 1944 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 27.4 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." A big batch of mail just caught up to him and he now has nineteen letters dating back to September. He's happy to hear his packages arrived safely. Life is the same at base camp, and he admits to not being cut out for this camping life. He's not happy with the guy who invented C-Rations and is dealing with a fair bit of rain. He did get his first ration of warm coke and beer. Writes that all of his brothers seem to be moving in separate directions.
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
October 30, 1944
Dear Dad & Bee-
Yesterday a big batch of back mail caught up with me and I became the proud possessor of nineteen letters- six of them were from your way so I guess a few lines are in order. Now you can understand why I hadn't heard from you for about three weeks- one letter was dated September.
I'm glad to hear that all my various packages arrived alright. As far as the trunk goes I didn't have anything in the top so it's O.K. too. I was there when the censor put his seal on because I went through it with him.
Life here continues about the same as ever. Our tents are becoming more and more liveable as we construct new articles of furniture. The last few days we've had a bit of rain and consequently our tent is a mess-you get out of bed into the mud. I never was cut out for this camping life but I'm certainly getting a dose of it now.
Our chow continues to be C rations and frankly I'd like to meet the guy who first invented them. Yesterday we got our first ration of warm coke and beer. I never thought I'd be able to drink warm beer but strangely enough I am! [2]
The news from all the boys sounds as if everyone is about to move-Don, Jim, and Barry all in different directions. It really would be something if we could get together. I'm sending Barry my new address and I wrote Ken a week or so ago.
Can't think of anything else for now. I hope by now you have my new address and are using it regularly. Give my best to the Hilsons and tell them I'd like to write but just haven't the time to right now.
All love-
Bobby.
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