Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09620.177 Author/Creator: Stone, Robert L. (1921-2009) Place Written: Mariana Islands Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 April 1945 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 27.6 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Transcript of document
Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He's been traveling around and taking it easy. He visited with Jack Naylor and went to Barry Marks' old outfit. Barry left the week before, probably by boat. He writes that his parents should hear from him soon. He still hasn't gotten over the feeling of completing forty missions and is working on his sun tan. The weather is very hot and he has been taking salt pills and drinking a lot of water. He warns his parents that he will eat them out of house and home.
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 27th, 1945
Dear Dad & Bee -
Since my last letter I've been taking it very easy doing a little traveling around. I spent yesterday with Jack Maylot who asked to send his regards to you. I went out with him and watched his outfit fire their guns. As always 'twas fun to visit with Jack.
Still haven't gotten over the wonderful feeling of completing my missions. Somehow you're on top of the world and you haven't a worry. It's a terrific relief of tension to be finished up.
I still don't know when I'll be leaving The Marianas but ordinarily it takes a little over two weeks for your orders to come through. Actually time is of little consequence now- a few days one way or the other don't matter much. A couple of days ago I went up to Barrys old outfit, and found he'd been gone about a week. The boys seemed to think that he'd gone back by boat instead of flying back. No doubt, by now you've had some word from him.
The last couple of days I've spent out in this sun trying to get rid of my bar room garb. It's gotten very warm out here
[2]
and toward mid-day the heat is almost unbearable. I've been making a meal of salt tablets and water. Boy, how I'm going to eat when I get home, you'd better be prepared to be eaten out of house and home!
Guess that's about all for now,
Love -
Bobby
[envelope]
Robert L. Stone 0-696041
431st Bomb Sqdn. 11th Group
APO 246 ? Postmaster
San Francisco, Cal.
Mr. J. C. Stone
375 Parking Avenue
New York City
N.Y.
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