7 November 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." Just arrived in "Salt Lake" [City, Utah], after a scare where four "fellows" were bumped off the plane to make room for more gas due to bad weather. It was a rough trip, but they made it to a "very beautiful place." This town has things to do, including theaters, stores, and hotels. Met up with a few fellows from Childress who had already rented an apartment, and reported to fill out paperwork, before leaving post again. "It's absolute bedlam" as a lot of fellows are reporting, and "no one knows anything about anything as to shipping." They are eating like pigs,…

GLC09620.059

12 November 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." Still no word on when he will be "crewed up," and now everyone is required to be on post by 1AM. They have them in school from 8-5PM and it's a "complete farce." After class they head to town for a good meal, and a movie or "some such entertainment." The letter is dated as "Friday." "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on December 10, 1943, but the envelope is postmarked at November 12, 1943.

GLC09620.060

19 November 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." "Just a note to say that all goes well." Writes that he received the ring and pictures he asked for and enclosed the $3.00 [not included] he owed them for the ring. Asks for a copy the photo of him they ordered. "All hell broke loose," as he and the others were restricted to post for two days. He hopes they'll be able to get out soon. There's still nothing definite about shipping orders. Letter is dated as "Friday." "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on November 19, 1943.

GLC09620.061

23 November 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." Writes "Life is looking up!" as they are no longer restricted and can go into town as long as they report back in the morning. He and others are renting a room with a sitting room to avoid freezing in the barracks. Many groups have been shipped out, including many Childress fellows. He hopes he'll hear soon, but in any case they are hoping to see another Utah game and made reservations for a Thanksgiving dinner that night. Letter is written on "The Belvedere Apartment Hotel" stationary and dated as "Tuesday." "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on…

GLC09620.062

28 November 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He mentions the swell conversation they had over the phone yesterday, and the terrible conditions. They are officially on their way to California, rather than being in Utah for 3 more months. He'll be heading to March Field, CA which is 60 miles away from LA, and supposedly it's very nice. He encloses a new address, and writes about the "gents in his crew." They are just missing a navigator, but they all seem like great guys. They'll be heading for more intensive training, and after walking through a B-24, he knows they all have a lot to learn. Letter is written…

GLC09620.063

8 December 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

A brief postcard to tell his parents that he arrived two days ago to a "swell field." His schedule looks to be very tough, but it's great to be out of Wendover. Postcard is an image of "C-106 Liberator Bomber. The Liberator is one fo the fastest heavy bombers in the world, heavily armed, it carries a nine man crew with a range exceeding 3000 miles." The postcard is not dated. "Letters in a Box" notes the postcard was written on December 8, 1943.

GLC09620.064

9 December 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He opens the letter apologizing for having not written for a while as they just pulled in and are extremely busy. The field is set up nicely, it's hard to get around as it is "so darn big." Living conditions are ok, as the field is older and has permanent structures. They were assigned a navigator, and will be on 24 hours a day for five days, and a 24 hour break on the sixth day. They'll be completing their training in two months rather than three, and will be shipped out the second week of February. He asks that his letters get passed around, and they keep writing…

GLC09620.065.01

9 December 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Typed letter

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He opens the letter apologizing for having not written for a while, as they just pulled in and have been extremely busy. The field is set up nicely, it's hard to get around as it is "so darn big." Living conditions are ok, as the field is older and has permanent structures. They were assigned a navigator, and will be on 24 hours a day for five days, and a 24 hour break on the sixth day. They'll be completing their training in two months rather than three, and will be shipped out the second week of February. He asks that his letters get passed around, and they keep…

GLC09620.065.02

15 December 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." Hasn't received any mail from his parents lately, probably because Don Stone was home on leave. He enjoys the men he's flying with, but was upset to find out that all passes from "Post" have been canceled, especially as the schedule is very rough, with six-hour training flights. He has discovered that he will be heading to the Pacific Theater, most likely, as "an R.T.U." [Replacement Training Unit]. He asks for a new pen for Christmas, and apologizes for the late presents this year as he was going to go shopping before the passes were taken away. The letter is…

GLC09620.066

16 December 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." Thanks him for his "long newsy letter," and wanted to send a quick note for a follow up. He hopes Bee is feeling better after being laid up, and he wishes he could've been home to join Don while he was on furlough. He writes that he feels terrible about the death of Len's mother, and tells his father that he immediately wrote to Len. Nothing much is new otherwise. The letter is written on "March Field, California" stationary with an image at the top of men in uniform. This is a handwritten copy of GLC09620.067.02.

GLC09620.067.01

16 December 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Typed letter

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Document is a compliation of copies of GLC09620.066 and GLC09620.067.01. Letters separated in the text by a line of asterisks. Text of GLC09620.066 is misdated as "Wednesday Dec. 16th."

GLC09620.067.02

21 December 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." Thanks them both for the "swell birthday letters and for the over-generous check." He had his first pass and went to Hollywood. They "did a little drinking and saw some entertainment," but his birthday didn't feel like his birthday, and he wishes "this mess was over." Thanks his parents for the call on the 19th and apologizes for the reverse charge. The letter is dated "Tuesday." "Letters in a Box" notes the date as December 21, 1943.

GLC09620.068

22 December 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." Thanks his father for the bonds as well as the large check for his birthday. He's hoping to get a folder and send them to be deposited as soon as he is able. He and his crew had their weekly passes canceled indefinitely. He mentions that the crew he normally flies with got lost, and landed in Long Beach with only minutes of gas left. He was still on base as they weren't bombing that day. His crew is currently stranded in Long Beach waiting for the weather to clear up, which he hopes is soon so he can hear what happened. The letter is dated "Wednesday." "Letters in a…

GLC09620.069

25 December 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Greeting Card

Title: Christmas Greetings

A brief greeting card for Christmas and best wishes for a happy New Year. The card is not dated. "Letters in a Box" notes the date as December 25, 1943.

GLC09620.070

28 December 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." A brief note with very little news except that he is exhausted as they have been flying all hours of the day in order to get their minimums. The letter is dated "Tuesday." "Letters in a Box" notes the date as December 28, 1943.

GLC09620.071

29 December 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." Begins with a big thanks for the new pen that arrived and is sorry to hear that "375 is temporarily a sick ward," and hopes that both his father and step-mother feel better. The mail is "jammed up," so he hasn't received a Christmas package from home yet. They had a 24-hour pass, and he and two others had dinner and stayed the night outside of Beverly Hills. Their crew has a new pilot, who is an instructor. They're still flying a lot and doing bombing runs at 20,000ft. The letter is dated "Wednesday." "Letters in a Box" notes the date as December 29, 1943.

GLC09620.072

30 December 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." The "X-mas" box arrived and he thanks his parents a "million" for the "swell selection of presents." He writes that New Years Eve will be filled with flying, school, and bomb training. Not how he would like to spend the holiday. He hopes to get a call through, but wishes them a Happy New Year anyway. The letter is dated "Thursday." "Letters in a Box" notes the date as December 30, 1943.

GLC09620.073

31 December 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." A brief note telling his parents that he's off post for dinner with some friends. He writes it's good to have a break. The image on the card is of actress Tyra Vaughn who is performing at the "Earl Carroll Theatre-Restaurant." The postcard is postmarked December 31, 1943.

GLC09620.074

1 January 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." The plane his crew flies had an engine fail when they were in the air and the next time they flew it was on the "fritz," so they landed after circling their base. The first day they were flying out over the ocean and broke formation to land at a small airport outside of Fresno. He thinks the plane should be fixed the next time they fly. They didn't celebrate New Years Eve as flying six-hour missions on oxygen is exhausting and they were all in bed by 9:30PM. He is very happy that the call request he thought he canceled went through and he was able to speak to his…

GLC09620.075

16 January 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He apologizes not writing lately as they've been busy with late night flying. Last night they flew until an "ungodly hour," but they have the day off now, where he's catching up on letters and sleep. They've been flying so much because the weather has been beautiful. He hopes all is well at home. The letter is dated "Sunday 16," and as he is still in Marching Field, it can be assumed it is still 1944.

GLC09620.076

24 January 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He writes that his lack of letters is due to their very routine days and it's hard to write sometimes. Their flying hours increased as their class hours dwindle down. He recounts a miraculous accident another crew got into. They ran out of fuel and most of the crew bailed out, while the two pilots landed the plane in a field. One soldier broke his leg, but the two pilots escaped the wreckage unharmed after their crash landing. The letter is dated "Sunday 24," and as he is still in March Field, it can be assumed it is still 1944.

GLC09620.077

14 February 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Telegram

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Lt. CAM AR C. STONE." Apologizes that he couldn't call, everything is fine with a letter following. The telegram is dated in the center of the text block. "Letters in a Box," notes the telegram was sent on February 14, 1944.

GLC09620.078

15 February 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Telegram

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "LT COMMANDER J C STONE." Apologizes for missing the phone call, he is "perfectly ok," and sent a long letter. The telegram is dated on the right side of the text block. "Letters in a Box," notes the telegram was sent on February 15, 1944 as well.

GLC09620.079

21 February 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone, Beatrice Stone, Don Stone, Jim Stone, Barry Marks, Ken Marks, and others

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, Don, Jim, Barry, Ken + ." He apologizes for not writing, but he's been in the hospital for the past three weeks to have the plate in his leg removed as it had been bothering him at the high altitudes. He's been removed from his crew, but they've been visiting him and bringing his mail. The hospital is dull and he is beginning to feel better, but gets dizzy when he sits up due to the "sulfa pills." He asks that this letter makes the rounds and he hopes to respond to everyone soon. The letter is dated "Monday Afternoon." "Letters in a Box," notes the letter was sent…

GLC09620.080.01

21 February 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Typed letter

Title: to Jacob Stone, Beatrice Stone, Don Stone, Jim Stone, Barry Marks, Ken Marks, and others

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, Don, Jim, Barry, Ken + ." He apologizes for not writing, but he's been in the hospital for the past three weeks to have the plate in his leg removed as it had been bothering him at the high altitudes. He's been removed from his crew, but they've been visiting him and bringing his mail. The hospital is dull, and he is beginning to feel better, but gets dizzy when he sits up due to the "sulfa pills." He asks that this letter makes the rounds and he hopes to respond to everyone soon. The letter is dated "Monday Afternoon." "Letters in a Box," notes the letter was sent…

GLC09620.080.02