16 September 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He's been flying very little, but next week he will be able jump back in. He and other crew members grew lazy and indifferent, but now they want to get their missions in and go home if they're lucky enough to do so. He mailed home a footlocker with extra clothes, some papers, and a framed picture of Pam that he didn't want to break. It should arrive in a month or so. He had some survival lectures, which he hopes to never use. He saw the Jack Benny show, which co-starred Carole Landis, Martha Tilton, and Larry Adler. He doesn't know what he wants for Christmas…

GLC09620.130

23 September 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He thanks them for their various letters written anywhere from a month to six days ago. He catches up with his father about news from home and asks if his parents received a letter and a card where he asked them to order flowers for Pam. If they did, he asks that they cash the check so his bank account will be squared away. His program is bogged down as they don't have enough functioning planes to fly or enough people to fix them. The letter is dated as "Oahu, Hawaii, September 23rd." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as September 23, 1944.

GLC09620.131

30 September 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He finished up his training missions and will be heading to "destination unknown." He writes that his family can follow his whereabouts by reading about the "7th AAF Liberators in the daily papers." He asks that his parents keep their fingers crossed that he can get his thirty-five missions completed. He was upset when he recieved the "Grapevine" newspaper from Pam announcing the death of Jimmy Levy, a friend of theirs. He is surprised that everyone is getting married back home, and hopes there will be someone left for him! He jokingly asks his father to call Eddie…

GLC09620.132

2 October 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." A brief note with a change of address. It is not exact, but he will confirm his address once he knows it. The letter is dated as "Oct 2nd." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as October 2, 1944.

GLC09620.133

8 October 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He is officially "down under" and includes his new address. He asks that they let Don Stone and Jim Stone know his new address as well. The letter is dated as "October 8, 1944, Kwajalein, Marshalls." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as October 8, 1944.

GLC09620.134

8 October 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone, Beatrice Stone, Don Stone, and Jim Stone

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, Don, Jim, et al." After three months in Oahu, they are finally "down under." The base is "kinda makeshift" as the island took a pounding from the U.S. Air Force. The men of the squadron all seem great, and they range from "old veterans" finishing up their last few missions, to those who have only been there for a "short while." It takes six to eight months to complete the thirty-five mission requirement before they can return stateside. After fifteen missions they will get a break for ten days. He doesn't know when they'll fly their first mission, but they'll start…

GLC09620.135

10 October 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." All is well, if a little dull. The squadron went on a raid, but his crew stayed back. He walked around the atoll, but "it's just a flat coral atoll with no plant life of any sort, any more," due to earlier bombing. He complains briefly about the rations and the "terribly hot and very sultry weather." They're constantly perspiring. Some mail has been forwarded, but so far none from his family.

GLC09620.136

15 October 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He is still waiting for his first mission. Actress Betty Hutton put on a show but had to cut it short as she got sick, probably due to the "sultry weather." He really does not like this weather as it is sweltering and uncomfortable. He has yet to receive any mail, minus a letter from Pam sent to his old APO number. Everyone is feeling "down in the mouth" as an order came through requiring forty missions. Some were almost finished and would've been home for Christmas, but now it will take longer.

GLC09620.137

19 October 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He wanted to get a letter to them as soon as he could with his new APO. He hasn't received any mail for three weeks from his family and hopes his various trunks, letters, and packages have arrived and their mail simply hasn't been forwarded.

GLC09620.138

21 October 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He finally has time to write as they just finished moving. He can't disclose the name of the island he is on, but it is rough living. They didn't have mosquito nets the first night and were "almost carried away." They're living in tents and eating rations and coconuts, which are everywhere. They go to bed around 5:30PM as it is "pitch black, and get up at 5AM as it's "broad day light already." Still no mail and asks his parents to send around his new address as he won't have a chance to write them.

GLC09620.139

25 October 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He flew his first mission and it was no "tea party," but he ought to get through thirty-nine more. He and others from camp have been trying to make their area more livable, so they built tables, racks, and shelves from old bomb cases. He never wants to go camping again after this. He was very happy to have finally received a letter from Bee that was written on the 10th, so he hopes it's a sign that a lot of letters will be coming soon. He misses hearing from them regularly. He asks about the packages and card he sent them, and wants to know what is happening with…

GLC09620.140

30 October 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

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.

GLC09620.141

4 November 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." Big news as he ran into Barry Marks' outfit and he's stationed only a few miles away. "If that doesn't prove it's a small world, I'll eat my hat." He visited with Barry and his tent-mates who all complained about the "rotten deal that marines get" but none of them would leave the service. He believes this life is doing Barry a "world of good." He went on another mission, which was tougher than the last, but everything worked out. Conditions are getting better as they build the site up. He closes out asking about Don as he hasn't heard from him in a while.

GLC09620.142

5 November 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He just wrote his parents a long letter, but wanted to tell them that he and Barry had lunch. He took them for a bite to eat, and everyone ate better than they had in a while. He gave Barry and his friends a tour of a ship and drove them back to their base about twenty minutes away. He's going to try and take Barry up on a "local test hop" if he can. The letter is dated "The Marianas, October 5th, 1944." "Letters in a Box" notes that this letter was probably written in November as GLC09620.142 is the first mention of the step-brothers visiting each other, and Bob…

GLC09620.143

6 November 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mildred Hilson and Edwin Hilson

Addressed to "Mildred + Eddie." He's intended to write them for some time, but he always seems to be busy "usually fixing up some contraption in his tent," or on a mission. He's flown a couple of missions so far and they haven't been too rough. His conditions aren't great, but they're improving. He doubts he'll ever go camping again. He found Barry's outfit a few days ago, and it's quite the coincidence! He received a letter from John, and asks the next time Mildred and Eddie write to John, to enclose his well wishes. He appreciated hearing from them. The letter is marked "The Marianas,…

GLC09620.144

14 November 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He now has four missions under his belt. As he completes more missions, the tension and anxiety lessens, though "you're always scared of flak bursting around your ship." He's learned to keep calm enough to perform his duties. After Church on Sunday, Barry was waiting for him at his tent and he treated Barry and his friend to a "delicious Sunday dinner." He hasn't seen Jack Naylor at all, but he'll look out for him. He hasn't received the film or the Christmas box yet. He does ask if his parents could send along the gifts he has for Don and Jim. He can't talk about…

GLC09620.145

30 November 1944

United States. Army Air Forces

Typed document signed

Title: Letter of Information

A Letter of Information to all combat crew members. Lists military ways to defeat the Japanese with an overt nationalistic tone, naming the enemy, "those yellow bastards." Goes through bombing information and the type of damage they can do. Talks about the importance of bombing the landing strip at Iwo Jima to protect their troops in Saipan. Signed by "R.L. Waldron, Colonel, Air Corps, Commanding"

GLC09620.146

7 December 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He is up to ten missions and his mail is coming in very slowly. One Christmas package has arrived safely and it's a "real treat to feast on some good cookies and candies." He enclosed a check [not included] to his father to purchase war bonds, as it's a smart investment. Life is the same and luckily the food isn't too bad. Between raids is the worst as that's when the boredom sets in. He hasn't seen Barry for a while as he has been on misisons.

GLC09620.147

12 December 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He has some time to "scratch off a few lines between missions." The mail has been coming regularly, which he is grateful for. He heard from Jim who is working hard at Parris Island and is anxious to hear form Don. He also received a letter from Ken who probably won't be around his location. He hasn't seen Barry as he comes down when he is out on a raid. He writes that he'll keep an eye out for his father's friends next time he is in Oahu. Also mentions that a nurse friend of a boy in the squadron has the same APO number as Don, and she's in England. He thanks his…

GLC09620.148

17 December 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." He mailed a Christmas present for Bee to his father's office so she wouldn't see it. He sent six colorful guest towels and a "lovely cover for her bed tray." As it's hard to find nice things, he's been buying gifts as he sees them. The letter is not dated. "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as December 17, 1944.

GLC09620.149

17 December 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jane Stone Goodfriend

Addressed to "Aunt Jane." He thanks her for the beautifully wrapped packages, treats, and reading materials. He's flown twelve missions and it's going to be a long haul. The living conditions aren't great and every time it rains "it's like living in a mud hole." He mentions that Barry is in great shape and he's seen him multiple times. He thanks her again for the "Christmas packages" and asks her to give his best to Henry.

GLC09620.150

19 December 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." He wrote this letter on his birthday, and it's just another day closer to coming home. He thanks his father for the "swell birthday letter" and generous war bonds. He hopes to be home soon so they can catch up. He's still at twelve missions as he's been grounded with a sore wisdom tooth. Barry is doing great and he'll see him in the next few days. He asks his father to tell Bee that her letters have not come yet, but they will be forwarded eventually. It takes the mail between two-four weeks to arrive. He thanks him for the package of cookies. He writes that his father…

GLC09620.151

25 December 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." It's the 25th, but it feels like any other day. They did get a "delicious turkey dinner." It's easy to lose track of the days as they focus on how many missions they can complete in a month. He thanks Bee for the "swell birthday card" and complains about the mail. He's getting on with his missions, but things are tense as they aren't sure if the army will stick to their forty-mission requirement. Conditions are improving, all the boys have wooden floors and frames in the tents, and they finished an enlisted men's club. They're hoping to build an officers club…

GLC09620.152

31 December 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He prays that the New Year will bring his family together again and end this "damn war." As holidays don't mean much, they had a couple of warm beers and "dynamite" coconut whiskey to celebrate New Years Eve. He hopes his parents enjoyed their holiday at Williamstown, and asks if they stayed up there for New Years. He has fifteen raids to his credit and his crew's new slogan is "twenty-five in forty-five!" They've had a couple of close calls with tough opposition, but they've come in on a "wing and a prayer." His crew is assigned to a "fairly old jalopy" called…

GLC09620.153

3 January 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He received a package from his parents containing "various canned eats" including cake in a can. Barry is "perfectly fine" and in the "best of shape" even after a bout of tropical fever. He normally takes Barry to dinner, but couldn't this time. "C-rations all taste the same wherever you eat them." He is seeing Barry again this afternoon.

GLC09620.154