4 February 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." A brief postcard to his Father and Step-mother that he is now living in barracks and writing this card at 6 A.M. in the pitch black. Postcard has a picture of a silver plane on a blue sky background with the words "Keep 'Em Flying!" in red lettering.

GLC09620.001

4 February 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." A brief postcard telling his parents that another day has gone by, and they only leave the barracks for food and "biological reasons." They are all hoping to get their uniforms tomorrow. Postcard has a picture of silver planes in formation on a solid blue background with the words "Keep 'Em Flying!" in red lettering. The postcard is an official U.S. Navy photograph of Scout Bombers.

GLC09620.002

6 February 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." A brief postcard to his parents. Bob hasn't had much of a chance to write as he has been on "K.P." [kitchen patrol] for two days straight. He has not started his training tests yet though. "Everything still goes well." Postcard has a picture of a silver bomber plane flying on an orange and peach background with clouds and the words "Keep 'Em Flying!" in black lettering.

GLC09620.003

11 February 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Don Stone

Addressed to "Don." A brief postcard to his brother Don. Bob hasn't had time to write a long letter, but thanks Don for his "long, newsy and amusing letter." Bob wishes him good luck in the Army and hopes to hear from him once he recieves his orders. Postcard has a picture of a silver plane flying on a light blue background with clouds and the words "Keep 'Em Flying!" in red lettering. Same image as GLC09620.001.

GLC09620.004

11 February 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

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

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, and Don (if he's still home)." Reviews the train ride down to Berry Hills, TN and being assigned to barracks before processing. They were confined in quarantine for two weeks after recieving a physical, their uniforms, and other basic goods ranging from toilet articles to a gas mask. Most of the men started on their psychs, physicals, and interviews earlier this week and last four days, but there are about 60 men who still have everything to take, including Bob, who is placed on "K.P." [Kitchen Patrol] two days in a row to account for the men who are busy testing…

GLC09620.005

12 February 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Don Stone

Addressed to "Don." Wanted to write a quick letter before he "leaves to help win the war." Thanks him for the "St. Cris" (St. Christopher Medal) on a nylon chain. Describes life in the barracks as "funnier than a musical comedy on broadway." Explains he hasn't had any classification tests yet, but will probably start on Monday. Moves on to talk about the rampant gambling, and the seven-hand poker games that Don would love. Complains about the tough grind of "K.P." [Kitchen Patrol] briefly and thanks Don again for his long letter and the "St. Cris" and the inscription on it.

GLC09620.006

16 February 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." Writes a brief note following a call they had last night. He sent his parents both his watch to be repaired and his "civies," and asks that they let him know when they arrive. He asks them to send the things he asked for by phone as soon as they can, as well as any extra candy or cookies that he would gratefully receive. Postcard has a picture of a silver plane flying on a light blue background with clouds and the words "Keep 'Em Flying!" in red lettering. Same image as GLC09620.001 and .004.

GLC09620.007

17 February 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." Writes a brief note bemoaning the fact that his group of fifty won't be able to take their "pyschs" until the 23rd at the earliest while the rest of the squadron will be classified and shipped out. Postcard has a picture of a silver plane flying over the sea on a dark blue background with a yellow moon reflecting on the clouds and water. There is a small blue and red Air Force logo on the bottom left corner and "KEEP 'EM FLYING" is on the top of the postcard in small, black print.

GLC09620.008

18 February 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone, Beatrice Stone, Don Stone, and other family and friends

Addressed to "All." Hasty card to say he is off of quarantine and went into Nashville to meet Lois and Phil for cocktails and expects to see them for dinner later in the week. Postcard has a picture of a silver B-24 bomber plane called the "Flying Fortress" flying on a light blue background with "Keep 'Em Flying" in red lettering.

GLC09620.009

19 February 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Bee." A brief note asking for all of his "underwear shorts" and the pair of "high black sneakers," in addition to a few things he asked for by phone. Postcard has a picture of rows of planes, with servicemen in uniform standing in front of the planes at attention. The sky is still dark, and there is a bar of green at the bottom edge of the card.

GLC09620.010

20 February 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." He is on detail as a runner in the section headquarters and writing this letter when he is sitting around. No word on when he will start his "psychs" but could start next week. Mentions that many fellows are getting their classifications and disqualifications, thirty-five men have "washed out," and many more are waiting to hear back. Writes briefly about being out of quarantine and meeting Lois and Phil for dinner at the Andrew Jackson. He and the other men now have Wednesdays and Fridays off. Details rigorous training program of two lectures, drilling, and mass…

GLC09620.011

22 February 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." A brief note explaining that he and forty-seven others are going to start their "psychs" tomorrow and he won't be able to write during the week as it will be a long and tough one. Says he'll get in touch with them at the end of the week. Postcard has a picture of a silver B-24 bomber plane called the "Flying Fortress" flying on a light blue background with "Keep 'Em Flying" in red lettering.

GLC09620.012

5 March 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Finished up his "pyschs" this week, but has not written to anyone for a week. The first day was an eight-hour multiple choice test to determine placement, followed by "penny arcade day" where his coordination was tested with a variety of contraptions, the next day was "ARMA" or "adaptability relative to military aeronautics," followed by an interview with a psychiatrist. He mentions that most of the fellows "wash out" at this point. The following day he had a "complete going-over" and they thoroughly tested the eyes by looking at depth perception and prism…

GLC09620.013

21 March 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone and brothers

Addressed to "Dad and Bee (also the freres [brothers] if home)." Hasn't written lately because he was sick "with a temp of 102 and a very bad sore throat," and just got out of the hospital after being there for five days. He was disappointed earlier in the week as he and others received shipping orders, but were taken off said orders. Their numbers started at two hundred and ten and been narrowed down to thirty "poor souls." He mentions that today is the first day of Spring, but it is snowing. He blames the weather for making everyone sick. He has nothing much to report, as the duties rotate…

GLC09620.014

24 March 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Mentions a phone call they had earlier that day. He apologizes for the late letter he wrote "last Saturday" (GLC9620.014). He hopes it will arrive shortly. Complains that he is one of twenty-five men left in this "god-forsaken place." Predicts that when they are shipped out, it "will either be to Santa Ana, CA or Elington Field, Texas." Both are large bombardier schools, and there's a rumor of a new school in Georgia that would be perfect because he can go home if he has a "few days pass." Chances are slim that he'll stay in the east. The camp is keeping them very…

GLC09620.015

3 April 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Now at Ellington Field, Texas, the men are kept to a strict routine starting at 5:30AM. They eat breakfast, go to calisthenics, and then go to classes with a lunch break. There is one more hour of drills, supper, and lights are out at 10:00PM. Talks briefly about the tough classes he must take now, even though he has avoided them in college and prep school. The weather is brutally hot, and asks for salt tablets to be sent. It's even tougher as he came from a cold climate. The food is terrific, and rivals that of restaurants in New York City. Warns that he won't be…

GLC09620.016

4 April 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Remembered a few things he forgot to include in a previous letter. Asks for a shaving bowl, shaving talcum, wooden hangers, and some salt tablets. He hates to bother them with these, but he can't get them anywhere. Asks about his subscriptions to three magazines and asks that they be forwarded as well. The letter is written on stationary with "U.S. Army Air Forces" printed in dark blue at the top of the letter, with their logo. The date is written as "Sunday" but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on April 4, 1943.

GLC09620.017

12 April 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." The class work is very difficult, physics and math are college courses taught in a very short amount of time. His squadron was surpised with an "open-post" where they could leave the base and many people left to go to Houston while he stayed to study and keep up in his classes. He recieved many of the things he asked for, and the letters that were sent. The weather is still very warm, and bearable now. The fellows in the barracks are great, and the food continues to be fantastic. Asks that they continue writing. The date is written as "Monday Nite" but "Letters…

GLC09620.018

18 April 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gella Hecht

Addressed to "O'ma," his step-grandmother. Thanks her for a generous check. Writes briefly about the difficult classes, and drills that last from 5 AM to 5:30PM. Compares the weather to New York City in the middle of the season. Tells her the food is the best, even better than back home. The fellows in his squadron range from twenty to twenty-six in age and are from any area from Maine to California. The date is written as "Sunday" but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on April 18, 1943.

GLC09620.019

25 April 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Dropping a line to say all goes well. The work is "tough as hell," and "instruction is far from good." He hasn't been off post, as he's been on guard duty, studying, or preparing for a big parade. Thanks Dad and Bee for the photo of Don, and asks for another photo of Jacob in uniform. He is more accustomed to the extremely warm weather, and it's only rained once. Includes an updated address, with an explanation as to why his group number changed. The date is written as "Sunday" but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on April 25, 1943.

GLC09620.020

27 April 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." A hasty letter as he has a lot of work to do for class tomorrow. Grateful for the pictures his father sent. Sending a picture book of Ellington along with his letter so his family can check it out. Hopes to go to Houston on Saturday night and then swimming in Galveston on Sunday. He's looking forward to the break from army life. The date is written as "Thursday Nite" but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on April 27, 1943. Letter is typed on U.S. Army Air Forces letterhead.

GLC09620.021

2 May 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Typed letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Tough week with tests and two big parades and it's warmer. He was made the Squadron Supply Sgt. and is now in charge of the supply room and shoe repairs. The job comes with a lot of benefits, including his own room. Bob left base to go to Houston and go swimming in Galveston. He was a "dope" and was out in the sun too long. He is miserable and burnt. He thanks Bee for attending to his pen, and asks if she could send him a pair of swimming trunks. The date is written as "Sunday Nite" but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on May 2, 1943. Letter…

GLC09620.022

3 May 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Typed letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." Thanks his father for the pictures he just received. Writes that he just got out of the hospital for treatments for his sun burn. Curses the Texas sun for burning him. The date is written as "Monday Night" but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on May 3, 1943. Letter is on U.S. Army Air Forces letterhead.

GLC09620.023

4 May 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." Brief note to say he was "as red as a lobster" from a day trip to the beach. It was a good break from the routine of training. "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on May 4, 1943. Postcard image is "Beach Front, Showing Hotel Buccaneer and Murdoch's Bathhouse, Galveston, Texas."

GLC09620.024

10 May 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone and Don Stone.

Addressed to "All." Brief note stating he went to the beach again in Galveston, but remembered to put on Skol [sunscreen] so he wouldn't "crisp again." "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on May 10, 1943. Postcard image is "Galveston's $1,500,000 Pleasure Pier, Galveston, Texas."

GLC09620.025