11 July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

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

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, Don, Jim, Barry + Ken." Says this is a tough letter to write due to "rigid restrictions." The ship he is on is overcrowded, and the poor enlisted men are packed in like sardines. The first day was "really rugged" and 75% were sick. He's been lucky to keep everything down, but it was "dubious at times." Life is quite dull as they can either sit on the hurricane deck or play poker in the mess hall. He's had very little in the way of duties and so far has only had to censor the enlisted men's mail. He thanks his father for treating him to a "last fling in L.A." He asks…

GLC09620.113

11 July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

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

Addressed to "All." He just finished a long letter, GLC09620.113, and thought to send a V-Mail to see which one got to his family first. The trip has been rather dull on their way to an unknown destination. He's hoping to have mail waiting for him when he lands. He writes that his "long newsy letter" is coming. The V-mail letter is dated "Somewhere at sea." "Letters in a Box" notes the date as July 11, 1944.

GLC09620.114

12 July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." A brief note to send his new permanent address. The V-mail letter is dated as "July 12, 1944."

GLC09620.115

13 July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

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

Addressed to "All." He finally arrived in the "beautiful Hawaiian Islands." He stayed aboard the ship the first night and they were taken to base by trucks the following morning. The base is a small landing strip surrounded by mountains and jungles on one side and the ocean on the other. They'll be in flying training and patrol missions before going "down under." Everything is "hush hush" and Honolulu is filled with "Navy." He saw the "famous Pearl Harbor" and writes that he'll be able to get letters out to his parents and Pam, but they will be minimal, just like his free time. He includes…

GLC09620.116

16 July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." A brief note stating that he forgot to ask about his watch that he sent home before he left Seattle. He would like his father to have it fixed for him. He still hasn't received any mail, so he hopes they've gotten his many letters. The V-mail letter is dated as "Sunday July 16th." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as July 16, 1944.

GLC09620.117

20 July 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." All goes well at "Pineapple Paradise." He's flown several times, only short missions so far. Life isn't too bad, except there's very little entertainment. They get a pass every two weeks or so, and most people go to the beach at Waikiki. As of yet, he's gotten no mail, and hopes his new address will reach his family soon. He also made a "mighty fine table" for his tent. The letter is dated as "Thursday July 20th." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as July 20, 1944.

GLC09620.118

22 July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Everyone's mail came through and they each received fifteen to twenty letters. He was disappointed when he didn't have one from Pam, but found out that she had a "brain concussion" and can't write quite yet. He was able to call her and she's hoping to write soon. He asks his parents to keep an eye on her until she can write again. The letter is dated as "July 22nd." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as July 22, 1944.

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24 July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." He hasn't received any letters to his new APO, so he's wondering if his parents have received his letters. He is worried about Pam, but asks that his parents keep him posted on her health. They've flown a lot and his plane led a formation on a simulated bombing mission. He's getting "excellent training here -- far better than in the states." He asks his parents to send him Ken's address, and he plans to head to the beach and tan after concluding this letter. The letter is dated as "Monday July 24th." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as July 24, 1944.

GLC09620.120

29 July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." The mail is coming through a little better and it takes about ten days for mail to get from the east coast. He sent a package home yesterday with his favorite sweaters, made by Pam, and a couple pairs of socks. He has the insurance slip and asks his parents to let him know the condition of the package. They've all been putting on an air-show for "some unknown dignitary" who they all believe to be President Roosevelt. He's managed to get to the beach every other day and just received a letter from Pam that she dictated to a friend. He asks that they all keep…

GLC09620.121

2 August 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." Everything is fine with him. He just started the 7th Air Force Gunnery School, which lasts about a month. They go to classes from 7:45AM-5PM, with a break for lunch. The classes are a little boring, but it's "good cheap life insurance." They went to Honolulu to see the 7th AAF baseball team play, and when they left at the beginning of the game, the "fliers" were up 13 to 1. Says it's like a pro-team as they have Joe Dimagio and Joe Gordon. The mail is messed up, but hopes it'll straighten out in a day or so. The letter is dated as "Wednesday Aug. 2nd." "Letters…

GLC09620.122

6 August 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone.

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." The first week of classes is over and they have a day off to spend at the beach. There's a "lovely officers club" right on the beach with an "attractive snack bar" and other perks. He found a college register as well and recognizes a few other names based in Hawaii. Mail is still jumbled, but he's getting the ones with his new APO. He asks for them to continue writing. Post-Script: Asks his parents to send him some 620 film by taking this letter to Eastman Kodak. The letter is dated as "Sunday Aug. 6th." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as August 6,…

GLC09620.123

10 August 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." There's litttle news from their "wayward son." The work is well worth it for the schooling, even if it's boring. Life is better here than the base they were at. The food is excellent and they have a beautiful officers club that hosts open air movies. He's glad his father enjoyed his trip to Canada and thanks him for the contact in Hawaii. He writes that getting money is tough unless you know someone with a Hawaiian bank account, otherwise a check has to go to the mainland. The Roosevelts did visit Hawaii two weeks ago and everyone was excited for a good week…

GLC09620.124

17 August 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." Life is very routine as they finished classwork and have been on the range. Next week will be a course in "air to air firing." He's been living and eating like a king, but he knows it will come to end soon enough. He writes that they'll probably go to the "Bonins" next. He thanks Bee for sending him magazines and talks about how weird the mail system is. He's hoping to bump into Ken if he should ever come this way. He also asks if Bunny got his letter and to tell her she owes him one! The letter is dated as "Thursday 17th." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter…

GLC09620.125

22 August 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." He thanks them for keeping their "pens in action," as he received a lot of mail from his family. He doesn't want to stop living like a human being. He keeps bumping into friends from college and from school. He received a letter from his best friend from Childress who completed his fiftith mission in Italy and is going home. If he hadn't gotten his plate taken out, he would be finished too. He did a little shopping but Honolulu "ranks high among the biggest dumps" he's ever visited. The letter is dated as "Tuesday Aug. 22nd." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter…

GLC09620.126

1 September 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

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

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, Don, Jim, Barry, + Ken." He apologizes for the lapse of mail, but he is now the "proud possessor of a very impressive diploma" as school sped up massively, but he's done. He is now flying all the time, and the next time he writes he might not be in Hawaii. He can't write about it, but tells his family to follow the "7th AAF Liberators." He tried locating Barry, but with no luck. He hopes to bump into him soon. The letter is dated as "September 1, 1944." "Letters in a Box" dates the letter as September 1, 1944.

GLC09620.127

8 September 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "All." He apologizes for not writing lately, but he has been flying a lot. Recently, to Johnston Island and to Midway, which was an eleven-hour mission. He thanks them for writing constantly, and lauds Bee on her gossip skills. He's not sure if he'll be able to see a friend of his father's before he gets shipped out. The mosquitos are terrible, and he closes the letter before they attack him.

GLC09620.128

14 September 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." He's excited about the news of Don's promotion, but hesitant with his eagerness to go overseas rather than into O.C.S. [Officer Candidate School] which would be perfect for Don. He wrote his feelings to his brother, but asks his father what his thoughts on the matter are. They still have a few training missions to fly, so they're "going down under has been delayed." All of their planes are out of commission, so they haven't completed too much flying. He mailed his father a folder with important documents and asks him to keep them safe. He spent a few days in Honolulu,…

GLC09620.129

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.

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