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

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

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

7 January 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He hopes that Bee is feeling better after being sick over the holidays. He thinks that Don is still stationed in England rather than Belgium, even though the Christmas card was a picture of a Cathedral in Belgium. He thanks his father for sending along the book "Is there a Santa." and hopes that he'll be reading it to everyone next Christmas. The missions flown by the "Pacific Strategic Air Force" are the ones he and his crew are flying. He writes that any time they read about "Liberators raiding the Bonins and Volcano Is. you can be sure it's one of our outfits." He…

GLC09620.155

January 10 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mildred Hilson and Edwin Hilson

Addressed to "Mildred and Eddie." He thanks Mildred and Eddie for the "assortment of eats" which will be "hungrily devoured." The food doesn't compare to the Waldorf, so the treats are very welcome. He mentions that the holidays came and went with only a turkey dinner to show for it. He now has seventeen missions under his belt and they've been flying regularly. He's hoping to be finished up soon as "the business of combat flying isn't my idea of a very practical career!." He should be going on leave soon and he's excited to "live like a human being again." He wishes them a Merry Christmas…

GLC09620.156

January 12, 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He thanks Bee for the Christmas box which finally arrived in great shape. He enjoyed the shorts, bingo game, writing paper, and the "cute" picture frame and photographs [not included in collection]. He hopes that Bee is feeling better after her holiday illness. He is up to eighteen missions, and he hopes that his crew can reach twenty-five before they go on rest leave. There are two crews before his, so he believes they'll go in February if all goes well. He thanks his father for sending a thank you note from Jim and for wrapping Bee's presents. The place is…

GLC09620.157

January 15, 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." A brief note telling his parents that the "Army Hour Program" on the radio is talking about the 11th Bomb Group on January 28th. He has nothing new to report.

GLC09620.158

February 17, 1945

United States. Army Air Forces

Typed document signed

Title: [Press Release Interview with Robert L. Stone]

A press release approved for publication by Public Relations for the Seventh Air Force. It is an interview with Robert L. Stone about a bombing mission over Iwo Jima where the Flying Jenny was separated from the squadron, attacked by Japanese fighters, and then able to drop their bombs on the target area before flying back to base. Back of both pages has a press censor stamp on the back.

GLC09620.161

20 February 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." All is well and he has flown twenty-five missions now. He normally flies with the same crew, with an extra person now and then. He's certain that he wrote to his parents about the boys and where they're from. He would've notified them immediately if any were from the east coast. They're an "A-1 crew as proven by several close calls that we've pulled through together." They finished up the "nearly professional" looking officers club a few days ago and hope to have a "gala opening" in a few days.

GLC09620.162

February 22, 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He's received several letters from his parents and asks that they send a small thank you note to his hosts in Hawaii. He includes their address. He already sent a small card and a token of his gratitude. His letter from February 9, 1945 (GLC09620.158) was postmarked the day before the date he wrote on the letter as he crossed the date line when he mailed it. He asks his parents to send a roll of 620 film and encloses a few photos [not included] taken on rest leave. Everything on the war front is progressing quickly and "the old U.S. is getting in a few good licks" in…

GLC09620.163

9 March 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." All goes well with him, C-rations are still terrible. They now have twenty-eight missions with "a long road to forty." He saw Al Vinal's nephew and heard he finished up his forty missions not too long ago. He and a few others located a beach and they've been swimming a lot as it's more fun than sitting around in a tent. News is scarce, but it's better than no news.

GLC09620.165

24 March 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." Good news! He found a note from Barry in his tent and took a run over to see how he was doing. "If he'd been on a football week-end, he couldn't have looked healthier." Barry will by flying back to the states to enter the V-12 program and he couldn't be more jealous. He's sure his parents are just as thrilled that Barry will be coming stateside. He's completed thirty-four missions and it's a "rotten grind mentally and physically." A number of other crews have completed their forty missions. He has never seen so many drunken brawls from celebrating. The officers…

GLC09620.168

29 March 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward Greenbaum

Addressed to "Eddie." He writes it was good to hear from Eddie via his official report. He's completed thirty-five missions, and is "sweating out those last five raids as if they were fifty-five." The strain and tension are hell. The big news is that Barry got into the V-12 college program. It's offically the rainy season and he experiences ten to twelve downpours a day. He is upset over those who write how lucky he is to be in the "Sunny Pacific" and writes "you can have it all, any time!!" He gives his best to Dotsie and the boys. Post-Script: He thanks him for the box of chocolates…

GLC09620.169

9 April 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He's been getting letters at every mail call, and thanks his family for them. He ran down to see Barry, who should be leaving for the states soon. He's eagerly awaiting a package with the "bay rum" from Jacob Stone. He did not meet Mr. Peterson, a colleague of Uncle Eddie's, but received a card and a box of chocolates that Uncle Eddie had sent him. The missions are coming slowly, but they're up to thirty-seven in total.

GLC09620.171

11 April 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." A brief note enclosing some pictures he took of Barry [not included]. He only has two missions left to go.

GLC09620.172

18 April 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He hasn't flown his fortieth mission yet, but wanted to drop a line as he was finally promoted after eighteen short months. Promotions are few and far between overseas, but desk officers tend to get promoted faster. They received a few new crews with fresh faces and "newly pressed khakis." He hopes he can say he flew his fortieth mission in his next letter.

GLC09620.174