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

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 14,1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." It's an effort getting used to C-rations, mosquito nets, and all the inconveniences after having such a great rest leave. Upon their return, they received stacks of letters, and thanks his dad for the cookies and canned things. He obtained a small hot plate so he can warm the canned treats. The Valentines arrived and he asks his father to continue sending the newspaper clippings. He thanks his family for the cards, as well as the letters that have been passed along. He enclosed a picture of their crew [not included] and has flown twenty-three missions. The first…

GLC09620.160.01

February 14, 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph note

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

A piece of paper with Robert Stone's APO number and address. The back has "Asiel & Co" printed on it. It was enclosed with GLC09620.160.01.

GLC09620.160.02

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

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

4 March 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He apologizes for not writing for the past ten days, but they've been busy. All of the various letters from his family have been "swell." He was unable to discuss Barry's whereabouts until now. After he came back from leave he found a note from Barry saying "when you next bomb Iwo be careful you don't hit me." He is certain Barry will make it through with flying colors and mentions how weird it was knowing his brother was on the beach while he was in the air bombing the same island. He's plugging along on his missions, and now has twenty-seven completed. He's feeling…

GLC09620.164

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

17 March 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." All of his family's letters have been coming in regularly and they are very appreciated. A package of food arrived and he thanks them for some of his favorite "eats." He has completed thirty-one missions and he only has nine twelve-hour missions left. Everyone is constantly thinking about their last mission but before they get there, they've "been through the tortures of the damned" mentally. He was surprised to find the press release (GLC09620.161) that his father sent. He hasn't heard from Barry for a while, but it's probably because he's too busy to write. "No…

GLC09620.166

22 March 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Typed document

Title: Route Forecast Guam to---ChiChi Jima

A route forecast document detailing types of clouds, at various heights, wind speeds, and overall weather forecast.

GLC09620.167

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

29 March 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He's sweating out his last few missions and the crew is all a little jumpy. "In this game you've haven't won until the last ball is pitched, or in this case 'till the last burst of flak has been evaded." He is ready to be done. He saw Barry and he is excited and nervous to be returning to the states. He thanks Bee for a book of "GI laughs," and it's lived up to its' name. He asks his parents not to send any more packages as he hopes to be out by next Christmas. He's sorry to hear that O'ma has been sick, and just sent her a letter. He thanks his father for taking…

GLC09620.170

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

15 April 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He completed his thirty-ninth mission. It doesn't mean anything until he flies his last mission though. He and his crew have been the flight leaders for the past ten to twelve missions and they're now the most senior crew. He hasn't seen Barry for a while and expects he's already left for the states. He heard of the President's [Franklin D. Roosevelt] death from a broadcast picked up in San Fransico. He writes that everyone feels a "definite sadness and a real loss at a time like this." He's grateful they have capable military leaders. They are now curious…

GLC09620.173

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

22 April 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He flew his fortieth mission! The entire crew feels like "free men again with a great pressure removed." It will still take some time to go home as they will stop in Oahu first. His joy was spoiled when he had a letter returned from a friend marked "missing." He was flying in Italy and wrote to his friend's Commanding Officer to see if it was a mistake, and he hopes it was. He's glad his ashtrays made it to his father, and thanks him for the canned treats. He enclosed a clipping from American Magazine [not included]. He says to tell Barry he might've found a way…

GLC09620.175

22 April 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bunny Marks

Addressed to "Bunny." He completed his fortieth mission and it's a real relief. It will be a while before he comes to the states, but he doesn't have to fly any more missions. He was promoted to first lieutenant and he asks her to say hello to Ken Marks for him.

GLC09620.176