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

10 May 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." A brief note as he has a math test tomorrow, but wanted to answer a few questions. He did recieve the photos sent, and hopes to get one taken of himself soon. Has gone swimming a few times, but not lately due to all the studying he has to do. The letter is dated "Monday Night," but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on May 10, 1943. The letter is written on "PreFlight School, Bombardier, U.S. Army Air Corps, Ellington Field, Texas" letterhead.

GLC09620.026

22 May 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Typed letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." "Busy as heck with tests." Completed two classes with flying colors and now has time to focus more on physics, which lasts as long as preflight training. Mentions that he is jealous that Don got to go home for a few days, but always looks forward to getting a letter from him and thanks Dad and Bee for writing so often. Moves on to talk about the movie stars who visited the field, including the leads from "Bombardier." He closes the letter writing that he hopes to go to Galveston tomorrow, and take a break from the army life. The letter is dated "Saturday Night…

GLC09620.027

24 May 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." Brief note from Galveston saying he's getting some relaxation in, and while it isn't much, it's "fun for a change." Written in pencil. The postcard is not dated, except for a post office stamp. "Letters in a Box" notes the postcard was written on May 24, 1943. The postcard image is a "Scene of Loading Cotton, One of Galveston's Leading Industries."

GLC09620.028

25 May 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Typed letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." A brief note asking Jacob Stone to purchase gifts for Bob's brothers, Jimmy and Barry on his and Don's behalf. Enclosed two slips of paper congratulating each boy on graduating. He offers to pay his father back, and apologizes as he cannot go out and purchase something himself due to a physics test. The is not dated, except for a "Tuesday afternoon" in the top right corner. "Letters in a Box" notes it was written on May 25, 1943.

GLC09620.029.01

25 May 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph note signed

Title: to Jim Stone

Addressed to "Jim." A brief note of congratulations upon his graduation. Enclosed with GLC09620.029.01 and GLC09620.029.03.

GLC09620.029.02

25 May 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph note signed

Title: to Barry Marks

Addressed to "Barry." A brief note of congratulations upon his graduation. Enclosed with GLC09620.029.01 and .02.

GLC09620.029.03

13 June 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." A letter focusing on his father's birthday. There was a slight change to the date, but he wanted to make sure his father knew he would celebrating in spirit and hopes that the next year will be happier than this past one. The letter is not dated, except for a "Sunday" in the top right corner. "Letters in a Box" notes it was written on June 13, 1943.. Written on "PreFlight School, Bombardier, U.S. Army Air Corps, Ellington Field, Texas" stationary.

GLC09620.030

14 June 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

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

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, Jim, and Barry." He owes everyone a letter as he hasn't been able to write. His classes are finished, and he did well above average. They don't mean too much, as the real scores come in during Advanced Training. Briefly walks through the basics of Advanced Training which is 12 weeks long. Only one-third of the group will move on, and he should get preference as a Cadet Officer. He feels like "such a heel" for not responding to all of the letters and asks his parents to thank O'ma, Pam, and others for him. He apologizes as he will have less time to write in the…

GLC09620.031

20 June 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." He is very annoyed. He and Don were supposed to meet in Dallas, but Don never showed up. He risked being picked up by an M.P. [Military Police] as he couldn't get a pass to travel outside the 50 mile radius. There were no rooms to rent, and the next morning Don's train came late, with no Don. He felt stood up, grabbed lunch, and waited for another train from Missouri, before hopping on a train back to Houston. Wishes his father a Happy Father's Day, and hopes to call him later in the day. Closes with "the next time you hear from me I'll be at Advanced." The…

GLC09620.032

23 June 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." He is incredibly happy as he is going on to Advanced Training. He was surprised to hear he was "car commander" and in charge of forty others. They are leaving this afternoon to a destination unknown. Post-Script: Sent his class yearbook along as well (not included). The letter is not dated, except for "Wednesday" in the top right corner. "Letters in a Box" notes it was written on June 23, 1943.

GLC09620.033

24 June 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

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

Addressed to "All." Stepped off for a break in Fort Worth, Texas. Writes that he will arrive at Advanced this afternoon. Postcard is an image of "Texas Christian Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas."

GLC09620.034

24 June 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone, Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." Stepped off for a lunch break, nothing much in the town, but it's good to get off the train. Postcard is an image of "Downtown Street Scene, Wichita Falls, Texas."

GLC09620.035

24 June 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone, Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." Unexpectedly held in Wichita Falls for a few hours. The trip has been pleasant, and the fellows he is in charge of are "most cooperative." They stopped for breakfast in Fort Worth, and stopped for lunch in Wichita Falls. The Lieutenant in Charge opened the orders in front of the two car commanders, and they are going to the "lousy little town" of Childress, Texas. It's a tough Advanced School, and he knows he won't have a lot of time to write. The letter is dated as "Thursday aft." "Letters in a Box" notes the date as June 24, 1943.

GLC09620.036

June 1943

United States. Army Air Forces

Printed document signed

Title: Aviation Cadet Detachment Army Air Forces Bombardier School, Childress, Texas

Card authorizing Robert L. Stone to leave Post, but not exceed a distance of 25 miles without written permission. Card is a faded olive green, with black type, Bob's name, and the Commandant of Cadet's signature, T.R. Mason.

GLC09620.037

27 June 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

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

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, Don, and Jim." Starts the letter with a brief about his location. Childress is a small "church-run," dry town where they can't buy beer. Open-Post means nothing, as there is nothing in town. Says it's flat, dusty, unbearably hot, and the food is not great. Their session has changed from twelve to eighteen weeks and they're trained as bombardiers and navigators. He has heard the work is difficult and he knows he won't have much time to write. He asks that everyone continues to write, as mail is "especially welcome," and it's very lonely. He writes that they recieved…

GLC09620.038

3 July 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

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

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, Don, Jim, and Barry." A lengthy letter detailing the fifteen-hour work days they are subjected to. They are in class for most of the day, with lunch and dinner breaks, and an hour to themselves from 9:30-10:30 PM. The work is tough, but interesting and he has learned more in a week than he did "in half a year at college or prep-school." Has a "great bunch of fellows in the barracks" which helps with the stress. Asks to have his letters sent around to everyone, as he is surprised he found the time to write. Date on letter is written as "Saturday Nite." "Letters in a…

GLC09620.039

8 August 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

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

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, Don, Jim, and Barry." A lengthy letter catching everyone up on the past month at Childress. They get up at 5:00AM and work until 9:30PM. They've begun flying in "AT-11" twin engine planes, and he flew a "zero-zero mission." They're also learning how to bomb, by using a "bombing trainer." In training they now fly seven days a week, and it's "fun but rough." Two men have washed out, including one who asked to leave because he couldn't handle the stress. Asks that everyone keeps writing to him as he loves to hear from them, even though he can't write back at the…

GLC09620.040.01

8 August 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Typed letter

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

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, Don, Jim, and Barry." A lengthy letter catching everyone up on the past month at Childress. They get up at 5:00AM and work until 9:30PM. They've begun flying in "AT-11" twin engine planes, and he flew a "zero-zero mission." They're also learning how to bomb, by using a "bombing trainer." In training they now fly seven days a week, and it's "fun but rough." Two men have washed out, including one who asked to leave because he couldn't handle the stress. Asks that everyone keeps writing to him as he loves to hear from them, even though he can't write back at the…

GLC09620.040.02

14 August 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." It was great to talk to his father last night, phone calls are tough to get through. He writes about dropping his first bomb, and the swell instructors flying with him. The weather is bearable in flight, unlike down on the ground where it's unbearable. The town is dreadfuly boring, and "after this, combat outght to be easy." Asks his father to send him a thermos, and a shaving kit, and to pass on a letter (not enclosed in the collection). Letter is written on "Army Air Forces, Bombardier School, Childress, Texas," stationary and is dated as "Saturday Nite." "…

GLC09620.041.01