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

27 April 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He's been traveling around and taking it easy. He visited with Jack Naylor and went to Barry Marks' old outfit. Barry left the week before, probably by boat. He writes that his parents should hear from him soon. He still hasn't gotten over the feeling of completing forty missions and is working on his sun tan. The weather is very hot and he has been taking salt pills and drinking a lot of water. He warns his parents that he will eat them out of house and home.

GLC09620.177

30 April 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He received a number of packages and thanks his parents for the film and canned treats. He sends a "million thanks for the bay rum" which he almost threw out as it was concealed in a mouldy bread loaf. Oahu is overcrowded and he and his crew are stuck in the Mariana Islands. He's "as red as a lobster" because he's been lounging in the sun getting the "so-called forty-mission tan." He went to an officer's house and believes some "strange enlisted men" stole $170 out of his wallet. He's not too upset because he used most of his luck to complete forty missions.…

GLC09620.178

3 May 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." He writes a million thanks for the "over generous check for a party" his father sent him. He turned the check into traveler's checks and plans to have a "real blow-out" when he and his crew hit Honolulu or San Francisco. Still no word on when he'll be leaving, but they're all lounging around in the sun, catching up on letters, and generally taking it easy. He still resents the men who stole money from his wallet, so he hasn't gone swimming for a while. He's sorry to hear about the death of George Carrington.

GLC09620.179

11 May 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." It was "swell to talk to them the other day." It's great to be living like a human being and they had a "mighty wet party" and he thanks his father for treating the crew. He and the crew are at the rest camp devouring fresh food, milk, and relaxing. All is well with him, and he hopes to see his parents in early June.

GLC09620.180

15 May 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone, Beatrice Stone, and Bunny Marks.

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, + Bunny." A friend of his brought a big stack of mail from the Mariana Islands and he was surprised to find they heard about his fortieth mission indirectly. He wrote about ten letters at the same time, so hopefully his parents will receive their letter shortly. He thanks Bunny for her sweet letter. All goes well, and he's gaining weight with every meal. Milk is a real treat after a year of only water and GI coffee. He should be home in about ten days if all goes well. Most of them are sent to the mainland by boat rather than plane.

GLC09620.181

5 June 1945

United States. Army Air Forces

Typed document signed

Title: General Orders No. 67

General Orders No. 67 awarding Robert L. Stone the Distinguished Flying Cross. It was awarded for displaying "extraoridinary heroism" and for dropping 100% of the bombs in the target area on January 21, 1945. It lists the men of their crew and others. There are pages missing from the full brief.

GLC09620.182

14 July 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Typed letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Life is extremely dull in Camp Davis, a German prisoner of war camp in North Carolina. He was put on a list to have an administrative job, but he doesn't have any experience. He hopes he won't be sent for a refresher course before getting assigned to a non-combat job. He doesn't understand why the army is holding on to everyone. He hopes to call tomorrow on his father's birthday and thanks them for a "perfectly swell" leave at home. The letter is dated "Camp Davis, Saturday 14th, 1945." A post-it note that came with the collection notes the letter was written…

GLC09620.183

17 July 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Typed letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." He enclosed a newspaper clipping about the closing of of Fort Davis, GLC09620.232, to show his complaints were "well founded." He will hear about his assignment by the end of the week most likely, and he hopes he'll be at a redistribution or separation center. He does not want to go to Texas. He hopes his parents have a great time at Alderbrook.

GLC09620.184

20 July 1945

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Typed letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Nothing is definite for his future assignment. His interviewing officer placed a few calls to get him assigned at a redistribution center and they're holding him rather than sending him straight to Texas. He writes that he is incredibly lucky to have met a good man in the army. The camp is closing and they aren't taking any more people. He won a duplicate bridge tournament and received a free meal for two in town. He took a pilot friend of his. He'll let his parents know as soon as he is assigned and hopes they are catching a lot of trout.

GLC09620.185

8 August 1945

United States. Army Air Forces

Typed document signed

Title: Fort Dix Officers' Club Card

A Fort Dix Officers' Club Card. A small card to certify Robert L. Stone was a regular member and entitled to privelges and benefits. Signed by the secretary/treasurer, J.R. Gracey. No. 13099

GLC09620.186

21 September 1945

United States. Army Air Forces

Printed document signed

Title: Award of Merit

Army Service Forces gave Robert L. Stone an Award of Merit for outstanding performance at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Signed by T.E. Terry, Colonel, FA, Executive Officer and Madison Pearson, Brigadier General, USA Commanding.

GLC09620.187

27 September 1945

United States. Army Air Forces

Printed document

Title: Luncheon Menu and Guest List

A luncheon menu in honor of Brigadier General, Madison Pearson at Camp Edge, Fort Dix, New Jersey. It includes a short speech by Lewis B. Ballatyne, Brigaidier General, NJNG, Commanding, New Jersey State Guard. A post-it note included in the collection notes that "Bob is listed as a guest on the back page. At this time he was an aide to Brigadier General Madison Pearson in Fort Dix, 1945."

GLC09620.188