22 February 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." A brief note explaining that he and forty-seven others are going to start their "psychs" tomorrow and he won't be able to write during the week as it will be a long and tough one. Says he'll get in touch with them at the end of the week. Postcard has a picture of a silver B-24 bomber plane called the "Flying Fortress" flying on a light blue background with "Keep 'Em Flying" in red lettering.

GLC09620.012

5 March 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Finished up his "pyschs" this week, but has not written to anyone for a week. The first day was an eight-hour multiple choice test to determine placement, followed by "penny arcade day" where his coordination was tested with a variety of contraptions, the next day was "ARMA" or "adaptability relative to military aeronautics," followed by an interview with a psychiatrist. He mentions that most of the fellows "wash out" at this point. The following day he had a "complete going-over" and they thoroughly tested the eyes by looking at depth perception and prism…

GLC09620.013

21 March 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone and brothers

Addressed to "Dad and Bee (also the freres [brothers] if home)." Hasn't written lately because he was sick "with a temp of 102 and a very bad sore throat," and just got out of the hospital after being there for five days. He was disappointed earlier in the week as he and others received shipping orders, but were taken off said orders. Their numbers started at two hundred and ten and been narrowed down to thirty "poor souls." He mentions that today is the first day of Spring, but it is snowing. He blames the weather for making everyone sick. He has nothing much to report, as the duties rotate…

GLC09620.014

24 March 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Mentions a phone call they had earlier that day. He apologizes for the late letter he wrote "last Saturday" (GLC9620.014). He hopes it will arrive shortly. Complains that he is one of twenty-five men left in this "god-forsaken place." Predicts that when they are shipped out, it "will either be to Santa Ana, CA or Elington Field, Texas." Both are large bombardier schools, and there's a rumor of a new school in Georgia that would be perfect because he can go home if he has a "few days pass." Chances are slim that he'll stay in the east. The camp is keeping them very…

GLC09620.015

3 April 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Now at Ellington Field, Texas, the men are kept to a strict routine starting at 5:30AM. They eat breakfast, go to calisthenics, and then go to classes with a lunch break. There is one more hour of drills, supper, and lights are out at 10:00PM. Talks briefly about the tough classes he must take now, even though he has avoided them in college and prep school. The weather is brutally hot, and asks for salt tablets to be sent. It's even tougher as he came from a cold climate. The food is terrific, and rivals that of restaurants in New York City. Warns that he won't be…

GLC09620.016

4 April 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." Remembered a few things he forgot to include in a previous letter. Asks for a shaving bowl, shaving talcum, wooden hangers, and some salt tablets. He hates to bother them with these, but he can't get them anywhere. Asks about his subscriptions to three magazines and asks that they be forwarded as well. The letter is written on stationary with "U.S. Army Air Forces" printed in dark blue at the top of the letter, with their logo. The date is written as "Sunday" but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on April 4, 1943.

GLC09620.017

12 April 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad and Bee." The class work is very difficult, physics and math are college courses taught in a very short amount of time. His squadron was surpised with an "open-post" where they could leave the base and many people left to go to Houston while he stayed to study and keep up in his classes. He recieved many of the things he asked for, and the letters that were sent. The weather is still very warm, and bearable now. The fellows in the barracks are great, and the food continues to be fantastic. Asks that they continue writing. The date is written as "Monday Nite" but "Letters…

GLC09620.018

18 April 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Gella Hecht

Addressed to "O'ma," his step-grandmother. Thanks her for a generous check. Writes briefly about the difficult classes, and drills that last from 5 AM to 5:30PM. Compares the weather to New York City in the middle of the season. Tells her the food is the best, even better than back home. The fellows in his squadron range from twenty to twenty-six in age and are from any area from Maine to California. The date is written as "Sunday" but "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on April 18, 1943.

GLC09620.019

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