February 17, 1943

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." Writes a brief note bemoaning the fact that his group of fifty won't be able to take their "pyschs" until the 23rd at the earliest while the rest of the squadron will be classified and shipped out. Postcard has a picture of a silver plane flying over the sea on a dark blue background with a yellow moon reflecting on the clouds and water. There is a small blue and red Air Force logo on the bottom left corner and "KEEP 'EM FLYING" is on the top of the postcard in small, black print.

GLC09620.008

February 22, 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

30 June 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He's happy he could get one last call in before he ships out. The train trip was "swell" and the officers had drawing rooms. This was their last night out before they sail. He's hoping he'll have mail waiting at his new address. The letter is dated "Friday Nite." "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on June 30, 1944.

GLC09620.108

3 July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." He enclosed an insurance slip for his good watch that he just sent home and it needs some work to be done. He has another watch so there is no rush in getting it back. The letter is not dated, but the reciept enclosed is dated July 3, 1944. "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on July 3, 1944.

GLC09620.109

January 12, 1946

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Typed document signed

Title: Application for Commission in the Regular Army

Robert L. Stone's application for a commission in the regular army. Details his military and education resume.

GLC09620.193

6 June 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Envelope

Title: [Envelope]

Addressed to "Lt. Comdr. J.C. Stone." It is an empty envelope from March Field, CA.

GLC09620.099

11 June 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He writes that he'll call them again at the end of next week, before he ships out. They've had miserable weather, but they're still flying. They have one or two more flights to complete all of their minimums. He talks about his crew, Pilot Bill Elkins and Co-Pilot Bill McGarvey. Bemoans the fact that he and Bill are the only two single officers. Bill McGarvey was mistakenly referred to as Joe McGarvey in this letter.(Bob was just assigned to his new crew and could not get all the names correct at first. Bill was the only crew member that stayed in touch until Bob"s…

GLC09620.101

19 June 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." It was "swell" to talk with his parents, but disappointing when he could not reach Don Stone. He went to a picnic yesterday and played bridge. He ran a few errands and plans on taking Ronnie and Doug Drake out for a steak dinner. He hopes to phone his parents when he reaches San Francisco. The letter is dated "Monday Aft." "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on June 19, 1944.

GLC09620.102

25 June 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Bee." A brief note, letting her know that he sent several things home, and they should probably be camphored and put in his closet. The letter is dated "Sunday." "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on June 25, 1944.

GLC09620.103

28 June 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Dad + Bee." He writes "things are really buzzin." He enclosed a couple of reciepts, GLC09620.103.02-.04, as they had to get rid of some clothes, letters, and notes from bombardier school that he should've destroyed. He asks that it all gets placed in his closet. Everything is very confusing, and he wishes he could tell them more, but he simply doesn't know. The letter is not dated. "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on June 28, 1944.

GLC09620.104.01

28 June 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brig. Gen. Edward Greenbaum

Addressed to "Eddie." He just got back to March Field after being grounded at Fresno. Thanks him for his letter, and began arranging time to visit him, as long as he has the time to "squeeze a meal in." The letter is dated "Wednesday." "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on June 28, 1944.

GLC09620.105

29 June 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Postcard

Title: to Jacob Stone and Beatrice Stone

Addressed to "Folks." A brief note to say hello as he travels north. Postcard image is "Lake of the woods, showing Mt. McLoughlin, near Klamth Falls, Oregon." "Letters in a Box" notes the postcard was written on June 29, 1944.

GLC09620.106

30 June 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brig. Gen. Edward Greenbaum

Addressed to "Eddie." He's disappointed that he could not meet Eddie. He asks to give him a ring if Eddie is ever in the area. He called the hotel and woke up a person, so he tells Eddie to explain to the man that it was "one of your ruffian nephews." The letter is dated "Friday." "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on June 30, 1944.

GLC09620.107

4 July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Stone

Addressed to "Dad." A birthday card for his father's 50th. He wishes he could be there to celebrate. Writes that his father is a "swell gent" and a "mighty tough" example to live up to. He only wishes that he'll be as successful as his father. The letter is not dated. "Letters in a Box" notes the letter was written on July 4, 1944.

GLC09620.110

July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Envelope

Title: [Envelope]

Addressed to "Lt. Comdr. J. C. Stone." It is an empty envelope with a faded postmark that says "Jul." A post-it note that came with the collection notes it contained a letter for Jacob Stone's 50th birthday, however GLC0920.110 already has an envelope.

GLC09620.111

9 July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

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

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, and Jim." It was great to talk to his parents last night especially as his unit recieved an unexpected pass to "Frisco." It was a "rotten trip" up, but they were in an antique train. Due to censorship, his whereabouts are now "unknown" and he sent this letter from town rather than Hamilton Field. He's on his way to the next location and encloses a temporary APO. The letter is dated "Sunday." According to a notation on the back of the envelope, it was received on July 17, 1944. However, as GLC09620.113-.115 are dated July 11 and 12, this letter is being recorded as…

GLC09620.112

11 July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

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

Addressed to "Dad, Bee, Don, Jim, Barry + Ken." Says this is a tough letter to write due to "rigid restrictions." The ship he is on is overcrowded, and the poor enlisted men are packed in like sardines. The first day was "really rugged" and 75% were sick. He's been lucky to keep everything down, but it was "dubious at times." Life is quite dull as they can either sit on the hurricane deck or play poker in the mess hall. He's had very little in the way of duties and so far has only had to censor the enlisted men's mail. He thanks his father for treating him to a "last fling in L.A." He asks…

GLC09620.113

11 July 1944

Stone, Robert L., 1921-2009

Autograph letter signed

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

Addressed to "All." He just finished a long letter, GLC09620.113, and thought to send a V-Mail to see which one got to his family first. The trip has been rather dull on their way to an unknown destination. He's hoping to have mail waiting for him when he lands. He writes that his "long newsy letter" is coming. The V-mail letter is dated "Somewhere at sea." "Letters in a Box" notes the date as July 11, 1944.

GLC09620.114