Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.
June 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

Received your June 3 letter yesterday (the one mailed in Lafayette) and one from the folks dated June 7. So much for mail.

I’ve been thinking a lot about why I couldn’t make or rather write a better letter so I decided to make an analysis of the situation. Starting first with the beginnings and endings. There I had a wide variety of subject from which to select since because one always notices that when censoring the mail. Some are on the light and funny side; others seem to convey the idea that the writer is signing his last will.

[page 2] So after running thru them ad infinitum none were quite correct. Then I thought again of the ones we use and for our purpose I don’t believe there is any better. Perhaps it’s the hidden meaning conveyed by the Simple words “Mother” & “Daddy.” So I’ll just continue unless you can send a better one??

Then the body of the letter – news – that’s out as you well know – description – not too minute – actions – none – weather not too exact – but in a general way I have exhausted that subject often because one word, two words, I should say does the trick – hot and damp. You have the advantage there thanks to the seasons, and

[page 3] cold and chilly can be added – health (mines good) can’t say about the camp in general for that is considered military information – Friends and fellow officers – I’ve probably caused you to chew your nails along that score already – you don’t give a hoot about them for they are unknown to you. When you write of the boys it’s OK – means a lot to me – Coconuts bla-bla. The commander and I had a bet yesterday 1000 to one. I was betting the 1,000 – he said that was a lot of bucks – I said, “Who says buck? I mean coconuts.” He didn’t want to win the bet because nothing could make him more unhappy than have 1,000 coconuts piled on his lawn in Cleveland, Ohio. Back to the original subject lizards – that’s been over stressed – Laundry – that’s been twisted dry. Food – a

[page 4] very delicate subject and more can be added. That is we hope new varieties can be written of as time goes along – Say-y-y – the mail – hope that can also be extended and elaborated – onion and sardine parties – all has been said and it “stinks.” The garden a total flop up to now – but the onions, carrots and lettuce may save the day – radishes [?] top heavy too much has been written – places I’ve seen not interesting anymore – Our four legged friends the cows that’s a good and everlasting subject because they might wander into cuttin’ meat as chow time – that was mentioned under the heading of food – (bottom of page 3) – shells and other sea and marine life a dead and smelly subject – I’m about run dry – hoping you are the same

Love Daddy

P.S. If dry get a drink. OVER

[page 5]

Don’t mind me I’m just trying to write a letter that you could enjoy (I hope)

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/08/31/military-humor-ii-roscoe/