Letter transcription:

June 30, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.

Dear Mother,

I couldn’t got go to sleep for a period last night so tried to think of what I might write and nothing seemed to come. Then all of a sudden I began to realize I had been listening to the sounds around about so I thought why not describe those. Those would not be military information so why not. First

In describing sounds one does not know whether to take the near ones – the far – the loud etc. In describing a landscape I learned long ago to read it someplace – A point of view had to be selected – like a high hill

[page 2] or a tall building. Well the point of view of my sound description is my bunk with only a pair of trunks to protect my nudeness. Approximately 7:30 P.M. Dark as only a tropical dark night can be with a gentle, soft breeze floating thru the screened walls of the tent. As far as near or distant sounds were concerned there is no way of knowing exactly so I’ll not bother. I’ll just take them as one they came to me and was then were crowded out by the next.

Crickets or some such – were filling the entire atmosphere and it seemed nothing not another sound possible but a slight breeze scraped the long frown of the palm trees and gave a rustling sound much louder than that thru our well known maple trees at home. “Screach” the

[page 3] door to the bath house was opened as a late bather decided on a bath in darkness – Maybe he is the modest type. Ring Ring – the telephone still gives me a little start, however it’s never for me. Then a sharp bang followed in a few moments by another “screach’ of a rusty hinge. Someone had a belated B.M. The first bang was the hinged lid over the hole – purr airplane!!! No just a jeep or truck in the distant – Squeak, squeak high up – Rats fighting in the tree tops. They build nests way high in the air among the cocoanuts and seem to have their affairs at night. They can also be heard just outside the tent gnawing – and also inside scampering from one place to another. The loudest sound

[page 4] was almost missed – It’s also the most consistent and that is probably why it didn’t break thru – The Surf – The roaring swish beginning low and in a crescendo like sound finally breaking and one could imagine the white spray leaping high and then the receding waters – The whole process repeated over & over again. Just made one think of a huge monster rushing to escape but the chains always holding him back.

I suppose this could go on and one but why bother when can use the imagination after looking at the National Geographic.

Another sound purr – airplaine!!! No just a small patrol boat or distant truck – whistle whistle – The shrill whistle of the Bosun pipe – which means

[page 5] that all is secure – and ok! “Golly” I’m getting sleepy – Hoping you are the same – good night –

Lots of Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
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