Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
Aug. 17, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of Aug. 2, 4 and 6^th came yesterday – The one with the financial statement was missing but you repeated a little so I have a fair idea. I don’t believe I would pay Ruth & Earl anything now that you have bought the bonds, etc. better keep a small reserve on hand – buying a bond once per month if you can. That was a false rumor about our pay so I couldn’t send any if I wanted to. If I were you I’d pay off the piano and then buy one bond per month unless of course it cuts you too short. We can always turn the bonds in and pay Mutch provided the our tax isn’t more than the bonds. So it’s just what you might call dealer’s choice.

I got a letter from Wayne W. and he was complaining about the amount of work he had to do and also said he hadn’t gotten away for a vacation as yet. Poor boy. No doubt people are working harder and trying to do more but they just can not forego the pleasures and vacations they once had with out some amount of complaining. I’m not feeling

[page 2] sorry for myself because an officer’s life isn’t so bad but it’s a 24 hour job seven days per week and it’s really tough on the boys that have to work hard. Of course that is true not only in this area but on all fronts – so it is a little “vexing” to hear one complain about not having a vacation.

Sacky has been was on the verge of being drafted when I left according to him and probably is still a little alarmed but maybe the hot breath of the draft board is finally blowing on the back of his neck. Officer’s salary does sound pretty good but I just have a $130 board bill to pay and what board especially in the beginning. Of course in the States there is also room & board – an enlisted man has none of that to worry about so there isn’t so much difference in the pay as one would expect.

My total salary now runs around 4000 but that is not all taxable and as I said above there is a deduction for food.

Well this letter has been more or less on the complaining side but I’m not that way all the time. I’ll try to be different next time.
Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
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