Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Aug. 18, 1943

Dear Mother,

You mentioned in several of your letters about people asking you if you had written me relative to D. accident and some had advised against such. I think you did exactly right because after all I’m not a weakling and can take those things. In fact I’d feel terrible if I didn’t know and I’d be disappointed in you. Sure I’d feel badly about anything that might happen but hypocrisy is the worst thing imaginable and it’s something you and I have never participated so why start such at a time like this. This is war and as I mentioned before it’s bigger than families so we have to take things and bear them. I’m certain you have always well written me things as they are at home and this is best. I can’t always write you things that happen here for various reasons which you understand. I haven’t felt so sorry for D. as for you because I know how he will get along – but the extra work, worry and self accusing, which I hope you haven’t done to[o] much of, will have a tendency to “mow you down,” but you know

[page 2] dear I’m for you and know that you have executed the best judgment at all times – so what do we care about what other people say. I say we because any criticism against you is equally shared by me.

Your letters of July 28 and 30 came yesterday and in them you told of receiving the check etc. Also got letters from Ruth M. and Mom. So now I’ve been well told about the family’s visit of course it was from different angles but and none repeated to me monotonous. The folks and Ruth M. were all very much impressed by the way you are carrying along and nothing but praises came from them so that makes me feel swell also. They were very much awed by D.’s behavior in the cast and his personality – I wonder – mothers or fathers!! Could it be both. I’ll vote for the maternal. Of course my ego is a li enters a little into the picture – self imposed ego of course.

I hope I haven’t made you feel badly by this letter. I really meant to make you feel better – Not by so many words but I’m all for you and you know it and I wouldn’t have any changes in you even if it were possible –
Lots of Love Daddy

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
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