Category Archives: Foster

The Gopher Hole (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
IND
2-19-43

Dear Daddy – Just finished cleaning the “gopher hole” – that’s what we call J & M’s room. One day John came downstairs and said “Mother, a self respecting gopher wouldn’t stay in our room” – The reason was Mark’s airplane mess and mess in general – So I cleaned it this evening and Mark has a corner in the dormer – that is the dormer is his. He is up there now at work – and should be practicing on his horn. John has done his practicing for today and is now lounging on the davenport. It is warmer but still rather a sharp wind. Mother has a quilt ready to start quilting. We showed it to Mrs. Plummer. She admired it so much we are going to give it to her. They are going to Fla for the mo. of March. Servies were here and hadn’t seen David since before Christmas. They both thought he had grown very much. Mrs. S. says he looks just like you – as so many people do. Irene said I am in the “Nursery” with D. when they come and go to work and we wave and that is about as close as we get. I told you we had Christmas dinner there – Thompsons were there too. I told you before about her asking to use your large office desk but Newell wouldn’t let her have it. I didn’t enter into the thing only I told Irene she could use it if n. would let it go. They can’t get a new one. There are so many things can’t be bought now. Arlene needs a new bed for Bobby but can’t find one to buy. Fortunately Mary P. loaned me one for upstairs and Harold’s sister loaned one for downstairs. I will be looking for a letter with your suggestions about the lawn. Will send you pictures of the yard after things start growing. Mark is starting to practice horn.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/08/the-gopher-hole-gladys/

Just A Note (Roscoe)

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: February 19, 1943 Envelope

: February 19, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lt (jg) Yegerlehner (MC) USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif
Feb. 19, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just a note before working. It’s early in the A.M. but pretty warm. This is the 3^rd letter I’ve written since this irregularity started hope all of them are coming to you. When we finally get settled the mail should be as regular as before.

I’ll try to get a good full letter out one of these days.

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/07/just-a-note-roscoe/

Scanning the news (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-19-43

Dear Daddy – It was so nice and warm today we took the baby out for an airing – went over to Lucile’s and took some pictures of Jimmy Ed and David. The pictures L. had taken of Jimmy when he was a month old weren’t good. He is better – that is the rash is leaving. She didn’t give him lactic acid as Dr. M. prescribed and hope she won’t have to. She didn’t want to take him out in air today – was afraid it would make his rash worse. We have been listening to “Joey Brewster.” Mark went to the show, wanted to see “Arabian Nights.” I wanted him to wait until tomorrow evening but you know when he gets an idea about going anything or going any place and since this is Fri – I let him go. John is composing again. When Glen wired us about their baby we sent them a boxes – a sweater set and blanket – and today we rec’d a box from him with two suits for D. and a silver dollar for each boy. Also a baby pillow. Gretchen Dixon Wilson has a baby boy – Feb 17 – “Donald Scott” 5-15 not as big as D. was. Seems like the new babies are mostly boys. Tom Murphy has been in the hospital since Tues but Mrs. M. told me today he is coming home tomorrow. The operations noted in the paper this week are Marj Cast at Methodist, John Simons St. E. & F. Troup – the last was a kidney removal but don’t know what the first two were. The court news has the Dye divorce listed. No dates given. The grain elevator at Brook burned last Sunday – Most grain lost. Have been scanning the paper for news items as you can tell. Finally bought a baby buggy for D. It’s a used but was glad to get it – they are hard to find. Not many new ones to be had. I think Dolores is coming home in April and we will try to go down then for a visit. Will take Ruth M. along if she can go then.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/06/scanning-the-news-gladys/

Like spring again (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-18-43

Dear Daddy – Like spring again today but since we have had so much sub zero weather may have more before this month is over. Everything is quiet at present except for the stoker running – J & M both reading Mother and D. in bed. After the 6 P.M. feeding D. gets tucked in. He is getting old enough to show off – not quite 5 months – but J & M fuss around him so much when they are home and he is awake – I imagine he will be quite an actor by his first birthday – but will try to keep him from being too spoiled. Mark was first cornet player in the ban and was set back to second, so I got him to practice more and now he is back as first. I think if I keep on urging him he will get along. John has a habit of practicing the sax every evening when he comes home from school – Francis Kenny was married and is stationed in Bethesda Maryland. Art was attendant. He is in New River, N.C. – Byrnes said he has a permanent assignment there. Eileen Masters is in the WAAC – was she the one at St. E? K. Jones has been home – is going to take sub training when he goes back (New London – Conn) Boomershine is in N.Y. – He got a (j.g.) It seems strange for high school boys to be enlisting but that is happening now – Yost & Egan are two – – Funks went to Green Bay today for a visit. They took Louise along but with both boys they need help. I am glad D. isn’t as large as Donnie – because Donnie is so heavy (over 20 lbs at 6 mo.) To date no money for uniforms. The Dept that mails my checks has been moved to Cleveland. If Dolores comes home in April I am going to try and go down for a week-end. I think D. will be old enough to travel then. Your mother is anxious to see him again. Give me your suggestions about the yard.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/04/like-spring-again-gladys/

Word from the front (Roscoe)

1 Reply

After a short internet search, I was able to determine that Navy 224 was the postal code for the Guadalcanal/Solomon Islands area of the Pacific. One interesting thing from the website where I found the postal designations: Navy 224 was never activated, yet Roscoe did use it as his address. So who knows….

If you are interested in looking at Naval Postal Codes from World War II, click here. The Navy used these codes to keep locations classified.

: February 18, 1943 envelope

: February 18, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner (MC) USNR.

Navy 224
% P.M.
San Francisco Calif. (I think)
Thur Feb – 18

Dear Mother,

Use the above address when writing. None of your mail has come thru since Jan 25, but I hardly expect any for some time. This is the first letter I’ve had a chance to write since Mon. So don’t worry if the mail is spotty as I explained before.

Weather is still very warm during the day but nights are swell – sleep like a log from 7:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. Took a dip in the ocean before breakfast this A.M. and also one after chow last night. Remind me to recommend this as a resort because I don’t believe they come any better.

Will be writing again when time and facilities are better
Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/03/word-from-the-front-roscoe/

Looking for suggestions about the yard (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
IND
2-17-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Feb 6-9-10 & 11 – rec’d today – read and re-read. I will write to your folks today. It’s about time for my weekly letter to them. Hope the pictures reach you. Will get a good one of myself and have it tinted when we can get outdoor pictures. Seems it is hard for me to get a good picture at the photographer’s. D is raising a fuss. It is time for him to have a little nap before 2 P.M. soup and he had some attention when the boys were home for lunch. I think he is going to sleep now. He is heavier than Norme Stonecipher’s baby and she is 10 months old. If he gains his ½ lb this week will weigh 16 by his 5^th month. He has a slight rash on his face and I think it is from the tomato in vegetable soup so I am going to give him vegetables straight now. Jimmy Ed has a terrible rash over his face & body. Dr. M. told L. to add lactic acid but she didn’t and he got worse. She said she was going to try the acid now. I gave D. the new Mead oatmeal cereal Pabena yesterday & today but hardly think his rash is from that. He couldn’t retain tomatoe juice so I think that’s his trouble. It is warm like spring today. John said it made him feel like dancing. Mark still has a slight head cold but I let him walk to school today – it’s so warm – and yesterday a.m. was 5 below. I’ll be looking for your things even if it does take months. Will be looking for any suggestions you have about the yard. Won’t be long till time to start on things – at least planning. So let me know what you would like to have done.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/02/looking-for-su…he-yard-gladys/

Friday’s Faces From the Past – Youth and automobiles

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Click to enlarge

Here is another mystery photograph from the Foster and Yegerlehner photograph collection. There are nine teenagers and children on this car and I don’t recognize any of them. They could be from the Yegerlehner family or they could be neighbors messing around for a photo op. The picture was likely taken in Indiana and my guess would be in the 1930s.

Photograph from the private collection of Deborah Sweeney.

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/02/fridays-faces-…nd-automobiles/

Band Mother’s Dinner (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
IND –
2-16-43

Dear Daddy – Another cold day – 5 above below this a.m. This can’t last many weeks more because Feb. is over half gone. I took Mark & Zell girls to school – I wouldn’t just for the weather but Mark has a slight head cold – nothing serious but I thought the cold air wouldn’t do any good. I got the unicaps and have been taking 6 a day and it hasn’t been a week yet and I am feeling better – I think I’ll give Mark some to see if he can get over his cold. He is more susceptible than John to colds this winter. He hasn’t any temp, or I would keep him home. We went to the band dinner last night and it was much nicer this time – served buffet style and we all ate at the same time. I took a dish of baked beans. Mary Parttens took chicken & noodles and gave me what she had left over, so you can guess what’s our menu today. Just finished bathing & feeding D. He weighed 15 ½ – I got some Pabena for him – he wouldn’t take Pablum without a fuss. I am going to vary his cereal with cream of wheat etc. He is feeling extra good now with his tummy full. He feels that way most of the time – – About your blue uniform – you had better air it once in a while or it might molder in that humid climate – I have all your suits saturated in moth fumes. Plummers are going to Fla. in Mar. They got your letter and she said to tell you hello. Mrs. Tom Murphy was at the supper and said Tom wishes you were here. They are living in Kent. in Voglund’s house. Art is in a camp in Calif. Vivian is out there too. David chews on the rubber bone you got for Mark – Love – Mother

Navy 224 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: February 15, 1943 Envelope

: February 15, 1943, p. 1

: February 15, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mon. [February 15, 1943]
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
Navy 224
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Use the above address when writing in the future.

Everything is swell. Weather still warm and most of us griping as usual. Your mail to me will be delayed a little due to the change in address but it will reach me in due time.

Don’t expect my mail to you to be as regular as it was for some time. Tell

[page 2] the boys I’ll write them later. You can also drop the folk a line and I’ll write them later.

The box I was going to send home will be stored so don’t expect it. I’ll be able to write more later so for the moment Solong.

Love Daddy

____________________________

U. S. S. John Penn – Image courtesy of Wikipedia

At this point, Roscoe was being transferred. He was detached from his post at the Advanced Naval Base at Noumea, New Caledonia. On February 12, he boarded the ship U. S. S. JOHN PENN and was transported to his new location. He was part of “The First Special Detail.” The above letter was likely written on board the U. S. S. JOHN PENN. Arriving on February 16, 1943, Roscoe and his companions disembarked as members of Advance Naval Base Cleanslate. Time will tell where Cleanslate was located.

Image from Ancestry.com

: 4th Endorsement

: 5th Endorsement

The U. S. S. JOHN PENN was torpedoed and sunk later that year near Guadalcanal. For more information on this ship: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_John_Penn_(APA-23)

Point Rationing (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-14-43

Dear Daddy – Valentine Day and about 4 below. Last Sunday it was so warm we went out and took pictures but you can bet we didn’t flip around in the yard today. A little snow but not much but a cold wind. I got a box ready to send yesterday but I couldn’t send it because it’s too heavy. There is a 5 lb limit – so will have to break it down into two, so will try to get it mailed tomorrow. The band mothers are having their annual dinner for the band tomorrow night. It is a little early but they said we would have to have it before point rationing starts. I am not certain about everything that will be rationed but I know canned goods will be. I haven’t studied “point rationing,” but will before it starts. The second books will be issued next week. Have been trying to ration our meat before meat rationing starts. I don’t know how they will ration people with lockers. Glad we have one. Brands have a waiting list about a mile long. Paid for the half hog I had put in – it was $20 – also pd locker rent & processing – Mr. B. forgot to put the rent on when I paid him in Sept. – so withal pd. out about $45 for meat & locker but that will last us months. Bobby came up today to bring the boys valentines. He is cute as ever. He said David looked different than Donnie. He still runs away sometimes then has to stay in the house the rest of the day but the next day it’s the same thing again. Jimmy S. came over last nite with valentines. I asked Irene if she got the desk from the office. She said Newell wouldn’t give it up. I wrote you she asked to rent or buy it – I told her she could use it if Newell would let her take it. He says he things he will be in Service by next June but I wouldn’t hazard a guess. There has been some talk lately about who will have to go next but nothing definite. Louise Glenn is here on a visit and came up this evening. She left Johnny at home with Franklin & his mother. Johnny is as large as most 3 yr olds and is about year & half. Hope you get the bones in good time. I put in two Sunday papers. Couldn’t get any film for you.

Love Mother