Category Archives: World War II Letters

Tokyo Rose and Orphan Ann (Roscoe)

In this letter, Roscoe mentioned the attempts made by himself and his tent mates to listen to the news and some entertainment on the radio. They heard some Japanese propaganda over the airwaves. Today we know more about these broadcasts. The Japanese attempted to lower the morale of the American soldiers far from home. They played American music and they tried to manipulate the homesick boys. Several young, English speaking Japanese women were forced to broadcast under the pseudonyms of “Tokyo Rose” and “Orphan Ann.” The above audio clip is a small sample from an “Orphan Ann” broadcast. For more information about two of the real Japanese women involved in Japanese war propaganda who were captured after World War II, click here.

: November 6, 1942 Envelope

: November 6, 1942, p. 1

: November 6, 1942, p. 2

: November 6, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 6, 1942

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this in the middle of the P.M. Shortly after chow. I made the rounds saw my 27 patients (all male). Came back took a bath and am now flat on my back on the bunk with all sides of the tent up and only my trunks on – almost forgot – house slippers. The sun is hot out so it’s better to stay in the shade although a blanket and sheet is still necessary at night. In fact this must be climate very much like California. And I’ve been told it was a sort of a resort during normal times. Just raised up. I can’t write very well on my back.

I just wrote Ruth M. and may try to write another or two today. The Walkups & Allgoods is depends on my vim after I get this done. Got one letter this A.M. Yours of Sept. 1 wasn’t very interesting after getting all the latest later ones. It did recall though – on that day we came into harbor here and it was something to think back what you were doing at that time.

It sure doesn’t seem like fall of the year here and I can’t seem to realize that we are nearing the Christmas season. Of course, that is some time

[page 2] yet but it will be here before we realize it.

In Mom’s letter yesterday she told of how long it took my letters to come etc..and many of the boys say it takes only 8-10 days for their letters to get home. Hope you will give me the dope in that regard as I asked you the other days. So far my letters have been among the latest and the boys ask me how long it takes mine to get there and I can’t tell them.

The wind blew so hard last night it seemed the tent might not hold but so far we haven’t lost one although we do take a beating from the side flaps. It would seem all the mosquitoes would be bashed to death but apparently they just ride along on the waves. The netting keeps them away only once in a while one takes a nip before one retires into the sack.

Our news comes in well each night but the programs that are supposed to be very entertaining to the boys of the South West Pacific are not what I would call the best. In fact we generally try to get Japan to see what they are saying about us. It’s not bad entertainment in a crude sort of fashion. They sing “Home Sweet Home” at the beginning and end

[page 3] of their program and it doesn’t seem to have much affect on our moral coming from where it does – Stopped for a little engagement on the hillside. Guess I’ve been drinking too much beer.

Since I started it’s been an hour or two and it is now cloudy and the wind still blowing pretty hard. Looks like we might have some rain again.

Just noticed in the J.A.M.A. of the death of two of the Drs. we knew in Norfolk. They were in an airplane accident in Virginia. Seems strange that they there should have something like that happen. Right in the heart of U.S.A. but one never knows.

Hope you and the boys are making out OK. My biggest worry is the furnace. I’m afraid it will fill up and break one of the pin that feeds the coal in. The clinkers should be cleaned out well each day and that should be done when the furnace isn’t running. I always turned that thermostat on the front of the furnace back. That would stop it. Then hang something on the draft in the pipe to close it – that caused a draft and the smoke didn’t come out the fire door. Of course, one had to be careful to reverse the process when finished. So if you try to do those things yourself maybe that will help – but have someone come out about once each month and give it a real going over. Guess maybe the babes diapers will keep the moisture up.

Well, my space is all gone
Lots of Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/09/tokyo-rose-and…han-ann-roscoe/ ‎‎

Marines Face New Thrusts By Japanese (Roscoe)

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Click to enlarge

Since Roscoe was not allowed to say what was going on around him, Gladys was most likely following the war over the radio waves and by reading the local papers. The above article was published in The Vidette-Messsenger (Valparaiso, Indiana) on November 4, 1942. Written by a UP reporter, the article was picked up by papers around the country, perhaps even the Newton County Enterprise, one of the papers that Gladys read regularly.

: November 5, 1942 Envelope

: November 5, 1942, p. 1

: November 5, 1942, p. 2

: November 5, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 5, 1942

Dear Mother,

What with eleven letters yesterday and 10 today I’m getting pretty well caught up. Those yesterday were all from you but today’s letters were varied. One from Mom, one from Walkup’s and one from Allgoods, but all those letters you told me about that were sent to me when David came have not arrived. So Mark calls the baby Davie – seems as if I’ve referred to him as the same, hope I haven’t put too much in Mark’s mind.

I sent you the radiogram I received the other day. Thought you might want to put it in David’s scrap book. I had to cut out one word so that it would pass the censor. You should have received something on that end because the thing needed a reply, but I turned it over to the Chaplin. So I’m not sure what he may have said. Sometimes I don’t trust them too far. I told him to say the word received OK. So anything else will be extra.

[page 2] You will note I haven’t bawled you out for what you haven’t written. I’m not going to. So far I haven’t received letters on Sept. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 18 and from 19 to 26. See from 19 to 26 I missed all the excitement then I haven’t received any from Oct 14 to Oct 23 but did get the Oct. 24 letter. So that brings me up to date pretty well. Some of those days are were probably Sun. and since you don’t write on Sun. there are bound to be a few days missing. I write every day Sun included. I can’t tell which is Sunday after it is past because of lack of calendar as I have told you – You don’t know how much they are missed until there isn’t one around.

I should have told you about wrapping packages. They should be wrapped extra good, because I’ve seen some come in that are in very poor condition. In fact just holding together and that is all. I’ve sent you two packages and you

[page 3] haven’t mentioned them. So I wonder if they arrived. It will take those much longer than air mail letters however.

We may have a change of address in a few days so if you don’t hear for several days you will know. There is nothing to worry about but just keep it in mind. Of course, we don’t know for sure but as I’ve said before even at Norfolk one didn’t know when his address might be changed.

Many of the fellows have Christmas packages already. Seems early but they really got here in time. It’s really very uncertain how and when to mail anything to have it arrive when it’s supposed to.

One of our boys was given the distinguished flying cross in a little affair we had here today. It was a swell thing for the kid and of course the first that I had ever seen. May we have more like him. I could say more but I can’t. Now what kind of talk is that.

I’ll save the rest of the space, got 2 V-mail letters dated Sept. 14 & Sept. 12. They aren’t good – but you might keep writing one or two per mo-

Love Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/08/marines-face-n…thrusts-roscoe/ ‎

David – Six weeks old (Gladys)

1 Reply

Today’s post features three pictures that were taken around November 4th and 5th, 1942 at David’s six week mark. He is being held by his grandmother Emma Foster.

Letter transcription:

V-mail, dated November 5, 1942

LT (JG) R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy SSA (White Poppy)
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland
Ind
11-5-42

Dear Daddy-

Thurs. and no mail but maybe several will come tomorrow. I have an appointment to get a perm this afternoon at 2:30 David is 6 weeks old so feel like I can leave him with Mother long enough to get a much needed curl. At present he is asleep but acts like he is going to wake up. It is raining and windy today – real fall weather. I scanned over the paper to see the election returns. Cliff was defeated – seems everything went Rep. except one Township Trustee. This year the 7 & 8^th grades get to put on a stunt for stunt night. John has a leading role in the 7^th grade class. He has tickets to sell – was complaining because even the “players” have to buy tickets. I think Mark has been getting into a little trouble with his teacher from some of the things he says. He and some other boys threw spit wads in music class and were sent out. His grades were all pretty good so he evidently didn’t bother the teacher too much. I think he doesn’t care so much for this teacher as he did his 1, 2 & 3 grade teachers. He is doing much better now otherwise. Doesn’t seem so nervous. He & John are both taking oral vaccine for colds. However John did develop a slight case of laryngitis but it didn’t last long. I am still giving myself liver once a week and Vit B once each week. I feel I still need it – tho I am feeling much better. Hope you get your birthday box & cards.

Love
Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/07/november-5-1942-gladys/

Red Cross Radiogram (Roscoe)

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Red Cross radiogram, dated November 2, 1942

On October 29^th, Gladys wrote that Bob Hufty had decided to take the matter in hand to get Roscoe the news of David’s birth. Bob contacted the Red Cross to expedite the message’s delivery to New Caledonia. It worked, and pretty fast too! Included in the envelope with Roscoe’s November 4^th letter was the Red Cross radiogram. The message took only 3 days to reach Roscoe. In his next letter, Roscoe explained why he sent the radiogram home with the November 5^th letter, so stay tuned.

: November 4, 1942 Envelope

: November 4, 1942, p. 1

: November 4, 1942, p. 2

: November 4, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 4, 1942

Dear Mother,

Things looked up today – got eleven letters from you, but none from anyone else. Most of them in the early part of Sept, but the two latest were Oct. 24 & 25 so that makes them only about 10 days old. As far [as] I know you are not receiving any letters from me because we you never mention the fact. Only once have you said one word about my letters coming to you. Aren’t you getting any or are you just forgetting to mention them? You told me you received the money orders and one time you said you had received 14 letters up to Oct 1, but since then you haven’t said one word. How about it? I shouldn’t be that way because you probably have said in the missing letters but it is a little vexing.

I didn’t know anything about Mark and his horn business you said something but I thought he was trying on the old horn. I would much prefer that he have a horn to a Uyke. In fact if you haven’t bought one by now – I wouldn’t anyway until spring

[page 2] because he couldn’t use it this winter and we can see more how things are by spring. Tell him I suggested he wait until spring. I’m in favor of the horn, however, we spend money on John but none on Mark. If he has a horn that can be blown give him lessons that is if the money supply seems to hold out. A few private lessons might help. At least a trial wouldn’t be out of order and a little money expended on him is in order.

I don’t mean to be bossy in what I’ve said of mail etc but I’m trying to do the best I can from here. I still love you as much as ever and am as much concerned as ever of yours and the boys welfare I should say even more so concerned.

Your letters today told of the Christmas package, the clothes of Norfolk, and the pictures of Lentz. I wish you hadn’t sent the clothes but I guess you have and I’m afraid a Christmas package will be in bad shape but that[s] OK. Send the pictures of Lentz’s and I’ll try to get part of the $1.35. Did you ever get the film I had taken here?

Even with the letter today I still have a space of from Sept 11 to about Oct 6 but the Oct 24 & 25 letters sure help.

[page 3]I’ll be expecting news of letters and of the finances. I’m very glad to hear of the family and pleased that you are able to be up and around and sorta boss the situation. I can’t tell you to hire too much done because I don’t know if you have any money or not. Yo I don’t even know if you got an allotment check for you never have said so. I’ve harped on this in so many letters you’ll think I’ve gone dippy, but I haven’t.

I told you of the uniform money. It may come to you direct and may be in 2 checks which is OK. I told this the other day but just in case-

Well, I save a little space for late developments – Just got another letter don’t sell the microscope. It isn’t worth much but I can have it gone over and put into good condition. They wouldn’t give anything what it is worth to me.

Hope I haven’t been too critical and forgive me-

Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/06/red-cross-radiogram-roscoe/

November 3, 1942 (Gladys)

2 Replies

V-mail dated November 3, 1942

Letter transcription:

LT (JG) Yegerlehner MC
Navy SSA (White Poppy)
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland
Indiana
11-3-42

Dear Daddy –

Mark and I are cleaning house. Today being election Mark has a holiday – he washed windows and cleaned the overstuffed furniture and is going to clean floors. He is trying to earn enough to get me to buy his bond. I tried to check up on our financial matters. We still owe about 75⁰⁰ to various drug co’s. The bank bal. including the 150⁰⁰ and Nov 1 allotment is 903. I have a bill or two around town to pay but not much. I will get those drug co’s paid now that I have a little more time to do things. I am still busy but feel more like doing. I didn’t pay the last half of the Federal – should I go ahead & pay it? Mrs. R. was here yesterday. This is the present add [address] of Joe – J.M. Roberts Lt Comdr, Mobile Hosp #4 USNR Fulcrum – c/o Postmaster San Francisco. However she had a letter from him stamped New York, NY Navy Mobile Base Hosp. #4 BR. She was quite baffled about the NY stamp since his ad is San Francisco. Wondered if you would know what it meant. He wrote that he may be transferred to the Marines. I sent your laundry but you may be slow in getting it since the Christmas mail is being sent now. Let me know if you get it and if there was anything besides laundry in the box – I won’t tell you what it is because I want it to be a surprise and if it doesn’t get thru don’t want you to be disappointed.

Love

Mother

November 2, 1942 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Roscoe’s regular routine was to write his letter and then leave a little space at the bottom. Since he normally wrote in the evenings, the letter would be brought to the censors the following morning. If there was any additional news to include in the letter, he would do so before dropping the letter off. In a previous letter, he apologized (in advance) if he had ever forgotten to sign a letter. Up to that point, he had not. This appears to be the first letter in which he did not sign it and add a closing. For some reason or another, he got distracted and dropped the letter off with the censors before finishing it.

: November 2, 1942 Envelope

: November 2, 1942, p. 1

: November 2, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Nov. 2, 1942

Dear Mother,

Things looked up again today – got 2 letters from you and one from Ruth M. They were all dated around the First of Oct. – 6^th – 8^th Gradually the things I ask about are coming in. You told me you understood what I asked you to do about the lawn so that is something. I suppose from the way yours and Ruth letters sound there have been a few frosty nights there. Ruth said they had a pretty good snow storm. I guess it was a lack of mail that made me more or less down in the dumps yesterday for I feel better today. Then too we had something else to do. We again did some changing on our tent. In fact we got a new one our old one was rather rotten and after continuous rain it would seep thru in some spots.

I got a letter from the Bureau of Something today asking for some other data before I could get the uniform money. So I sent that in and asked if they would send the check to you. So you can look for it but I still don’t believe they will send it to you. There may be two checks of 100 & 150 so it’s OK if it comes that way. Or if just one comes – wait on the next. They are sometimes sent out like that.

All the folk that wrote to me told me of Henry S. [Steiner] so he must be in pretty bad condition. Some one of them wrote that he was in the hospital at Terre Haute.

Just this minute got a box of candy from Boonie. That is the funny thing mail might come any time of day or night. Last night it was about 9:30 when those four letters came and the others came this morning and then the box of candy came about 5:00 PM. I’ll have to write to Boonie now also. I’m really going to get behind if I’m not careful, because now I’ll have to write Clarence. Mom sent me

[page 2] seven air mail stamps, Clarence 4 and Ruth 4. And I have about 35 on hand, but they won’t spoil unless it gets to hot and moist. I’m still waiting on the stationary as you will note from the kind I’m now using.

If I were home I’d write Mead Johnson and have them supply David with his food but I hardly think it would be the thing for me to write them from here. You should have no trouble with the food since John used that kind also. I’d be a little careful about keeping the milk upstairs too long it might get too warm unless you can put it between the window & storm window. You might be a little sensitive to liver shots since it has been so long since you took one so if you haven’t taken one yet I’d be a little careful. You might be like Irene S. [Staton] when I gave her the Vit B., but if you have taken one and it didn’t bother you should be OK on the next.

The Clay City Paper just came and I had to stop and read it a bit. Mom said she was having it sent. It didn’t have much in it but it made pretty good reading. It was the Oct 2^nd issue.

Boonie had a guess on the outside of his box of candy as to where I was and the guess was right – Maybe you have been talking to him. I wouldn’t tell too many people about that but if they guess right it isn’t your fault. There is still some mail coming in so maybe I’ll have more to report a little later.

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/04/november-2-1942-roscoe/

November 2, 1942 (Gladys)

4 Replies

V-mail November 2, 1942

Several weeks past, Roscoe mailed a box of shells and coral to the family. He had spent many an evening combing the beach on his tropical South Pacific island to find these treasures. The box finally arrived and the contents made the voyage across the ocean (and the United States) relatively intact. As predicted, the older boys were pleased by the new treasures and took them to school to show off. Gladys didn’t mention another item that was included in the box. Roscoe had taken a souvenir bath mat from the S.S. Alcoa Pennant. The bath mat was used as extra stuffing.

Letter transcription:

LT (JG) Yegerlehner MC
Navy SSA (White Poppy)
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland
Indiana

11-2-42

Dear Daddy,

The box came this morning. The boys were very pleased over the collection and each took some of the various pieces to school. They will both write and thank you. That was very good time the box made in coming – a month. I am mailing your laundry to you today. Would have sent it sooner but didn’t know what to do with it. I finally got the letter you mentioned it in – the later was posted Oct 18 and was missent to Columbus. I think I have received all your letters now. Sometimes one will be sent elsewhere then I get it after getting later ones. Had your picture enlargement made and send to your Mother. You might send her a box of shells if you can. The buckle was very nice – now I will have to buy a dress to wear it on. My checks came this morning. I get two separate ones each mo. 170 & 30. The check A. Taylor gave me bounced. Don’t know what to do with it if anything. It is time to feed David – and he is about to wake up – have him in his basket by the desk. Tried to take more pictures of him Sat but it was too chilly to keep him out – he squirmed so we couldn’t get him still long enough. He is growing so much. When he is two month old will have Hubertz make a picture of him.

Love
Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/03/november-2-1942-gladys/

November 1, 1942 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 1, 1942 Envelope

: November 1, 1942, p. 1

: November 1, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Nov. 1, 1942

Dear Mother,

Sun P.M. after chow and just writing before it gets dark and before church time. There was some mail came in but this seemed the first time I’ve missed. There wasn’t much but nevertheless I didn’t get any. I’m not blaming you of course because I feel that you are writing each day. Maybe things will break in a few days.

Today being your birthday I’ve thought lots about it and really wish you a very happy birthday. Of course, I’ve done that before but take this time to do so again. Hope you have had a good birthday.

This has been a rather dull day with work to do all day and couldn’t go swimming or get away from tent or hospital grounds – but I’ll get to sleep in a bed with springs again, which is better than on the usual canvas and thin mattress, but the other night when I slept on the bunk bed my back was very sore guess I wasn’t used to such comfort.

So far today the sun has been very bright with only a slight sprinkle now and then but most of the time it’s the hot blistering sun, and the wind still blows pretty hard in the P.M.

Some officers came in from someplace else and seem to be making our tent a place to drink beer. They haven’t had any for ages so I guess it won’t hurt them to break loose a little and of course they won’t get enough to get into the gutter. We hope.

I’ve been reading another story – The Five Keys to Mystery and while reading it I rolled up the side of the tent and got a sun bath – got some tan now – Maybe will get more if the rains don’t came to often and too long in one period of time.

I’m going to write to the folks again this Eve. if I don’t have

[page 2] outside interference. And before long I’ll have to write Ruth & Ira. I’m about out of paper so I’ll have to go bumming again. This typewriting paper is OK but it’s too long and too flimsy – but air mail paper has to be thin and light.

Haven’t played bridge for several nights now. In fact since our new roomer moved in with his radio we listen to the news and that breaks right into the middle of the bridge time. One gets a little tired of the same thing each night but it’s better than just sitting around and thinking of things that have been or will be. But one gets tired of doing things all day long in the same way and at the same place and under the same conditions. This whole letter is all chopped up and uninteresting I know but it’s just one of those times when one feels down a little and mostly blank as far as mental action is concerned.

Well, I’m all run out maybe I can add a little later.

Four letters just came in 2 from you one from Clarence Y and one from Mother. Everything seems to be OK. Mom sent me 7 air mail stamps and Clarence sent 4 so I’m pretty well supplied with what I have on hand.

Must get going
Love
Daddy

P.S. Your letter was dated Oct 10,

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/05/29/november-1-1942-roscoe/ ‎

Happy Birthday Gladys! (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

LT (J.G.) R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy SSA (White Poppy) M.C.
c/o Post Master
San Francisco – Calif.

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland Indiana
11-1-42

Dear Daddy-

Sunday and my birthday. Besides your gift I rec’d a flower from Dorothy, a box of yardly soap from the boys – an apron and bowl set from Mother and $5⁰⁰ from Mrs. P. – also several cards. The Ladies Aid brought me an African Violet last week so I counted that in my gifts. It was meant for me when I came home but they forgot it then. I took David out to show him to Mrs. P. today. She has been ill and not able to be out and wanted to see him. The boys are both writing you V-mail letters. They wrote regular letters last time. I sent you several pictures of the baby and all of us do hope you get all the letters. Also sent some in the Christmas box. Rec’d the negative of yourself. Am having it printed. It will make you seem a little closer – having a “fresher” picture. If it is good I’ll have one made for your mother. I sent Dr. L. pictures in your birthday box. Don’t know when you will get it. Hope before Christmas. Mark has gone with a group to Goodland to a youth fellowship meeting. John didn’t go – is listening to Quiz Kids. Said since it is my birthday didn’t want to go. This is the first V-mail for some time. Sorry I didn’t keep sending them but will write them regularly now. Will see if you got the “clippers” letters any sooner if so will send more of those. David needs some attention so must change him.

Love
Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/01/happy-birthday-gladys/