Category Archives: World War II Letters

Flowers (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 14, 1943 envelope

: October 14, 1943, p. 1

: October 14, 1943, p. 2

: October 14, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.
Oct. 14, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of Sept. 24, 27, 29, 30, Oct. 1 & 2 came yesterday. I’m at a little loss to know why 24, 27, & 29 were all post marked Sept. 29. Probably was a little slip up some place along the line and doesn’t make a great deal of difference. In one of those letters the 7 months pictures and the letter you wrote way back there were present. I can’t understand that either but I guess these P.O. in the field have a lot to do.

So glad you got the flowers – I just knew this friend wouldn’t fail and I don’t feel badly about sending that amount of money. You should get another bunch of flowers along about your birthday from another fellow. In case you don’t get those all I can say is happy birthday. What I meant to say was I’m taking this opportunity to wish you a happy birthday because I can’t send anything – not even money in time and I didn’t send any sooner because I didn’t have any and won’t until the last of the month. So I have you get the flowers in time.

[page 2] I’m sorry your mother’s condition fails to improve. If it isn’t a carcinoma it has to be a hardening of the liver and the treatment of either is futile but I still think it is carcinous and the Gall stones have nothing to do with the condition. I’m afraid you are going to be pretty short financially because you only had a little over $150 so early in the month. You hadn’t mentioned before about paying the hospital as you went along which I think is a good idea if you can but it if cuts you so low that you can’t make the rent & insurance stall them off for a while – don’t ask Jim for more than half the expenses and I guess Glen isn’t able at this time to aid in that respect. I’m sure the finances will work out OK so don’t let that worry you.

Now about you – Your invoice sounded good but let me warn or prepare you – In sickness an individual who is responsible for the care of sick will often go on their nerves – Then when it is over if proper care isn’t taken a relapse or let down is evident and that is what you have to guard against. Get plenty of rest – sleep and let the house work go for a while. Your indigestion is probably like what I had when

[page 3] Openshaw, Mathews, etc. were out of town and I was run ragged remember. Don’t blame the strep you had last winter too much. Of course you might have a recurrence but you didn’t have a strep the year before and one got you last year so just because you did have that last year is no reason to expect one this year.

100 pounds, dark hair, Green eyes, 5’4”, pleasing features, a little slim but just my type. Do keep healthy Dear – just as if you won’t try?

The one year old pictures were good and but don’t try to send the movie films. Of course I’d like to see them but don’t take the chance of losing them and I don’t know the size nor the size of our machine here. Where is the pressure coming from for D. hair cut? Don’t tell me just let me guess. I won’t express myself on the subject. You probably know how I feel. Isn’t that a big help?

Those letters are such a big help when they come in as late as those yesterday – Thanks and lots of love
Daddy

P.S. I received a letter from the fellow who sent the flowers and he told me he had done so. He is from Reno, Nev.

[Editor’s note: The fellow from Reno, Nevada was mostly likely Roscoe’s former tent mate, George Wingfield, Jr., who was transferred a few months previously.]

YEG1943-05-15 - David on stoop with tulips

One of David’s 7th month photographs

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/11/flowers-roscoe/

The Hospital Called (Gladys)

1 Reply

: October 14, 1943, p. 1

: October 14, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

St. E. Hospital
10-14-43

Dear Daddy –

I was called down this morning. Mother doesn’t seem to know much, was seeming to be in pain when I came but is dozing now. She looks terrible, and breathes hard now. The hospital called me – our telephone was out of order and they called Foulkes & Coke called me to the phone. The storm yesterday put a lot of phones out of order. This is Thurs. I haven’t talked to Dr. Cole but suppose he is around town someplace. He does take week-ends off sometimes starting from Thurs. I hope he hasn’t this time.

Alma W. & Caroline Wright came down with me. Ruth stayed home with the boys. We had intended to come down Thru Brookston and leave her off there but when the call came I got ready & came on & she stayed to get lunch for the boys & take care of D.

Alma told me Nellie Riggs went home with Polly as soon as Clarence’s funeral was over. Polly’s husband has double pneumonia & was in an oxygen tent. Polly had a premature baby several weeks ago – It lived almost two months, but it was only 6 ½ months & not strong enough to make it.

After the storm & rain yesterday the sun is shining today but it’s cool. Alma & C. went on to town & I told them to get my coat out of storage. It may get cool enough to war it any time now.

[page 2] I think Bernard Funk’s have a new baby but I don’t know any of the details. I asked a 3^rd floor O.B. nurse about Mary Tues. when I was here and she thought Mary was on 4^th.

I had been bringing flowers down all along from our flower beds and had quite a nice bouquet to bring down Tues. but I think the frost last night nipped everything that was not under cover last nite. Ruth & I mailed some letters from the Hotel last night & it had cleared off, so I was expecting a good frost – it was so cool.

Ruth wrote to your Mother Mon. and had an answer today. I intend to call your Mother from here sometime today. She said she would come up. Ruth is planning to go home tomorrow, but she is waiting developments here. – – It is 12:30 midnight and we are getting ready to go home. The nurse thought I should stay all night but I have about decided to go home and come back early in the morning. I called your Mother and she is coming on the bus to Laf. in the morning. The blood vessels have bursted around Mother’s neck and some on her face. She doesn’t see now or recognize anyone. – I am in the chart room – there was a woman just brought in – supposed to be in a coma (with police escort) but the police thought she had too much to drink. They found her on the street.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/10/the-hospital-called-gladys/

Water Torture (Roscoe)

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: October 13, 1943 envelope

: October 13, 1943, p. 1

: October 13, 1943, p. 2

: October 13, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 13, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail again yesterday and this is about the longest time between late mal mail in a good while, but I guess it will be coming along in a day or two.

We are having a slight drizzle this A.M. Just like one of those spring days back home – reminds one of a good cucumber shower at home. Rain & then sunshine. We were lucky in getting our laundry in yesterday. Many of the officers didn’t bother to get them in when dry so they are now very much damp again.

I didn’t sleep so good last night

[page 2] because there was a leak in the tent just above my face and a drop hit me there first. I sorta curled up and then was hit on the shoulder. You see it wasn’t a fast leak so I’d just about get to sleep when the next drop would come – well I “schrunced” in the other direction and then got a drop on my belly. Well I just got up and moved the bunk out of the line of the drip. Sleeping practically in the nude as I do those drops really were cold. It all reminded me of that old drop drop of water used on prisoners in days gone by,

[page 3] because it seemed I was too sleepy to move.

Today is my regular time for getting out to do some high powered inspection and of course I’ll have more enemies this Eve than now but they get over it easy and I don’t know that there is much they can do if they don’t get over it, because that is my official duty. I’ll get my neck jumped on if I don’t and I’d rather be on theirs than have some one else on mine.

Well maybe I’ll hear from you today I hope.
Love Daddy

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

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/09/water-torture-roscoe/

Fellow Men (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 12, 1943 envelope

: October 12, 1943, p. 1

: October 12, 1943, p. 2

: October 12, 1943, p. 3

: October 12, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 12, 1943

Dear Mother,

I haven’t the slightest idea what is going to be in this letter because I’m a perfect blank but maybe something will turn up so that words will come.

Might just as well discuss the liberal education obtained from association with fellow men. To begin with will take the fellow from Louisiana who in the various discussions describes and boasts of the nice products of his native state. Ask a few questions and he is off discussing seeding, flooding, and harvesting with plenty of “Ah do declare” mixed in with the discourse.

[page 2] The gentleman from Texas who has frequently referred to his ranch and we of course thought it a big cattle ranch but found after more discussion it was a goat ranch. The Gent from Montana innocent like asked him the value of such – was it milk? The Gent from Texas just about blew his top and loudly proclaimed Mohair. So we know there are goats galore in Texas.

The Gent from Montana talks long and loud of the various ranges and dams of that mountainous country. Of how cold it gets in the winter time, the deer hunts and the wild horses.

Back East – The attorney from Baltimore

[page 3] knows everything and doesn’t fail to impress or trys tries to impress the legal phase of things that are and things that will be.

The Gent from Mississippi who knows all about the Navy because he has kept a keen eye on shipping in the immortal river from which the state derived its name or the other way around.

And there are a few from California. It’s just too terrible to smug that fair state by even telling of it to foreigners. That would be using the name in vain but I sometimes wonder about their blessed state.

Nevada has been represented but now that list of paradise

[page 4] is no longer mentioned because the Native sons are back there gathering more data for new assaults on unsuspecting tent or roommates later. They talked so long and loud that their ready supply became exhausted.

With all these discussions no one has been convinced of the advantages of the others native state but at that we do get a bird’s eye view of our own country without travel. Even the Gent from Indiana can’t seem to impress the importance of corn as a plant for human dietary consumption, but corn otherwise is effectively used by every Gent present.

Forgive the impersonal letter. I just had to write something.
Love Daddy

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

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/08/fellow-men-roscoe/

Too Sleepy To Finish (Gladys)

1 Reply

: October 12, 1943 envelope

: October 12, 1943, p. 1

: October 12, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Oct. 12 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Ruth and I are ready for bed – all boys are tucked in. David spent the afternoon with Jimmy Ed. I went to Pauline Dennis to take a hat for remodeling before we started to Laf. and Lucile & J.E. were outside. Lucile wanted to know if I was going to leave David – She assured me she could easily take care of both babies so I left him. We had him ready to take along but decided him. We had him ready to take along but decided he would be better off there. It was nap time so she put him to bed and he slept until 3 P.M. Then J.E. took his hap & David play with a catalogue while Lucile washed dishes. She has a reed stroller for J.E. so put both boys in & took them to town after naps. We returned from Laf. about 7 P.M. and David was having a good time until he saw me then he began to whine – mama baby. Ed was having fun with both babies. I told Lucile she could get an idea what twins would be like. Ed certainly enjoys J.E. He fusses around with him like an old hen with a chicken. J.E. is a nice looking baby. – Next morning – I got too sleepy to finish this last night. Our weather changed. We have a high wind & rain today. The wind blew one of the windows out of the room over the garage but didn’t break any glass. I nailed it back in. I went to Pauline Dennis’ this a.m. for a hat fitting. Lucile came over while I was there. Said Ed had written to you about David being there yesterday. I suppose the Riggs funeral is today. He died Mon. & this is Wed. I suppose Nellie is in a nervous state.

I talked to Alma W. yesterday and she is having a backache. She goes to Rumkorf all the time. She had stomach & bowel flu last week but didn’t get along as well as I did. I feel pretty good – better than I thought I would.

[page 2] I didn’t try to go to the hospital today. I went yesterday and the weather took such a turn and I was rather tired. Dr. Cole had started Mother on codine and it’s a good thing. She was suffering every minute she was awake from the sore on her hip. Ruth M. said she had never seen anyone as poor. She is so wasted there is little left. If Jim would see her now I don’t know what re-action he would have. I told him I didn’t like the idea of him getting out of the Navy to come home & help take care of Mother and Thelma isn’t in favor of it. I told him to send me more money to help on the hospital bill.

I noticed you mentioned my letters being written one day & mailed the next – I figure if I get one mailed a day that’s all that’s necessary & I often start writing at night & don’t get them ready to go out before bedtime.

I took a nap this afternoon & Ruth played with David. She baked a cake yesterday & made a pie today. I get some baking done but not enough to meet the demand of our growing boys. John is growing so fast it is noticeable. I couldn’t find shirts with sleeves long enough & the suit I got for him in the spring is almost too short now. Mark is growing but not so fast.

It’s about time for the boys to come home from school and we intend to get meat today from Sheldon. I don’t know whether they will want to go along or not. I know David will – he certainly has learned to go in the car. I hear Mark – he wants something. Wants to go to Diedam’s to play.

Love Mother

YEG1943-12 Gladys, David, Lucile and Jimmy Ed

Gladys and David with Lucile and Jimmy Ed Johnson, December 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/07/too-sleepy-to-finish-gladys/

Under Your Inspiration (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 11, 1943 envelope

: October 11, 1943, p. 1

: October 11, 1943, p. 2

: October 11, 1943, p. 3

: October 11, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 11, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letter written Sept. 23 came yesterday. In it you described D. birthday party and all the things he received. He must be a popular boy around the home town.

I had just finished reading the Story in Reader’s Digest – “Chicken Every Sunday” when your letter came. I keep wondering why you always say I could write this or that. If you gained that impression from my letters I’m sure it’s a warped impression because I’ve never considered what I write as being interesting or

[page 2] even amusing. Maybe I’m writing under your inspiration and don’t remember what I have written. I’m sure of the latter because I often time start and then remember that I’ve written that before or have I? So if you get repeats you’ll know I just forgot. And you will remember how I used to resent the re-telling so if I’ve caused you to be the recipient of such a blunder please forgive.

I hope Glen doesn’t feel that your mother hasn’t received the best. You will remember I wrote a week or two ago saying if the truth were known your mother was sick longer than you knew and you said in yesterday’s letter that she had

[page 3] told my mother she hadn’t felt well for some time.

Certainly was fine that Jim could come thru to help you out with the finances. I’ll send all I can but must keep some on hand in case of a transfer because one can’t always be paid at every cross-road without going thru rolls of red tape.

I’m sorry the Zells felt they were financially responsible for D. accident. However, it seems D. was really the winner in the affair. The bonds the boys have will be helpful in their future school work, and since we have been reduced in salary they will probably need it, but I guess

[page 4] that isn’t anything to worry about at present but thinking ahead will do no harm.

Just had a long delay – a conflab about some trash being deposited in a certain area but I think everything is OK now and everybody happy I hope.

Well, I’ve got to make a trip so I’ll have to step and get going –
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/06/under-your-inspiration-roscoe/

Clarence Riggs (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS.R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-11-43

Dear Daddy –

Monday and washing & ironing done. Ruth is here and made catsup today. We didn’t go to the hospital today but plan to go tomorrow. We have been looking at pictures this evening. It’s always fun to go thru the pictures and see how we looked then. Lucile Johnson came out with Jimmy Ed this afternoon. J.E. isn’t as tall as David but is almost as heavy. They played in the pen together but David can move around a little quicker. However J.E. has a good grasp and David couldn’t take everything away from him. We brought D’s high chair up from the basement. Have been using the play chair but he climbs out of it and it requires more room than the high chair. Ruth thinks David has a good appetite – which reminds me he needs cereal for breakfast. He always wants his breakfast as soon as we come downstairs. He has been waking up early and I have to put him in bed with me so I can get a little more sleep.

This morning Clarence Riggs died. Irene came over to tell me. Said it was a heart attack. Everyone was upset about it. He hadn’t been sick that I know of. No letters today but had several last week – up to Oct. first. I missed your Dad’s birthday so will send him a belated gift. I have some hankies to send – can’t think of anything else. Mark brought a jumping bean home and I am watching it and trying to write. Ruth said if I didn’t know what it is – would think I was seeing things. It does look a little funny.

Love Mother

U.S.O. Entertainers (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 10, 1943 envelope

: October 10, 1943, p. 1

: October 10, 1943, p, 2

: October 10, 1943, p. 3

: October 10, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 10, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just back from running around so maybe I can settle down and write.

There was a U.S.O. show here last night – Three men – The outstanding one in my estimation was Felix Knight who claimed he was with the Metro Opera for some time. I wondered if John ever heard of him. He sings tenor and seemed to me to be good enough for opera. The other two weren’t so hot but I guess it’s fair entertainment for this part of the world.

We have had some other

[page 2] U.S.O. entertainers here but most of them so far are “has beens” at least I feel I wouldn’t care to pay to see shows like that at home. Maybe I’ve mentioned that before.

The world series base ball games are on now as you know. If we get up about 4:00 A.M. we can get the broadcast direct. So far I haven’t had that much ambition but our skipper gets them on his radio. He comes to breakfast with the results so why should I get up that early? We can also get a rebroadcast at 8:30 PM but I’m not much interested in that.

This being Sun. it’s the regular day for writing the Folks. I haven’t

[page 3] heard from them this week but had two letters last week.

I noticed in the Newton Co. E. that Emmit Miller was being transferred from Cal. To Tenn. He has been in the service much longer than I. Maybe I should have gotten in the Army. Have you heard anything from Jim Open? It’s a funny thing how some people manage to stay in the U.S.A. for such a long period of time. Maybe I shouldn’t feel that way, but one can wonder if he wants to. All thru the paper I see where this one and that one have been home or transferred and m any of them I treated after they were in the service. Well, let’s stop all this crying.

Oct. – at home I can see

[page 4] all the leaves turning the various colors. The early frost mornings and of course a few hot days now and then. That reminds me don’t forget the antifreeze in the car radiator. Maybe you won’t be able to get any this year but you probably have that taken care of by now.

This has been one heck of a letter but it’s the best best I can do even with plenty of time. I just don’t seem to function – Maybe it’s the heat – Maybe it’s because I haven’t received any late mail from you in a few days and my inspirations are lacking. Anyway

Lots of Love
Daddy

Not Much Longer (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-10-1943

Dear Daddy –

Ruth M. is here for a few days. I called her last nite. I talked to Dr. Cole yesterday and he said Mother couldn’t last much longer. I was down yesterday & again today. She can’t keep her teeth in now and has a sore on her left side that gives her a lot of pain. She is suffering more from that than her abdomen. Earl, Romaine & Jerry brought Ruth over. She doesn’t know how long she will stay or how she will go back. She said she had her work planned so she could get away most any time. Romaine said for her not to stay too long because she (Romaine) might get hungry. I told Romaine she could live on her reserve – and she has gained enough since her appendectomy to do that. She is a good looking young lady and thinking about what college she will attend next fall. Is thinking some about Purdue, but nothing certain about it. Statons were gone today so Mrs. James & Jimmy rode to Laf. with us just for the trip. Mark & David went along and John stayed home. One of the Sisters at Earl Park rode back from Laf. with us. She held David and he slept on her lap until she got out. It’s getting late and I am sleepy so will call this a letter – Have yours up to Oct. 1. I just learned that Cracker & Gerald are divorced & she is working for Allison in Indpls. & her mother is keeping the baby. Gerald had an affair.

Love Mother

Teacher List (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 10, 1943 envelope

: October 10, 1943, p. 1

: October 10, 1943, p. 2

: October 10, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 9, 1943

Dear Mother,

I changed the schedule a little this A.M. Did the running around before letter writing and still have plenty of time for the mail. I had a little matter of collecting some water samples so got them early and got back.

Your v-mail of Sept. 22 came yesterday. It was about the same date as your latest air mail which arrived several days ago. A Newton Co. E. came also Aug. 19. In it the teachers for the coming year were listed. I wonder

[page 2] about some of them especially one – all the kids will probably be “wiggley” by the time the year is over. Better not let the kids know I wrote that. I think you know which one I mean. For the life of me I can figure for sure which grade Mark is in. John I know because he started on the East side of the road last year – I believe Mark is in the 5^th. Is that correct?

I’ve just been informed that there was two fried chicken came into camp and I’ve been promised a piece. Things like that don’t happen

[page 3] too frequently. Hope it’s good.

I also got a call to come to sick bay so I really didn’t have as much time to write as I thought I was going to have. Seems something pops up most of the time but that always makes things interesting and makes the day pass more rapidly.

Must get going –
Love Daddy.