Category Archives: World War II Letters

The Love Doctor (Roscoe)

: July 20, 1943 envelope

: July 20, 1943, p. 1

: July 20, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

July 20, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60, F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

I’ve spent 10 min. on this letter up to now – I suspect you are tired of hearing me say that in the beginning but it seems the putting down of a few words helps to break the ice.

Dr. Gardnier here after Jim – received a June issue of Readers Digest and I spent most of yesterday P.M. reading it, at least I got the meat out of the whole thing. The articles were just like they used to be some good some bad.

Another hours delay – a store keeper 1^st class came in to have me sign some papers for his promotion and then he seeing me writing got to talking about married life – he isn’t married but has been going with the same girl for 5 years, but she won’t marry him because she is older than he by 5 years. And again I tried to play cupid by agreeing with him that that much difference in age wouldn’t make

[page 2] any difference – I’m getting the love questions now on the average of about one each day, and I joined the Navy for war. To me it only goes to prove that a family physician can be the same whether at home or elsewhere because lots of these kids really are serious. Maybe it’s just because I’ll talk to them about a subject which is most interesting and most important to them at the moment, but who should I go to?! I have it. Only to you thru the medium of writing as I have in the past. And I might say it has worked and possible that is why I’ve been able to help some of the fellows – I have a wonderful inspiration.

Just received yours of July 4 to July 7 mailed on July 6 & 7. I’m glad you took your mother to have a thorough exam. I’m sure bephron wasn’t strong enough because I think she is rather enemic – I’ll be looking forward for a report.

Don’t feel badly about my love talk – I don’t mean it that way. I’m trying to be complimentary but you know me it’s hard to get it out.

Lots of Love Daddy

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/22/the-love-doctor-roscoe/

Rotary Dinner (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 20, 1943 envelope

: July 20, 1943, p. 1

: July 20, 1943, p. 2

: July 20, 1943, p. 3

: July 20, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 20 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Yours of July 11 came today – now the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10 have to catch up, and I suppose they will be coming along in a few days. Went with Zell’s & Shirks to the Rotary dinner last nite. It was at Curtis Creek Country Club – North & East of Brook. We left town about 6:30 and after arriving waited until about 8:30 before dinner was served. The crowd was unusually noisy – had time to get what it takes – but finally after getting seated at the table (there were 50) the serving started – with tomatoe juice & crackers. I passed my juice on to Mr. Z. and nibbled on crackers. A salad was put on and it looked like something made from any available scraps.

[page 2] Finally at last the main course was brought on – It was good, fried chicken, etc. – I felt Bob sorry for Bob Shurtler – he & Dot were guests of Chet Van Scoyck. Bob had been shocking oats all day and was so hungry he could hardly wait, but he got along. I think our side was last to be served. Paul Funk was a guest to furnish piano music so we had some singing directed by Chet Van S. Art Burdick was present – he is a Sec. Lieut. In the Army Signal Corps – and is en route to someplace – so he was urged to sing & sang two songs. A group tried to get up a mixed quartet but it didn’t do too good. Some kept trying to keep songs going so Ralph Bower put a coin in the juke box and said he bet he would put a stop to that. Finally after much noise etc. the speaker was introduced. He was from Mexico City and to make his talk more effective donned native garb and

[page 3] had a guitar. Where he was about thru talking he sang some serenades. He is sort of good will ambassador from the Mexico City Rotary. After the dinner was over we came home but I think the rest of the crows stayed and danced. On the way home Mr. Z. said some of the fellows told that Sacky was going to take our Mexican guest for a poker game, but seems Roberto knew a little more about the game than Sacky. He told at the beginning of his talk something about it and we would have thought it just a gag in the speech, but guess it wasn’t after all.

Gladys Krull was there too. She says John is being sent out soon. She was feeling so badly about it & Mrs. Krull Sr. told her to think of me. Mrs. Shandy was invited but I didn’t see her there. I talked to Bob H. about your dues & he said they were taken care of for another year. – Bart was at the Party alone – friend wife being away this week – and was he having himself a good time – need I say more?

[page 4] I am planning to go to Laf. tomorrow to get Mother some medicine. It is the “Acidophilus Broth” & Dr. Cole said I could get it only at St. E. and it has to be kept on ice. Arlene wants to go along – she has an appointment with the dentist. Also Mary McGee – I think her last name is Arnold – is visiting Arlene now & she wants to go see Dr. Cole – She is going to have a baby before long.

Mark is out sunning David. Yesterday he picked, washed, broke & put into cans 4 qts of green beans – then I put them in the pressure cooker, so we have 4 qts green beans towards our next winter supply. This morn. I fed David without a bottle – gave him potatoes, egg yolk, apple sauce & what milk he would drink from a cup. I want to have him drinking from a cup altogether by Sept. John have him his bedtime bottle last night just after I left and put him to bed. I was so sleepy this a.m. but he was ready to eat at 7 a.m. so I got up – because Mother likes her breakfast early too – John has gone to take his piano lesson – It’s 11:30 – so must get lunch ready –

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/21/rotary-dinner-gladys/

The Check Is in the Mail (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Note: It appears that the v-mail of June 26th is not in the collection so the exact details of Ruthie Parttens’ accident are currently unknown.

: July 19, 1943 envelope

: July 19, 1943, p. 1

: July 19, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S.Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
July 19, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your v-mail of June 26 came yesterday and in it you told of the accident of Ruthie Parttens. I know you had from the way one of your later letters read.

I’m writing this out in the yard and the darn flies keep landing pretty heavy. They are the most persistent things – try to fly into your eyes nose and ears. They aren’t nearly so bad now as at first. A few sanitary measures really do help keep the critters down.

This is repeating and I’ll do the same again in one or two letters. I sent a check in the letter of July 17. It was issued July 16 by J. B. Condron of the supply core US NAB Navy 60 – check number 28 and symbol numbers 51209. I think that gives the dope so if it is lost we can reapply for it. I expect an answer from you that you have received it by Aug. 16. Giving one month for a

[page 2] letter to make the round trip.

Went to a movie last night the first on this place for me – It wasn’t a bad show but I don’t care for shows anymore than I used to at home. It was something to do but I’d rather read if there was something to read and some place to do it. I probably should write letters to a number of people but with subject matter so limited I just simply abhor writing other than to you and I might say a large part of the day I find myself thinking of what I might write and you can see what poor results.

Just weathered a long series of conversation from some of the neighbors dropping in but that is the usual rather than the unusual – It still doesn’t help letter writing.

You mentioned something about Joe Roberts setting Christmas as time to return. I’m not setting but hoping – Not placing a time limit.

Well that’s all for now.
Love Daddy

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/20/the-check-is-in-the-mail-roscoe/

Love Fixer Upper (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 18, 1943 envelope

: July 18, 1943, p. 1

: July 18, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

July 18, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.

Dear Mother,

The chores all over for a while but I can’t say that I’m able to think of any suitable subject to write. It’s just one of those seemingly writeless days, and this is also the day for the regular letter to the home folk.

I was talking to an army Dr. yesterday whose wife after he left the USA joined the WACS. He has no other dependent so the government cut out his rental allowance and ½ his food. Of course his wife is drawing her pay but she quit a job with better pay than she is getting in the army so he really lost lots of “potatoes.” He swears he is going to divorce her when he gets home. So if he feels that way they probably weren’t too well satisfied before he left home. My observations of the marital

[page 2] states of men out here is twofold. Those persons who were married unhappily or lukewarm seem to drift farther apart. Personally I’ve had four people tell me they were either getting a divorce at present or intended to as soon as they get home. On the other hand there are those who were happily married and I think the bonds grow even stronger by being away. The above is just my observation being supported by my growing experience as “love fixer upper” as I have written as well as my own personal feelings for I’m tickled pea green I’m in the last group and by talking about families to other people I’ve had them tell me they envy me my wife and family. I don’t know how I got started on this tirade and it seems to be a little hard to get shut off but maybe I can end it by using a most beautiful phrase which carries with it a very sincere meaning to me.

Lots of Love
Daddy

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/18/love-fixer-upper-roscoe/

Roasting Weiners (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 18, 1943, p. 1

: July 18, 1943, p. 2-3

: July 18, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 18 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another lazy Sunday afternoon – John & Mark are playing croquet with the Zell girls. David is taking a nap. He got so he didn’t want to eat so I decided to change his eating times. I gave him a bottle of milk at about 8 this morning (the first) then at noon gave him mashed potatoes, apple sauce, custard and a little milk. About 4 I will give him some milk and at 7 cereal and put him to bed. He is slow about drinking out of a cup but I think he will come along by the time he should get along without a bottle. Donnie Funk gets along without a bottle

[page 2] now, but he has to hurry, with a new baby coming there in Dec. He has developed so fast. I think he will soon walk, but he must have known he had to hurry to make way, for maybe a little sister. However Arlene says she won’t be disappointed if there is another boy.

Mother is still in bed. She ate a piece of chicken, a cup of custard and a piece of cake for dinner. I put some mashed potatoes & gravy on her plate but she didn’t eat much of them. It is hot this afternoon so she may not get along so good. The heat makes her feel worse.

The rain we had over the week-end helped a lot. Link sprayed part of their back yard to kill out the crab grass and it looks like all the grass where he sprayed will die out. I think I won’t worry about our grass. We will just

[apge 3] keep it mowed and let it grow. I am going to take some more pictures in the back yard so you can get an idea how much the shrubbery is growing and see some of the flowers. Some of the spirea has grown up until they are almost 5 ft. The rains this summer have made everything like that grow so good.

There is an army program on this afternoon – there has been a lot about the invasion of Sicily. I wonder if you by any chance heard the Fibber program when they talked about Sicily – They were so excited & Molly asked what the excitement was about – Fibber said that was the first place he could pronounce – Then he pronounced it wrong, putting the accent on “silly.” – said anybody could pronounce “c-silly.”

I have been taking some pictures of David but don’t know whether they will be good. Our camera seems to have one sight broken.

[page 4] and I can’t see thru the other one. I want you to see how he stands up in his buggy – just wonder what you would say about that – probably spank him.

— I went to get Mark at Funks, he had run an errand for Arlene then stayed. They were roasting wieners and wanted me to stay and have one. They had Donald’s pen in the summer house so we put both babies in and I stayed long enough to eat a “dog’ then came back to feed David & put him to bed. When both babies are in the pen Donnie doesn’t see much larger than David. Being almost a month older he gets around the pen a little better, but David does alright. Donnie would pinch David and pull his hair. David didn’t seem to mind but Bill slapped Donnie’s hand – Donnie jabbers back when they scold him or slap his hands.

I am sleepy so will try to get to bed – getting up time comes around so soon.

Love – Mother

David standing in his buggy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/17/roasting-weiners-gladys/

Boy Joins Navy (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 17, 1943 envelope

: July 17, 1943, p. 1

: July 17, 1943, p. 2

: July 17, 1943, p. 3

: July 17, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

Five letters yesterday from you – The latest July 1. Another was a v-mail along the last few days of June, and one with the picture of D. I’m inclined to agree with John. In comparing this with previous pictures I don’t believe it is a good picture. It was under developed or over exposed or something. As usual there are letters missing because you mentioned Dr. M. being mad at Parttens for taking Ruth to a specialist but didn’t say what was the trouble – but I just know you wrote that in a previous letter.

Needles to say you will find the several times mentioned check enclosed. That should be enough to pay off the Ins. loan and buy a few bonds. If you

[page 2] wish and think it worth while you might even start paying Mutch & Ruth a little now and then. That is providing it doesn’t run you short. I’ll be able to send some home from time to time but I’m keeping around 200 on the books just so I’ll have enough for transportation in case I should need it. I’m hoping! – when I get an accumulation over that amount I’ll send it to you and you can use it as you see fit.

I didn’t know about your mother was having bowel trouble and it’s hard for me to suggest. Does she have diarrhea all the time with blood? You went a little indefinite about the symptoms etc. She should be on a bland diet. The sulfa drug is OK for a time and a little Metamucil would not be out of the way. A blood count

[page 3] and hemoglobin are very essential. The sugar in the urine may or may not be important but worth keeping in mind. All those things are merely suggestive and things I would do if I were there. Of course a rectal exam would come first. That is about all I can think of not knowing the circumstances and a 6,000 mile consultation isn’t good so you will have to use your own judgment which I know you are capable of doing.

Is Glenn married again or is that the wife he had? If it’s the same onee they must have bit a spark not visible before in order to reproduce after this long a period of married life. Yesterday I found myself being drawn into another one of the love struggles. Boy married to girl 8 years – Boy joins navy – find himself on a South Sea Isle – girl’s letters

[page 4] become fewer and fewer – one come 3 days ago – without date – 4 pages and then stopped in the middle of the sentence – later another started – whole new page – and it ended in the same way – not signed an both letter about 4 pages each and both ended in the middle of the sentence and no signature. The whole thing is beyond me. He seems very much discouraged and I can’t seem to blame him either, but why write you that stuff.

The regular weekly inspection is due now most any minute so I’ll try to put a finishing note at least I’ll try not to end in the middle of the sentence.

Inspection done and I must say things aren’t in as good a condition as they should be. Guess more bearing down in necessary.

Hope your mother is feeling better and that the hot weather isn’t too hard on you and the boys –

Love Daddy

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/16/boy-joins-navy-roscoe/

Out of Forms (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
7-17-43

Dear Daddy – This is the first v-mail I have used for a long time. Was out of forms & the boys would forget to get a supply. We had a hard rain today about noon. Came down in streams. Everything was so dry we needed rain. Now should have beans in abundance. Got yours of June 30, also J. & M. got theirs of that date. I see Link pulling a branch down the storm brake loose. If we could cut up all the limbs that have fallen would have enough to burn next winter. This summer seems to be flying by. Just 6 weeks still school starts. I am going to dig potatoes for use next week. Carrots are big enough. Also green beans & cabbage. Tomatoes will be soon but they don’t interest me much. Mother ate a pretty good lunch today – She is still in bed. I think she will get up when she feels strong enough – Arlene told me yesterday she going to have a baby in Dec. Mary F. is due in Oct. Don’t know of anyone else who is booked for fall or early winter. Arlene said to tell you to hurry back so we could catch up with them – I don’t believe I would care to keep up that fast. Donnie will be just 16 mo. old in Dec. John is practicing. Mark is out playing in the yard. David is playing in his pen. He is graduating to 3 meals a day.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/10/15/out-of-forms-gladys/

Nothing of Importance (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 16, 1943 envelope

: July 16, 1943, p. 1

: July 16, 1943, p. 2

: July 16, 1943, p. 3

: July 16, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San FranC.
July 16, 1943

Dear Mother,

Nothing of importance has happened since yesterday so this will be a continuation of nothing so to speak.

In one way I was very pessimistic this A.M. We had oranges for breakfast and I planted 4 seeds. I don’t know how long it will take to grow an orange tree but that is one planting of fruit of which I hope not to be here long enough to enjoy. I just wonder if when they grow to be big oranges if the word “Sunkist” will be on the outside of each orange.

[page 2] Somehow last night before evening show we had a little party each man and officer were given a couple bottles of beer. It wasn’t much but it raised the morale a little and maybe helped pass the time a little more rapidly. We also had some tidbits to go along with the beer – some salted peanuts and small pieces of toast with a sort of deviled ham spread. It may have been spam all ground into a mess.

I baited my rat trap with a piece of spam and a piece of cheese. It was suspended on a wire far enough so the rats couldn’t get to it but the ants

[page 3] did. They ate the cheese and left the spam. I’ve also seen dogs just snif at it and pass on and eat a dried bread crust, however, if one was hungry enough I think a good slab of spam wouldn’t be so bad.

In passing I didn’t get paid yesterday so obviously I can’t send the check but will in tomorrow’s letter if we are paid today. At least these notes will serve to notify that the thing will be forth coming.

I have another huge job thrown into my lap – it deals with the sanitation of the Island. It will

[page 4] be my job to see that each area is kept clean etc. What a job! I can say this as far as I’m concerned I don’t think much of the job but in the Navy one doesn’t think too much. Lentz had the same type job at Norfolk.

Ruth Y. wrote the other day that Herschel Steiner and a Hofman boy were headed this way but my chances of seeing them are a little slim I think but one never can tell. Joe Roberts is the only person I’ve seen that I knew before leaving home.

Well I guess I’m again at the end of that well know rope so will say
Lots of Love
Daddy

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

Canning Beans (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 16, 1943 envelope

: July 16, 1943, p. 1

: July 16, 1943, p. 2-3

: July 16, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 16 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

It is cloudy and thundering and I believe we will get some rain. It has been dry and hasn’t rained (except a little shower this a.m.) for more than a week. Mrs. Zell said if it rained they would get lots of beans now. We have some ready to pick and I suppose I will have to do the picking – Mark has gone out twice but come back each time with an excuse, of some kind about not picking any. It won’t take long to can a cooker full (4 qts) if there are that many to can. I don’t intend to can carrots. There is a method of preserving them raw. Just put them in a heavy jar and cover – leave in basement & they keep as long as they last. So that eliminates

[page 2] that vegetable from the canning list. It is still doing a lot of thundering and a few drops have fallen but no heavy rain yet.

No mail today but didn’t expect any. However this is the third day about the time the mail all gets caught up then it stops coming for a few days, sometimes a week. The last was of July 3. So glad you had rec’d the pictures. If I can get my hands on the negatives Betty Lou took I’ll send some more soon. Dorothy promised to have more made but I haven’t seen them.

I think Mother is getting better, tho slowly. She eats a little better and takes her medicine every meal (before & after). An appetite stimulator and “acidophilus broth” – whatever that is. Have to keep it in the refrigerator and she takes it in milk.

David is having a screaming good time. Is standing up

[page 3] in his bed. He is getting so he doesn’t care to eat every 4 hrs. so think I’ll put him on 3 meals a day. He sometimes gets awake at 6 but I just pay no attention to him so he goes back to sleep and the last two mornings he hasn’t had his first bottle until about 8 a.m. He doesn’t seem to mind at all. He takes more than a can of carnation a day – potatoe, apple saude, cereal, egg yolk, vegetable soup, carrots, peas, asparagus, etc., in turn. I sometimes give him vegetable soup with beef broth. He likes it.

I was surprised the other day. While the Thompsons were visiting Foulkes, Mary came up to see David & brought their David along. She is expecting the stork again. I believe it is due in Oct. Davie doesn’t walk yet. He is short – I don’t believe he is as tall as David and he is 5 mo. older, but what could you expect. They aren’t very tall.

[page 4] The Foulkes had a party on their terrace last night. Seems they have one every night or so – and they always get to vocalizing – With what they have had to bring on singing you can imagine how it sounds up here – not good. I don’t mind, they don’t bother me, but it does disturb Mother some.

I see in the paper John Krull has been sent to a camp in Mich. He was home on furlough not long ago. I think I mentioned it before. The acc’t of Lon Staton’s death was in last week’s paper but don’t think I mentioned it. I have scanned thru the papers but see nothing I think would interest you – anyway if I miss something it will be news when you get the paper.

David seems to be having some trouble of his own. I think he needs to go to sleep but doesn’t want to give up. Just looked in and he is trying to take off a shoe. John is reading and Mark is working on his airplanes.

The water meter was read today & Fred said it was only 4:00 this time – was $6 last. I sprinkled the flowers once this summer – last nite.

Love Mother

Letter from Ruthie (Ruth)

1 Reply

: July 16, 1943 envelope

: July 16, 1943, p. 1

: July 16, 1943, p. 2

: July 16, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Bluffton, Ind.
July 16, 1943

Dear Jake,

The folks tell me you have a garden. How is it doing? We have been having so much rain that it is telling on the tomato fields. Floyd is gone again this week and since I have been working I can’t tag along so well. But a few weeks ago when he went to Chicago I went as far as Kentland and stayed with Gladys, as she probably wrote you. John & Mark were over to Ruth M’s but David was very much at home. You know David was to be my boy’s name but first here first served I guess! Even if I had had one I don’t think he could be a bit cuter than your David is.

[page 2] Floyd had a little good luck the other day. He figured out a price log for tomato prices and sent it into the Company. One day this week they sent him a $50⁰⁰ war bond for the suggestion and also a nice letter of appreciation, which made him very happy.

The last account I had of Glen he thought he would be moved again. He doesn’t seem to mind it so much as I thought he would.

I suppose you can tell that I don’t have much to write, but I want you to know that we don’t forget that you are out there doing your part. I hope we are going our part here. This pay as you go tax plan reminds us to the extent of 20% of each pay that we have a job to do. However we can always tighten our belts a little more if we need too.

[page 3] Glen writes that he doesn’t like v-mail so much so I thought I would try the old way again.

Since I have this written I’m not sure of your address so maybe you will get it and maybe you won’t.

Write if you run out of anything else to do –
Love
Floyd & Ruth

P.S. After reading some of these punk letters, I’ll bet you wonder how you ever gave me a passing grade in that physics class way back in high school days –