Category Archives: World War II Letters

Mother comes to stay (Gladys)

3 Replies

: May 16, 1943, p. 1

: May 16, 1943, p. 2

: May 16, 1943, p. 3

: May 16, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind
May 16, 1943.

Dear Daddy,

Sunday evening and just got the boys in. They were running around in circles – getting a sweat up and going a lot of damage to coupon 17 (shoes). It has been such a grand day they have been outside most of the time. Mayroses brought Mother up today and she came to stay this time. I got a chicken out of the locker and we had baked chicken for dinner. And I ground up the leftovers and made sandwiches for a supper. It is light so late now they weren’t in any hurry to start home so decided they could eat before starting out. Those chickens certainly are handy to have all ready to use,

[page 2] after all the rain yesterday, it came down in sheets & torrents last night. They started to come up on highway 63 but the water was so deep over the road they had to go back and cross over to 41, which made them a little late in arriving (12:30). Mark was about the only one to suffer – he thought he would starve before we could get dinner on. We sat out in the yard after dinner. Put David in his buggy so he got a good sunbath. John, Mark & the Zell girls decided to play croquet and Mr. Mayrose looked on.

Mark’s grades weren’t very good this last period and his exam grades were worse I going to try to get him to read a lot this summer and also work on arithmetic – He made C – on his arth. Exam. His Lennes pad [an arithmatic workbook] wasn’t nearly finished

[page 3] so I am going to get him to finish it. He can get his work if he takes time. I had him read to me last night and he does very well, but keeping him at it is what he needs. John is practicing on his recital piece. The recital is to be the 28^th of May.

You remember the girl we went to see out on Ocean View last summer whose husband is a Navy officer? Well she is in Sheldon with her parents. She has a baby girl eight weeks old and she was several weeks getting word to her husband of the baby’s arrival. Her name was Sipe – married John Hamm. Miss Smith keeps me posted on them. I didn’t ask about his location, I suppose it is not to be known.

Link and I were working on the flower bed that divides our yards Fri evening and both intended to resume our work

[page 4] Sat. but the rain kept us from doing so but I noticed he was out this evening finishing his side. If it doesn’t rain tonight or in the morning I want to get out tomorrow and finish our side. This reminds me of the seeds I sent you. I looked up to see when I mailed them and it was Apr 13 so you should have them by now. Your Mother wrote that she sent you several packs, so if you get them all should be able to farm in a big way –

The competition I have now is almost too much. Mark is sitting by me reading & John is practicing – Mark is going thru the patent leather hair phase – keeps his hair soaked all the time and is trying to get a wave trained – and what’s worse he uses brilliantine on it. That is hard on the pillow slip – had to soak the last one I took off to get the oil out. Well I give up for this time and will try to finish tomorrow when I hope I can find it a little more quiet here.

Love – Mother

YEG1943-05 Gladys and David with Mayroses

Gladys holding David, with Mr. and Mrs. Mayrose

Emma, Mr. and Mrs. Mayrose, and David

[Editor’s note: Mr. and Mrs. Mayrose were the parents of Thelma Mayrose. Thelma was the wife of Gladys’ brother, Jim.]

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/14/mother-comes-to-stay-gladys/

Something about a kingdom (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: May 15, 1943 envelope

: May 15, 1943, p. 1

: May 15, 1943, p. 2

: May 15, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

May 15, 1943.
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco

Dear Mother,

Got 3 letters today from people other than you – One from Ruth M. One from Geo. Sondergrath and one about the uniform check. Saying they had been sent, but no mail from you – Maybe later in the day some will stray in – at least I hope so.

Just had two interruptions but both were easily disposed of – however, those always break the train of thought – Even now in comes Chappie – (Chaplin) and said something about a kingdom of which

[page 2] I didn’t pay any attention. Not getting on so well because there is some conversation and writing and talking and listening don’t work out so well. Chappie just now had me all worried said he had lost his watch and after looking all around He found it in his pocket just where he left it.

For the past few days we have had very fine weather but the only indication we have of winter is the early setting of the sun.

I am enclosing a picture we had taken a few days ago and that’s all I can say about it other than some of the fellows as well as myself took very rotten pictures.

[page 3] By now your garden should be coming along in good condition – Don’t know if I told you or not but my potatoes are rotted before even getting a chance to sprout. I have a few more to try so I may yet raise potatoes but the garden seed you sent are still someplace in transit.

Have to make two trips today – one an inspection and another to give some shots so will be rather busy and besides will take a beating in a jeep because those things ride hard.

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/2014/06/13/something-about-a-kingdom-roscoe/

Mr. Oliver’s Horses (Gladys)

3 Replies

: May 15, 1943 envelope

: May 15, 1943, p. 1

: May 15, 1943, p. 2

: May 14, 1943, p. 3

: May 14, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
May 15 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but Thurs. (13^th) had 3, the last being of Apr 30 – which brings it up to date pretty well. It is raining again today – If you have all or most of my letters you will think I give the weather a beating but this has been a spring to talk about, like the past winter. It cleared off yesterday and was so warm – got to take David out for a good sunning. Also worked in the flower bed. Had I known we would have wet weather again today would have put out more than I did – but thought the rain was over for a few days. Our garden is so wet Mark hasn’t had a chance to work in it for more than a week. John is doing the lawn mowing this summer and already it is keeping him busy keeping the grass cut. Our back yard & Statons are full of

[page 2] that crab grass and that has to be kept very short. Link’s back yard doesn’t look any better than ours. We both sowed grass seed but it didn’t do much. The lilacs over on Kent are blooming. Things are all late this year. Our tulips are still blooming and this is very late for them. I took some pictures of David on the front step with the tulips as back ground – I hope they are good so you can get an idea how well they are blooming. Clara Molter took up loads of iris for me to put out and lilly of the valley but can’t find time when the ground is dry enough to work in to put them out. Mr. Oliver keeps the horses over at Kent now that Floyd Hoover is working in the loan office – I told you before Tommy Thompson is working with his father farming this summer. They have rented their house & stored their furniture – back to Oliver – he doesn’t keep his horses in very well and they sometimes get out and wander around in

[page 3] our yards & gardens. We have all been complaining so I think he will try to keep them in better now. Link said they ruined part of his garden. The holes they made in our front yard will have to be filled in.

John & Mark both decided to write you and tho I would rather they would write at different times I couldn’t check their impulses today. Every time the baby does some little thing Mark says to write & tell Daddy. He is trying to pull himself up now. He gets very loud singing da-da at times – in fact he drowns us out if we are trying to talk and he is in the same room that we are in. I have knitted him a little sweater & sunsuit outfit. Mrs. Servies crocheted a cap and I took his picture yesterday in his cap. As soon as I get the sunsuit finished will get the whole outfit on him for a picture. It is hard to keep him still long enough for a good pose. He is always reaching for something. He reminds me of John when John was that size – I think however

[page 4] John could handle himself a little better, because I remember when John was 8 months old he could walk around a chair, but David is doing well enough. He and Donnie Funk do the same things at about the same age – I don’t know how I would mange to take care of him if he were as large as Donnie – Donnie is too heavy to handle much.

The Delta Lamba Sigma News letter came today. If I thought you were interested I would send it to you. I was thinking about your clothes – I wonder if it would be a good idea to have them sent home – just in case you do get to come back after a year out – how would you get them if they are stored at N.C.? That reminds me Mrs. Roberts had word from Joe and he is temporarily at Noumea, en route he thinks maybe to join you – That year out business, there is talk around to that effect but Mrs. R. and I aren’t counting too much on it, but we have heard rumors to that effect. However, I think you are right to be patient about it because after all it won’t help any not to be patient. I am enclosing Mark’s letter with mine – John used v-mail.

Love – Mother –

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/12/mr-olivers-horses-gladys/

Tell the News (Mark)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind
May 15, 1943

Dear Daddy,

Since school is out, I wanted to tell the news In school I passed to the fifth grade. John passed to the eight grade. Grandma Foster is coming tomorrow and I am going to bake a cake.

I am taking gardening and baking the 4-H. In my garden I have up: peas, radishes, lettuce, carrots, spinach, onions, and potatoes. But unluckily a horse got in all the gardens around here and ruined some of the stuff. Well that is about all I have to say

Love Markie

P.S. David is beginning to say Da-Da.

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/11/tell-the-news-mark/

Suez to Singapore (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: May 14, 1943 envelope

: May 14, 1943, p. 1

: May 14, 1943, p. 2

: May 14, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

May 14, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Just finished my morning chores and about to start reading my latest – Cecil Brown’s “Suez to Singapore.” It’s a very interesting story and I can understand some of the physical and mental reactions he went thru while away from home in various travels. It’s a rather long book but worth anyone’s time if interested.

You will notice that I’ve switches paper again.

[page 2] some how I like this better maybe it’s because I don’t have to write so much, but I believe I write just as much. The air mail paper is so flimsy and hard to handle.

I’ve sent both the uniform check home – The 150⁰⁰ on May 7 [written on top of a 6] and the 100⁰⁰ on May 13 so you can let me know when and if they arrive.

Got a letter from Boonie yesterday and he seems to be guessing again but his guess this time was wrong. I imagine that people can guess now. However, they still have no business of

[page 3] knowing.

We had cuttin meat last night for chow – roast beef. If we just had some chewin vegetables now everything would be on the up and up. We still have lots of spagiti and dehydrated potatoes all of which aren’t any better than powdered eggs but other people seem to like some of those things.

Well, I’m run down and myst must get on with my reading

Love Daddy

[Editor’s note: Here is a link to a 1943 review of Suez to Singapore published in Foreign Affairs magazine. The book is still in print today.]

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/2014/06/10/suez-to-singapore-roscoe/

School’s Out! (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
5-14-43

Dear Daddy – No letters today but hardly expected any – having rec’d 3 yesterday. (Apr 28-29 & 30). Today the boys went to school & got their cards. John grades were A and Mark’s C & B & maybe an A. I told him he would have to work harder next year. Mrs. Zell & girls, J, M, David & I went to Shelton this a.m. After school was out to get meat and take Betty to Miss Smith. The recital is to be the 28^th of this month. Two Zell girls take lessons. I ordered another quarter of beef put in our locker. Mrs. B. said they will take ration tickets to cover the weight of beef I get. As it is I am not using our coupons because of the meat we already have. The price meat is in the stores I am glad we have our locker. Meat isn’t the only thing – I paid .75¢ for ½ peck potatoes this week and could only buy ½ pk. Some of the stores were out. The sun is shining today and we are washing. I am going to take David out for a sunning this afternoon – the first time in over a week. He got his second shot yesterday and is just a little touchy today. The first shot didn’t bother him at all. He says da-da all the time, besides a lot of other things we can’t interpret. Mark has changed into play clothes & got out. He can’t stay in on a day like this.

Love – Mother

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/09/school-out-gladys/

Rat Trap (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: May 13, 1943, envelope

: May 13, 1943, p. 1

: May 13, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

May 13, 1943
Lietu R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

It seems as if my mail is what the little boy shot at. I have a feeling it’s the v-mail and regardless of what the radio campaigns say write air mail – all the other fellows are getting air mail and all I get is the Newton Co. E. Issues back in Feb. Maybe I’ll get some later today but it seems most of the mail has been delivered – Yesterday it was the same way but none got v-mail and I feel certain that is where mine is – being printed some place along the line. So much for that.

Geo. decided to make a rat trap a few days ago to catch the critters in our tent and he had the thing secretly built and was going to put it under my bunk and when the rat entered a big noise would be made and I of course was to be excited – well when the carpenter brought it Geo was out and I was in on the whole thing. So we put the trap in our mess hall and this A.M. we had a big rat – Sill still alive – so the question was how to kill Mr. rat – when I left for sick Bay they were in the process of Drowning him but

[page 2] as yet the results haven’t been released.

Had a bad taste in my mouth and just started a cake of Gum. Some of that you sent for Christmas. That was one thing brought along from Noumea.

One of the fellows got a clipping thru the mail that to the affect that the naval uniform was to be changed from khakis to slate blue. I think by the time I get back I’ll need new ones especially pants. My coats are in Noumea I hope, most of them as good as new.

As I said in several leters – The 150⁰⁰ check is one the way and I’ll enclose the 100⁰⁰ in this letter so hope you repeat several times in your letters whether or not they arrive.

My last letter from home is now one month old and it’s about time since more arrived – I’m not writing as many letters now as before – hope the people understand but it just isn’t possible to do so now. I’ll try to get one out now and then to others –

Well, here’s hopin’ – I get some mail some of these days –

Love Daddy

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

Hospital Day Part II (Gladys)

2 Replies

: May 13, 1943 envelope

: May 13 1943, p. 1

: May 13, 1943, p. 2

: May 13, 1943, p. 3

: May 13, 1943, p. 4

: May 13, 1943, p. 5

: May 13, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
5-13-43.

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Apr 28-29 & 30 came today – That brings letters pretty well to date – Yesterday I went to Laf. and was crowded for time when I got back so dashed off a v-mail – but will try today to go into detail about events. Hospital day ceremony was to begin at 12 o’clock. We left here, (John Arlene & I) about 10 a.m. when we got as far as Dr. Cole’s home we stopped – I wanted to see if Mrs. Cole was going – and if so go with her – also I called Dr. Ade from there to get an appointment for John – the day before I called his office and the girl said she couldn’t give us an appointment for an eye exam until May 21 – but when I talked to Dr. Ade he said to bring him right in so we hurried over to town and went directly up to Ade’s office. He was busy but

[page 2] gave John the once over – He said he couldn’t possibly do a refraction on him but looked at his nose & throat and sprayed –(if you could call it that) – his nose & throat, but frankly he didn’t get too close – and I need not explain why – I said to Dr. Ade “There is at least one in every family “ – so he prescribed sufadiazine treatment to clear up any possible infection. We have an appointment for a refraction next week. John hasn’t been doing any reading the least three days and hasn’t had headaches. He didn’t have to go to school after Mon. because he was exempted from all examd. John doesn’t seem to have any cold and feels fine, but Dr. Ade said his throat was red. He is taking sulfa today and going to take it tomorrow.

As soon as Dr. Ade finished with us I dashed out to St. E. – There ceremony was in progress but I located Mrs. Ash and sat by her & Mrs. Rommel. After the ceremony I saw Mrs. Cole then Dr. Cole

[page 3] joined us and we went into the college auditorium for a lunch that was prepared for invited guests. I met several doctors, but can’t remember their names, met Mrs. McKinney – her husband is across but can’t remember just where. Dr. Rommel is in Calif. Mrs. Ash seemed worried when I told her you had been sent away from New Caledonia. I think she is afraid Dr. A. may be sent on too. Dr. Holliday spoke at the ceremony – The comments you wrote about him seem to be the general opinion around Lafayette. Mrs. Peyton also spoke. Dr. P. is in N. Africa and was with Gen. McNair when he was wounded. They gave a list of all the Doctors from St. E. in service and their locations but I can’t remember all of them. Mrs. Ash said Dr. Loop is back in Laf. on leave. She wanted to know if I had seen him – of course I hadn’t – didn’t know he was back. After the luncheon Mrs. Rommel & I went back to town. I had some shopping

[page 4] to do and meet John & Arlene. It has been raining so much but it was such a grand day yesterday – just made to order for the ceremony to be held on the campus, but about 4:30 it began clouding up and today the sun isn’t shining and it has sprinkled some.

I took David down for his second shot this morning. He didn’t take it as good as the first one but didn’t cry long. Dr. Matthews got such an electric shock yesterday it knocked him out. He touched something when he had his head band on and out he went. D. had to work with him to bring him around. He said this morning he was just beginning to limber up.

We haven’t been keeping a scrap book, due to the fact I have had so much to do I hardly see the paper some days, but decided we had better – so I saved back over a week’s supply of newspapers & John went through

[page 5] them today for items and pictures. Any items or pictures about activities in the South West Pacific of course are our chief concern and in May 8^th paper was a picture showing supplies being landed on Russel Island. Another picture of three soldiers at a Pacific base and their gun “Dorothy.” I should show that picture to D. K. There are several other pictures but from other areas. I found a picture the other day of some men on Guadacanal having some fresh fish they had caught – They were frying it camp style – over an open fire. I will try now to clip any pictures out about the S. W. Pacific and might find one some time you can identify. I keep watching pictures hoping to see you in one sometime. Valley Wright declares she saw you in a news reel. Said she stayed thru two shows to be sure it was you. Do you remember a movie camera being around any time when you were working? Said news reel was seen in Hammond. Valley is

[page 6] in Kentland now, working at the factory – living with Wrights. Gob is in the Army.

David is cross this afternoon but I think it is due to his shot this a.m. Mark has to go to the library so is going to mail this. John has been baking – made a white cake – Mark was helping him but quit & went outside – when Mark came back in I asked him why he left – he said, “all I got to do was sift flour.” I told them if they wanted to bake to go ahead but I wasn’t going to help any – I didn’t do much but help clear up the mess a little. John got his prize last night at commencement for the essay he wrote (1.50) – I didn’t go – I was too tired and didn’t want to leave the baby after being away most of the day. I have about run out of things to write about and feel like I have had a go session so better quit and rest a while. I am knitting a suit for D. and want to get a few stitches put on it. You mentioned sardines & shrimp – There is another box on its way to you with several cans of sardines & crackers.

Love – Mother –

[Editor’s Note: This is an undated clipping so it may or may not be referring to the actual events in May 1943.]

Sunrise (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: May 12, 1943 envelope

: May 12, 1943, p. 1

: May 12, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

May 12, 1943.
Lieut RS Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

I’m a little disappointed about the mail situation because many of the fellows got mail and I did not. I think it’s because of the changeover from V-mail at least I hope you are writing some air mail rather than v-mail.

The way my bunk is located the sun shines right into my face each A.M. and of course wakes me but I often awaken before it is up and the various stages are a sight to see. The first knowledge I had this morn of the sunrise was a sort of a brownish color just as it was getting light – That then changed to a lighter color and finally just before the sun appears the whole area was a blood red color. (That is the way it looks every morn) The sun drives that color away when it begans to appear – after that it looks just like it does in Indiana.

A letter came yesterday from Bob H. but it was written way back in Mar. He seemed to think Dr. Openshaw was pretty much settled somewhere in Penn. – seems like some people have all the tough luck – who would want to be stationed in a place like that with all the trains, autos and cold weather are apt to be hard on one’s health – I’m telling you it’s dangerous to have those handicaps. Take the above as you wish.

Imagine me wearing shoes now for the past

[page 2] several months. Really my ankles will probably be so weak I won’t be able to wear slippers again and another thing – lately I haven’t been wearing any underware and since I have no P.J. you know how that means I sleep at night. That will also be a hard habit to break when back in the States.

I saw in the Newton Co. E. that John had won $2.50. Of course I showed it around and most of the boys asked if I had sent for the $2.50 or if I would let him keep it. My answer was varied. Of course, you had told me of the whole thing in letters but I just happened to find it in the paper. Two issues of the paper came yesterday Mar 11 & 18. In the Mar 18 issue there is a synopsis of the article – “They Were Expendable.” I’d almost forgotten about that and it has so much more meaning now than when I read it before.

I don’t know if I told you or not but our Chaplin left Japan in June of 1942. Yes the date is correct – he has some pretty good experiences to tell.

Well, I’ve beaten my gums enough for the time being –
So solong until Tomorrow
Love Daddy.

P.S. Sent 150⁰⁰ of the uniform money home – The 100⁰⁰ will follow in a few days – Just a repeat.

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

Hospital Day (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA

5-12-43

Dear Daddy – Two letters came this a.m. Posted Apr. 18 & 19. Took John to see Dr. Ade then went out to St. E. to Hospital day ceremony. Dr. Holliday was there and gave a talk – Mrs. Ash sat by me and said he was discharged because of nervous instability. Mrs. Payton talked – Dr. P. is in N. Africa. I saw Dr. & Mrs. Cole. Mrs. C. was having a club meeting at home and left so Dr. C. & I ate lunch along with Mrs. Ash & Mrs. Rommel – Lunch was served in the auditorium at the college. Dr. Cole is going to see Don – Don is in the air corps, stationed in Oklahoma & Dr. C. has plane reservations – if they aren’t cancelled when he gets ready to go – Dr Ade looked John over and gave him a little spraying – said his throat looked a little red – I am to take him back next week for refraction – I am to give him sulfadiozine, two days – said his headaches may be from his cold condition – I think it’s his eyes – because his cold is hardly noticeable and when he reads he gets headache. We’ll find out next week. I hope. This was Mark’s last day in school – Clara M. came and stayed with David, got dinner & ironed, so I feel like I accomplished a lot even tho I was gone most of the day. Mother is coming Sunday so next week won’t have to get anyone to keep David. Clara said he was the “best” baby. Said he didn’t cry all day. He is good most of the time.

Love Mother –