Category Archives: World War II Letters

Mold and mildew (Roscoe)

: April 3, 1943 envelope

: April 3, 1943, p. 1

: April 3, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 3, 1943
Lieut R S Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Received a letter from Mark thanking me for the birthday present and a V-mail letter from you dated Feb. 10 so neither of them were very newsy but very welcome even at that. I’m afraid I’ll be spoiled for mail has been coming rather regular again. We got some news on regulations about mail and the maine one was to the affect that only V-mail in areas where it was available and I don’t know if it’s available here or not so you might try air mail more often again.

We are fairly well set in our new home but you

[page 2] know how moving etc is. I know when I get back I’ll have to buy everything new because my shirts pants etc are all mold covered. I aired my mattress cover yesterday and it smelled fine. Even had the mattress out for a while but today it’s the same old smell. I looked at my billfold today – The first time in ages and it was all moldy – even the money. So much for mold.

As usual there isn’t any tellable news so if I can find a stamp that will stick and an envelope that will unstick I’ll get this going.

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/2014/03/23/mold-and-mildew-roscoe/

Clay City (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-3-43

Dear Daddy – Writing from your old home town. We are getting ready to go to town – Ruth, Romaine & I. The two grandma’s are going to stay with David. We stopped in Brazil yesterday & saw Marie but David was down at his mother’s farm working so I intend to go back past their place tomorrow so they can see David A. Ralph hurt his back yesterday and is down in bed, unable to move. Faye is just getting over her operation, but Dolores is home and that is a help. Haven’t seen all the family yet but intend to before we go back. Clarence & Duane came last night – Wilma & Clara came today – Wilma had to attend the high school banquet last night. The boys are with Duane today. Your Mother had Carolyn’s baby bed set up for David. We brought one along but didn’t have to set it up. Floyd & Ruth are here this week-end too. They showed the pictures they took of us in Jan. The baby took [?] are good. They are going to take more tomorrow. By the way the uniform Mark had on is supposed to be a Navy uniform – so if it doesn’t look like it I can’t help it. I must get this finished so we can go to town.

Love – Mother

Modern aerial view of the Yegerlehner farm (Image courtesy of Google earth)

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/23/clay-city-gladys/

Moving Day (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 2, 1943 envelope

: April 2, 1943, p. 1

: April 2, 1943, p. 2

: April 2, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Apr 2, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

The postman told me he thought there was some mail but due to our changing our camp slightly he has been unable to sort out the mail so maybe tomorrow there will be letters we hope – V-mail is all that has been coming but some of the other fellows are getting mail – air mail some as late as Mar 10. And I wish you would address a few to Navy 224 again. Every other letter address Navy 224 % Fleet P.O. San Fran and the other A.P.O. 43. So maybe

[page 2] one or the other will get here. My latest letter from you was Mar 3 but you still used the address I used at the last station so you hadn’t gotten my new address as yet.

Our new tent has a deck and is all screened in – really it is as nice or nicer than at the last station. Maybe that’s a bad sign for as soon as things begin to be fixed up I move. There has been no indications of that but I’m a little suspicious.

You told me in the last letter

[page 3] to air my blues once in a while. Well I’m miles from them now and I’m not sure that Drs P & W sent them. I wrote them and asked them to store them rather than send them home and they wrote they would take care of them but didn’t say in what way so don’t worry if they don’t arrive because they may be stored there.

This is a little mixed up but you know how it is on moving day so solong.

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/2014/03/21/moving-day-roscoe/

Sorry to hear of the measles (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 1, 1943 envelope

: April 1, 1943, p. 1

: April 1, 1943, p. 2

: April 1, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Apr 1, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster, San Fran

Dear Mother,

Got more mail today – 6 v-mail letters from you one from Sykes, one from Schlegels and one from Mark. The last date was yours of Mar 3. Sorry to hear of the measles but guess one can’t escape those things always. The blood idea of Dr. M. is good and under the circumstances I think the thing to do. I would have however given Immune serum a preparation put out by Sharp & Dome I think but the blood idea is not bad

[page 2] and there isn’t any doubt in my mind that the boys probably all three have by now had the measles because they are very contagious. Hope they will get along swell with them.

On valentine day you told of it being so cold – I was on board a ship that day and was it hot I remember very well.

The tax figure of 200 sounds a little high and but of course that file has already been filed so that is the amount but I can’t be too certain because I did not have any figures. I mean deductible figures. Anyway

[page 3] we will have enough to pay them OK. And next year we won’t have to worry because the total taxable figure will be a little less than $2600⁰⁰ because as you know taxes are figured only on base pay and not what I sent to you. Except the victory tax which I don’t know much about yet. Anyway don’t worry about what I think because really at present I have other things to think of.

Well we are having a little April shower today which is the way Apr. should come in –

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/2014/03/21/sorry-to-hear-…measles-roscoe/

News from Noumea (Dr. Porterfield)

1 Reply

: March 31, 1943 envelope

: March 31, 1943, p. 1

: March 31, 1943, p. 2

: March 31, 1943, p. 3

R.S. USA PB
Noumea NC
7 PM San Fra Cal.
3.31.43 –

Dear Mrs “Yege”

Thanks for the letter. Sorry your family are having the measles. The pictures did not arrive until after he left. His mail is being forwarded from – here – I had word direct from him yesterday by messenger and he is ok. Conveniences are not as good there as here. But will improve very soon.

[page 2] We miss him very much and felt that we would be left together but one never knows out here what the next move is. One of my boys is out here someplace but I haven’t seen him. Hope the boys are over measles by now – I remember when mine had them. Oh – Boy –

[page 3] Everything is running along very smoothly here and we are really living very comfortable under circumstances. But there still remains the longing to see our families, which we hope will not be too long over the year we have sorta set our hearts on.

Sincerely the Country Doctor
M. H. Porterfield

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/20/news-from-noum…dr-porterfield/

April Fool’s Day (Gladys)

7 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-1-43

Dear Daddy – The first day of Apr and Mark has been busy all morning before going to school trying to get everyone fooled – However he didn’t really fool us much. I told him to run out and kill a snake by the garage and he fell for it. It rained last week but the sun is shining bright this morning. After school yesterday we raked the front yard and I sowed some grass seed. Couldn’t get any vigaro to put on – there just isn’t any this year. There is a Victory Garden fertilizer but it is not to be used on lawns – so that is that. I got the seed on just in time for the rain. I am going to Wilmington to get Ruth M. this afternoon or would work in the yard this P.M. – but the boys can do the raking after school. – Mail just came but no letters from you today – Maybe one tomorrow – Had a letter from your Mother and she had yours of Mar 14. Kenneth is in camp in Ark. – is in the band. He will get along where ever he goes. I hear David – just took a nap before his bath time. He sat in the buggy and watched up work in the yeard. He likes to be out of doors – So do I since such a long winter. I hope it stays warm for our trip. I am tiried of wearing heavy clothes. Mother is going to stay in T. H. a short while and then she is coming back here to live. She wants to do some visiting before she comes to stay. Jim wrote that Thelma has the mumps. He is getting more time off now and sees her quite often – but has to cross the bay every time he goes to see her. He is trying to find work for her in Richmond. He is in Camp Perry near Williamsburg now. Ed Barce is still stationed in Kokomo. I left the car at Sondergrath’s for a going over before making our trip.

Love – Mother

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

A little trip in a jeep (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: March 31, 1943 envelope

: March 31, 1943, p. 1

: March 31, 1943, p. 2

Wed Mar 31, 1943

Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Just got back from a little trip in a jeep and those are always tiresome because of the rough riding but In time I guess we’ll get used to the beating and bumping.

We now have a table and I’m writing on it – the first in some time maybe you can tell the difference but I doubt it very much. I think in a few days we’ll have our quarters fixed

[page 2] so that they will be half way livable. For one thing we will have only 4 and that will be a relief as five is pretty crowded.

We are having another damp spell. In fact it’s wet but we are pretty well used to that also.

Well, there isn’t another thing that I can think of which is writable so solong

Lots of Love

Daddy

P.S. In yesterday’s letter I asked for lettuce & radish seed. Include also a package of carrot seed

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

Last Day of March (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-31-43

Dear Daddy – The last day of March – windy but warm. No letter today but one yesterday. I am planning to go to Wilmington tomorrow and get Ruth & Romaine then to C.C. Fri afternoon. I have to take the car to a service Sta. and have it checked before we start traveling. It is about time for David’s vegetables and milk and he is singing a song and sounds like it may get louder. I am trying to get a sweater knitted for him to wear to C.C. but may not get it finished. I took him out for a long walk yesterday and want to get him out again today. It is so warm and sunny. I am afraid I won’t be able to get any more Vit C tablets so must get him in the sun when possible. The Dr. at Mayo Clinic told Irene she needed to rest and wanted her to stay there but she came back and is to be under Dr. Cole’s care. She is still working and I don’t know whether she is going to continue or not. I would bet she doesn’t quit work. Had a tip on where I may be able to collect some money due us, but won’t count on it till I get it (Russell Schultz). Mark wrote you about his bike – well maybe I shouldn’t have, but he wanted it so much and I think I can get him to work enough in the garden this summer to earn it. He is going to rake the yard this evening. I think it should be cleaned off now and a little grass seed put where the weeds were the worst last summer. I want John to help but he is playing in a band concert tomorrow night and he says he has to practice but I think he will work in the yard first. I think from what I hear several married men with children will be taken in the draft this summer. I hear the Beaver’s are going to get another baby. Also the Schultz’s and the Donahue’s. So much for Stork news – that is all I know of now. We are all well- So far John hasn’t taken the measles so hope he doesn’t.

Love Mother

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

One Year Ago Today (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: March 30, 1943 envelope

: March 30, 1943, p. 1

: March 30, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar. 30, 1943
Lieut RS Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster San Fran.

Dear Mother,

I remember well one year ago today when I steamed so quietly into Chicago to take my physical exam for this man’s navy – much has happened since then and as Deloris said in her letter I covered a lot of water since then. That is just in the way of retrospect.

This P.M. went swimming – went out where the big breakers roll in and almost got tossed several times but didn’t – Mr. Howell who was with me got his finger

[page 2] cut on a sharp piece of coral. Maybe my balance was better. Only things my feet are tender from the rough stuff.

I put a P.S. on yesterday’s letter and it seems to me I forgot to finish it. At present I really don’t remember what was it was I was saying but I really didn’t mean to be rude by stopping in the middle of the thing.

I wish you would send me a package of lettuce seed and a package of radish seed. Just drop them in an envelope and send them. I believe we could do pretty well if we had the seed. Surely things would grow in a hurry.

Well, I’ve exhausted myself for today – so solong

Love Daddy

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

Wisdom Teeth (Gladys)

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-30-43

Dear Daddy – had yours of Mar 14 today – Glad you can write to your folks again. Last week the day Paul Y. was here John was home from school with a headache and we thought he was taking measles but weren’t sure but Paul went back and told them John had measles and your mother sent him a get well card and wrote him a letter telling him to be careful. We had a good laugh over it but so far John hasn’t measles. We are planning to go to Ruth M’s and get Ruth & Romaine Thurs then go to C.C. Fri if John doesn’t get sick by then. It is warm and windy today. I have some dresses on the line airing and they are really getting aired. I want to take David out it is so nice and warm. He is learning to make different tones and that of course thrills all of us when he does something new. He is a naughty boy – doesn’t like cereal & vegetables but I poke them down just the same. He still can’t take orange juice so I am still giving him Vit C. He reminds me so much of John when he was that age, but John could sit alone at 4 mo and David doesn’t quite do that…He is very active and has a good straight back but isn’t quite ready to sit alone. Mark sent you an air mail today. John didn’t write last night – he was studying and didn’t get thru in time. I went to Laf. with Dorothy yesterday. Dr. Donahue extracted an upper wisdom tooth and when that heals she has to go back and have a lower pulled. She didn’t have to go the hospital to have it doe as she thought she would have to do. There is Club this afternoon so I suppose I will go. That is about all the social life I have – not that I care much about social life but I think I need to get away from home a little. Lucile Burgee has a baby girl.

Love – Mother