Category Archives: World War II Letters

Killer Flies (Roscoe)

: March 7, 1943 envelope

: March 7, 1943, p. 1

: March 7, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Sun Mar 7, 1943
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster San Fran

Dear Mother

Another hot sunny Sunday P.M. but the only way one knows it is Sun. now is by the dose of atabrine. Thru the week we get ½ tablet on Sun one whole tablet. That is the anti malarial drug we take at present. That dose is supposed to keep malaria away and as for me it has done so.

It’s funny the things some fellows will think of and tell – one fellow claimed the flies so bad that when he got inside his misquito netting and moved his foot they dive bommed [bombed] his net and were very angry. This is true – There are countless numbers of flies but they will not fly on fly paper. They are more educated

[page 2] than our flies at home. We aren’t bothered much by mosquitoes of which we are very much pleased.

We were issued a coverall suit and a pair of green pants. The coveralls were too big and I gave them away. The pants were size 38 and much too uncomfortable so this A.M. I altered them. I took my trusty pocket knife and a needle and thread and even if I do say so it’s a good job. I just took out a v-shaped piece from the back – V – for victory.

I hope you drop the folk a line now and then. I’ve written once and will write again in a few days but not too often on account of paper shortage as I’ve told you before. I believe the paper I have will last until the shortage isn’t so acute if I use it judicially. Anyway – Lots of Love

Daddy

___________________________

According to the previously linked article by Dr. Snead, during the early afternoon hours on March 6th, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the Russell Islands. There was limited damage but one individual was killed and twelve were wounded. It makes me wonder whether or not Roscoe treated any of the wounded. The above letter from the day after has (as usual) no information about his daily activities.

Another possible photograph from the Russell Islands

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/02/03/killer-flies-roscoe/

John is getting so tall (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-7-43

Dear Daddy – After writing yesterday I went to Lafayette. It was snowing and blowing but the roads were clean. I didn’t drive went with Nesbitts. I wanted to do some shopping for the boys. I got each a new suit. There seems to be quite a merchandise shortage partly due I think to people buying more than necessary and storing. I haven’t done any unnecessary buying and don’t intend too, but John and Mark needed suits. John is getting so tall – he has grown inches this winter or so it seems. Mark is still in bed today under suspicion of measles. He has a little temp. but no indication otherwise of measles. He was exposed about 10 days ago in school. He is staying in his room and I have the blinds closed. John is staying downstairs and I am thinking of sending him someplace to stay so he won’t have to miss school if Mark does break out. There aren’t very many cases in the high school so think John chances of exposure are questionable. I am to help with the Red Cross drive tomorrow. I am to solicit all east of 41. There aren’t very many I have to see. – – Later – Have put D. to bed, mixed formula, had supper & washed dishes. D. is learning to sit up. The buggy I have is small and is perfect for him to sit in. He looks like he has some teeth about ready to come thru and he drools when he sits up so have to keep a bib on him. He weighs 16 lbs and will be 5 ½ months old tomorrow. Sleeps from his 6 P.M. feeding until 6 A.M. I think we have to give Mark a 1 P.M. bottle until he was several months older than D is now. I wanted [to] take some more pictures outside but it has been too cold to take D. out and now it is even colder than last week – Was 6 below this morning and lots of snow. I wonder if this winter is going on – even after the middle of Mar. By Easter coming late we may have lots of chilly weather yet. I don’t know what these Mar 17^th potatoe planters will do – That is 10 days away so may be warm by then (I hope). John is working on an essay – he is entering a contest. He asks how to spell words once in a while, and who does that make me think of? I haven’t talked to Mrs. Roberts recently but I intended going over then the weather turned so cold then the measles epidemic started here so thought I had better stay at home. Of course there wasn’t any indication of Mark or John taking them until yesterday when Mark started running a temp.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/02/01/john-is-getting-so-tall-gladys/

Dry spell (Roscoe)

8 Replies

: March 6, 1943 envelope

: March 6, 1943, p. 1

: March 6, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Sat. Mar 6
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster, San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Not much to write about since yesterday – In other words business as usual. It’s hard to understand our long dry spell after so much rain at first but it sure does help to dry out the damp clothing. I’m glad I left my blues in Noumea because it is dry there as compared to here.

My mail from here should be getting to you by now, I hope, but as yet none of yours has come thru.

I forgot to mention but the other eve. we had a good chicken

[page 2] dinner and you can believe me it was appreciated after eating out of can. Also had some fresh steak for dinner so things aren’t so bad. And we have some pasteries now and then so that isn’t so bad. Of course, at all times we can have milk from the nuts that are abundant but I told you the other day of my experience with those.

Well, I’m all run down and it’s time for evening chow so all I can say is watch the newspapers and listen to the Radio –

Love Daddy

Sat. Mar. 6, 1943
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% P.M.
San Fran. Calif.

______________________________________

Since Roscoe was beginning to send hints to Gladys in the form of “read the newspapers or listen to the radio”, I tried to find some newspaper articles about this time of the war in the Pacific in order to embellish my posts. But I found something a whole lot better! On the Digital Commons @ Liberty University website, I found a wonderful article by David Lindsey Snead titled “Obscure but Important: The United States and the Russell Islands in World War II.” Roscoe was in fact on the Russell Islands, and a member of Operation Cleanslate. This is the first time I have been able to find any detailed information about Operation Cleanslate. I actually had chills when I found the first reference to Cleanslate in the article. Several of Gladys’ letters to Roscoe have Cleanslate written across them as their forwarding address. Among the family photographs are four large pictures that were obviously taken during World War II, but I had no idea when they were taken. I don’t know if Roscoe took the pictures himself or if they were military stock photos. At this point, I believe they were probably taken on the Russell Islands.

A new runway, Russell Islands, 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/31/dry-spell-roscoe/

The measles have arrived (Gladys)

6 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-6-43

Dear Daddy – We are having a snow again today. The air is white and as far as I can see there is a white haze. I think Mark is taking the measles. I have him shut up in his room with the blinds closed and he is listening to the radio. He got up this morning feeling so good and then he said he didn’t feel so good. I took his temp. and it was 100 2/5 so I put him right to bed. We don’t know yet what we will do with John. He wants to go to school and I don’t know whether he will be allowed to. I will keep the baby in his room downstairs and hope he doesn’t get the measles. There are so many children having or had the them, maybe they won’t be severe, but we will no doubt be over them by the time you get this. Had a letter from Uncle Wes. He and Aunt Jessie have had bad colds but are about well now. They are coming down some day after the weather clears up. John had a letter from Duane and he said Kenneth passed his physical. Freida Holley’s husband has had to go. Their baby is still small. I suppose she will go back to Buddy’s. D. is raising a fuss. It is time for his nap. He just had his bath & feeding. He played a while and got some attention now he doesn’t want to go to sleep. I didn’t deduct those dividends from the Dec. prem. but I wrote in and they are going to deduct them from the next prem. (apr). No uniform money yet. It will be like finding it when it does come. Will send some more pictures in a few days.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/30/the-measles-ha…arrived-gladys/

Mail and laundry (Roscoe)

8 Replies

: March 5, 1943 envelope

: March 5, 1943, p. 1

: March 5, 1943, p. 2

: March 5, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Mar. 5, 1843
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner MC USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

I spent part of this A.M. over a hot laundry bucket getting all the goat smell out of socks and underwear. Needless to say there are no commercial laundries so you must know that yours truly must do his own as well as everyone else.

In digging a little deeper into my sea bag this A.M. I found the letters I received just as I was leaving Noumea. I had read them before of course but did not mention them before – One was dated Sept 17 and was the first letter you had written after receiving my first one from overseas. It seemed rather peculiar that I receive it the day I left there some 5 months late. Another in that group was one you

[page 2] wrote from the hospital on Sept. 24 and that was one which if it had come straight thru would have been muchly appreciated. We are now waiting very patiently and eagerly for mail to arrive which will bring things up to date a little past Jan 25.

I told you in a letter of several days ago that I had a pretty good beard. Well, eight days was as long as I could stand it. It was looking pretty good with two very dignified gray streaks on either side of the chin but it couldn’t last because you know how yellowish a beard gets when tobacco juice druels out of the corners of the mouth. It’s off now.

Just stopped a few minutes to collect a bucket of water from a passing water truck our faucets aren’t so good here if you get what I mean.

[page 3] Your letter of Sept. 17 had the air mail stamps but they were all stuck together and after dipping them in water they all came apart but now the glue is off so if some letters come thru with the stamps stuck with chewing gum you’ll understand. No need to send stamps and if I conserve on the writing paper I’ll be OK for some time but I’m not writing to everyone I did at first. The papers would be all gone in a short time if I did. So people who you come in contact with can be told not to expect too many letters. I’ll try to write the folks now and then but other than that writing will be confined to you –

Well, must get going
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/29/mail-and-laundry-roscoe/

A new milk program (Gladys)

5 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-5-43

Dear Daddy – Another day without any mail from you but everyday I look for a letter just the same. Our weather has calmed down a little but it is clouding up like we might get some snow. Clarice asked me if I would help solicit in the Red Cross campaign so I had to attend a meeting last night at the court house to get the material. I am to solicit east of 41. They had divided the township & town among so many that no has so much to do. We are to start Monday and I hope to finish same day. So many in this neighborhood don’t have to be solicited because of business connections. The fewer the better. Coco Foulkes is having Cosmopolitan Club this afternoon. I think I’ll go and “show off” our David. He is certainly getting showy. The boys talk to him so much he likes attention. It has been so cold this week I haven’t had him out of the house but I think it is warm enough today to take in that far. – The schools are trying to introduce a milk program in the grade school. Each child to get 1 pt a day for 1 cent. I signed up. Mark has milk with his meals but I thought the extra might do him some good. I see in the paper tha John Cassidy has gone to Arizona for his health. I also see in the court news that Velda Dye got the divorce on a cross complaint – also $5⁰⁰ a week for the support of Linda and 600⁰⁰ alimony – Geo sued and she filed a cross complaint. The boys are home and eating their lunch. John says the boys in his class are learning to knit – Miss Kitsmiller is teaching them. Mark is so full of pep he doesn’t act like he could take the measles and I hope he doesn’t. If he does he will be over them I suppose by the time you will know.

Love Mother

Kent High School yearbook 1948 teachers, including Miss Kitsmiller

©2014 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/28/a-new-milk-program-gladys/

Marine Life (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: March 4, 1943 envelope

: March 4, 1943, p. 1

: March 4, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar 4, 1943
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Fran. Calif.

Dear Mother,

It has now been 3 days since rain and we feel as if it a terrible dry spell. Even at that the ground is still wet and soggy under the foliage.

The Commanding officer and I went swimming this P.M. Just to get away for a short time. The bottom wasn’t sandy so we just left our shoes on. He had some under water glasses and by using those and swimming under water one could see the most beautiful sights. And fish of all

[page 2] color size and description. I made a quick estimate once and I believe there were at least 50 good sized fish in the near vicinity. Various colored coral on the bottom made the whole thing look like a fairy book dream land area. Marine life in the tropics is certainly beautiful to the Nth degree. In fact I don’t believe it but I’ve seen it so must be convinced.

Hope my letters are coming thru to you because I know how it is not to get mail. I’ve been writing every day now for about one week.

Well – lots of love
Daddy

Coconuts (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: March 3, 1943 envelope

: March 3, 1943, p. 1

: March 3, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar. 3
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Francisco Calif

Dear Mother,

To begin with I think I got the wrong address date of yesterday’s letter. Anyway this one is 24 hours behind the other dated Mar 3.

Maybe you have noticed a difference in my writing. I found a board to place across my knees – before I was just writing on paper. Anyway it’s more comfortable writing this way only the flies are very bad what with so much of me exposed to them. Yesterday all day long I had on nothing but my trunks. I tell you you’re going to have to watch me when I get home or I’m apt to walk right off to town clad only in trunks. Remember how I used to ask you to buy a coconut. Well, no need now. Our tent is pitched with the four corners to coconut trees and it isn’t too safe to walk too near those trees – One night not long ago one

[page 2] fell right smack into a water bucket beside the tent and what a noise.

A few days ago our commanding officer was & I were out from camp on some business and before getting back got very thirsty. So we thought we would try some cocoanut juice. I threw and knocked one down and he hacked it open with his hunting knife and we drank the juice about one pint. Then we ate some of the meat. Nothing happened until about 10 P.M. All at once I felt very nauseated and had to get going and I spread shredded cocoanut all over the hillside. While resting on an old log I heard someone down the hill heaving just as I had shortly before. I came back down and there was the commanding officer spreading more stuff on the hillside. We both had a good laugh – went back to bed and that was the end of that. Vomited plenty but not sick. Anyway I don’t care much for cocoanuts only I have eaten some of the meat several times since.

Maybe as time goes along other things can be told but now writing subjects are very scarce.

So Solong Love Daddy

News from the neighborhood (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Daddy – A windy March day & cold. Mrs. Zell took the children to school this a.m. and I am going to get them at noon. I wouldn’t be so particular but Mark has been exposed to the measles and I want to keep him from getting a cold if possible. It must have been below zero again this morning. By Mark having the flu in Jan he hasn’t too much resistance and I am trying to keep him from any undue exposure. I will certainly be glad for warm weather so he can get out in the open. He is planning big on his garden this summer. I think he and I can manage one. John isn’t a bit enthused about taking care of the yard – that is to be his job this summer and Mark is to care for our garden. Now don’t laugh up your sleeve – we are very serious about our garden. I think we can get enough space back of Zells by Link & Bill’s gardens. I saw Irene in the restaurant yesterday. She said her mother is better – she has had a bad cold. Dorothy & Nick have only two waitresses now so they have to work nearly all day. Lois W. had an operation and won’t be able to work for a while. Nick bought Floyd’s tools for Buddy. Mark couldn’t understand why Uncle Floyd didn’t give him those tools. I told him it was just a little matter of $50⁰⁰. Dorothy is going to take the dining room furniture we have stored in the basement. They are putting a bathroom where their pantry is and she needs space to store her dishes. Jim writes that Camp B is being moved to Camp Perry and they are trying to find a place for Thelma to live in Richmond. However he thinks he may be sent out. He may get a leave this month and if so will come home. We are planning to go to C.C. while Dolores is home in April. She will get to be home on her birthday. I think Ruth M. will go with us. I hope we have mild weather then. We are all well and hope we can escape the measles –

Love – Mother

Guessing is out (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: March 3, 1943 envleope

: March 3, 1943, p. 1

: March 3, 1943, p. 2

Mar 3, 1943

Lt (jg) Yegerlehner (MC) USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif

Dear Mother,

Probably I have done a foolish thing for I have written the folk and Sis and it sure cuts down on the stationery supplies – we did get a chance to buy some stamps but writing paper and envelopes aren’t as easily obtained. So if other people mention that I haven’t written – there is a reason. If you have time you might drop a line to Uncle Wess giving him my address and a few others but I just don’t feel like using the supplies and then won’t be able to write you.

This place is different in many respects than where I was located before and has more of the South Sea atmosphere than New Caledonia. Guessing as to the location is out

[page 2] because of necessity and you can also see that description of places and things is also prohibited. All I can say is listen to the radio and watch the newspapers.

We have had plenty to eat (out of cans) and we get plenty of sleep (from the beginning of darkness to daylight) if you get what I mean.

My last mail from you was Jan 25 and I have no idea how long it will be before more catches up – probably not so long. I hope.

Really I think I like it better here than at the last location but can’t tell you why. I sorta feel sorry for Dr. P. & W all by themselves with all their modern conveniences of life. Maybe that is sadistic – well can’t use any more paper this time –

Lots of Love
Daddy