Category Archives: World War II

Lt. Commander F. Edward Walker, U.S.N.R.

[Gladys included this letter from Lt. Commander F. Edward Walker in her letter dated May 2, 1944.]

Lt. Commander F. Edward Wlker, U.S.N.R.
Room 1110 at 995 Market Street
San Francisco, California
Feburary 26, 1944

Lt. R.S. Yegerlehner, MC USNR
℅ USN Base Hospital #4
Navy 133, ℅ Fleet Postoffice
San Francisco, California

Dear Doctor:

I am pleased to enclose herewith my check in the amount of $1.50 which represents a further refund to you from the Cub 13 Officers Club.

A few days ago we received a check in refund of part of the purchase price of the initial investment of the officers club, which permits us to give a 6% dividend.

I just received your address from George Wingfield and I am happy to forward this to you.

Lieutenant Stanich is now located at the Naval Base Assembly Depot at San Bruno. Commander Porterfiled is located at Quantico, Virginia. Jack Howell is back at Navy 131, officer in charge of Receiving Station.

Commander Rimpau and I are both here in San Francisco, and if you should come this way at any time be sure and hunt us up.

With personal regards and best wishes to you always, I am

Sincerely yours,
F. Edward Walker
Lieut. Comdr. USNR

Can you tell me where following are:

Lt. D.A. Mills MC
Lt. J.W. Gardiner DC
Lt. Criss
Lt. R.C. Comstock
Lt. F.W. Stockwell

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/16/lt-commander-f-edward-walker-u-s-n-r/

Romaine’s Commencement (Ruth)

2 Replies

April 30, 1944, p. 1

[Gladys included this letter from Ruth Mutchler in her May 2nd letter. Ruth was Roscoe’s sister.]

Letter transcription:

Wilmington Ill.
April 30, 1944

Dear folks,

Just a line before I go downtown this morning. I am sewing & must go down to get some thread. It is raining again this morning as usual.

We have been anxious to know what has become of you. In your last letter you said you had been apartment hunting & we have been wondering if you have found one. It will be nice if you can be near Jake while he is stationed there. Romaine & I were in Chicago, all day on Saturday, two weeks ago. We eyed every Naval officer that we saw. Thinking just perhaps

April 30, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Jake may have been downtown, but – no see –

We went up for her formal. Had a hard time finding one, but finally found one which we think is quite pretty. It is yellow marquisette. She is getting all excited now, the Senior activities are “stepping up.” Had the Senior play Fri. & Sat. nights. She had so hoped grandpa & grandma would come up for commencement, but Mom wrote & said that it wouldn’t be possible for them to come now. She is still counting on you to be here.

Earl & Chuck are trying hard to get their garden in but so much rain keeps

[page 3] them from it. They now have their potatoes, peas & early stuff such as lettuce carrots & onions in. Earl went fishing

April 30, 1944, p. 3

for a little while yesterday after-noon, but too cold for that, got two I think he said. He is so busy at the mine, he hasn’t much time for fishing & gardening.

Must run along now. Let us hear from you, haven’t Jake’s address so can’t write to him, so send it along when you write again. Hope you are all well

Love Ruth

Come for commencement if you can. It is May 26.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/15/romaines-commencement-ruth/

Acute Housing Situation (Gladys)

1 Reply

May 2, 1944 envelope

May 2, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

May 2 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

I am enclosing the mail that came for you & Ruth’s letter. I rec’d two letters from you and can’t understand why you didn’t get the letter about David’s accident. Mark mailed it Wed. evening – the day he fell or rather pulled the radio over on himself. His lip still has a scab but the stitches were removed Sat. He made it bleed yesterday. I am not going to touch it, but just let the scab come off as it will. Dr. M. said to take him to the dentist as soon as his mouth is healed. I think the inside has healed entirely.

Just like the radio serial you were comparing our letter to – I wonder if you have found anything yet. Maybe I’ll have to go up and spend a day yet to find something. We should have spent your vacation house hunting. Just keep working on it – something has to be found.

There is a high wind. I washed this morning, then this p.m. put in two woolen blankets and the couch cover. I accidently picked up the red (old drapery) cover and it got washed too. The color runs out of those old drapery curtains and the result is, the couch cover has a new tint. It really is better looking than before. The wind is so strong I brought David back into the house. The wind didn’t bother him, he still wants to go bye-bye.

Mark doesn’t have any school today because of election. He has been mowing Staton’s lawn. They have taken their lawn mower over to their cottage. They must have quite a place over at the lake.

May 2, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Just retrieved a piece of something from David’s mouth – don’t know what it was, but it wasn’t to eat. He just made a puddle on the floor – right after I had put him on the toidey. I think I am going to have to use a little spanking on the young man if he doesn’t try to cooperate a little better.

I am a little tired. D. woke up before I had a chance to rest any – and after he gets up there isn’t much rest for anyone. Mark being busy with the lawn mower can’t help me right now.

I added a P.S. to yesterday’s letter about Smith. He was here a few minutes to see about the house. He & Mrs. are coming back Sat. He said he would like to lease it for a year. I told him your future was too uncertain to do anything like that. Maybe we can work out something. Helen Bartlett said she used to teach under Smith and says he is a good school man. I know Bart worked to get Smith here. Smith’s own their home in Delphi and Helen said they were interested in buying here. They may find a place for sale but I don’t know where they could rent anything. Alene Miller is coming back to their house – the one Statons used to have, but the people in it now can’t find a place to move.

I’ll certainly be glad when the housing situation isn’t so acute – at least for us.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/14/acute-housing-situation-gladys/

No Children Allowed (Roscoe)

3 Replies

May 1, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

May 2, 1944

Dear Mother,

The letter you wrote of D. accident finally came today – where it was and why I don’t know. It seems that was just like the letters you used to write and wanted them to get there in a hurry.

I thought for a short time this PM I’d have something about a house but it fell thru. It was a furnished home in Libertyville $60.00 per month but the old “Itch boy” that owns it doesn’t want any children in her house – She thought that she could rent it to people without children. I was a little upset when I walked into the ward and the nurse asked me what was troubling me. I told her the lady didn’t want children in the house and she said “well

May 1, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] why?” and that was a little to much – I told her the baby would “pe” on the bed. That slowed her down and even brought color to her face. Probably to mine also. Hope the lady who owns the house has splinters in her pants and one of them point starboard every time she sits down. Maybe there are other punishments just as bad but I won’t whish wish them on her at present. Dr. Glick put me wise to this house.

I’ve got my leave started on the way and should be able to give you the dope tomorrow night. Joe gets off or rather will take off at noon on Sat. and I’m going to try to do likewise. It may not go thru for 12:00 or for that matter maybe not for

[page 3] 4:30 but we will try.

May 1, 1944, p. 3

I sent my blue suit to the cleaner today – so had to wear khaki. It was nice and sunny when we got up but it got foggy and cold later but this eve it was pretty nice again. Khaki is a must for me for the next few days until my blues came back, rain or shine.

We are all set to listen to Fibber in about ½ hour. Right now Gabe Heater [1] is about to come on so I’ll just sign off and say will the splinters punch the lady hard enough and often enough –

Love Daddy

[1] Gabriel Heatter was a radio news commentator. During WWII, he was known for his trademark phrase “Good evening, everyone…there is good news tonight.”

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/13/no-children-allowed-roscoe/

A Place by the Lakes (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: May 1-2, 1944 envelope front

: May 1-2, 1944 envelope back

Letter transcription:

May 1-2, 1944, p. 1

5-2-44

Dear Mother,

At least there is something to report – Joe found a house – a small but livable and reasonable enough. All for $48 per month but not furnished. He called Mrs. Roberts and I suppose she will call you before this arrives. They were able to get it by a friend in Wilmette writing to a friend in Lake Bluff and these people had a friend whose brother in law had a house so you see how things go. Maybe something will turn up in that way for us. The lady in Wilmette is still looking for one for us.

I’ve thought of this for us – Maybe we could take a place at the lakes for a couple of

May 1-2, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] weeks – and that would allow us to be together and would also give you some time to look around and if nothing turned up at the end of that time you could go back home – what about that? We can talk of that when I come home this weekend. I haven’t asked as yet but will tomorrow.

Somehow I’ve contracted a cold and using a few hankies but it isn’t bad. It’s turned so warm today. I’ll wear khaki tomorrow for the first time and have my blue cleaned & pressed for the weekend.

Well, I hope I’ll be able to write of house news tomorrow eve –
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/11/a-place-by-the-lakes-roscoe/

Mrs. Henry Molter (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 30, 1944 envelope

April 30, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-30-44

Dear Daddy –

April just about gone – It rained this morning, but it’s warm. I took David to church this morning and he behaved very well. His lip looks fine and baring falls will look normal again soon. I have noticed however that one front tooth is pushed back out of line. Dr. M. examined his mouth rather thoroughly for loose teeth but they seemed intact. Sat. when he took the stitches out he said as soon as his mouth heals to take him to the dentist. It wasn’t the broken tooth that got pushed back but the other one. Dr. M. said he felt like doing something to me for allowing him to fall and cause the bleeding around the stitches, but someone would have to carry him around all the time to keep him from falling. Dr. M. was afraid there would be a scar but after he got the stitches out it looked pretty smooth.

The sun is shining now. I hope it keeps shining so I can take D. out after his nap. He is getting quite a tan. Was out so much yesterday.

Mark went with Zells to Morocco to see a show last night. John stayed home and did homework. I ironed something I couldn’t do on the ironer. I thought after I went to bed David might be getting the measles. He would cry in his sleep – did that several times, but finally settled down. It will be two weeks Mon. since he was exposed. I am hoping he is going to sail thru.

I got a suit for John in Laf. but had to send it back because the sleeves were too short. I went to the tailor here to see about getting a suit made for him but Mr. Corbin said he wasn’t able to do much now so wouldn’t take the job. I thought I may go to Laf. again

April 30, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] next week and try again to get a suit and Mark a pr. of shoes. Mark doesn’t have school Tues. I asked Lucile if she wanted to go but she said she had a woman coming to help clean Mon. & Tues. and couldn’t go before the last of the week. I asked Dorothy if she could go to Evanston one day to house hunt and she said a week from Thurs. – but I hope you will have found something before then. I do hope you can find a cottage on the Lake. I think that would be much better for the summer.

Mark has been working on a plane for Bobby and I have had to keep after him to finish it. He says all he has to do now is cover the wings then he will be thru. I told him he couldn’t go out today until he finishes it. He starts a plane and if I don’t keep after him he forgets all about it and the plane never gets finished.

Al thought yesterday that Smith would be in town and if so would bring him out – If they came it was while we went Sheldon to get some meat. I brought all of Clara’s lima beans back and took them to Henry’s (instructions). Mrs. Molter was home alone so I put the beans in the refrigerator. Mrs. M. doesn’t walk. I knew she was an invalid but didn’t know her trouble. She said she had arthritis in her spine. The local Dr. is Glick. She has had operations and been in the hospitals for treatments but doesn’t improve. I was surprised to see such a young woman. I have heard Rose & Clara speak of Henry’s wife but had never met her before. I suppose you have met her. I know you were on two calls to see Henry.

May add a P.S. later.
Love Mother

P.S. Took David for a walk – Stopped at Johnsons & we walked with Lucile & J.E. awhile. Ed took a picture of D. & his mother – hope it’s good. I called Lila and had a little gab. She asked me if one of letters was late. I told her I would wring Joe’s neck.

YEG1944-04-30 Gladys Yegerlehner (R) David (middle)

Gladys, with Jimmy Ed and David (R)

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/10/mrs-henry-molter-gladys/

Tune in Tomorrow Night (Roscoe)

1 Reply

April 30, 1944 envelope

April 30, 1944, p. 1

Apr. 30 Sun.

Dear Mother

Just home from the hospital and writing now so I won’t do like last night. This being Sunday the day was rather dull but business was pretty good because there was extra work due to doubling for a Dr. or two who had the day off – now if I can get next weekend they can work for me, which is only fair if the big braid will see it my way.

No further news on a house, etc. I did talk to a fellow who got one but it was one of these where the Dr. was detached and the word got to this fellow first but he had to take over an unexpired year’s lease. I don’t know if that is good or not. I guess if he leaves he can probably get someone to take over his lease.

I received a letter from you today so probably will not get one tomorrow and you also know why you didn’t

April 30, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] get the letter one day. Joe said his wife missed a day also so he probably got blamed twice.

I’m reading a book again in the off hours. I’ve forgotten the name of it and it’s over on the dresser and right now Jack Benny is coming on so I’ll probably get this letter full of nothing.

Joe said something about going out house looking again tomorrow – I think again toward Evanston. He wants to go to see the manager of the apartments where he stayed 2 years ago. I’m going to see if I can see the welfare gal again tomorrow to see if she has anything to offer.

It seems that the main topics of these letters is finding a house and why not and this might end like a continue story – will they find a house? Tune in tomorrow night – by courtesy of bla bla

Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/09/tune-in-tomorrow-night-roscoe/

A Week Since (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 29, 1944 envelope

April 29, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-29-44

Dear Daddy –

Doesn’t seem possible that it has been a week since we were anxiously waiting for you to come home. Just hope we can look for you next Sat. After I wrote to you yesterday, I took David out in the yard with me and he fell down smack on his lip and made it bleed. Then after we came back into the house he fell again and made it bleed again. I put sulfa powder on it and took him to the Dr. this morning. He took the stitches out and in spite of everything it looks pretty good. The swelling from the bumps yesterday is about gone. We have been trying to keep him from falling today. I put him in the Taylor Tot and Mark pushed him around this morning and has him out now. Buddy came out to play with Mark. He will get a taste of what it’s like

April 29, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] to push the baby around.

Al came out this morning with our mortgage exemption for me to sign. He wanted to know if we were going to rent the house to Smiths. I said we would but if we wanted to come back would want the house. I told him we couldn’t say anything definite about how long they could have it. He wanted to know how much rent and I said just enough to meet the payments – between $45 & $50. He said they didn’t have any other house in view. I asked him if he knew of any rental agencies in Evanston or Chicago. He said he didn’t, he is just new in this business.

I have been thinking I might get Dorothy or someone to go with me and go to Evanston or someplace around there one day and house hunt. What do you think?

April 29, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] John has the Opera on. It is being broadcast from Chicago. I wish I could have taken John up for this particular opera, but Miss Smith said the house was sold out weeks ago – that is tickets under $5.50. If we were all in the upper brackets a little $5.50 wouldn’t bother us.

No mail today. Not even a circular. I suppose two or three of yours (letters) will come Mon.

– – Just had a hair cutting job – Martha wanted her bangs cut – but that didn’t take very long. I forgot about the haircut I was supposed to do last weekend until after you left. You no doubt have visited a barber there.

Another pause to take care of David and get him ready to go back out. Yesterday in Laf. he didn’t want to go in the elevators – when I came home and told John, he thought

April 29, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] it was “cute” or something like that. He says he can remember the time I made him ride in the elevator and get over his phobia. He said you weren’t along. I remember the time myself. It was in T.H.

I attended class party last night at Simisons. I was talking to Clarice and Smith is the man Huftys were talking about the evening we were there. I told her we were considering renting our house to them and she said she was glad because they were anxious to find a place. This man Smith has a lot to live up to because I think Bob and a few others pulled hard to get him.

I should write your Mother and tell her about David’s fall or should I say falls. I think by tomorrow it should be healed enough for him to be turned loose.

I must get busy.
Love Mother

Up in the Air (Roscoe)

1 Reply

April 29, 1944 envelope

April 29, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Apr. 29, 1944

Dear Mother,

This is pretty late Sat. night. Mr. French and I got interested in Acey Ducey and then in a card game and we just almost didn’t stop. So it is almost Sunday morning. Joe has the duty so that is the reason he wasn’t here – We are planning on coming home next week end if at all possible that is if the powers that be are agreeable.

Your letter today left me a little up in the air – because you said something about having the stitches removed from D. lip but nothing about having them put in, etc. You said in an earlier letter he had fallen but nothing about stitches. Maybe I missed one of your letters but according to dates I have them all to date.

Nothing further to report about a house – I sure wish there was but

April 29, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] there just isn’t. There are enough big ones here if they could or would be divided but I guess that will never come about.

Well, it’s late and the room is a little cold – so good night and
Love Daddy

Trip to Lafayette (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 28, 1944 envelope

April 28, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-28-44

Dear Daddy –

Just back from Laf. Got my glasses welded (75₵). Got John a suit and a few other odds and ends. Took David along but he was “nasty” most of the time. Dorothy didn’t have any shopping to do after she saw the Dr. so we started home about 3:30. She said she had only gained 3 lbs. the past month and seems to be in good condition. She is to take Marie Steinbaugh to Chicago next Wed. and said the last time she was there the Dr. told Mrs. S. that one lung had collapsed. She isn’t very good.

Two letters came this morning. You told about the $250.00 house. I wonder how they think Navy Doctors can pay that much rent.

April 28, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I feel the same as you do about moving up. This is too near to be so far, “or something.” If you find any place at all that will be suitable, take it and we will move up.

Spring is in the air. Gardens and fields are being plowed. Mr. Z. is working on the garden we had last year. Someone disked (?) the corn field across the way, this morning, so I suppose there will be another corn field. If we aren’t here to look at it guess it doesn’t make much difference to us.

I see Jimmy S. playing with the Z. children. Jimmy & Ma have been to Monticello this week. I have a good guess the Ma worked on the cottage this week. I should be working on this place but I run out of pep so soon after I get a good start.

April 28, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] I certainly appreciated the things you went into detail about our sons – but I suppose those are the things other people think about when they rent. But at the rental prices around there they could refurnish after renting out a few months.

Mr. Z. is using the Turnpaugh horses and Mark is going out with him when he takes the horses home. He (Mark) wants to put out a little garden. If he could just keep some of the enthusiasm he gets when he wants to start something. This morning I cleaned up one of his messes he made in the basement. I burned a bunch of trash he had let accumulate. He was so quick to go buy the airplane for Bobby and start building it but it isn’t finished yet and I have to

April 28, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] remind him every day to work on it.

I hung out two washers of clothes this morning and they are still hanging so must go take them down. I’ll take D. out and let him run around in the yard while I work. John is going to town to get the paper and mail this.

Dorothy said Harold F. went to the clinic in Chicago yesterday. I don’t know what the findings were.

I can’t think of any news right now. You will have the news I am anxious to hear.

Love Mother