Category Archives: World War II

Gold Brick (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: January 22, 1944 envelope

: January 22, 1944, p. 1

: January 22, 1944, p. 2

: January 22, 1944, p. 3

: January 22, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 13
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
1-22-44

Dear Mother,

Sat. P.M. and things more or less on the lazy order. We are still having a slight, fine rain and of course the coldness that goes along with the rain.

I must tell you about the gold brick I bought this morning – a watch. I had gotten along without one for so long but still missed one very much. One of the patients went into town and when he came back had one which he bought for on 5 pounds so I thought if he could get me one for the same it would be OK. That amounts to something around $17.25. I may have gotten stung and it may be a bargain. The only name on it or indication as to the make is that it is Swiss

[page 2] made. It seems to be gaining a little but I can probably get that regulated. Watches are very hard to obtain around here. In fact this is the first time I’ve heard of any for sale.

This is Sat. as you note from the date and I said that at first so don’t know if I’ll mail this today or just combine this & tomorrow’s – depends upon how much I can think of today. It isn’t mail time as yet so don’t know if there will be anything to comment upon or not.

I was able to do Joe R. a good turn the other day. He sent his glasses down with another fellow to have fixed so and he couldn’t go into town with them so I made a quick dash in with them. The other fellow got them, paid the bill and sent

[page 3] them on. Well I’m going to stop this and see if there is any mail later this P.M. and then I’ll decide whether or not to mail it or wait until tomorrow.

Sun. No mail on Sat. and I didn’t mail this as you know. The rain of the past few days has slowed down. In fact I don’t believe we had any rain today unless it was a mere sprinkle early this A.M. but it has been cool. Right now I have the radiator turned on full blast and it isn’t bad.

My watch has been running now for better than 24 hours and seems to be doing OK but that doesn’t mean a thing. I still hope I didn’t buy a gold brick but I have my fingers crossed.

This being Sunday I’ll have to

[page 4] write the folk but I don’t have the slightest idea of what I might write. It seems I have trouble writing to them as well as other folk. However I never have trouble writing you. I mean I always get something written and really I enjoy it but more than to you seems the darndest burden.

Well it’s getting into the evening so I’d better stop this and get going on the letter to the folks, and may I say lots of Love
From Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/25/gold-brick-roscoe/

Mairzy Doats (John)

1 Reply

: January 22, 1944, p. 1

: January 22, 1944, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Indiana
Jan. 22, 1944

Dear Daddy,

I have not yet used all the money that you sent me for Christmas. With the stamps I had and with the money I got for Christmas I lack just a dime of having enough to by a bond so that’s what I’m going to use the money you sent me for.

I got exempted in all my exams but Mr. Schurtter made everybody take his exam any [way]. It was in arithmetic. Arithmetic is my favorite subject. We have had some algebra and geometry in our studies. These are what I liked best.

About that song, “Maredoats and doesedoats.” I don’t understand why you can’t understand it. All you do is say “Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy, A kid will eat ivy, too, Wouldn’t you?” but you just sluss the words together and it’ll sound like “littlelams edivy a kidill edivy too, etc.” The song says, If the words seem funny, kinda jumbled and corny, say, “Mares eat oats and does eat oats” kinda H.V. Katlenborny. I guess I’ve written a lot of nothing but I want to thank you for the money

[page 2] you sent me.
Love John

P.S. By next Tuesday I’ve got to have a report on some kind of animal such as skunk or weasel. By next Wednesday I have got to have a book read and have a two page review on it, this is Saturday, and less than two weeks from now I have to have an essay written on “Pioneer Pattern for the nation of tomorrow.” I just wanted you to know I was busy

Again, John

[Editor’s note: A further explanation of the song Mairzy Doats can be found on wikipedia. In January 1944, the song was about it reach its height in popularity.]

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/24/mairzy-doats-john/ ‎

Stintson Reliant (Mark)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 22, 1944

Dear Daddy,

I want to just drop a word or two. In my exams I got 4 A’s, 2 B’s and one C in arithmetic. I am working on a plane called a “Stintson” Reliant & it has moveable controls but that is too hard for me. It has “17 in.” wing span. I have been skating lately, and have had one bad spill, the way it happened was my skate string came loose and I went over to the bank to tie it. I was about there when I slipped in the air and about turned a figure eigt and came down on a rib and just about nocked the wind out of me.

Mark

P.S. thanks for the money

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/23/stintson-reliant-mark/

Early Valentine (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 22, 1944 envelope

: January 22, 1944 Valentine (front)

: January 22, 1944 Valentine (interior)

: January 22, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

1-22-44

Dear Daddy – Will just slip a note in with my valentine. It is Sat. P.M. David has been a little cross today. Thurs. he had a temp. Yesterday it was gone but came up again today. I had Dr. M. come out. He examined him and said he has bronchitis. However it may be measles. There are measles around again. Where he could have been exposed to them I don’t know but there are some cases in town. He coughs and I thought I detected a redness like the measles start to break out on his tummy – I just took his temp. and he has 100° rectally which of course is 99 and that isn’t much. We have been keeping him on the couch and that requires someone to stay with him all the time. He seems to feel better now, just had a good nap. Dr M. had a v-mail from Earl R. somewhere in England. He was pretty despondent in his letter. Has been ill and in the hospital. I am inclined to believe he hasn’t the stamina of Joe, or you. I thought his letter sounded like a cry of self pity. Maybe I shouldn’t say that but knowing how long you and Joe have been away and keep your chins up – Well, I think you have the better attitude. Of course you haven’t been ill or hospitalized and that could make a difference.

It is a grey wintry day but not cold. J. & M. have been in all day due to David needing attention. I think D. will be better by tomorrow. Dr. M. ordered sulfamerazine for him and if he doesn’t have measles the sulfa should clear up any infection.

J. & M. have to carry out clinkers so I will have to go see about D. Geo. Monroe came out yesterday and oiled the stoker – He does every 60 days.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/22/early-valentine-gladys/ ‎

I Know I’m Nuts (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: January 21, 1944 envelope

: January 21, 1944, p. 1

: January 21, 1944, p. 2

: January 21, 1944, p. 3

: January 21, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 21, 1944

Dear Mother,

The weather again comes in for the well known beating. It is or rather has been raining most of the time since I wrote yesterday, and it has been rather cold not to – if you don’t have to be out too much but I haven’t been out much just between ward & mess hall and back and forth, etc. I rather enjoy the rain – gives one a real reason to gripe and we always feel better when in that mood. Just by way of example – You remember Mead Johnson sent the vitamins. Well I didn’t take them because I was afraid I’d feel too good and

[page 2] therefore would have nothing to complain about and then I’d feel worse. Figure all that out and you probably will have something to complain about or possibly you have something to complain about because I’d write such stuff – Don’t worry that I might be ready for the bughouse because for lack of better subject matter I’m making poor conversation but I need not write you how poor it is because you have probably guessed it by now.

It sure is funny what one will think while just sitting trying to think of subject matter – Just now a little bird flew by and I wondered if birds ever have diarrhea or sore throats

[page 3] and what they do about if it if so. That last was off the record also. Up to the time that bird flew past I thought I was thru with the nonsense.

This is before mail time and I still have hopes. That picture of D. hasn’t come and I’m real anxious about it for you wrote so highly of it.

Later. The mail came and your v-mail of Dec. 21 and a v-mail from Brewer’s of Jan. 1. Again you wrote of D.’s pictures and I’m gradually getting all the dope on Virginia Zell. I think I now have the whole story – of course that is no fault of yours – It just the way the mail happens to come.

I think I forgot to tell you – yesterday a Christmas greeting came from Sinda Steiner – That

[page 4] was really a surprise. It was postmarked Berne, Ind. and I can’t make out the connection. The folks have said nothing about her being away from home.

I know I’m nuts but it is now 1225 and I’m still not sleepy and it goes that way every night. Seems as if the show, and Acey Ducey game, a bull session and always late to bed – Tonight it was Lentz, last night someone else, but what the ____ What else is there to do? So why not, we used to have fun with the nips and now with friends so what!

Love
Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/21/i-know-im-nuts-roscoe/

Mystery Temperature (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 21, 1944 envelope

: January 21, 1944, p. 1

: January 21, 1944, p. 2-3

: January 21, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-21-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Jan. 6, 7, 8, & 11 came today. In fact I just finished reading them and thought I would answer while things are fresh in my mind. About that tax $6.60 – that was the first quarter last year gross – I quit paying after that. I talked to Agnes a few days ago and she told me not to file even Federal, so will just let it ride. Our present bank bal. is around $70.oo but all bills are paid. The first of Feb. the income will take care of ins. due (J., M. & D.) and current bills and we should have a good bal. Maybe enough for a bond. David got enough Christmas money to get a new bond. I think J. or M. will get it at school to give their school credit during the present Bond drive.

David flared up with a temp. yesterday but now it is gone. He has had a hang-on cough from the flue he had following our visit to Mutchlers and he coughs more now. He had a temp. all night.

[page 2] I put him in bed with me because I figured he would be restless. He had 101 2/5 rectally about 7 A.M. but now 9:45 he is normal. I have him established on the studio couch with a cover over him and toys around him which he keeps throwing on the floor. He doesn’t feel too bad because he laughs & plays. I put his house slippers on him. He pulled them and his sox off, but his feet & legs are covered with the spread. He ate a pretty good breakfast and had two B.M.’s on the toidey. I called the Dr. and talked to him about D. He told me to give him the same pills I gave him when he had the flu. I was going to ask him to come out but he seems so much better I don’t think it is necessary. However, I will watch his temp. closely and if it starts to rise will talk to the Dr. I can’t understand this. D. seemed perfectly well, I had been taking him out of doors, every day, then yesterday he shoots up a temp. and today it’s gone. I am glad it is but would like to know the cause.

Tell Bud Mulligan his aunt came to see me yesterday. She is staying at Zeva Simmons. Zeva works for Mrs. Knowlton.

[page 3] You remember her, don’t you? Jimmy’s mother. I don’t know where Jimmy is now, but Zeva had been to see his wife and daughter not long ago.

I heard that Link quite the stone quarry and is working at the factory. Irene is in the hospital yet – as I understand is taking a rest cure. I wonder when her mother will get to take a vacation – but guess that is none of my business.

It is warmer out today and the sun is shining. I have washing to do and should hang it out but when the trains over by 24 go past they throw out such a smoke screen the clothes have tattle tale grey when they are dry, so the basement is the safest place after all.

The Newton Co. E. is running pictures of service men and they have Art Kenny’s in this week – He is wearing the sailor uniform he had when he entered the service – you know he is now in the Marines – well to say the least the picture isn’t flattering – I wanted to laugh when I first saw it.

I told you in a v-mail about Tommy Britton’s mother calling me. She said Tommy told them you had called from

[page 4] San F. and was on your way home. I told her he was mistaken. He said Mark had told him. I know Mark doesn’t tell things like that. He was so mad when I told him what Tommy had said. He vowed very strongly he hadn’t told Tommy anything like that. Virginia admitted that Tommy told such tall tales they didn’t know when to believe him. I told her I only wished it were true.

J. & M. got their report cards so they should write you and give you their own reports – I gave them in previous letters but think they should write too.

There was a bulletin from the A.M.A. on socialized medicine. John read it over and is going to take it to school. I don’t know that I ever talked to him on the subject, but he was very strong in his opinion about such a thing. He thinks like the A.M.A. – it shouldn’t be.

I have put D. in his bed with toys to amuse him while I go start the washing and he is throwing things on the floor, and enjoying it.

“Love Mother”

P.S. Saw Irene after writing this so her rest cure must be over.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/20/mystery-temperature-gladys/

A Rainy Spell (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: January 20, 1944 envelope

: January 20, 1944, p. 1

: January 20, 1944, p. 2

: January 20, 1944, p. 3

: January 20, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 20, 1944

Dear Mother,

We seem to have gotten into a rainy spell but it sure is good to see it rain – The grass even now looks lots greener than it did just two days ago. One is not as comfortable during weather like this as when the bright sun is shining but it has its compensation otherwise.

This A.M. I censored a Red Cross worker’s letter and she evidently hadn’t been here long for she wrote 13 pages. All about the country and as much description as she could and not be telling. She would have been far wiser had she cut that into several smaller letters because the next time she is

[page 2] going to find it terribly difficult to get subject matter but then maybe she doesn’t write every day. I think I had included every one of here her topics but in numerous letters.

Even on a cloudy day the scenery around here is pretty nice. The shifting mist presents changing pictures as it slides along the green background of treels trees on the mountain sides. Ever so often a sea gull flies along and just seems to vanish as its body either blends with the mist or the green or both. A little farther along the entire mountain is obliterated by the mist or low hanging clouds.

[page 3] Between the mountain and the me there is a river which can be seen only in spots due to the heavy growth of trees and parallel with the river spots of the road can be seen also. From my description I know you must have a picture so clear that you can hear someone standing by saying “too right,” meaning “that is good” or some such other common New Zealand phrase.

This whole country – what I’ve seen of it is really pretty but not my kind of country. I’m willing to let the Indians have the place, possibly I should have said the Maoris for they were to New Zealand as the Indians were to us. I believe they are

[page 4] accepted into society here a little more readily than either the Indians or colored people are at home. However, marriage between a white and a Maori is not considered the best in the world as far as society is concerned.

There are not classes here as in England or at least I have heard about them. I don’t believe there are many rich people and I’m pretty sure there are no very poor. They have state medicine and the people & Drs. neither one think much of the system –

Well, I’ve rambled lots –
Lots of Love
Daddy

Mixed Weather (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-20-44

Dear Daddy – No mail today but yours of Jan. 10 came yesterday. We are having a little mixed weather, a little snow, a little sunshine and a little cloudy. It stays cold enough to keep the pond frozen. Mark skated last night. He got his report card yesterday – He had, Reading B, English B, Spelling A, Arithmetic D+, Social Studies B+, Health B+, Writing A-, Music A, Art B – I talked to him about that Arith. Grade. He came home at noon saying he made A on Arith. this morning. Tommy Britton’s mother called me and said Tommy told them you had called from San Francisco and were on your way home. I told her he had the wrong person in mind. She then said he told such big ones they didn’t know when to believe him. I don’t know who heard that story, but several people have asked me if you were back in the States. I suppose that is how some rumors get started. John brought home a volume of National Geographic from the library with pages of pictures, etc., about N.Z., so we should know all the books have on it. David is taking his daily nap. As near as I can get his weight it is about 24 lbs. He has a good appetite but runs off any excess fat. He is about the busiest little boy when he is awake and running around. Never seems to run out of pep.

Love – Mother

Tall, Dark and Handsome (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: January 19, 1944 envelope

: January 19, 1944, p. 1

: January 19, 1944, p. 2

: January 19, 1944, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 19, 1944

Dear Mother,

Just back from the show – plenty rotten. “Tall Dark and Handsome.” It was only about 16 years old. I think the setting was in 1929 and had Chicago as the background. In other words, a gang picture. It helped pass about 1 ½ hrs. so maybe it wasn’t so bad.

Our rain yesterday and last night was not very plentiful. In fact hardly enough to settle the dust and today being very windy we really noticed the dust. The

[page 2] top of this table and the writing paper is all ‘sorts’ sandy.

I’m really anxious to get the pictures of D. that you have written so much about but I don’t believe the air mail stamps had anything to do with speed. The letters before and after have gotten here but that just doesn’t come, and if the Folks sent their picture for Christmas it hasn’t arrived as yet. Mother said they were sending something but so far nothing has shown up. And I believe you said Dave & Marie were sending something. I’m not disappointed. I mean I wouldn’t

[page 3] be if they hadn’t sent the things.

Lentz got some underware today and they had gotten wet and were moldy in the funniest places. I accused him of having worn them but he answered me they came thru the mail. They didn’t smell bad so I guess he was right.

Lentz got a Jan. 10 issue of Time magazine the other day and I’ve been reading it this P.M. It really brings things up to date pretty well.

Well Dear I’m not very “writey” this Eve so solong
Love Daddy

John’s Report Card (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 19, 1944 envelope

: January 19, 1944, p. 1

: January 19, 1944, p. 2

: January 19, 1944, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 18 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Jan. 10 came today – Those of 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 will probably come tomorrow or soon. So glad you had rec’d mail. You should have David’s pictures by this time. It is sunny today so will try to get some more pictures today. It was so cloudy yesterday I didn’t try to take any. There was quite a strong wind so didn’t take D. out in his buggy, but took him in the car and went to town for groc. He has been full of pep today and I wanted to get things done so barred the nursery doors and kept him in there most of the morning. He didn’t seem to mind. He is now taking his nap. He is still a problem at feeding time. He won’t let me hold his hand to guide the spoon and can’t get food into his mouth by himself and doesn’t want me to feed him, but I do the feeding just the same. He wants to pick his bowl up and pour the food out. When he is holding his spoon will mess food all over his high chair if I don’t watch him. Yesterday morning he started raising a fuss when I started to give him his breakfast, so I just picked him up and spanked him – That helped. He knows what he is scolded about so I think a little “applied” psychology will help out. It worked on J. & M. so why not use it on David if he needs it?

John brought his report card yesterday. Mark didn’t get his but probably will today.

[page 2] John’s semester average on Gen Science A – English A+, History A+, Arth. A, Ag. B+, Phy.Ed. B – Band A, so totaled and averaged he should be about an A student. But that really isn’t correct because he isn’t A or A+ in subjects he doesn’t care about, such as Ag. I think he likes most of his work but that. However he works on Ag. and got an A the last period but had B+ the first two periods, hence the B+ average. I tell him he should plan to study medicine because he can absorb so much but he says he is only interested in music. He says that is the way with parents & musical children, they are always wanting them to study something else. That isn’t exactly true here. I just made the medical suggestion to see what reaction I would get. Mark says he is going to be a pilot, but John points out to him a pilot has to have math and that seems to be a weak point with Mark. He brings his arithmetic home almost every evening and gets his “homework.” He won’t do anymore than he has to. I often tell him he should work ahead on it but that doesn’t appeal to him in the least and after he finishes said homework is off on something more pleasant. He likes to build model planes if he can finish them in a hurry – but doesn’t care for the tedious kind. He received several for Christmas that require very little work to assemble and that suited him.

Lucile just came out with Jimmy. He and David play together quite well. The only thing David wants to take everything away from Jimmy and so far Jimmy lets him. In time no doubt Jimmy will correct that.

[page 3] Mr. Zell sold off their chickens and cleaned out the brooder house. He put fertilizer around their shrubbery and ours. That should help a lot. What we really need tho is several loads of black dirt around the shrubbery and in the flower beds. The soil in the bed between Statons’ yard and ours is still so full of rocks, etc., from the cement mixer it should be cleaned out and all new soil put in, but I am not planning to do all that myself. I like to work out in the yard but I think that order is too big for me to fill.

Irene is still in the hospital and suppose will be for a week or so – that is what I hear. I don’t like to ask questions. I stopped once and inquired about her and Mrs. James said they didn’t know much. The Dr. couldn’t seem to find anything.

David is getting anxious to go out for a walk so I must get this finished. He wanted to go bye-bye when Jimmy Ed left but I wasn’t ready to go the. It isn’t so windy today and he should have a good airing. It won’t do me any harm either. I think I’ll remind you when you come home about those walks you take now. You know I always did like to walk, so remember that.

Love
Mother