Category Archives: Yegerlehner

July First (Gladys)

2 Replies

: July 1, 1943 envelope

: July 1, 1943, p. 1

: July 1, 1943, p. 2-3

: July 1, 1943, p. 4

: July 1, 1943, p. 5

: July 1, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 1 1943

Dear Daddy –

The first of July and chilly enough to have heat turned on. And after all the intense heat in June. Just the kind of weather to expect back home in Indiana. It is a relief tho, and it has its points, even tho the corn doesn’t grow so fast in weather like this – so much more for Indiana “corn.” I am trying to get this written before the mail man comes so he can take it. With J. & M. & Zell girls gone I have to go to town myself to do anything and thought I would get my daily letter written then wouldn’t have to worry about

[page 2] going to town. Yesterday I rec’d yours of June 21 & 22 – however there are a few June letters still en route earlier than those rec’d. I am wondering if you are still getting the pictures I send once a month. The last I send was on June 26, the photographer’s picture of David for his 9^th month.

I went to town yesterday and took a specimen of urine for mother in Dr. M. Dorothy ran the tests on it and said she found infection sugar & albumin. Dr. M. had given Mother Sulfasuxadine and said to continue two more days then bring her back in – She gets up every morning and dresses but lies down most of the time on the couch.

[page 3] I saw Lucile in town. She had Jimmy Ed. He is quite a young man. Is about to sit alone. He still has eczema but I think it’s gradually leaving. He has hair now and doesn’t scale any more. I suppose he will just have to outgrow the “stuff.” Ed is having an allergy – it’s between his fingers – how uncomfortable – don’t I know – well Lucile called me yesterday morning about the H.C.L. I used & she used – Ed has had the condition some time now & Lucile wanted him to try our remedy. I am having a touch of the thing now – I think it’s due partly to the drastic change to cooler weather. My fingers are a little swollen. I

[page 4] had to get up last night and put the lotion I always use to keep from rubbing them. They are better this morning – I missed the mail – just got your letter of June 23 – in which you were talking about a heat lamp – I would think a sun bath would be hot enough. – Maybe that would be too hot.

Mother had a letter from Dolores yesterday. She said it had been hot & dry in Washington – I thought it was raining everywhere the way it kept raining here. We haven’t had rain now since Sat. & this is Thurs. so maybe our rain is over for a while. – – This is afternoon – I have put out one washer of clothes since I started to write, had lunch and done a few odd jobs around here.

[page 5] The Democrat came and I looked it over for any news of interest to you but failed to find anything unusual. I saw an ad in a magazine about spam. There was a Navy officer’s picture & telling about how glad the boys were to get spam. I just laughed to myself and thought that wasn’t the way I heard it. I didn’t use all our red points in June. I was talking to Arlene about having points left over – She suggested that I stock upon spam, etc. I told her I would be afraid to have it on hand when you came home, so she agreed with me it would be better for me to buy something else. We

[page 6] didn’t use all the red points but when Parttens’ butcher in the fall I’ll have to turn in enough points to cover half or quarter of beef – which I get. Milk (canned) takes meat points but we still have enough. I bought 24 cans this week. I intend to keep David on canned milk thru the summer yet. He is awake now trying to shake his bed apart. The screws do loosen and I have to tighten them up once in a while. He looks at me and laughs when he isn’t sucking his thumb. I can see him from where I am sitting. I will have to get his dinner ready.

Love Mother

David at 9 months

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/13/july-first-gladys/

Soundscape (Roscoe)

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: June 30, 1943 envelope

: June 30, 1943, p. 1

: June 30, 1943, p. 2

: June 30, 1943, p. 3

: June 30, 1943, p. 4

: June 30, 1943, p. 5

Letter transcription:

June 30, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.

Dear Mother,

I couldn’t got go to sleep for a period last night so tried to think of what I might write and nothing seemed to come. Then all of a sudden I began to realize I had been listening to the sounds around about so I thought why not describe those. Those would not be military information so why not. First

In describing sounds one does not know whether to take the near ones – the far – the loud etc. In describing a landscape I learned long ago to read it someplace – A point of view had to be selected – like a high hill

[page 2] or a tall building. Well the point of view of my sound description is my bunk with only a pair of trunks to protect my nudeness. Approximately 7:30 P.M. Dark as only a tropical dark night can be with a gentle, soft breeze floating thru the screened walls of the tent. As far as near or distant sounds were concerned there is no way of knowing exactly so I’ll not bother. I’ll just take them as one they came to me and was then were crowded out by the next.

Crickets or some such – were filling the entire atmosphere and it seemed nothing not another sound possible but a slight breeze scraped the long frown of the palm trees and gave a rustling sound much louder than that thru our well known maple trees at home. “Screach” the

[page 3] door to the bath house was opened as a late bather decided on a bath in darkness – Maybe he is the modest type. Ring Ring – the telephone still gives me a little start, however it’s never for me. Then a sharp bang followed in a few moments by another “screach’ of a rusty hinge. Someone had a belated B.M. The first bang was the hinged lid over the hole – purr airplane!!! No just a jeep or truck in the distant – Squeak, squeak high up – Rats fighting in the tree tops. They build nests way high in the air among the cocoanuts and seem to have their affairs at night. They can also be heard just outside the tent gnawing – and also inside scampering from one place to another. The loudest sound

[page 4] was almost missed – It’s also the most consistent and that is probably why it didn’t break thru – The Surf – The roaring swish beginning low and in a crescendo like sound finally breaking and one could imagine the white spray leaping high and then the receding waters – The whole process repeated over & over again. Just made one think of a huge monster rushing to escape but the chains always holding him back.

I suppose this could go on and one but why bother when can use the imagination after looking at the National Geographic.

Another sound purr – airplaine!!! No just a small patrol boat or distant truck – whistle whistle – The shrill whistle of the Bosun pipe – which means

[page 5] that all is secure – and ok! “Golly” I’m getting sleepy – Hoping you are the same – good night –

Lots of Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/12/soundscape-roscoe/

Very Quiet Around Here (Gladys)

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: June 30, 1943 envelope

: June 30, 1943, p. 1

: June 30, 1943, p. 2-3

: June 30, 1943, p. 4

: June 30, 1943, p. 5

: June 30, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
June 30, 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of June 21 & 22 came today and you had rec’d mineo f June 2 – 4 – & – 5 – The one of the 3ᵈ was air mail and I wrote it while Mark was coming out of the ether. I mailed it at the hospital. I stated the bank balance in a letter a few days ago, but after I get the Hancock ins. paid, rent, etc., I should have a balance of 150⁰⁰ – which will take the July 1 check – I have a balance now of about 90⁰⁰ – tomorrow or next day will get the 200⁰⁰ allotment. The rent will come out (48³³) and groc. bills – which are somewhat higher than they used to be, due

[page 2] to increase in price in about everything – so unless something comes up I haven’t counted on should with everything taken care of have a balance of around 150⁰⁰.

Had a letter from a music shop in Laf. that they have used grand piano for sale. If I get down there soon will go look at it. I really am not enthused about buying anything but do feel it is a shame for John not to have a good piano to work with. He took his music and Mark’s too along to practice on while they are at Ruth’s. Earl said they were on vacation but I told him it would do Mark good to settle down a little while each day and rest. Mark seems

[page 3] to be all over any nervousness but when he got over there Sunday he was so excited about seeing all his “friends,” I wonder if he won’t play too hard.

I hear David. He has had a nap and in good mood. Dorothy & Ruth played with him so much yesterday I was afraid he would be spoiled today but he seems as good as ever. He gets harder to handle every day. He is always reaching for something. If he keeps on at this rate I am afraid he will have to have plenty of love taps to keep him out of things – – Had to stop and fix lunch – Just put David down in his pen and he didn’t like the idea – He has been saying

[page 4] da-da for a long time – now he says mom-mom.

It is cool enough today to have heat turned on. Such a drastic change from Monday. It was cool yesterday too. Floyd came for Ruth about 6 P.M. yesterday. He didn’t have to go to Brazil after all so they were returning to Bluffton, but are going to C.C. for the 4^th – I don’t know yet whether Mother will feel like going any place by Sun. If not I’ll have to get someone to go with me to get the boys in Wilmington. The grass isn’t growing so fast now that it isn’t raining so often and not so hot so maybe the grass won’t need cutting before John comes back. Had the lawn mower worked on so it isn’t so hard to push.

Love Mother

[page 5] P.S. I just looked up the old policy & it was issued Dec. 24 – 1923 so this payment I will make in July pays it up. I rec’d the cancelled note today. The amt. of prems. Due in July on all three that are due amounts to 77.28. I have to buy an auto stamp today (last day) and that will be 5⁰⁰ – Also last day for meat stamps (red) and I have a few left. I bought 3 frys last week and still have enough left for several meals. I am going to try and get salmon with my meat stamps today. That & sardines are scarce articles. The only place I know of to buy canned chicken would be Chicago – Ruth Mutchler said she saw canned pheasant at the Stop & Shop in Chi. at $3.50 a can.

[page 6] If I can find suitable articles will send out another box – but hate to send them if you don’t get them. We can’t register letters or insure anything – at least I was told at the P.O. that registering didn’t insure delivery so quit doing that.

Zells have gone away for a week – John & Mark are gone – Statons are leaving soon and Bill & Arlene are talking about going to Wisconsin – I don’t know if all these vacations are going to be at the same time, but with the Zell girls & our boys gone it is very quiet around here. Irene had 5 moles burned off Sat. She asked the Dr. if she could go in swimming – She went to a Dr. in Indpls. She was afraid of skin cancer. Mary is having a baby & Mrs. James is going there to stay two weeks –

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/11/very-quiet-around-here-gladys/

The Smell of Steak (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: June 29, 1943 envelope

: June 29, 1943, p. 1

: June 29, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
June 29, 1943 1500

Dear Mark,

Of course you knew I had not forgotten you even though it has been a long time since I’ve written. I believe both of you boys have written at that since I have.

Who is ahead in the garden? You or the weeds! I’ll bet those radishes and lettuce sure does do taste fine.

I almost forgot – I sure was glad to hear you were such a brave guy when

[page 2] you had your tonsils out. I want you to remember how you felt when Dr. Romberger told you to take a big smell of that stuff and you took her down so you can tell me.

Writing of smells there is one that I’ve missed here a lot and you can help me out. Get an envelope full of steak broiling smell and seal it up tight and send it “kerplank” right on out.

Well, I know you are a busy man but if you can find time drop me a line

Love Daddy

P.S. give Mother a big “squeeze” for me.

Mark (January 1943)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/10/the-smell-of-steak-roscoe/

Catching A Train Whistle (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: June 29, 1943 envelope

: June 29, 1943, p. 1

: June 29, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
June 29, 1943 1435

Dear John

I’ll just bet you thought I’d forgotten all about you but I hadn’t. Maybe Mother let’s you read parts of my letters or does she?

In some spots here the grass grows to only a few inches high and never any taller – Isn’t that wonderful? Or I mean wouldn’t it be wonderful if our yard had that kind of grass?

It’s a little hard to write because you haven’t written

[page 2] for so long either and since I can’t say much about here the subject matter is a little on the down grade.

There are lots of things I miss out here and one this one I believe you can help me out. I’d like to hear a train whistle, so the next time one goes by you get an envelope and catch the sound and seal it up tight and send her whizzing right on out. I’d ask you to put it in a bottle but it might get broken.

Well if you aren’t too busy

Write –
Love Daddy

P.S. Don’t forget the big “hug” you are supposed to give Mother for me.

John (January 1943)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/09/catching-a-train-whistle-roscoe/

A Little Thought Provoking (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 29, 1943 envelope

: June 29, 1943, p. 1

: June 29, 1943, p. 2

: June 29, 1943, p. 3

: June 29, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

June 29, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.

Dear Mother,

NO mail today so far but the day is still young. So again that makes writing a little difficult but I’ll probably think of something.

Censoring mail is a job hated and despised by one and all I’m no exception but it is a little thought provoking because here I sit reading some fellows personal thoughts to the one and only which under normal times would be a crime not to mention the underhandedness of the thing.
Then one wonders what the

[page 2] fellow looks like and also what the girlfriend or wife to whom it is going looks like. From the content of those letters one would think every gal in the State was a Miss Indiana a super duper prize winner in looks and a purified angel in actions. I like to think of what their relations will be say 10 years from now.

Then there is always another thing that I like to wonder about and that is the answers that come back to the boys. I mean the returns obtained from what is sent out but that would be mean to even think of. The above of course is pointless but

[page 3] it makes a distasteful job a little more pleasant and that can be applied to many of our present obligations the various and sundry of which are not too well liked. This last sentence almost got me down – didn’t know exactly how to get it stopped so I just pulled back on the lines said “whom” and hurriedly stamped out a period. That is another thing I’m getting low on is periods. Maybe you had better send another 2 dozen. (I’m all right). Now to be a little more serious.

Image from All Posters

In the May 15 issue of the Sat. Evening Post there is an article – “So We Don’t Know There is a War.” It’s about Spencer Indiana down in Owen County

[page 4] and it seems they are carrying on in keeping with every other county. Some of the names and places I remember very well.

Saw a fellow last night that had left the states in June ’43 and he even had starch in his collars and cuffs. We questioned him pretty carefully or rather greedily about conditions there just like we do of a person coming from a foreign land.

Believe it or not I’ve been writing on this letter for about two hours. Some of the time used in thought some for conversation and some just sitting – Hoping you are the same –

Love Daddy

Article from Clay City News mentioned in previous letter regarding attack procedures

Canning Swiss Chard (Gladys)

3 Replies

: June 29, 1943 envelope

: June 29, 1943, p. 1

: June 29, 1943, p. 2-3

: June 29, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
June 29 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

It’s late afternoon and I have the last batch or rather two, of swiss chard on cooking. That makes 18 pts. Ruthie and I canned today. Floyd had to go into Chicago in a truck so left Ruth off here to stay until he comes back sometime today. Mrs. Zell told me to cut off the swiss chard & can it as they are going away tomorrow for a week and she wouldn’t have time – so you can

[page 2] imagine the size of the pile of raw chard to make 18 pts. At that we cut off the stems and if I feel equal to the job will can them in qts. tomorrow.

Floyd has to take a scale to Brazil from Chi[cago] – pick up one at Brazil and take back to Bluffton so he brought Ruth along and she is going on to C.C. from Brazil and he is going down for the 4^th. Ruth suggested taking David along with her but I am afraid that it’s a little too soon for him to take a visit – He is taking a nap now. Dorothy

[page 3] came out this afternoon to see him and between she & Ruth I am afraid he got a lot of spoiling – Virginia Zell wanted to take him out in the buggy but he wasn’t satisfied so I put him to bed for a nap.

David broke my glasses a long time ago and I mend them with Mark’s airplane glue but they keep coming apart and I am holding them on now. Mother keeps telling me I should get them fixed. She isn’t feeling any better but is taking a sulfa medicine and it may be reacting on her. I rec’d yours of June 16 today but the 13^th – 14^th & 15^th haven’t come yet, but they will probably

[page 4] come in a day or two. Mrs. Roberts was over yesterday a few minutes. She was taking Earl’s children to their grandparents. She is hoping Joe will get home by Christmas. I am just hoping, without setting any date.

My head feels like I need sleep. Ruth & I talked too late last nite and of course David gets up early for his first bottle. John & Mark are at Ruth’s this week having a vacation. The way Mother feels I don’t know whether I’ll get a vacation for a while. Maybe she will feel better after she gets thru taking Sulfasuxadine. It’s time to get this in the mail.

Love Mother

The Book: Progress report – September 6

4 Replies

It has been two weeks since my last progress report, and sadly, I have very little to report. I haven’t been able to do a thing on the book. Work and family have taken every spare minute. Oh, and my ProGen assignment for September and October has expended every other remaining moment of time. I have to write a proof argument; the first draft is due September 25^th. Knowing that I am very busy at work this month, I tried to get a head start on this assignment. I spent a good portion of the three day Labor Day weekend working on the proof argument.

I am fairly excited about writing this proof argument. Genealogical writing is an area where I would like to focus my genealogy work in the next couple of years. I chose one ancestor who has been rather elusive in the direct evidence department so I think he is a good candidate to write about. After I submit the assignment this month, my ProGen Study group mates will edit and critique it. I then get to rewrite the report for October and submit it for a second round of evaluation. I have also enlisted the aid of my co-worker to do some additional editing. I am hoping to publish the report at the end of October/early November. I may even try to use CreateSpace’s ebook publishing software and directly market my work on Amazon. When it comes to my eventual goal of becoming a certified genealogist, I want to have several published works on my resume.

One absolutely, amazing genealogical thing finally happened this week. I received my grandfather’s World War II Naval military file from the National Archives. Because he served in the Navy, his records were not burned in the big fire in the 1970s which destroyed most of the Army’s service records. The process took about five months from my initial request to having the documents in hand. I am not my grandfather’s next of kin; I had to enlist my father’s aid in acquiring the file. Since it has been less than 72 years since Roscoe retired from the Navy, his records are not available to the public. There must be at least 100+ pages in his file, and the envelope I received was easily an inch and a half thick. The file gives me additional background documentation for the book.

Many of the documents in the file are copies of originals that I already possess. Roscoe and Gladys (surprise, surprise!) kept copies of all of Roscoe’s orders and military paperwork. There are some documents in the file that are new to me, including: character references from people in Kentland when Roscoe made his original application in 1942; a copy of his county birth certificate; reviews by senior officers of Roscoe’s performance; and a copy of Roscoe’s commission. If you ever have the opportunity to find an ancestor’s military file, it is completely worth it. I am fairly tempted to go back and reorder the complete military file for some of my Civil War ancestors. I have purchased several pension files in the past, but never the complete file.

: Bureau of Navigation questionnaire p. 1

: Bureau of Navigation questionnaire, p. 2

© Deborah Sweeney, 2014.
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/06/the-book-progress-report-september-6/

A Little Flavor to the Water (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: June 28, 1943 envelope

: June 28, 1943, p. 1

: June 28, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

June 28, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif.

Dear Mother

All I got from that mail yesterday was a bunch of Medical supplies and the Newton Co. E. After reading the C.C. news over I found their air raid warning system and I sending it back to you with a few comments. I passed the thing around at chow yesterday evening and it was the best laugh of the day – maybe people back there can’t get the joke but we did. I can’t explain any further.

Last night while two of us were alone – the other fellow broke down and told me his family troubles – it is a pathetic case and I’m afraid I wasn’t much of a Dorthea Dix, however, he is also a doctor so he should know as well as I some of the answers – Not that I know the answers but he should know them as well as I. Really I don’t think he expected me to solve his problem but just wanted to tell somebody his troubles. Strange but he has no desire to go back said he has had peace and quiet since coming here – That must be a queer sensation. There is of course no point in my writing you this but just wanted something to fill up sape space and you might say what a space filler upper.

[page 2] Another Colliers and a Post came to one of my tent mates so we have some late reading matter some time in one of the May issues. Maybe those papers give us the pulse – so to speak of the country back home. I haven’t seem a Reader’s Digest for some time now. Some of these days some of the late issues will probably come rolling along.

Just stopped a moment because the water stinks in the shower house. Probably a lizard crawled into the tank and drowned and is giving a little flavor to the water – Something like that rat smell we had when we lived at Clay City in Grandma K. house, remember?

I see it’s nearing the end of the month and I hope you will remember about the financial statement I asked for. The last one you gave me was May 1^st. You If you have said anything about it since the letters just haven’t come thru. Repeating I have your letters stating you got the $150 & the 32⁶⁰ checks but the $100 hadn’t arrived and I gave you the check number etc.

Well the space is about all used up and I am hot and sticky – Hoping you are the same (or do I).

Love Daddy

Mother Isn’t Well Enough (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
6-28-43

Dear Daddy – I missed writing yesterday (Sunday) but took John & Mark to Wilmington to spend the week. Mother isn’t well enough to travel so Mrs. Zell & their girls went with us so I would have company coming back. I took Mother to Dr. M. and he is having her take sulfasuxadine and continue with Bepron. He is giving sulfa for her bowels. You know her condition and now it’s worse, with pain when she has a B.M. Your Mother would like for us to come down but I can’t plan to go visiting while Mother isn’t well. David is trying to go to sleep. We took him yesterday and he is tired from the trip – Sat. P.M. we had a windstorm that took more branches down and a part of one of Statons’ trees. Yesterday when we passed Bert McCartney’s place we saw one of those large trees in their front yard had been torn apart. I think it was the largest tree. I sent you a picture of David by Air Mail Saturday. Sent your Mother one and one to Dave & Marie. Haven’t had any mail for several days but had up to June 12 last week. I had to get a new battery for the car. Cost $12.95. With the ins. that has to be paid in July and counting July 1 check I should have a balance of about $150.00 (counting all bills pd including house payment) so maybe I can squeeze out a bond again, but would rather pay off the Ins. loan on my policy. Will let you know what I do.

Love Mother