Category Archives: Yegerlehner

New Duty (Roscoe)

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April 13, 1944 envelope

April 13, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Naval Hospital
Great Lakes Illinois
Apr. 13, 1944

Dear Mother,

It is now 2030 and I’m about all set for the night. Had no trouble coming thru today and I’m pretty well signed in, etc. I’m not just certain what my duties will be but will find out definitely tomorrow. Needless to say I haven’t rented a house for the family as yet.

Someone had called the O.D. office about 15 minutes before I arrived inquiring if I had registered in and I’m at a loss to know who it was. I thought possibly it was Dr. Moran but he told me later he had not called – Maybe it was Socky but I doubt it very much. I may look him up tomorrow eve after I learn my way around a little better. My hours are from 0800 to 1630 so should have some time in the eve for things and

April 13, 1944, p, 2

[page 2] things. Dr. Moran says O.D. duty comes about once in every 15 days, and that requires staying on the base.

Mrs. Frence informed me the Col.’s wife moved in – Two girls, 3 guinea pigs and I believe she said a dog. Seems as if my 23 little men will have lots of competition and I was wrong we don’t use the same bath room. It’s two other men but at present there is only one so I have a semi private bath room.

I didn’t get to do anything with my pay accounts today because I have to have my orders and they had to be endorsed and it seems that couldn’t be done until tomorrow so I’ll see what can be done along that line and financially I’ll be at the end of the line if something isn’t done before too long. So far however I’ve only spent 51₵ since leaving home and that was for eve chow. Dr. Moran knew a little place between here and

April 13, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] the base where the food is good and the price reasonable.

I’m sorry I didn’t get this written early enough to mail tonite but I just don’t know my way around here well enough yet but will get on schedule in a day or two. The address at the beginning of the letter so far as I know is correct but that is one thing I’ll have to find out for sure tomorrow. You can address my mail that way until you hear differently from me.

It’s a little lonesome in here just now after the swell time of the past 3 weeks but maybe things will be better in the near full future.

I hope I can give you all the dope right out of the horse’s mouth tomorrow eve.
Solong
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/10/new-duty-roscoe/

Home Sweet Home (Roscoe)

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Roscoe finally received his long awaited orders on March 22, 1944. He journeyed by train, arriving in Kentland, Indiana, on March 24th. He enjoyed about three week’s leave before he was required to report for duty at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital, on April 13th.

: March 22, 1944 orders, p. 1

: March 22, 1944 orders, p. 2

Obviously no letters were written during this time. However, Gladys made note of David’s first meeting with his father in the baby book.

March 23 – 1944
David is 18 months old – weighs 25 1/2 lbs – 33″ tall.
March 24 – Daddy came home and David saw him for the first time. David thinks Daddy is “OK.”
Cutting lower left and upper left first molars.
David is wearing thumg guards, but still puts his thumb in his mouth when he gets the guards off.
Apr. 9 – Easter Sunday and David’s Christening Day. Vic, Beulah & Carol Jean came for dinner and spent the afternoon with us. David found several Easter nests with the help of John and Mark.

Roscoe and David, March 1944

©2016, copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/09/home-sweet-home-roscoe/

No Further News (Roscoe)

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March 18, 1944 envelope

March 18, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Hotel Bellevue
Geary at Taylor
San Francisco
Mar. 18, 1944

Dear Mother –

Still no further news so it’s wait again for another day – hope this doesn’t keep up too long and I really think it will be, as I told you before, the first of the week before anything definite turns up.

It seems I’m having a little trouble drawing money I have on the books so if I write a check for transportation home and there isn’t enough to cover same have Teague honor the amount and I’ll take care of it then. Just telling you in case something like that does happen.

Of course if I get orders to some area place in the 9^th district my fare will be paid or at least I’ll be repaid after getting there. Hope that 9^th district deal

March 18, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] works out.

Jim is out today – went out to see a doctor friend of his who is stationed nearby so I’m just sitting around the hotel chewing my nails and waiting. In fact it’s almost 1200 and I’m writing this in the lobby and waiting also for the maid to get the room fixed up. She seems to be a lot later this morn. Maybe it’s the extra Sat. brush up that is causing the delay. I just walked over to pick up an ash tray and I saw the door was open so I guess the room is getting the once over.

I suppose by now some of your letters are returning. The last one I received from you was dated Feb. 11 so I’m not well informed on what is going on – not as well as I hope to be in the next few days.

Well, I’ll give you the red hot dope as soon as it comes out of the horse’s mouth.
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/08/no-further-news-roscoe/

That Good Old Irish Stuff (Roscoe)

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March 17, 1944 envelope

March 17, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Hotel Bellevue
Geary at Taylor
San Francisco
Mar. 17, 1944

Dear Mother,

Nothing new to report this A.M. All we are doing now is just waiting and stewing. Jim & I. I mean. We went to see Red Skelton last night and had a beer or two. The food here is terrific. For breakfast I had a serving of Dry cereal and a cup of coffee 35₵. The way we eat you’d think we are on a diet, but it won’t be for long I hope. Today we are going to get around & see if we can get reservations for some sort of transportation but we are behind the eight ball because we don’t know when or whether it will be under orders, etc. We hope it will be under orders so that the price of the ticket won’t be on us but we just have to wait, but and maybe we can do but it is hard after 19 mo. to be this near and then just have to wait.

March 17, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Jim is writing to Detroit and since his name is Delaney he probably is filling the whole thing with that good old Irish stuff (Mar. 17).

Well, Jim is through so we will be getting along
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/07/that-good-old-irish-stuff-roscoe/

Waiting for word from Washington (Roscoe)

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March 16, 1944 envelope

March 16, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Hotel Bellevue
Geary at Taylor
San Francisco
Mar. 16, 1944

Dear Mother,

Thur. P.M. and everything seems to have gone very well – we have applied for leave and requested duty in the 9^th Naval district and now we have to wait for word to come from Washington – we were told it would take 5 day at least. Under those circumstance all we can do is keep cool and be as contented as possible which is hard to do. I’ll try to let you know by phone, etc., as I told you in the letter last night when and where.

The Red Cross picked us up at the pier and arranged for rooms and again provided us with means for getting our gear to the hotel. My gear is really a mess. The clothes are the same as when I left the states so you can imagine the condition they are now in and besides part of my ward

March 16, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] clothes had to be left in the laundry at the last station because I had only 2 hours to start from scratch and be underway but Ed promised to send them on to me. I had only three white shirts along. One is in the laundry, another is black instead of white and the one I’m wearing now was washed in the bathroom on ship, hung on a coat hanger and worn without blessing of an iron so you can imagine what I look like but somehow I care very little about those things.

I hardly think it will be necessary for you to write because your letter would hardly be here before I left I hope. I mean I hope I can get underway by that time.

Again lots of love
From Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/06/waiting-for-word-from-washington-roscoe/ ‎

Stateside (Roscoe)

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March 15, 1944 envelope

March 15, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Mar. 15, 1944

Dear Mother,

The telephone call to you finished about one hour ago and a partial letter written but believe it or not I tore that one in small pieces because it didn’t fit. I had written some things I wanted to tell you personally rather than in a letter.

Just now I’m on temporary duty here awaiting permanent orders and as I understand before my permanent orders start I’ll have some few days leave – at present I have no idea where the permanent orders will be but hope for something in the 9^th Naval district. That is the really important question however at the moment.

I’ll find out about the red tape in the morning and will let you know as soon as possible after hearing. I’m afraid it

March 15, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] might be a week or 10 days but the really important thing is that I’m back in the USA. I really didn’t mean that that was the important thing but it is a sort of a prerequisite to the important thing.

It’s hard for me to realize even now that I’m back and I keep pinching myself every now and then to see if it’s me alive and in the flesh.

I’m here at the hotel with a Dr. from Detroit and he called his wife. It took me only 20 min. to call you but his call took 40 min. Believe it or not we are two happy people – He has three boys.

I’ll keep you posted either by letter, telegram, night letter, phone, etc. so don’t worry and I’ll be seeing you and seeing you

Lots of Love
Good night
Daddy

USAT “WILLARD A. HOLBROOK” (Roscoe)

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FOURTH ENDORSEMENT USAT “WILLARD A. HOLBROOK”
Fort Mason,
San Francisco
California
1 March 1944
From: The Transport Commander
To: Lieutenant Roscoe S. YEGERLEHNER, MC-V (S), USNR
Subject: ORDERS

Reported for transportation this date.
Subsistance was furnished without cost to you.
Proceed and carry out basic orders.
Transportation completed 15 March 1944.

W.H. IRVINE
Lt. Col. TC
Transport Commander

USAT Willard A. Holbrook during WWII (Image courtesy of http://www.navsource.org)

There are no known surviving documents describing Roscoe’s return trip to the United States at this time. Since the trip originated in Auckland and concluded at Fort Mason, San Francisco, Roscoe crossed the equator and the international date line. One item which survived the journey was Roscoe’s membership card from the Domain of the Neptunus Rex. Roscoe described this ceremony in detail on his journey across the Pacific in 1942. While the card is undated, it bears the name of the ship USAT “WILLARD A. HOLBROOK.”

Third Endorsement (Roscoe)

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THIRD ENDORSEMENT U.S. NAVAL OPERATING BASE,
P16-4/00 AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

28 February 1944

From: The Commanding Officer.
To: Lieutenant Roscoe S. Yegerlehner, MC-V (S), USNR.
Subject: Orders

Reported 27 February 1944
On or about 1 March 1944 , you will report to the Commanding Officer of the vessel or plane verbally designated for further transportation in accordance with your basic orders.
Government quarters were furnished you.

H.E. TALMADGE,
By direction.

Pack Away Some Memories (Ruth)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner, U.S.N.R.
U.S.N. Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. SAN FRANCISCO CALIF.

Mrs. Earl Mutchler
Wilmington
Illinois
Feb. 28, 1944

Dear Jake, Am in the letter writing business this afternoon. It seems that I owe everybody an answer, and by the way I haven’t heard from you for quite some time. Mom and Gladys are always so good to relay the news on to us however. Suppose you are very busy. Everyone here seems to be too. Earl is working such long hours. You know he never was very “fat” and he isn’t getting any fatter. Now me for instance, my case is a different story. We have had some nice spring days already but imagine we will have more wintry ones. Imagine the climate where you are now is very enjoyable. Had letters from Mom & Gladys last week, they were all well. From Gladys’ letters I take it that David must be growing into quite a boy. She says he keeps them busy. Those snappy black eyes of his are really meant for business, so much to see & do. Here’s hoping you are well & able to enjoy your surroundings, pack away a lot of memories so we can sit at your feet & listen when you come home.

Love Ruth

Federal Figures (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Lt. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
(M.C.) USNR
USN BASE HOSP. #4
NAVY 133
FLEET P.O.
SAN FRANCISCO CALIF.

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA

2-28-44

Dear Daddy – I talked to Agnes about filing the Federal and she wants the figures on the entire salary. I told her the figures you sent but she insists she needs the whole amt. of salary you receive. I should know it but it has been changed since you received your promotion and then too isn’t there an increase for foreign duty? I hope you get this in time to answer so we can file by Mar. 15. It is cold again today. We have had some very warm springy days, but the temp was down to freezing this a.m. Incidentally, I have a sore throat. I went down this morning and had a treatment. As soon as I get David fed and to bed I am going to try and get some rest. No rest while he is up. I think I’ll feel better after a little rest. I saw Red Bruck in town this morning. This is the first time I have seen him since he has been in the Army. I would think he would be over Army age now and be back home to stay, but I don’t know if that is the case or not. Maybe he would rather stay in. Rose & Casey run the store for him. It’s nearly time for J. & M. to come home for lunch and I have to get David ready too.

Love Mother