Series I: World War II Correspondence – Roscoe & Gladys (Foster) Yegerlehner, 1942-1946

Collection Information

Size: 5.166 linear feet

Summary: During World War II, Dr. Roscoe S. Yegerlehner served in the pacific theatre at various bases from New Caledonia, to the Russell Islands, and finally, New Zealand, as well as various bases stateside. During his service from 1942-1946, Dr. Yegerlehner and his wife, Gladys, maintained a daily correspondence. She remained in Kentland, Indiana, where the couple had settled with their three children for most of the war. Gladys’s letters contain references to many of their neighbors in Kentland as well as extended family members while Roscoe’s provide some details of his daily life in the Navy as well as some of the officers he served with.

Biographical/Historical Note: Roscoe Yegerlehner and Gladys Foster were married on 25 May 1929, in Terre Haute, Indiana. The son of John Henry and Lovina (Schiele) Yegerlehner, Roscoe was the second youngest of their seven children. He was born 25 November 1904 in Clay County, Indiana. Gladys was the youngest child of James and Emma (Lawhead) Foster. She was born 1 November 1905 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Provenance: Roscoe saved his letters and brought them home after the war. Gladys kept both sets (his and hers) in a box, storing them in a closet for many years. At one point, she told her youngest son David to “just toss them.” Knowing this would be a travesty, David saved the letters from the trash bin and took possession of the letters for many years. Eventually, his daughter Deborah grew up to be the family genealogist and claimed the letters. They are currently in her possession.

Language: English

Additional Notes: The letters were transcribed and posted on this website/blog. The first six months+ of letters from 1942 have been published in the Dear Mother, Love Daddy series. An index to the first book Dear Mother, Love Daddy can be found here (which can be helpful in determining people mentioned in the letters).

Description	Container
May 1942 – July 1942	Box 1
1 August 1942 – 15 September 1942	Box 2
16 September 1942 – 31 October 1942	Box 3
1 November 1942 – 15 December 1942	Box 4
16 December 1942 – 31 January 1943	Box 5
1 February 1943 – 15 March 1943	Box 6
16 March 1943 – 30 April 1943	Box 7
1 May 1943 – 15 June 1943	Box 8
16 June 1943 – 31 July 1943	Box 9
1 August 1943 – 15 September 1943	Box 10
16 September 1943 – 31 October 1943	Box 11
1 November 1943 – 15 December 1943	Box 12