Tag Archives: Dr. Marvin H. Porterfield

Plenty of Guessing (Gladys)

3 Replies

1943-04-17Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-17-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Apr 4 – 5 & also Apr 2 came today and last evening Mark stopped at the P.O. and yours of Mar. 25 & 26 came and a letter from Dr. P. at N.C. – I wrote thanking him for the letter he wrote while you were traveling and he answered. He said that you were OK – At last I got your letter with suggestions about the lawn – we worked yesterday in the back yard and divided some of the shrubbery and filled those bare spaces down at the east corner. I have some seed potatoes & Mr. Zell is going to help us get our rows ready this evening. It is cloudy today and quite chilly. I suppose we won’t have warm weather until after Easter – As you said if you were moved you would have everyone guessing again, but my answer to any inquiries is (as it was before) destination unknown. There is plenty of guessing going on but that won’t them to guess. Dorothy was asking me this week about your new location but I told her I didn’t know. I don’t know what Boonie’s latest guess is but he enjoys guessing so let him have his fun. John has to take his music lesson this P.M. and he is not so pleased about missing “The Barber of Seville.” I think it would be better for your uniforms to be here so I could see that they are aired and taken care of.

Love – Mother

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/21/plenty-of-guessing-gladys/

Not in a “writey” mood (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

4/6/43
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet Postmaster San Fran

Dear Mother

Your letters of 2-23, 2-26, 3-11 and 3-12 came today and also John’s of 2-25. You didn’t say how often my mail was getting there and how long it took. Maybe you said but after all your letters have been very spotty.

Sorry Mark had the measles but the latest letter told of his improvement. Guess by this time you have given D. the Immune Globlin as I noted you suggested in your

[page 2] last letter and by this time you know my feeling on the matter because I suggested it a few days ago.

Maybe I told you before but just in case – Dr. Porterfield wrote me that all my things are stored so don’t expect them at present.

I’m invited out to Lun Dinner this Eve – Yes to another navy camp – won’t that be thrilling – maybe they do have the spam cooked in a different way. Who knows – it may taste like chicken!

Well, I’m not very “writey” today – So solong until tomorrow

Love Daddy

The Banika airfield under construction in March 1943 on the Russell islands (Image via http://www.ibibilio.org)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/31/not-in-a-writey-mood/

Shrubbery Business (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Apr. 5, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet P.O. San Fran Calif.

Dear Mother,

Just in case you didn’t or won’t get yesterday’s letter I’ll repeat – Use the above address entirely for I believe it will be better. As I stated yesterday our mail has been rather regular. Today a letter came form Dr. Porterfield and all my clothes etc – have been stored at the last station so don’t expect them home at least for the time being. However, I’ve heard that the storage place there is being moved and the stuff might be sent anyway.

[page 2] We had to put our home address on also. So if the storage place is being moved it might be sent home.

I’ll also repeat what you asked about the shrubbery but since I’ve been away some time my suggestions might not be so good but as we previously planned – real uniform small shrubbery especially like Lloyd’s in scattered locations and not directly set in front of the house would be idea but you use your own Judgment because things are different than when I left.

You can let me know how

[page 3] you make out on that shrubbery business and after it is in take a picture and send it.

If at any time, I should write you information please keep it to yourself because too much talk isn’t good but I’ll not write anything unless it’s a slip.

I don’t believe I ever did say definitely but the promotion is definitely right but I still don’t have two bars to wear. In fact I haven’t worn any insignia for some time.

Well, hope mail mail is getting thru to you and I see no reason why it shouldn’t

Love Daddy

RussellIskandsmap

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

 

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/28/shrubbery-business-roscoe/ ‎

Moving Day (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Apr 2, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

The postman told me he thought there was some mail but due to our changing our camp slightly he has been unable to sort out the mail so maybe tomorrow there will be letters we hope – V-mail is all that has been coming but some of the other fellows are getting mail – air mail some as late as Mar 10. And I wish you would address a few to Navy 224 again. Every other letter address Navy 224 % Fleet P.O. San Fran and the other A.P.O. 43. So maybe

[page 2] one or the other will get here. My latest letter from you was Mar 3 but you still used the address I used at the last station so you hadn’t gotten my new address as yet.

Our new tent has a deck and is all screened in – really it is as nice or nicer than at the last station. Maybe that’s a bad sign for as soon as things begin to be fixed up I move. There has been no indications of that but I’m a little suspicious.

You told me in the last letter

[page 3] to air my blues once in a while. Well I’m miles from them now and I’m not sure that Drs P & W sent them. I wrote them and asked them to store them rather than send them home and they wrote they would take care of them but didn’t say in what way so don’t worry if they don’t arrive because they may be stored there.

This is a little mixed up but you know how it is on moving day so solong.

Love Daddy

RussellIskandsmap

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/21/moving-day-roscoe/

News from Noumea (Dr. Porterfield)

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R.S. USA PB
Noumea NC
7 PM San Fra Cal.
3.31.43 –

Dear Mrs “Yege”

Thanks for the letter. Sorry your family are having the measles. The pictures did not arrive until after he left. His mail is being forwarded from – here – I had word direct from him yesterday by messenger and he is ok. Conveniences are not as good there as here. But will improve very soon.

[page 2] We miss him very much and felt that we would be left together but one never knows out here what the next move is. One of my boys is out here someplace but I haven’t seen him. Hope the boys are over measles by now – I remember when mine had them. Oh – Boy –

[page 3] Everything is running along very smoothly here and we are really living very comfortable under circumstances. But there still remains the longing to see our families, which we hope will not be too long over the year we have sorta set our hearts on.

Sincerely the Country Doctor
M. H. Porterfield

New_Caledonia-CIA_WFB_Map

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/20/news-from-noum…dr-porterfield/

Fox Holes (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Mar 13, 1943
Lt. Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Fran

Dear Mother,

We are having a slight sprinkle of rain this P.M. The first in several days and lots would be appreciated because rain water is good compared to our present water.

You know how those storm cellars are built thru parts of Indiana – well we have them here only we don’t need them for storms. Therefore we call them “fox holes” and you don’t have to guess more than three guesses as to what they are used for but we get along OK and really get a kick out of the various designs and types. So much for our outbuildings.

There seems to be little doubt left as to the promotion. This A.M. I

[page 2] got a letter from Drs P & W and they have the word there so there so things must be something to it. I also got a letter from Barb. Dr. Porterfield said he was going to write you – Hope he didn’t write anything to cause you to worry all he was supposed to let you know was my address and also Parson Wright was to be sure to let you know but I was able to write sooner than I thought so neither of them would have need written had I known but you should have my new address and the old can be disregarded.

Had sauerkraut and wieners for noon chow along with lima beans so you know I was pretty well pleased. I did a small washing again this A.M. but fortunately it was dry before the sprinkle. My vigorous rubbing of the socks has caused some holes – so will have to do some darning. All this must be rather boring but it’s all in the days work and since we have to keep a tight lip subject matter is scarce.

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/02/14/fox-holes-roscoe/

Quite an appetite (Gladys)

2 Replies

1943-03-11Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-11-43

Dear Daddy – No letter today or yesterday, but will keep looking every day now since receiving three this week. I think there is one yet to come. One letter came Mon. saying you had written three, but only two more came – Well the weather is getting a little warmer but will look for anything during March. Mark is getting along fine. Had temp of 103 ½ – yesterday but broke out good and is feeling much better this a.m. Sleeps OK at night and doesn’t cough much now. Temp was 99 1/5 this morning. He wants some dinner so he must be improving. Now if John takes them maybe he can get along as well. They closed the grade school – there were 56 out with measles. There are some cases of chicken pox & scarlet fever but we won’t have to worry about them. We are going to give David Immune Globuline if we can get it. Jack Byrnes ordered from Chicago. There wasn’t any to be had in Laf. Mrs. Roberts called me last night and she is going to try and find some for me – said Joe had some but thought his Dad took it when he left. – – Pause – to feed Mark. He had quite an appetite and is feeling pretty good. Dr M. said John could come home tomorrow evening after school Mark thinks John has had it pretty nice eating all his meals at the restaurant. Ira Dixon had another spell like the one he had before. They took his to St. E. – didn’t know whether it was appendicitis or kidney stone. Haven’t any late word about him. Arvilla was on the floor with him when he entered the hospital. Dr. P. wrote me a letter and said he would send your things when he gets instructions from you. I am answering his letter. He said they hated to see you leave. (So did a lot of other people).

Love – Mother

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/02/09/quite-an-appetite-gladys/

High temp (Gladys)

1 Reply

1943-03-09 #1Letter transcription:

MRS R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-9-43

Dear Daddy – Had two letter from you today and one from Dr. P., but I had received one from you yesterday. He said he would send the box when he received word from you to send it. It is windy today and not so cold. Mark is still running a temp. but hasn’t broken out yet but probably will today or tomorrow (measles in case you missed previous letters). John is staying at Krulls & I am going to ask Dr. M. about giving David Immune Globuline. Mark feels pretty good and is being very good patient. He is so afraid he will hurt is eyes he is satisfied to have the room darkened. After I put D. to bed (after his 6 P.M. feeding) last evening I stayed with Mark a while. His temp got up to 103 in the afternoon and he was pretty quiet but his temp is down this a.m. and he keeps talking to me. He listens to his radio some but not all the time. Virginia Britton kept Tommy out of school, but I think he was exposed before she kept him home because there was a child broke out in the room and he evidently had temp several day previous to that, and Tommy was in school until the day this child broke out. Your notice for dues to the A.M.A. came yesterday but I think you said not to pay it. Also an announcement of Lake Co. Medical meeting to be held in Hammond. Mr. Monroe came this morning and oiled the furnace. He keeps the dates and comes every 60 days and looks things over. He hasn’t charged me anything yet but maybe he will when he get thru in the spring. He has worked on the drains twice. I asked him about the septic tanks & he said they wouldn’t need cleaning – or shouldn’t for several years. I’ll leave the news & gossip for the men around town to write. Don’t worry about the measles – I am sure Mark will get along OK the way he feels now. You know he stands diseases pretty good. I am going to keep him in as long as necessary.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/02/06/high-temp-gladys/

Guessing is out (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Mar 3, 1943

Lt (jg) Yegerlehner (MC) USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif

Dear Mother,

Probably I have done a foolish thing for I have written the folk and Sis and it sure cuts down on the stationery supplies – we did get a chance to buy some stamps but writing paper and envelopes aren’t as easily obtained. So if other people mention that I haven’t written – there is a reason. If you have time you might drop a line to Uncle Wess giving him my address and a few others but I just don’t feel like using the supplies and then won’t be able to write you.

This place is different in many respects than where I was located before and has more of the South Sea atmosphere than New Caledonia. Guessing as to the location is out

[page 2] because of necessity and you can also see that description of places and things is also prohibited. All I can say is listen to the radio and watch the newspapers.

We have had plenty to eat (out of cans) and we get plenty of sleep (from the beginning of darkness to daylight) if you get what I mean.

My last mail from you was Jan 25 and I have no idea how long it will be before more catches up – probably not so long. I hope.

Really I think I like it better here than at the last location but can’t tell you why. I sorta feel sorry for Dr. P. & W all by themselves with all their modern conveniences of life. Maybe that is sadistic – well can’t use any more paper this time –

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/24/guessing-is-out-roscoe/

Hotter Than Blue Blazes (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Feb. 26, 1943
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner
Navy 224
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif

Dear Mother,

To begin with don’t forget to inform Mark that I remembered about his birthday and also you he should have the dollar I sent him some time ago. It really seems like ages ago – guess it’s because of the moving around.

Lately all I’ve been wearing is a pair of pants and shoes because of the hot rainy weather. Rains every night and gets hotter than blue blazes in the day time.

I haven’t written anyone but

[page 2] you since leaving Noumea because of stamp shortage. I brought about 2 doz. along but they all stuck together and so again stamps are scarce. We thought we had a rugged time where we were before at first but we were living in the lap of old Lady luxury and didn’t realize it.

The conditions in general here are good – Food OK but mostly out of cans. All out of cans I should say and we eat out of plates on our laps bathe in the ocean – write only in day time on our knees because boards are a thing only in past memories.

[page 3] I haven’t shaved for four days but I do brush my teeth and all in all feel fine and happy but I don’t care for this type of camping but in time thing will get better.

Don’t be too disappointed if the mail isn’t too regular but I’ll still try to do the best I can. Dr. W & Dr P are all alone as far as I know but I wouldn’t trade with them even at that.

Well, have work to do
So solong
Love Daddy

P.S. I’ve written every day the last 3 days

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/16/hotter-than-blue-blazes-roscoe/