Tag Archives: Dr. Marvin H. Porterfield

Souvenir of New Caledonia (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Jan 6, 1942 [1943]
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
Noumea New Caledonia
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif

Dear Mother,

Received mail toady – what a thrill. It was dated Oct. 29, 30 & 31. In the 30th letter there were pictures Ruth had taken. It was old mail but I read it as carefully as if I were yesterdays. In one of those you had given me a detailed account of David’s arrival and only today did I learn what his middle name was. I think I know where this mail has been but that isn’t important. The letters were marked clipper and air mail special stamps but that didn’t seem to make any difference. Just plain air mail or V-mail is as good as anything. I was a little surprised at Earl R. coming over because I

[page 2] really didn’t know him very well. Not as well as Joe

I went to town this A.M. with Dr. Porterfield and we had one of our boys along who is a very good French talker. Dr. P. wanted to buy a picture of one of those flamboyant trees. He did but I didn’t. They were photos tinted about 12 in by 12 in. He paid 8⁰⁰ and they had some other for 12⁰⁰. I just figured that was a little and our money could be used to a better advantage. There are lots of things – Lace doileys (sp), arm bracelets, ear rings, coaster mats etc but most are made in America with 3-4 prices so I don’t get the idea. Perfumes are all American (Cotys) so why pay to send things like that back. There were some nice yards goods and dresses but one has to have a ration card to buy those things and after all we aren’t natives so we have

[page 3] no ration cards.

Say I just happened to remember or it just came to me – I send you a belt buckle and you say you have to buy a new dress to go with it. And I send you a necklace and you say you have to have a new dress. Suppose I sent you a pair of Step inns – Well I haven’t bought any yet so you won’t have that problem to consider – I really got a kick out of your new dresses to go with the things I sent. Hope you’ll get them. And that “my day,” don’t put that in parenthesis because it makes me think of where it came from.

The weather which has been so pleasant except for the brisk breeze has turned very hot without much breeze and just seems like rain. This has really been dry for rainy season but I think it’s too early to be saying anything yet. Our P.M. mail delivery isn’t up yet so don’t know what or if anything

[page 4] will come. During this season there are apt to be storms in this area and travel by air is uncertain so I imagine both our mails will be slow. So write V-mail rather frequent write both. I’ll finish later – have work to do yet just now.

Almost 10:00 P.M. The show is over and no mail on the P.M. delivery so it is now about one month again – sure is disheartening but there isn’t much to be done as far as I can see.

The show is over and it was too sad for out here – “How Green Was My Valley.” I don’t know if you saw it there or not but I do remember hearing that title back some years ago.

We had hot – very hot chilli for supper with rice and green beans and all I ate was a bowl of rice with milk. You are supposed to mix the chilli with the rice but I still don’t like it too hot. So I just ate the rice. Had to do something – My space and time is up so solong love Daddy

P.S. Sending a little souvenir

Souvenir Roscoe included in the letter

Souvenir Roscoe included in the letter

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/12/souvenir-of-ne…ledonia-roscoe/ ‎

Things to write about are few and far between (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Jan 5, 1942 [1943]
Lt (JG) Yegerlehner
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
Noumea New Caledonia
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

This is one time I didn’t forget to put the whole address at the top. It’s almost a letter in itself to put that much on and really it’s supposed to be on every page. That’s one reason why V-mail is harder – Two addressees on one page – but write V-mail because it will be faster this way I think. No mail today as yet. It’s very discusting [disgusting] but will just have to get used to waiting. Dec. 12 was the last letter from home.

Our show last night was “The Fleet’s In.” Was a pretty funny show and was really what the boys like and need. It gives them a chance to “whoop and holler” and mothering to restrain them. That show has been out some time, as well as most of ours here have been, but

[page 2] that doesn’t matter as far as I’m concerned because they are all new to me and but some fellows have seen the same show 2-3 times but and they still go.

I did some laundry again today. It was the first for some time – sent some out and had an enlisted man do some but it takes so long when they it is sent out and I didn’t get all my things back when the enlisted man did it. So I guess the best thing to do is – do it yourself. I don’t mind the washing but I don’t like ironing – we don’t have a regular board and a flat table or desk top isn’t so good.

When I get home I’ll have to reform in lots of ways or you’ll find me out in the back washing and another thing I’ve gotten very bad at is not cleaning up my plate at meal times. Just today we had Lamb – potatoes, corn and bean & carrot

[page 3]salad. All I ate was the lamb and the potatoes. And I don’t suppose I’ve eaten more than one doz slices of bread since leaving the U.S.A. The bread on ship was kept in the ice box frozen and none no fresh on the whole trip so that about turned me against the stuff. Ours looks good here but our meals are so top heavy with carbohydrates that I just pass it by.

This P.M. breeze has almost turned into a gale again this P.M. My laundry is whipped a lot but it’s been out about 2 hours and still not dry. The atmosphere here must be damper than at home. We have no clothes pins so have to tie them on with string and that takes time. It seems that I’ve said many of the things before that I said in this letter so please excuse it’s just because things to write about are few and far between.

[page 4] Haven’t taken any pictures yet because cameras are supposed to be taboo in most instances so I’ve kept this one pretty well hidden.

Today is pay day but there won’t be any to send home. I’ll let it pile up some and send it later. You had better get yours out or it will seem so much a part of the bank account that it will be hard to pry it loose. If you don’t want to buy your coat put it in bonds. I believe that is a little better interest than saving. Or better still split it. Or maybe you’ll have to use it to keep the wolf from the door. Do as you think best.

All for now love
Daddy

P.S. – no mail so no more to add.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/10/things-to-writ…between-roscoe/

Protected: The Day After Christmas (Roscoe)

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Protected: Christmas in New Caledonia 1942 (Roscoe)

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Protected: Christmas Eve in New Caledonia (Roscoe)

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Only one more shopping day (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Dec. 23, 1942

Dear Mother,

Writing this time in the P.M. Seems as if there is a lull. Maybe I’ll save a little space to finish after the show tonight.

Our mail this A.M. was nil – I got the Navy med. bulletin – Dr. Porterfield got the W Virginia Med. Journal and Fred didn’t score. Might say none of us did. We really are after family news. It will soon be one month since I’ve heard from you. I’ve gotten mail and packages but none later than Dec Nov. 27. Guess I’ve told you that before.

So far today it hasn’t been either rainy or clear just

[page 2] a mixture of each, but it is plenty warm.

I’m not sure what all I said last night about the U.S.O. etc. but all the boys are a little discussed [disgusted] about the whole thing. Maybe we expect too much. Not for ourselves but for the boys. Of course it’s a long way out here and a little hard for too much to be done. So forget the whole thing.

One of our corpsman got a letter informing him that he was a new papa. And of course he had been for some weeks but about that same time. I mean when he got the letter he came down with gonorrhea. Just couldn’t contain himself

[page 3] but I guess he’ll learn.

Somehow I’m having a hard time concentrating this P.M. Guess it must be the warm humid weather. We had pork chops for dinner today. Really were good. I believe that is the first time those have showed up. Along with that we had mashed sweet potatoes and carrots with raisins. I don’t like that last mixture but we do have it often.

I still have two cans of peanuts left. I think I save them until after the Christmas rush is over and things like that are past and forgotten. I saw them putting some colored lights on

[page 4] the Christmas tree. It’s outside and the burning hot sun sure makes things look like Christmas in July if you get what I mean. It’s OK, however, better than nothing and I suppose lots of the boy will get a big kick out of it.

I’ll finish later – After the show – A World War I show – The Christmas tree was all lighted and in the dark does look very nice. Just a little more cold and it would be home like. I got the Newton Co. Enterprse this Eve. And Fred got some packages well only one more shopping day until Christmas –

Lots of love

Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/12/only-one-more-…ing-day-roscoe/

Isn’t much doing (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Dec. 20, 1942

Dear Mother,

Sun P.M. and a little lazy at that. There isn’t much doing this P.M. so I’ll try to answer a few more Christmas greetings and presents. The one from Rotary etc. came today. It was real nice had a number and variety of things all very useful. I imagine they had a campain [campaign] for Reader’s Digests for I got one in my box dated Dec. 1941. That of course I had read but I passed it along to the boys in the hospital maybe someone will read it. There were razor blades, tooth paste. And this is some of the stationary I’m writing on. Some cigarettes, two combs etc. All will come to use in due time. The Clay City news also came today, but no first class

[page 2] mail.

A long time ago you said Geo Tilton said something about helping to collect the bills. I always forgot to mention that he offered to help the morning he went with Nick & I to Chicago. You said something about that one time so you might see what he has in mind. Don’t seem as if Cliff had much affect. If you fill feel real ambitious some day you might send me a few of the names with the bills amount they owe and I’ll look them over – don’t send any with less than $2.00.

There is one question I’ve asked several times but never yet received an answer. You possibly have sent it but I haven’t that letter. On what date did you receive the first letter from me after

[page 3] we landed? No particular reason only just wanted to know.

It will be past Christmas when you receive this so I can ask you if you had any surprises and what you did Christmas day and how the weather was etc. I doubt it we will know which day is Christmas because it will be like all the others as far as we know now. Maybe we will have turkey or something and maybe a snifter or two if any can be found. Just had an idea might go swimming on Christmas – wouldn’t that be something to tell the folks in Indiana – your grandfather went swimming on Christmas once upon a time. Fred suggested we go on New Year’s day also. (Pop) Porterfield as we call him

[page 4]might have something to say about that, but he’d say yes if we asked him to do most anything.

We’ve had a few sprinkles of rain today but the sun hasn’t shone much. In fact it been one week now since the sun has been out good and bright for any length of time. It’s OK too because it doesn’t get so hot as usual.

Well, I have several letters to write and this is the day for the letter to the folks at home. I’ll save some space in case the P.M. mail delivery is good.

So Solong Love Daddy

P.S. The envelope is one you sent not the sweetened edges

P.S. again – I was going to eat that Baby Ruth candy bar this P.M. and found two flash light batteries. That was a surprise. Hope I didn’t throw anything else out in the gue.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/06/isnt-much-doing-roscoe/

Another Red Letter Day (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Dec. 19, 1942

Dear Mother,

Just got back from the show. It was one of those fast moving mystery stories which kept one out on the edge of the seat most of the time. I mean that box I have to sit on. Didn’t rain one bit but the dust sure flew in our eyes. It’s right here in the middle of the summer and at night it gets so cold that even with a windbreaker on one nearly freezes before the show is over. Not that bad but it is real chilly.

Edward J. Funk & sons, c1960s

Edward J. Funk & sons, c1960s

Today was a red letter day in some respects. No late mail and I really don’t expect much until after the Christmas rush is over for you know how things are always jammed up this time of the year. What I meant was I got greetings from John Ley – Junior and Sr. No got Sr. yesterday. Well, I got one from Ed. J. Funk and Sons. One from Carl Funks. One from Sam Yegerlehner and a greeting and

[page 2] box from Dave and Marie. That was a real surprise – Maybe they have told you what they sent. I’ll just enumerate them in case – There were several Brazil papers – 26 air mail stamps two packages of air mail stationary. 3 cans of smoking tobacco one Kaywoodie pipe. Lots of pipe cleaners. Two suits of underware and a sack of candy. The candy was soft but each piece was individually wrapped. These toffie bars etc. Even though it was soft it wasn’t mixed. I was really surprised and very much tickled. That will do me a long time on the underware and tobacco also. I really was glad to get it because I’ve been smoking too many cigarettes with them being given out the way they are. Maybe that will help me slow down. The tendency to smoke too much is really great because one gets to thinking that is about the only mode of enjoyment and away goes another cigarette.

I’ll repeat the figure I gave you last nite

[page 3] about the taxes. The amount that I am taxable on since I joined the Navy is $1317.79. Now I can’t take any travel expenses from that. I mean since I joined the Navy. The $110 to Calif. it cost me to cross the country is not deductible because I didn’t add what I got for travel. And the same goes for food and rent because that amount is not added. This is only on base pay plus 10% which is added for foreign services so there isn’t much that can be deducted from that but deduction before May 10, can be made pretty high. I wrote most of that in last night’s letter but our mail as I’ve told you before may be slow in getting there so I’ll repeat things in several letters.

We had a little surprise here tonite also had a table cloth and plates to eat out of. The first in ever so long. We had been eating out of tin trays up until now didn’t hardly know how to act. Our of our original 42 there are now 5 left. Two dentists. Dr. Huth & Gardnier and Fred, Porterfield and Myself. I believe if we can keep certain ones from snoring and others from

[page 4] waking them up we will get along swell. Four of us – Huth Gardinier Fred and I live together while Dr. Porterfield lives by himself.

Oh yes. I almost forgot. Dave’s box also had in it a comic book a cigarette lighter and the story White Christmas by Fanny Hurst. Some of the things I haven’t read as yet. I hope I haven’t bragged Dave & M. box up to highly after what I said about yours. Especially the candy was funny. And how did you know that the weather was damp and warm down here, and as yet my laundry hasn’t arrived. Maybe it will come in time I hope.

We have had to censor mail lately. I’ve been on the board for some time but didn’t do much work as long as other Dr’s were here but it was thrown into our laps. Most of the letters, of course, now regret not being able to be home for Christmas and some are just plain mushy with the girl friends. Well, I must answer some of these Christmas greetings and write Dave & Marie a letter –

So Solong
Lots of Love Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/05/another-red-letter-day-roscoe

About 150 days (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Dec. 17, 1942

Dear Mother,

Not much change in temperature or anything else. Had a few slight sprinkles and a better breeze than ordinary. Got one letter this A.M. from Lentz was glad to get it but that didn’t help much. Dr. Porterfield got two packages and Fred got his home town paper. There were lots of packages but I guess mine must be on the bottom of the sack. I’d like to get the packages of course but I’d much prefer letters from home. Skip the mail situation you probably are tired of hearing that.

Our show last night was Joe Penner in something was pretty good for Joe Penner and it didn’t rain all thru the show. It was an old picture had to be for he has been dead for some time if I remember

[page 2] correctly.

We had very good pork for dinner – really was unusually good – mashed sweet potatoes – asparagus tips and a jello salad along with gravy on the meat and soup. Was a little better today than for the past few, but that is the way things go – good poor – good poor etc.

I wrote Bart last night hope he don’t get a fool notion to publish the letter. I was a little afraid he might so I was vague in everything. Couldn’t have been otherwise if I would have wanted to. I’m going to write the boys again one of these days but I was hoping I’d hear from them about their money I sent. John really has written since I wrote them. Guess he is more apt to write than Mark or maybe Mark has written and they just haven’t

[page 3] come thru as yet.

Dr. Porterfield was figuring today how many days he has been out here – about 150 days – That is from the time we were ordered from Norfolk. It seems longer in some ways and in other ways not so long. Guess there isn’t much one can do about the swiftness or slowness of time. Just let it pass and make the best of the whole think and keep the proper prop under the chin.

No doubt all things are getting set up for Christmas but I just happened to think – You’ll be reading this probably a few days after Christmas. Did you have the lights around the front door? And the Christmas tree lights – etc – ? The kind of tree all those things will provide subject

[page 4] matter for a few letters.

We tried printing some more pictures but there are too many variable elements which we are not able to control so haven’t done much good. I think we’ll take them into town and have them printed there and try our own luck later. Wish we had that stuff from home but don’t send it for it would probably be 3-4 years in getting here.

Well, I’ll try to add more later. No mail this Eve – Show was just so so. Shirley Temple in something. We have heard rumors that our mail in that direction might not be so good. So if you don’t get the letters regular don’t worry. Hope your service isn’t as poor as ours

Love Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/02/about-150-days-roscoe/

Got a big box of goodies (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Dec. 16, 1942

Dear Mother,

The mail so far today hasn’t been so bad for me. Got a big box of goodies from Ruth M. and the Newton Co. Enterprise dated Nov. 12. I don’t believe there was a thing of news in it that you already hadn’t written about. The box Ruth sent was a mixture of candied fruit, cookies and some rum jelly. Maybe the packages you sent will finally get here but I’m afraid if you didn’t wrap them pretty good they won’t get here because most of them look pretty taggy by the time they are delivered.

So far today we have had very little rain but last night it sure rained plenty but luckily we have a little limestone and stuff which keeps the mud to a minimum, and of course since we don’t live in a tent it isn’t so bad either. We really haven’t had rain like we had those six days way back

[page 2] there.

Had a pretty good show last night as I told you and we sat right thru the rain – with rain coat and hat on it isn’t so good since the rain came toward our faces and it’s hard to sit with eyes open and the rain coming, but we still sit thru the whole thing. Now the sun is shinning so maybe it will be nice for tonight’s show. We hope. Don’t know why everyone likes the shows so well unless it because that is the only kind of amusement we have. Just like reading a story and you don’t have to hold the book. There has been a bunch of fellows in and out while I’m writing this so I’ve only been here in thought about half the time.

Had a Dec. issue of Readers Digest this A.M. Dr. Porterfield got it from home. I think maybe someone sent it to him. I’ve finished the Nov. issue so as soon as he gets thru with the Dec. issue I’ll start on

[page 3] that.

Since you wrote asking me for another piece of coral I haven’t been over toward the ocean. I keep thinking each day I’ll go but something always seems to come up to prevent it. Some day on the spur of the moment I’ll slip over. It just like anything else when we get started we keep on and then get out of the habit and it’s hard to start over again – Just like the bridge playing we used to do have. Haven’t seen a game in ages. Then we started domino and that has almost fallen thru. Only once in a while we play a game when things are a little dull otherwise.

I’ll add more later – after the P.M. mail. It is now 2200 and the show is over. There isn’t much more to report. More mail came in but it isn’t sorted so we will have to wait until tomorrow. Maybe will have more to report tomorrow. This isn’t much of a letter but it’s the best for the present.

Lots of Love Daddy

© 2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/31/got-a-big-box-…goodies-roscoe/