Tag Archives: Great Lakes Naval Hospital

My Duties (Roscoe)

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April 16, 1944 envelope

April 16, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

USN Hospital
Great Lakes
Illinois
Apr. 16, 1944

Dear Mother,

Sunday almost gone and it was a long day for somehow things just seemed dull and my intern had O.D. duty so he wasn’t around after 1000 so I had to amuse myself.

Maybe I haven’t told you what my duties are – well it’s like this – I have two wards, one composed of about 30-40 German measles and 10 chicken pox cases and the other about that many mumps. Seems a little drab on the face of the whole thing but there are always ears becoming infected – pneumonia with the measles and many complications just like in private practice so it’s really more like medicine than anything I’ve had since coming into the Navy. I hope I’ve had both of the above diseases because I’ve had many exposures. There are also a few cases of regular measles so I should know what those look like after a

April 16, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] time.

In your today’s letter I had three money orders. I guess I can’t get away from repeating but I thought I’d just let you know in case the letter should get lost.

This Eve. The Frenches invited us to sandwiches, salad, etc., so I didn’t have to go out for an evening meal. They seem to be very nice people and are willing to make one as comfortable as possible. They have three huge cats and one has two kittens but I don’t cross their path too often. I mean the cats.

The sun finally broke thru today after a light rain this AM and a snow about noon but it still wasn’t very warm. In fact much too cold to think of wearing khaki uniforms, and the top coat really feels good. The breeze off the lake is very cold. I don’t know if you noticed but where we parked the car that day we were here

April 16, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] is only a very short distance from the lake. When one is on the other side of that building he can almost spit in the lake.

As I told you we have no shower so it’s tub bath and I do hate to draw the water, etc., but I feel I just have to tonight for I’ve missed the past two and since there is only the one other fellow I feel I don’t have to be as peculiar as you said you would be.

Maybe I’ll be able to spend next weekend at home but I’m not banking too much until I ask all the ones concerned. At least maybe a short time Sat. night and Sun. AM depending upon what time Joe wants to come back.

Well, I must take that bath and get to bed –
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/15/my-duties-roscoe/ ‎

Twenty Some Letters (Roscoe)

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April 15, 1944 envelope

April 15, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

USN Hospital
Great Lakes, Ill.
Apr. 15, 1943

Dear Mother,

Today’s mail was like the days of the past 20 some letters – most of which were from you – yours dating from Feb. 5 to Feb. 26. One from Wayne W., one from Mark, one from the Brewers, a Christmas greeting from Geo. Wingfield and Dave’s Christmas package. It was in a mess. There was three suits of knit underware, a pipe, a book of thoughts, some candy tobacco, pipe cleaners, stationary, etc. Most of the things were spoiled. The book was OK, the pipe OK, the underware damp & moldy, the candy – you can use your imagination.

I got paid today – $355.00. I’m sending you $250. That did not include the travel money but I understand it takes several days for that to be calculated so will send it later. Our

Our uniform may not be khaki so as soon as it warms up a bit I’ll stop wearing the blue and for the time

April 15, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] will save the price of another blue.

It has been cold and rainy here all day long. This place is large and one has to do lots of walking in the rain.

I think I can arrange to come home next Sat. At least I’m working on that angle. I’m covering for another Dr. tomorrow and he is to take over for me next Sun., if some big Gold don’t enter into the picture. I’ll write more of that later. That of course would be Sat. eve after 4:30 unless I left a little early.

I read all your letters but you had told me everything. I was glad to get the pictures of the snow. The picture of the boys in the back yard were very good I thought. Your letter written Thurs. & Fri. came also today. It was so recent compared to the others.

It’s now 10:00 PM and time for bed. It took me three hours to read all the mail/
So goodnight and Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/13/twenty-some-letters-roscoe/ ‎

The Above Address (Roscoe)

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: April 14, 1944 envelope (front)

: April 14, 1944 envelope (back)

April 14, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

USN Hospital
Great Lakes
Illinois

Dear Mother,

The above address is the correct one as I now have a mail box assigned and I’ll be able to get my mail there probably faster and more consistent than otherwise.

I think I’m about all settled now except the gas ration and that seems to be something. In the first place I need the tire certificate of registration and then that has to be sent into Chicago and Washington and then the card will be issued. By that time you will have the car back again. There is a possibility that I can get along without the tire business but I the may not even apply for the thing now. Chas. Largent gave me tickets for 10 gal. of gas and with what we have that would be enough to get the car back home and it seems there isn’t much trouble getting gas there. However, I’ll give it a

April 14, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] think. It isn’t hardly worth while asking you to send that registration because you can bring it when Joe comes up or I can get it if I come down. I’m going to start working on the coming down about tomorrow and after work tomorrow eve I’m planning on going house looking.

It was about 5 PM when I left the hospital this PM so thought I would see if I could find Socky. With his address I was able to get his Barrack number and I drove up in front and asked about where Wilson might be and was informed that he was at chow. I just sat in the car and along came Socky. When he saw me he yelled “Hi Doc.” The first part of his yell was very loud but it tapered off to a whisper and he walked up – stood at attention and saluted. Then when no one was looking we both laughed. His barrack is very near that first large building on the left as you approach the station. His hands were a bluish color from the dye in the clothes he had washed. He said they had to drill pretty hard today – running and sprinting around the drill field. He was very glad to see me – said he was homesick. All

April 14, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] in all he was very military. So much for Socky.

We got breakfast and lunch at the base – 25₵ per and it is checked from our pay. I guess we could get supper there but I haven’t tried as yet.

I’ll get paid some tomorrow but I won’t get the mileage until later. I’m not sure just how much I’ll be able to draw but will try to send some home.

Tomorrow is official day for white cap covers and I’m a little mixed up as to whether or not we can wear khaki. If not, I’ll have to buy another blue suit or grey whatever it might be but this I know I’m going slow on any buying of uniforms.

I think I’m in the whole house tonight by myself. I haven’t heard a sound and I’ve been here since 6:00 and it is now 9:00.

Since leaving home I’ve spent $1.17 – Two evening meals and 10₵ for a car badge – Haven’t even paid my room rent. She would not take it last night and she isn’t here tonight.

Well Dear – Love & goodnight
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/12/the-above-address-roscoe/ ‎

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

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.