Tag Archives: Guadalcanal

Heading South (Roscoe)

[Editor’s Note: Roscoe left the Russell Islands on 10/26/1943 at 1400. Two hours later, he arrived at U.S.N. Base “Bevy.” This was the Naval code designation for Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands. The following morning (10/27/43), Roscoe left “Bevy,” heading towards Navy 140 in the New Hebrides. He arrived later that morning at 1100. He spent the day catching up with some old friends. His journey continued on the morning of 10/28 when he departed at 0700. He was not able to write on October 28th or 29th.]

: October 27, 1943 envelope

: October 27, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Mob. Hosp. #4
Navy 132
Oct. 27, 1943

Dear Mother,

The address I’ll use on the outside will remain the same for several days but you use the one on the inside.

I’m spending the night with my old boss Cmdr. Frericks. Thought while passing thru I’d just stop for a short chat. We are discussing our times together in the days gone by. Just like Old Settlers.

These letters that I’ll write in the next few days will of course be only notes but later on I’ll try to be a little more specific.

Spent last night with Hicky Reinhart and of course we chewed the fat long & loud. Didn’t turn in until way late and was up pretty early in the A.M.

Your letters if you use the address may have a race with me because our mail had been much faster in the last few days. I’ll do better in the next few days.

Lots of Love
Daddy.

P.S. Hold the phone –
Hi folks – Sure grand to have my friend “Doc” here with me.
H.F.

Map courtesy of the University of Texas libraries http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/australia/solomon_islands_pol89.jpg

©2015 copyright owned & transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/09/heading-south-roscoe/

“Nuthin” About Gardens (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 19, 1943 envelope

: June 19, 1943, p. 1

: June 19, 1943, p. 2

: June 19, 1943, p. 3

: June 19, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:
June 19, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

Well, it’s been some time now since the above was written – just sitting trying to think of something which might be slightly interesting.

I see someone working in my garden – probably pulling weeds and I think it will probably be a wreck because one of those fellows thinks he knows but he don’t know from “nuthin” about gardens. One time he gave his experience in horticulture – which was one lilac bush planted and someone

[page 2] stole it before it had a chance to grow but he still insists he knows so that the reason I’m afraid the whole project will be ruined. I’ll make a report on that later.

My chief pharm. and corpsman sometimes get under my skin always wanting something like a bunch of kids. The chief thinks he should have more men and I tell him to make the boys he has work. The boys want time off and they don’t like where they live, etc. Just a big happy family. Of course, most

[page 3] of the time I just laugh at them and as Dorothy K. would say pass out some sarcasm, and they like it more than somewhat.

By the way – do Krulls still have their car and are their tires still holding out. As I remember both car & tires weren’t so hot when I left. And maybe I’d better ask the same question about our own car. Hope you don’t drive it as much as Alma W. used to drive their car, but I’m not worried about that because the gas rationing wouldn’t allow that. Has anyone been able to get a new car?

[page 4] I talked to a Dr. yesterday who left the States in Apr. 43. I just sorta stared wondering what it was like. Then he stared back when I told him it was Aug. when I had last seen the States. I also asked him if he had heard of how long our stay out might be and he had nothing to offer in that respect.

The chief was back again for some more dope but no requests this time so we parted good friends –

Excuse this letter please
Love Daddy

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/2014/08/22/nothin-about-gardens-roscoe/

Maybe Inspiration Will Come (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 18, 1943 envelope

: June 18, 1943, p. 1

: June 18, 1943, p. 2

: June 18, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Calif
June 18, 1943

Dear Mother,

This is one of those times when it seems there is nothing to write about but maybe inspiration will come.

To begin with our mail has definitely had the brakes slammed on and nothing came yesterday but the Apr. 29 issue of the Newton Co. E. As I’ve said before practically all of the news were old but some items weren’t issued before thru any other source. Again there was the usual home on leave boys, and J. Edward was one of those. I guess I shouldn’t be

[page 2] too jealous because it requires boys at home as well as out here, and maybe in due time we’ll all get our chance to get the much coveted leave.

I never did hear what happened to John Simons when he was in the hospital and I’ve often wondered how A.D. Washburn is getting along. Of course I wonder about others also but those two just happened to pop into mind. I often see Mrs. Dye’s name mentioned and wonder if her husband is still where he was when I was home. It seems the

[page 3] length of time out is generally greater when one has duty at a place like that before passing along. If that be the case it will work better in my case, but all those things remain to be seen. Guess maybe you begin to think that I think more of coming home than of the war but that isn’t true only one does like to think of home once in a while.

Well, I’m all out of anything to write so will try to do better next time

Lots of Love
Daddy

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/2014/08/18/maybe-inspiration-will-come-roscoe/

Yen For Gardening (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 16, 1943 envelope

: June 16, 1943, p. 1

: June 16, 1943, p. 2

: June 16, 1943, p. 3

: June 16, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

June 16, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

Yesterday was the 5^th successive day that mail came from you, however, yesterday’s letter was dated May 10 – old but nevertheless still appreciated. I’m really afraid the mail has been so good that it is spoiling us very much and a week’s delay would seem years, but I guess there is no need anticipating delays.

I’d gotten so many seed and after the first experience my yen for gardening waned.

[page 2] but my conscience bothered me so yesterday I selected another spot – got some lime out of the supply for the lead and some sandy soil and went at the gardening with renewed zest. So at present I have lettuce, carrots, onion seeds and radishes sewed. If my present ambition holds I may do a little more this P.M. The soil here just isn’t like back in Indiana.

I take lots of ribbing about Indiana – mostly brought on by myself because of boasting

[page 3] for example one can always get an argument as to the quality of corn fed beef from Indiana vs. the grass fed, tough so called beef from Nevada. And in the end they generally remark – Just so much “corn” from Indiana. And also Kentland is a wide place between cornfields, all of which is in the spirit of fun.

I asked you once before about the last payment on my Hancock policy – Is it this June? That may have been in one of the letters that were still missing. And also about the amounts of Insurance loans

[page 4] on your policy as well as on mine. If we can cut out the 6% on those that will be a help. I don’t like to exclude bonds all together and if I can increase the allotment and also get some of my money out of hack, maybe we can do both, but that remains to be seen. I’ll repeat I’d like to get those things out of the way so it won’t be so hard when I do get back to practicing again –

Well that all for now

Lots of Love Daddy

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/2014/08/14/yen-for-gardening-roscoe/

New Tent Mate (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 15, 1943 envelope

: June 15, 1943, p. 1

: June 15, 1943, p. 2

: June 15, 1943, p. 3

: June 15, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
June 15, 1943

Dear Mother,

I did get a stamp for yesterday’s letter and was able to buy one dollars’ worth from a fellow so I’m pretty well set for a time.

The package of seeds came yesterday and the picture but the picture was pretty badly wrinkled. I thought you had sent the seeds in a regular air mail but coming as they did explains the delay. I’m going to make another try at gardening to see if something will grow in an

[page 2] eatable form.

My new tent mate – Dr. Thompson got several issues of Colliers, Sat. Eve Post and Esquire so our reading material has increased. All my old tent mates are scattered and now this Dr. and one of the dentists that used to be in Noumea are in the same tent. Funny how thinks keep changing from day to day. Geo is still in camp but his duties required that he live elsewhere and of course we have the medics off to themselves so that they can’t cause any harm.

[page 3] Several issues of the Newton Co. E. came also so I had to do some scanning to see if anything had been missed in the letters you and other people had written. I noticed in one issue that my address was now A.P.O. 43 and I also noted that this one and that one had been home on leave which sounds god and would be better if it would apply to other people I know. Patience will accomplish those things in time so why fret now.

I wonder if you listened

[page 4] to the radio news. We listened to KWID and heard ourselves mentioned. Sounds funny and also makes one feel he is going his duty by being a part of the thing. Wonder if the boys are still keeping newspaper headlines.

The moon is getting bright again and it sure does make things look pretty – shining on the ocean thru the palm trees but we like the dark nights better.

Well, hope we get some more mail today but I have a feeling 4 days in succession is the limit.

Love Daddy

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/2014/08/12/new-tent-mate-roscoe/

Beg, Borrow, or Steal (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 14, 1943 envelope

: June 14, 1943, p. 1

: June 14, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
June 14

Dear Mother,

Mail again yesterday – Yours of May 31 and June 1, also one from the folks of May 27. Seems as if we must have the mail carrier on our side but I still have my fingers crossed because I don’t believe it can last that way.

I’m completely out of stamps and unless I’ll be able to borrow one will have to send this free but I believe I can get one some how. It seems we were promised stamps but they just never arrived. I believe however in the next few days some will come thru.

Just stopped to re read the letters that came yesterday and I find there are no important questions to answer. From the pictures – as I remember I believe Mark was a little better looking than D. Don’t tell D. that, but of course pictures are not as reliable as the real thing.

Heard Jack Benny last night – came in about the same time it does at home on Sun. Eve. Of course it was a recording and Judy Garland was on and I believe it was Lawrence T. sang. It sounded like him but I didn’t hear the name mentioned.

Sent my laundry out early this A.M. and it should be coming back almost any time now and it looks as if it should be a pretty good day for drying. Didn’t send any sheets this week because

[page 2] the burden on the laundry seems to be pretty heavy and we were asked to cut down. One fellow had 7 shirts and 5 pair of pants last week. He must think he is some place where he ‘aint.’ Either very dirty or very clean I’d say.

The second uniform check should be drifting in before long I think it was May 13 when it was mailed and the other was a few days later.

I answered the Rotarian letter yesterday – Just another letter I couldn’t think of anything of interest to write so just put a few word together to show them I appreciated their letters. I suppose they will read it at their next meeting after receiving it.

A letter came from Barry the Mass. Salesman and that was the second but I didn’t answer the first because it came just at our moving time. I don’t like to use too much stationary etc in writing to people like that and after all it is a burden to write so many with so little which is writable.

Well I must get out and try to beg, borrow or steal some stamps –

Lots of Love Daddy

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/2014/08/10/beg-borrow-or-steal-roscoe/

“Foreign Service” (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: June 13, 1943 envelope

: June 13, 1943, p. 1

: June 13, 1943, p. 2

: June 13, 1943, p. 3

: June 13, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

June 13, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

You will note that I cut the address down considerable on the inside – just lazy.

Yesterday your letter of May 25 came. It was the one with the hospital programs etc. The part that was most amusing was Dr. Holliday’s “Foreign service.” He was out of the States possibly 2 mo., maybe less, and then only on a ship which touched lightly at several islands. He of course doesn’t look healthy and never

[page 2] was much of an athlete. Played professional base ball only a few years ago. So much for that. I think that gives a cross section of the feeling the rest of us have about things like that.

A letter from the folks came yesterday also. It was written May 27. The most news it gave was the fact that they might be great-grandparents – which just goes to prove – well whatever you want it to prove – but if you’re not interested just drop the subject. The above was merely diarrhea of words and constipation of thought, which one gets afflicted with at times.

[page 3] I haven’t answered the Rotary letters yet but will get in the mood one of these days.

You have mentioned several times about my clothes being stored. Don’t worry about them because I doubt very much if they will be any good and I’m not going to buy as much as I did before because those whites and that blue top coat were a waste of money and next time I’ll buy only what I need for where I need it.

I’ll have to leave those things there however because I might get sent to a colder climate

[page 4] before going home. I think I’ll be able to go back there and pick them up when I’m thru here.

You told me one time what that loan amounted to but I forgot so if you think of it write it again. As an investment the paying of the loan on your policy would be as good as any since that costs 6% also, but I don’t suppose there is enough money for that. You might consider that if there is any spare –

Well, I’ve jumped from here to there etc.

Love Daddy

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/2014/08/08/foreign-service-roscoe/

Vacation in Cleveland? (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 12, 1943 envelope

: June 12, 1943, p. 1

: June 12, 1943, p. 2

: June 12, 1943, p. 3

: June 12, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F. Calif.

Dear Mother,

Received your air mail letters of May 26, 27, 28 & 29 so you see things are really picking up. Two days on straight with late mail is really something.

Hope Mark got along OK with the tonsil business. He probably won’t be so keen about medical goings on after taking ether. There was one thing you wrote which I didn’t like and that was both boys riding on the bike at the

[page 2] same time. I think that should be discouraged very firmly.

It doesn’t sound as if you have too much of a bank balance but I believe those figures were just before the monthly deposit. At least I don’t believe I would buy any bonds each month unless you can see your way pretty definite.

You mentioned receiving the 150 and said the others hadn’t come yet but surely those have arrived by now.

Of all things there was a USO show here yesterday. All male

[page 3] actors however. It was a short distance from here and I didn’t feel it necessary to attend but a number of the men did and seemed to enjoy same.

I received a letter from Hicky. Yesterday and fully 2/3 of it was censored so I don’t know much of what he wrote – Mostly was “Hello Doc,” and Hicky at the end. I’m going to send it back to him and tell him to be more careful of the details.

Your garden seed never did

[page 4] arrive but maybe it’s just as well since gardening doesn’t seem so profitable. However, I’m going to keep on trying with what I have.

I showed the commanding officer your pictures the other day and he drew out his wife’s picture and said “Doc I believe they would pass for as sisters” and I think he is correct. Poor woman. We plan a vacation for us in Cleveland when we get home. Not Kentland because we are afraid of being bothered by patients – So it’s Cleveland. Spend some time on Lake Erie etc. Then to Reno. No not divorce but a visit there,

Love Daddy

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

Rotary Club (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 11, 1943 envelope

: June 11, 1943, p. 1

: June 11, 1943, p. 2

: June 11, 1943, p. 3

: June 11, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lt. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F. Calif.

Dear Mother,

Yesterday was a big letter day – 5 from you – V-mail of 5-14 & 19, air mail of 5-7, 5-19 & 5-20. And then 15 V-mail from members of Rotary. I began reading the V-mail and noted one or two from fellows and then someone explained what they were doing so I saw the pint. It sure was a surprise and I might say a pleasant one.

You might check with Al C. to see about my dues. I believe I’m paid up until July 1^stMaybe they won’t charge anything but

[page 2] if they do, pay it and get the receipt and send it to me.

In one of your letters there were pictures. D by himself, with John, and then the one with you and the boys. I looked at the pictures before reading the letter and it surely looked as if John had grown lots, but you explained how you were standing so that indicated he hadn’t grown so much.

There is another Dr. living in the tent with me now and I showed him the pictures. I asked him about his children and he said “I hang my head” – He has

[page 3] three girls. I tried to console him as best I could. Don’t you think I was correct in doing that little thing?

Since I’ve been writing four cocoanuts have fallen just outside and last night one smacked the tent top. In the middle of the night a direct hit on the tent gives one a thrill for a few seconds as you might imagine.

From the looks of D. I’ll have to hurry home or he will be sent out to release me because he is getting to be some boy. Tell Mark the uniform in OK. Because

[page 4] there has been a change and his is probably the later Navy design – one that I haven’t seen as yet.

Never did get to that rat trap for Chappie. He informed me this morning at Chow that one was on his table and knocked off a bunch of things – so I’ll have to make an added effort today.

I’ll write the Rotarians a letter one of these days. Can’t answer each letter individually but will for the group.

Well, wish I would get letters like that every day. Especially the ones from you –

Love Daddy

A new runway, Russell Islands, 1943

Navy 609 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 10, 1943 envelope

: June 10, 1943, p. 1

: June 10, 1943, p. 2

: June 10, 1943, p. 3

: June 10, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

June 10, 1943
Lieut R. F. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San F. Calif.

Dear Mother,

Your letter of May 24 and John’s of May 15, came yesterday. Also got one from Joe R. The one from Joe wasn’t sent thru the mail. It came by a Dr. who was passing along. My mail to you should be much better now than some time ago and I hope yours will be better in this direction. So much for mail.

You said you had received one check of the uniform money so that won’t have to be written

[page 2] about any more – wish now I would have put them both in that envelope. Hope you didn’t have any trouble with the check since I didn’t sign it.

Joe said he hadn’t gotten much news from home but I don’t know if he meant his letters were slow or that news were slow. I guess his wife knows his address has been changed now to Navy 609*. However his location is still the same.

I was very fortunate yesterday in getting a pillow. Of course I have no slip but instead I use a mattress

[page 3] cover. It’s a little large but does very well. It’s a little hard to find the pillow in that large a slip.

When you send me things like sardines etc. does that deduct from your ration points? If so don’t do it. If not you might send some sardines, canned chicken or any items like that but no Spain, Vienna sausage or such – Don’t do it if it cuts down on your own ration points. Olives or shrimp if available and shippable would be fine. The last bunch of sardines never did arrive so don’t include too many in

[page 4] one box.

The garden seed you sent never did arrive but as I told you yesterday or day before it’s too shady and it’s useless unless I can find a more sunny spot.

Well, the ten month period of our leaving the states is now passed and we are going into the eleventh – Steps closer to coming home I hope. At least something to live for and to look forward to.

Must get going so
Solong
Love Daddy