Tag Archives: Guadalcanal

Marine Life (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Mar 4, 1943
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Fran. Calif.

Dear Mother,

It has now been 3 days since rain and we feel as if it a terrible dry spell. Even at that the ground is still wet and soggy under the foliage.

The Commanding officer and I went swimming this P.M. Just to get away for a short time. The bottom wasn’t sandy so we just left our shoes on. He had some under water glasses and by using those and swimming under water one could see the most beautiful sights. And fish of all

[page 2] color size and description. I made a quick estimate once and I believe there were at least 50 good sized fish in the near vicinity. Various colored coral on the bottom made the whole thing look like a fairy book dream land area. Marine life in the tropics is certainly beautiful to the Nth degree. In fact I don’t believe it but I’ve seen it so must be convinced.

Hope my letters are coming thru to you because I know how it is not to get mail. I’ve been writing every day now for about one week.

Well – lots of love
Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/27/marine-life-roscoe/

Coconuts (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Mar. 3
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Francisco Calif

Dear Mother,

To begin with I think I got the wrong address date of yesterday’s letter. Anyway this one is 24 hours behind the other dated Mar 3.

Maybe you have noticed a difference in my writing. I found a board to place across my knees – before I was just writing on paper. Anyway it’s more comfortable writing this way only the flies are very bad what with so much of me exposed to them. Yesterday all day long I had on nothing but my trunks. I tell you you’re going to have to watch me when I get home or I’m apt to walk right off to town clad only in trunks. Remember how I used to ask you to buy a coconut. Well, no need now. Our tent is pitched with the four corners to coconut trees and it isn’t too safe to walk too near those trees – One night not long ago one

[page 2] fell right smack into a water bucket beside the tent and what a noise.

A few days ago our commanding officer was & I were out from camp on some business and before getting back got very thirsty. So we thought we would try some cocoanut juice. I threw and knocked one down and he hacked it open with his hunting knife and we drank the juice about one pint. Then we ate some of the meat. Nothing happened until about 10 P.M. All at once I felt very nauseated and had to get going and I spread shredded cocoanut all over the hillside. While resting on an old log I heard someone down the hill heaving just as I had shortly before. I came back down and there was the commanding officer spreading more stuff on the hillside. We both had a good laugh – went back to bed and that was the end of that. Vomited plenty but not sick. Anyway I don’t care much for cocoanuts only I have eaten some of the meat several times since.

Maybe as time goes along other things can be told but now writing subjects are very scarce.

So Solong Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/26/coconuts-roscoe/

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/

One can’t win (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Mar 2, 1943

Dear Mother,

I missed writing yesterday due to the fact I was out most of the time – later I will write of some of the happenings of the day. And it hasn’t rained for 24 hours so things have dried but they are wet again with sweat. So one can’t win.

This will have to be short due to work conditions so will try to do better next time

Love Daddy

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

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/22/one-cant-win-roscoe/

Secret location (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Feb. 28, 1943
Lt (jg) R. S. Yegerlehner MC USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Francisco Calif

Dear Mother,

When writing use the above address until further notice. The Navy 224 would be OK but this may be a little faster. I’ve been able to write almost every day this past week but before that several days there just wasn’t a chance.

Our location is very much a secret so we will just try to keep it that way. I still have the job of helping to censor the mail and we are more particular than before.

My pay accounts were left at the

[page 2] old place so no money will be drawn to be sent home by check or money order as before so pay day is just another day and most of the days are rainy days with sunshine in between.

This location will keep the guessers busy for some time – seems at first they had fun guessing so they can start all over again. When things do open up that was more can be told I can write more interesting letters but for the time being it’s just words to let you know we are able to write each day.

Hope these letters are getting thru OK
Lot of Love
Daddy

______________________________

History of APO 43

History of APO 43

I had a little difficulty tracking down APO numbers but eventually I found them! APOs were traditionally the postal numbers used by the Army. If you need to find a World War II APO, here is a good place to find one:
http://www.7tharmddiv.org/docrep/Location%20of%20APOs%201942-1947.pdf

And thank you to the 7th Armored Division for posting this 1947 pamphlet from the Army Postal Service.

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/19/secret-location-roscoe/

Between sick bay and laundry (Roscoe)

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

Feb. 27, 1943
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner
Navy 224
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

News – It didn’t rain last night but it has been off and on this A.M. There doesn’t have to be many clouds but it just opens up and showers.

So far today I have had nothing on but shorts & shoes and have been busy between sick bay and laundry. All we have to do is get them good and soapy and then hang them on the line and the rain water washes out the soap – we hope.

So far I have been lucky about the lizards. One fellow put his shoe on and felt something squirm-

[page 2] ing inside and then realized there was a lizard present with his foot. Others have been awakened at night by them crawling on them. They are only about 6 in long and look like a sanke [snake]  with legs. Thin tail are a bright green. The ants are the most abundant and can be found anyplace and any size. I suppose they are hungry and are doing only what nature intended for them to do – eat.

As I told you before – write the folks because my stamps are very few in number and I want to make them go as far as possible. I hope you are getting these letters for I doubt that our connections are too good, but here’s hoping.

Lots of Love
Daddy

P. S. Don’t worry we are doing fine – beard and everything.

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/18/between-sick-b…laundry-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/

Another short note (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Feb. 25, 1943

Dear Mother,

I hope these are getting to you. This I think is 4 since I stopped writing regular. Maybe 5 but anyway it helps to get a note out now and then.

My clothes were molding so had to take them out for an airing but with rain most of the time there isn’t a chance to dry anything.

Everything is OK and on the up & up.

Love Daddy

Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
Navy 224
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

P.S. Write the folks my stamps are far & few between

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/14/another-short-note-roscoe/

On the up and up (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Feb 24?
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner
Navy 224
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother-

I think this will find its way I hope – It’s about the first letter in one week but it’s the best that can be done under the circumstances. We are well happy have enough to eat but not much time and facilities to write.

I haven’t received any of

[page 2] your mail since Jan 25 and really don’t expect to for some time.

We have plent of rain, lizards, ants, bugs, worms, flies and anything else you might mention.

I’ll be writing more regular as time goes along so don’t worry – everything is OK. And on the up & up.

Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/12/on-the-up-and-up-roscoe/

Just A Note (Roscoe)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lt (jg) Yegerlehner (MC) USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif
Feb. 19, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just a note before working. It’s early in the A.M. but pretty warm. This is the 3rd letter I’ve written since this irregularity started hope all of them are coming to you. When we finally get settled the mail should be as regular as before.

I’ll try to get a good full letter out one of these days.

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/07/just-a-note-roscoe/