Tag Archives: Guadalcanal

Didn’t Get Much Sleep (Roscoe)

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: May 19, 1943 envelope

: May 19, 1943, p. 1

: May 19, 1943, p. 2

: May 19, 1943, p. 3

: May 19, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

May 19, 1943
Lieut R.S.Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother –

Up and going but didn’t get too much sleep for one reason or another, but it’s no more than some nights I used to have when Marshal Dyer or Tom Murphy etc used to call or when someone decided to have a babe.

We have wild rumors of more mail but none has filtered into camp as yet. The day being young we still have hopes.

Geo. by some turn of

[page 2] fate got two of these large hunting knives that are carried on ones belt in a large leather case – So he gave me one. The blade is about 8 inches long and is sharpened on both edges. Really I don’t know why I carry it but he gave it to me and so I wear it. We can always use it to open cans of sardines if we have the sardines.

Geo & Vince went shell hunting yesterday P.M. and are planning on going again

[page 3] today or tomorrow and I’ll try to go along and see if I can add some to my collection. I have a few but the “pickin” here isn’t so good as at Noumea.

You said something about me sending my blues and extra clothes home. If I did that and we arrived home in cold weather I’d have to buy new ones. I wouldn’t be one bit surprised however that if those things would be sent anyway because in time the storage where they are may become a burden so if

[page 3] they should come rolling in you will know the reason.

We have a lot of pseudo-farmers here who have wild ideas concerning farm products. I just sit back and laugh – It sounds like the city farmer to me. Some feel that if they had one chicken that would mean one egg per day the year around.

Well, I’ve some work to do so will proceed –
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/2014/06/21/didnt-get-much-sleep-roscoe/

A Navigation Argument (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: May 18, 1943 envelope

: May 18, 1943, p. 1

: May 18, 1943, p. 2

: May 18, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

Yesterday P.M. we planted some more potatoes but another heavy rain came so I’m afraid. Seems as if every time I make garden it rains – That rally wouldn’t bother other smaller seed but as yet I haven’t received any seeds.

We are in the midst of a navigation argument or rather a lesson so I may have things in here on sextants – starts etc.

[page 2] I haven’t mentioned it now for a couple of days but I sent the uniform money in two separate letters one on about May 6 and one May 13.

Yesterday was laundry day and by getting my clothes in early I got them back early and had them dry before dark. I just wonder what it would be like to wear a shirt that has been ironed and pants that are pressed. We heard that the uniform are to be

[page 3] changed to a slate blue which will be OK by me because I’ll have to buy new ones anyway by the time I get back.

I’ve been getting the raze for the last page due to a fellow losing a toe and the fellows here said I was cutting his toe nails and my knife slipped – but that wasn’t the way at all.

Well I’m run down and the complications are to [too] great.

Love Daddy

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

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: http://genealogylady.net/2014/06/19/a-navigation-argument-roscoe/ ‎

Hearts of Cocoanuts (Roscoe)

5 Replies

: May 17, 1943 envelope

: May 17, 1943, p. 1

: May 17, 1943, p. 2

: May 17, 1943, p. 3

: May 17, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

May 17, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran

Dear Mother,

It seems that something always interfers with letter writing but that is only natural when writing in the day time. At night time when one has time of his own it’s impossible to write so that is that.

Yesterday’s letter should come thru sooner than others because of the way it was mailed but if the fellow keeps them in his jacket you may never get it – You know how men are about letters.

After I had written yesterday I got a letter from the folks and

[page 2] one from Harry Storm. He is making a collection of A.P.O. addresses and asked Mother for one and since he then had my address he wrote. He made a guess of my location and missed also. Really it doesn’t make any difference as far as I can see whether people know where I am or not. If I thought it would help it would be different.

Last night several of the officers got together and we had a song fest. Wasn’t very good music but it was something. We do that every once in a while.

[page 3] Have had some stoppage but will try and go ahead even though there is still some conversation but maybe I can overcome the pitfalls.

I believe I have never told you of our one delicate dish – Hearts of Cocoanuts – It’s a brittle while substance that is in the heart of the tree. It’s something like celery when cut in strips. The only trouble is it takes a whole tree when that is served and that is the end of that tree. I think it is sewed in the states at a very high price.

I’m still reading the book

[page 4] written by Cecil Brown and I know have him in Australia. In another few hours of reading I’ll be able to get him back home.

Well, I’ve racked my brain for something more but it just won’t come.

So solong
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/2014/06/17/hearts-of-cocoanuts-roscoe/

13 v-mail letters (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: May 16, 1943 envelope

: May 16, 1943, p. 1

: May 16, 1943, p. 2

: May 16, 1943, p. 3

: May 16, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

May 16, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother –

Received 13 v-mail letters from you and 5 from other people. John & Mark – Ruth M, Sykes & Dave Burns. Got them late last night and had time to read only one before dark and luckily I picked your latest (Apr 22). The remainder I read before breakfast. Your garden must be getting on pretty well by now but you didn’t say if the suggestions I made about the yard were clear enough. However I guess if you get grass to grow that will be OK.

Really I’ll have to read the letters over to get the full benefit

[page 2] of all of them. I didn’t realize that Staton’s were trying to sell their house – Maybe they weren’t but other people thought they were.

You haven’t given me any figures on the bank account lately – not that I could do anything about it for I haven’t had a regular pay since the last of Jan. I was able to draw some for a few necessities but can’t even figure how much I have on the books. I sent the uniform money and if you need it use it rather than paying off the loan.

No garden seeds have arrived as yet but I suppose those things will be coming along in due time. It seems the boys are taking their music seriously.

[page 3] Glad to hear my letters are coming to you as well as they are and I sure wish mine would come as often. The latest I have now came in 23 days so you see yours go about twice as fast as mine. There is a reason for that however and I doubt if ours will ever be much better – but switch back to air mail with only an occasional v-mail as I told you before.

You said potatoes were high but eat them because you have no idea how good fresh ones are after eating dehydrated – I’ve only had a few to eat raw so don’t know how a good cooked one would taste. I’m not starving but have lost about 10 pounds since leaving

[page 4] Noumea, but that might not all be due to food.

This being Sun. I’ll have to write the folks but will probably do that later in the day. Its only 9:00 A.M. now. I can’t seem to write in the daytime as well as at night but there isn’t much to do about that.

It now looks up if we will have a new home for Chappie and we can revert back to our old ways again. However, I don’t think he has had much influence on the gang. Well must get going –

Love Daddy –

P.S. I haven’t heard from Joe Roberts since long before I left Noumea.

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/2014/06/15/13-v-mail-letters-roscoe/ ‎

Something about a kingdom (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: May 15, 1943 envelope

: May 15, 1943, p. 1

: May 15, 1943, p. 2

: May 15, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

May 15, 1943.
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco

Dear Mother,

Got 3 letters today from people other than you – One from Ruth M. One from Geo. Sondergrath and one about the uniform check. Saying they had been sent, but no mail from you – Maybe later in the day some will stray in – at least I hope so.

Just had two interruptions but both were easily disposed of – however, those always break the train of thought – Even now in comes Chappie – (Chaplin) and said something about a kingdom of which

[page 2] I didn’t pay any attention. Not getting on so well because there is some conversation and writing and talking and listening don’t work out so well. Chappie just now had me all worried said he had lost his watch and after looking all around He found it in his pocket just where he left it.

For the past few days we have had very fine weather but the only indication we have of winter is the early setting of the sun.

I am enclosing a picture we had taken a few days ago and that’s all I can say about it other than some of the fellows as well as myself took very rotten pictures.

[page 3] By now your garden should be coming along in good condition – Don’t know if I told you or not but my potatoes are rotted before even getting a chance to sprout. I have a few more to try so I may yet raise potatoes but the garden seed you sent are still someplace in transit.

Have to make two trips today – one an inspection and another to give some shots so will be rather busy and besides will take a beating in a jeep because those things ride hard.

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/2014/06/13/something-about-a-kingdom-roscoe/

Suez to Singapore (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: May 14, 1943 envelope

: May 14, 1943, p. 1

: May 14, 1943, p. 2

: May 14, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

May 14, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Just finished my morning chores and about to start reading my latest – Cecil Brown’s “Suez to Singapore.” It’s a very interesting story and I can understand some of the physical and mental reactions he went thru while away from home in various travels. It’s a rather long book but worth anyone’s time if interested.

You will notice that I’ve switches paper again.

[page 2] some how I like this better maybe it’s because I don’t have to write so much, but I believe I write just as much. The air mail paper is so flimsy and hard to handle.

I’ve sent both the uniform check home – The 150⁰⁰ on May 7 [written on top of a 6] and the 100⁰⁰ on May 13 so you can let me know when and if they arrive.

Got a letter from Boonie yesterday and he seems to be guessing again but his guess this time was wrong. I imagine that people can guess now. However, they still have no business of

[page 3] knowing.

We had cuttin meat last night for chow – roast beef. If we just had some chewin vegetables now everything would be on the up and up. We still have lots of spagiti and dehydrated potatoes all of which aren’t any better than powdered eggs but other people seem to like some of those things.

Well, I’m run down and myst must get on with my reading

Love Daddy

[Editor’s note: Here is a link to a 1943 review of Suez to Singapore published in Foreign Affairs magazine. The book is still in print today.]

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/2014/06/10/suez-to-singapore-roscoe/

Rat Trap (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: May 13, 1943, envelope

: May 13, 1943, p. 1

: May 13, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

May 13, 1943
Lietu R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

It seems as if my mail is what the little boy shot at. I have a feeling it’s the v-mail and regardless of what the radio campaigns say write air mail – all the other fellows are getting air mail and all I get is the Newton Co. E. Issues back in Feb. Maybe I’ll get some later today but it seems most of the mail has been delivered – Yesterday it was the same way but none got v-mail and I feel certain that is where mine is – being printed some place along the line. So much for that.

Geo. decided to make a rat trap a few days ago to catch the critters in our tent and he had the thing secretly built and was going to put it under my bunk and when the rat entered a big noise would be made and I of course was to be excited – well when the carpenter brought it Geo was out and I was in on the whole thing. So we put the trap in our mess hall and this A.M. we had a big rat – Sill still alive – so the question was how to kill Mr. rat – when I left for sick Bay they were in the process of Drowning him but

[page 2] as yet the results haven’t been released.

Had a bad taste in my mouth and just started a cake of Gum. Some of that you sent for Christmas. That was one thing brought along from Noumea.

One of the fellows got a clipping thru the mail that to the affect that the naval uniform was to be changed from khakis to slate blue. I think by the time I get back I’ll need new ones especially pants. My coats are in Noumea I hope, most of them as good as new.

As I said in several leters – The 150⁰⁰ check is one the way and I’ll enclose the 100⁰⁰ in this letter so hope you repeat several times in your letters whether or not they arrive.

My last letter from home is now one month old and it’s about time since more arrived – I’m not writing as many letters now as before – hope the people understand but it just isn’t possible to do so now. I’ll try to get one out now and then to others –

Well, here’s hopin’ – I get some mail some of these days –

Love Daddy

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

Sunrise (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: May 12, 1943 envelope

: May 12, 1943, p. 1

: May 12, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

May 12, 1943.
Lieut RS Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

I’m a little disappointed about the mail situation because many of the fellows got mail and I did not. I think it’s because of the changeover from V-mail at least I hope you are writing some air mail rather than v-mail.

The way my bunk is located the sun shines right into my face each A.M. and of course wakes me but I often awaken before it is up and the various stages are a sight to see. The first knowledge I had this morn of the sunrise was a sort of a brownish color just as it was getting light – That then changed to a lighter color and finally just before the sun appears the whole area was a blood red color. (That is the way it looks every morn) The sun drives that color away when it begans to appear – after that it looks just like it does in Indiana.

A letter came yesterday from Bob H. but it was written way back in Mar. He seemed to think Dr. Openshaw was pretty much settled somewhere in Penn. – seems like some people have all the tough luck – who would want to be stationed in a place like that with all the trains, autos and cold weather are apt to be hard on one’s health – I’m telling you it’s dangerous to have those handicaps. Take the above as you wish.

Imagine me wearing shoes now for the past

[page 2] several months. Really my ankles will probably be so weak I won’t be able to wear slippers again and another thing – lately I haven’t been wearing any underware and since I have no P.J. you know how that means I sleep at night. That will also be a hard habit to break when back in the States.

I saw in the Newton Co. E. that John had won $2.50. Of course I showed it around and most of the boys asked if I had sent for the $2.50 or if I would let him keep it. My answer was varied. Of course, you had told me of the whole thing in letters but I just happened to find it in the paper. Two issues of the paper came yesterday Mar 11 & 18. In the Mar 18 issue there is a synopsis of the article – “They Were Expendable.” I’d almost forgotten about that and it has so much more meaning now than when I read it before.

I don’t know if I told you or not but our Chaplin left Japan in June of 1942. Yes the date is correct – he has some pretty good experiences to tell.

Well, I’ve beaten my gums enough for the time being –
So solong until Tomorrow
Love Daddy.

P.S. Sent 150⁰⁰ of the uniform money home – The 100⁰⁰ will follow in a few days – Just a repeat.

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

African Front (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: May 11, 1943 envelope

: May 11, 1943, p. 1

: May 11, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

May 11, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR.
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran

Dear Mother,

I’ve been up or rather awake for some time because our roommate had to get up early to hold services and his moving around awakened me and I was unable to go back to sleep but that doesn’t matter because we are getting plenty of sleep so I was able to watch the sun rise.

I was able to listen to a radio last night and got some more news on the Africian front and that sure sounds good – hope it can be kept going right on up thru the European countries. We don’t hear much over the radio about our own situation but I guess we can learn about that first hand.

There are rumors of mail around but as yet none has arrived so we just set and wait and that sorta seems the way yours comes because you told me once that you received 12 letters in one day.

We were talking about Florescent lights last night and I just happened to think. I believe you asked me about the one in the office – Why don’t you have it placed in the kitchen at home? Of course it may be

[page 2] worn out by now. If you want to put it there I think it would be swell or even in the basement around the laundry. It probably would be of as much value there as far as lights go as the big ones you have, but do as you please.

Our laundry seems to be drying rather rapidly and I’m going to watch for sprinkles so that it won’t be like last week. I noticed one of my sheets had some mold, but that isn’t unusual. Even ones tobacco molds very rapidly and all leather goods have a constant film of mold.

I finished another story yesterday – another mystery – “Death at Bratton Grange” just another story written in a different manner but something to occupy the leisure time.

Well, I’ve run down so
Solong
Love Daddy.

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

A Rat In Our Tent (Roscoe)

4 Replies

: May 10, 1943 envelope

: May 10, 1943, p. 1

: May 10, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

May 10, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Today is wash day as any good household would have it but instead of doing it ourselves we have a laundry now and all we have to do is take the wet wash and hang it up to dry. Last week it was a little hard to get dry but today there shouldn’t be much trouble. I had an unusual big wash because I had just changed sheets last week when my bunk got saturated so I had two extra sheets. So much for the good old housekeeping difficulties.

We were able to have a movie in camp last night but I didn’t go due to the fact that I had seen it before so I’m not interested the second time. Commander Fredricks and I just sat and shot the breeze for the duration of the show.

We had “cutting” meat twice yesterday. Roast beef for dinner and liver for supper. The meat is a little tough we get here but it has a good flavor and it gives something to chew on. Spam and all its derivities [derivatives] are not cuttable – just plain gumming food.

Geo. said he saw a rat in our tent the other night but I’ve been unable to find any but we are planning on a trap to see if we can

[page 2] trap the critter – I don’t like rats for tent mates although we call each other that once in a while. That is all but the chaplin, and he probably thinks we are all rats and he might be correct.

I’ve been trying to figure some way in which I can make a pillow – so far all I’ve been able to use is an extra blanket folded but it gets pretty hard during the night. In an area like this it’s pretty hard to manufacture anything suitable. Of course our bunks for that matter are not too good – Just plain cots with a mattress about 2 inches thick and after a few months in certain places the canvass has bulges at the places of most stress so at night one has to get into the grove in order to be comfortable.

Our news here the past few days has been very good – I mean what little news we are able to pick up over the radio. We do have a one page mimeographed news paper that keeps us informed to a slight degree.

Well guess I’m at the bottom of the well,

So solong
Love Daddy.