Tag Archives: James L. Foster

Company From Nevada (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-30-43

Dear Daddy – Our company arrived from Nevada today – Glenn is all stopped up from the Indiana air – says you couldn’t give him this country – Pauline’s home is in Pa. so they are going on over there then come back after a few days rest. Jim is going to try and come on a week-end leave. Dr. Cole came yesterday and wants me to take Mother back to the hospital. I think I’ll take her back tomorrow evening. I’ll have Bob take her in the ambulance. Dr. Cole says he doesn’t think x-ray treatment advisable because of the reaction so many people get form it. Glenn’s baby is heavier than David but D. is taller – Will take pictures of them together tomorrow. I can understand how Jimmy would be larger – he has an enormous appetite – and eating has always been a nuisance to David. The[y] drove thru in a Ford coupe – stopping at nights at tourist camps were on the way a week. We are going to get a quarter of beef from Parttens next week. Have to turn in 800 points which will be 2 ½ or 3 months ahead. Am going to have to put David on pasteurized milk after I turn in our meat stamps but I think he will be ready to change in another month. I will have to chase the boys to bed – They want to talk all nite to Glenn.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/11/company-from-nevada-gladys/

Peaches (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 26, 1943 envelope

: August 26, 1943, p. 1

: August 26, 1943, p. 2

: August 26, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 27 [26] – 1943

Dear Daddy –

8 P.M. – just finished trying to seal (2 didn’t) 11 qts. peaches. There was a truck around today from somewhere with peaches and I bought a bu[shel] (4.25) believe it or not – They are 8⁰⁰ in some places. In figuring the cost they cost around the same as canned (tin) we buy in the stores but I could save pints. Peaches were 24 pts. A can or half a month’s points for one person. I put seven qts. in the oven and 4 in hot water. Mrs. Zell was canning corn and would have brought the cooker home but I told her wasn’t necessary to pressure peaches and it is for corn. I prepared 12 cans for the locker and got over there to find the place closed (Thurs. P.M.) This I figure is the last Thurs. for the summer our stores will close for the afternoon. Mark went to town and stopped at the P.O. and yours of Aug. 17 was there. If you remember you were discussing other people’s vacations and certain persons being bothered about the draft.

[page 2] I agree with you about both cases. Some people haven’t yet found out what things are all about – guess I had better change the subject – it gets pretty deep sometimes. No use spoiling our letters with stuff like that.

Mrs. R. came last night for a few minutes. She had some pictures Joe sent – they were all working in the pictures, digging, etc. I suppose you know all about such things.

I had sent Glenn a night letter telling them to come and hadn’t heard from them in over a week – I sent a tracer after the wire and word came back that Glenn had started east Aug. 23 so I am looking for them anytime. Juanita has been here since Tues. but is leaving tonight on the 12:16 train – however she is coming back to see Glen (& family if they all come). I was looking for some word from them so I could send Jim a wire. He thinks he can get time enough on a week-end leave to come for a few hours. I think he is taking a risk because he may not get flying accommodations back and he would have to fly to Indpls. & back from there. I am not going to send him any word until I get some definite word from Glen.

I took a roll of film and had some pictures of your Mother & Dad – and the negatives came back with no prints. I could see the pictures – I sent them to Laf. I had used a smaller film and sent them

[page 3] down there to have them all enlarged. I am going to send them to Hubert and see if he can print them. I couldn’t get film to fit our camera so haven’t taken pictures yet for David’s 11^th month. David is changing so much I think since his front teeth show up so good. His smile is contagious and he usually has one. We were eating supper and he was in his play chair and started to climb out onto the ironing cabinet so I slapped my hands together and said “David” rather loud – he sat down and tried to cry but couldn’t. It is so cut to see him pucker up his face in an attempt to cry –

It has been cool today but Mother seems awfully weak. The heat yesterday afternoon was so hard on her. She didn’t eat much today – never does – but seemed less today. I thought possibly Dr. Cole would be up today but no doubt he was tied up at hospitals. Mrs. Roberts says the Sr. Dr. is so busy too. He hardly has time to stop and see her and the children. I am to take Mark to Fowler tomorrow to have the clamp taken out of his hand. I think his cut is healing – but you know how he likes to pick at things – keeps wanting to put new bandages on.

I have been writing this in competition with John, Mark & Juanita.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/03/peaches-gladys/

A Little Childish (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-25-43

Dear Daddy – It cooled off and rained after the intense heat yesterday – We put some clothes in the Bendix to show Juanita how it operated. She didn’t know about that type machine. It looked like the sun was going to shine when John started the Bendix and now it is cloudy again. Can’t tell what our weather will do next. Had a letter from Jim and he is all upset about Mother – says he can’t believe such a thing could happen to her – His attitude is a little childish I think. I don’t like to think of it either but know if she has carcinoma it didn’t get there in a few days. Maybe I have been around you long enough to look for a logical answer. Of course I can’t say how it started but something caused it. – The heat yesterday was so hard on her. A week from today school starts. David is going to miss J. & M. for a few days. They are both with him in the yard encouraging him to make noises. He got somewhat spoiled while in the cast. He has always had more attention than J. & M. had at his age. He has enough toys to amuse him and a play pen, play chair, etc. – but gets tired of everything but attention. He will no doubt learn to amuse himself when left alone. No letters today but two yesterday (Aug. 9 & 12). I want to take more pictures – but haven’t any film and can’t get any here. Have to take Mark to Dr. Altier to have his hand dressed Fri.

Love – Mother

©2012-2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/01/a-little-childish-gladys/

V-mail From Jim (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: August 23, 1943 envelope

: August 23, 1943, p. 1

: August 23, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.
Aug. 23, 1943

Dear Mother,

A v-mail came from Jim yesterday. It was written Aug. 1. That was the first letter from Jim in anything like good time as I answered it immediately in the hope that he gets it before he changes his address. I suppose he is really anxious to get out of the States and go places as most of those fellows back there are or at least they say they are that way. In fact I think I had the same feeling but that was probably due to the place where my first tour of duty was endured – Norfolk!!!? I was afraid I’d have to stay there for the duration – I didn’t.

Some time ago I read an article in the Newton Co. E. relative to mosquitoes – That really is a problem to consider there for it some of these malaria cases get up north it sure will spread. We use a big spray can and a good mosquito dope at night to kill the critters out before going to bed and that wouldn’t be a bad idea there because I

[page 2] remember how numerous they were especially this time of the year – Maybe I’m a little late but it is something to think about.

I don’t believe I wrote you anything about Geo. leaving – He went back to where Dr. Ash is located to have some work done on his teeth and also for a general physical check-up. I don’t believe he will come back – not because of his health primarily but I believe he will get a new assignment. Maybe back to the U.S.A. Out of our original gang that came here that leaves only two of us. That’s not Drs. That includes all the officers – So you see we have quite a turnover. Dr. Gardiner (dentist) came out with our gang but didn’t come here until a month or so ago.

At this point it seems I’ve been wordless – just simply blank for I’ve been sitting 10 min. just sitting and nothing comes to write. But So I just decided to fill up the space with telling you I could think of nothing further. Anyway.

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/2014/12/29/v-mail-from-jim-roscoe/

Eleventh Month (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-23-43

Dear Daddy – Today is David’s 11^th month. He has 6 teeth, gets around as good as ever. Traces of cast almost gone. He got a few blisters around edge but they have healed. I was feeding him and he hit the cup & spilled milk. He knew he was a naughty boy – when we scold him he will try to cry but can’t quite make it. – John has been having headaches and I am sending him to Van Buskirk tomorrow. Alma W. is taking Jimmy down and has an appointment – said she would take John in with her. I haven’t been satisfied with his last two eye examinations and he keeps having head aches and is dizzy – Mother isn’t so good today – threw up her dinner and the last to come up was bile – (or bitter). I called Juanita and she is coming tomorrow. I haven’t heard any more from Glen – have been waiting for word. Jim is going to try and come home again on a 72 hr leave. Said he would get a plane to Indpls. and come in his car from there – will have the auto club get his car to Indpls. It is getting hot again. We have had some rather cool days. It rained early this a.m. and now it is hot and steaming. No letters today but had Aug. 10 & 11^th Sat. so didn’t look for any today. David is in his pen making a fuss. He is a little spoiled from so much attention when he was in the cast.

Love Mother

Gladys and David, August 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/28/eleventh-month-gladys/

An Old Slow Poke (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
AUG. 21-1943

Dear Daddy – Your Mother went home this morning. I suppose she thinks I am an old slow poke but I couldn’t keep up to her tempo. One day while she was here besides the regular work which I think enough to keep one busy, we picked and canned 4 qts. of beans and made jelly with some old grape juice we had in the basement. She said if she had been home she could have got a lot more done. I think she feels pretty good. She didn’t seem to have any complaints and I know she can do more work in a day than I can. We got David’s cast off yesterday and he is using his leg almost normally today. At first his knee didn’t work as good but it is gradually getting stronger. While in the cast I gave him all his milk from a bottle but started today on the cup again. Want to have him drinking all his milk from a cup by 1 year. Mother doesn’t seem to feel so good today. I gave her a bath and she is so thin and frail – not much to her. Dr. Cole told me to give her Vit. B shots until he examined her Sun., then after deciding she has a malignancy thought the shots wouldn’t do much good. Jim called me Thurs. nite after getting the letter I sent him Sun. He wanted to know if there is anything to be done. Dr. Cole says she is too weak to stand surgery. Rec’d your letters of Aug. 10 & 11 – The 9^th hasn’t arrived yet. Will send some more pictures in a few days. Tomorrow is John’s birthday and will try to get some pictures taken then.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/24/an-old-slow-poke-gladys/

Flower (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 20, 1943 envelope

: August 20, 1943, p. 1

: August 20, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 20 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

I have been writing v-mail every other day and this should be a v-mail day but decided I would use reg. air mail again. Your mother, David & I went to Laf. today. Dr. Cole cut the cast off David’s leg. He was dreading the job but the case was pretty well soaked so wasn’t hard to cut off. He said he found that something else besides vinegar & peroxide would dissolve plaster. I had told him we called David “Flower” (the little skunk character in Walt Disney’s movie Bambi). He said is may smell like a flower but he didn’t know what kind. I was afraid David’s leg would be very touchy, and his knee would hurt when he tried to bend it but by the time we got home he was getting around pretty good. I put him down in his bed on his back and he pulled right up. In a day or two I doubt if we can tell he ever had it in a cast. I believe he was very happy to get out, he was so happy all evening – tho he is usually that way. Your mother says we should have named him David Roscoe. She says he looks so much like you. Now my dear, as much as I think of you, I still wouldn’t want to do that. We might compromise and call him Jake, or little Jake. Don’t mind me – just running off.

[page 2] I asked Dr. C. if he had written you about Mother – he said he hadn’t had time to even address a letter since he has been back – (Took Sun., Mon. & Tues. off). I said I didn’t suppose he would have since he came back. I asked him if he got to rest any while away & he said he slept the clock around. I don’t know when you will hear from him. After he told me Sunday I wrote Jim & Glenn and Jim called me last night. He wanted to know if anything could be done. Dr. Cole said Mother couldn’t stand surgery. I haven’t had any more word from Glen – Had an air mail from them Mon. & answered with a night letter & told them to come on – they wanted to know if Mother would be able to have them come for a visit, or wait until later. Since they haven’t answered I wouldn’t be surprised to see them come in any time.

Mark has gone to bed. He is still tired from his 4-H camping trip but I sent him to bed so he will feel rested by tomorrow. John is playing with a toy I got to give Bobby Funk for his birthday (Sept. 6). Also got a gift for Donnie – his birthday comes Aug. 29. I got a wedding gift for Earl & Imogene – they will be here tomorrow to get your mother – Ruth M. had me to get her gift at Loebs – so I got mine (ours) there too – a set of glasses & sherberts to match. Your mother said the shower will be next week & she is saving her gift till then but I will give them ours tomorrow. I had the store clerk wrap them ready to give in white tissue & ribbon – Well I am tired & John is going to take this to the hotel to mail so must sign off – with Love – Mother

Earl and Imogene (Photograph courtesy of Don Yegerlehner)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/22/flower-gladys/

White Cap (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-16-43

Dear Daddy – I rec’d your Aug. 1 letter – but had rec’d up to Aug. 6 last week. Mrs. R. called me this a.m. She had word from Joe – he told her “all about” your being together and how much you both enjoyed the visit. – It is cooler today – Mother is about the same. I told you in yesterday’s letter what Dr. Cole said after examining her. It’s what you didn’t want to think – what I was afraid of and hoped wasn’t. He said just to continue with the same medication. – Mark left with the 4-H group for Dunes State Park this afternoon – He was so happy to get to go. Jim sent the boys each a white cap – the kind he wore before getting a chief rating – so Mark wore one. I had to take it off his head at the table – he was going to wear it all the time. John is talking to David. David & I were both having a good nap when a fly bothered around and disturbed David. I first heard a plane go over that woke me up. They go so low and so many a day – they fly almost over our house sometimes. Every time I hear one I do some wishful thinking about a passenger that could be aboard. Could be – Pinky got a ride home. Funks left today for Land of Lakes, Wis. The detassling business just about got Bill down. Krulls are going up next Sun. for a week. They just keep their restaurant open from 7:30 to 11 – then 3 p.m. to 7:30 – serve breakfast & short orders – Dorothy said they couldn’t get food or help so why stay open 15 hrs. a day.

Love – Mother

James L. Foster in his sailor uniform. Photograph courtesy of Gerry McCarroll.

James L. Foster in his sailor uniform (but not with the white cap). Photograph courtesy of Gerry McCarroll.

Ants in the Pants (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 12, 1943 envelope

: August 12, 1943, p. 1

: August 12, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Aug. 12, 1943

Dear Mother,

From where I’m sitting I can see those poor clothes on the line trying to get dry and maybe they will today but they’ve been there since Monday. Maybe I should take them in and hang them around the stove.

Today marks another milestone in this career of mine – Six months ago today I left the last station. At that time six months would have seemed an infinity but looking back now it seems only a short time. Many things have happened since then and I will say the time has gone very rapidly and as pleasurable I’ll sure be pleased.

I don’t believe I’ve ever mentioned it

[page 2] before but we have had open air shows here for the past 3 or 4 months. I haven’t been a very regular attender but went last night and it was Fibber, Molly, Edgar B. and that bunch. It was a pretty good show but not as good as they are over the radio – just a little disappointing. Imagination of characters sometimes is better than the real characters – anyway it was a pretty good evening’s entertainment.

I’ve wondered lots whether Jim has any idea of when or where he may be sent out. Possibly he was just as certain as we are – That is he knew nothing. We all get itchy britches now and then to be on our way to someplace but now since I’ve been away from home I’m getting the proverbial ants but that possible won’t help any.

Love Daddy

Anxious (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 8, 1943 envelope

: August 8, 1943, p. 1

: August 8, 1943, p. 2

: August 8, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

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

Aug. 8, 1943

Dear Mother,

As you will note this is Aug. 8 and that really is some date for a few of us to remember. I wrote you a letter about 8 days ago of more or less retrospect of the year’s happenings to date – That letter could just as well have been written today but it seemed to be more appropriate at that time. In a big general way it has been a good year as far as the war is concerned. The enemy has been pushed back on all fronts in the Pacific and of course the European phase is also going good as far as news reports go. If things can just keep going during the next year

[page 2] maybe this thing won’t last too long.

Your letter of July 23 came yesterday. It was good that you could get a leave for Jim. I’m sure it will help your mother as well as anything. Jim must be pretty tired just staying in one place for over a year. Of course, he switched to Camp Peary but it has been more or less the same, I guess it hasn’t been too bad for him however, because Thelma has been near by and he was is also able to enjoy some of the benefits of modern civilization and these things are of value but maybe we don’t appreciate them until after being deprived of them for a period of time. He no doubt is anxious to get out of the country and after being out

[page 3] for a time will be just as anxious to get back. You see I can talk from experience. I was anxious to get going and I’m just as anxious to get back and swab jobs with someone else who would like to see what he can see.

Let me again remind you not to work too hard nor worry to[o] much about things because that is hard on your health and that is the biggest worry I have out here – The health of you and the boys – I’m of course concerned with your mother’s health the same as I would be of my Mother & Dad, but it’s very much different when it comes to you and the boys. Well I’ve said my say.

Love Daddy