Tag Archives: James L. Foster

Normally, since today is Saturday, I would have written about another of my paternal family surnames. That had originally been my plan but on Thursday night I began searching through my boxes of family documents for my grandfather’s naval documents. I knew I had them. I had previously seen them, but I had forgotten where I stashed them. I finally found them again along with another family treasure, the bible belonging to my great Uncle Jim Foster.

: Page from Roscoe’s initial Navy application

: Notification that Roscoe’s application is being forwarded to Washington, DC

: Naval Correspondence Course

My grandfather’s naval packet is about 2 inches thick. It contains pretty much every order he received including his initial enlistment papers. How I wish I knew where they were at Thanksgiving when I started my blog! I really could have started the story from the beginning, even before the letters started. It looks like I have another organizing project because of course none of the papers are in order! I’ve already started pulling the documents that apply to July and August 1942.

First part of Uncle Jim’s diary

The other treasure is the bible. It was presented to Jim by his wife Thelma in 1931 when he became a Freemason. Over the years I have accumulated several bibles. I have one belonging to Christian Yegerlehner which is in German. I have my great grandmother Emma Foster’s as well. Neither one of them has any great genealogical information stashed away inside. They are more sentimental keepsakes. Uncle Jim’s bible on the other hand is a genealogical treasure trove. He apparently took it with him when he enlisted in 1942. The front pages are a combination autograph and address book in addition to being a diary of Jim’s years in the Navy. The first page of the diary begins, “This page for my naval history second enlistment, enlisted 5 March 1942 in Indianapolis, Ind. As SK2C, called to active duty 5 May 1942, reported to Naval recruiting station in Indianapolis and from there to Great Lakes Naval Training Station, North Chicago, Ill. Served from 5 to 25 May in “boot” camp. Got one 24 hour leave on Friday 22. Went Home. Drove Back the next day with Thelma and George Garrigus. Left Great Lakes on 25 May for Norfolk, VA. Arrived in Camp Allen 26 May, remained there for four days and was transferred to Ship’s Company at Camp Bradford, reported at Bradford to Lt. Paul M. Ander, 30 May”. Since Uncle Jim wrote his second enlistment, I wonder when his first enlistment was.

In addition to these wonderful gems of family research, I also realized that I have at least a hundred letters that my grandmother wrote my dad from 1960 through the 1980s. My grandmother was a stenographer by training and usually handled most of the family’s correspondence including business correspondence related to my grandfather’s medical practice. At least I know that when I eventually finish with the World War II letters, I’ll still have a lot to share about the family!

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: July 10, 1942 Envelope

: July 10, 1942, p. 1

: July 10, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Fri Eve

Dear Mother,

First-Send the $1,000 back back and write them to discontinue that phase of the thing. We don’t want to be mailing those things back every year.

Got two letters today and by the way when you address the letter put the (jg) right after the Lt. looks like you forgot something.

Had a pretty hard morning this morning but 5 of us had to examine 10 men this P.M. The rest of the time we sat. We have a lecture course at the base which meets twice each week. It’s all about navy rules + regulations. I know what that court-martial means now, will explain that when I come home. D

Still haven’t heard anything from my application and don’t suppose I will for some time yet. It just makes a fellow between the devil and the deep blue sea but I can’t see that I’m any better or worse off than others who didn’t apply.

This might be the last letter you’ll get before I get home but I’ll keep writing because

(page 2) I might not get off next week. I’m going to try about Tue, Wed. or Thur. Pay day is Wed and that might have something to do with it, because funds are a little short for fare etc. I’d have enough for here but to get a round trip would cramp me somewhat.

Its been sprinkling here a little but still no rain. It get cool here each night but hot as the dickens in day time.

Well, Hope to see you next week if this gets there before I do-

Love Daddy

Amanuensis Monday – July 5, 1942

7 Replies

Another week of letters transcribed! So far I have transcribed 41 letters from 3 different authors. This week I’ve learned about my grandfather’s efforts to get into the flight course for doctors and his attempts to get leave to return to Indiana. Unbeknownst to him at this point, he will be home in just over a week. During the last week, he has been busy giving more inoculations and examining new recruits. Many of his peers have moved on to new assignments and new doctors are expected soon. I enjoy reliving his dry sense of humor. I laughed when I read about the mix-up with the letters to Dr. Matthews and his comments about possibly getting a phone call from other women. I wonder what went on between Dorothy Krull and my grandmother. What did Dorothy say that got my grandmother so steamed? My grandfather’s advice was pretty good.

It has only been a month since the Battle of Midway. By July 5^th, the Japanese had firmed up their control of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. An allied reconnaissance mission sometime during this month revealed that the Japanese were building an airfield on the island. Since this was major threat to Australia, the United States felt they urgently had to launch an assault to reclaim the island. The first landing of US Marines occurred on August 7^th, 1942, in just over a month from today’s letter. Things are about to change for my grandfather, and not necessarily for the better.

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: Image of the Lady Elsa (1940) from BBC’s history website WW2 People’s War

: Image of the Lady Elsa (1940) from BBC’s history website WW2 People’s War

: July 5, 1942 Envelope

: July 5, 1942, p. 1

: July 5, 1942, p. 2

: July 5, 1942, p. 3

: July 5, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Sun 10:30 AM

Dear Mother,

Just got off Duty. There wasn’t much doing last night – even though it was Sat and July 4^th. Got to go on two merchant vessels at the piers. Men were sick and wanted medical attention. The USS Ulua¹ and the Lady Elsa² (a British trawler). The Captain of the Lady Elsa had the stomach ache. Those two trips were interesting and possibly a little different than one would expect. The stairways or interiors of the navy the ladder ways were very narrow and very steep. I couldn’t help from thinking of the difference in that and in our Stairway which had to rise in so many feet etc. The British Captain offered us a Scotch + Soda but we were on duty and had to refuse. That is one difference between U.S. + British they can have their drinks on board.

We were telephoned from the signal tower that the Lady Elsa was coming in in about 2 hours so we went down in time to see her Dock, wasn’t much to see because all was dark except a small search light on the ship and a flash light on the pier. Besides the Captain there was another sailor who had had trouble with “is ‘eart”

(page 2) That was almost a dud. Finally we understood it was his heart. The captain’s room was about the size of our bath room but it was well planned and there were numerous things present. One port hole on each side. One davenport a tiny fireplace with electric coils for heat. One steam radiator a close closet and numerous drawers and shelves. Other than a slight rocking from side to side one wouldn’t know that but what it was a small pushed together hotel room.

The USS Ulua was a larger ship but it wasn’t the captain who was ill so we didn’t get such a good look around. There were both cargo boats, but were both armed.

Since I had the duty last night, I had to inspect the chow Sat noon and then eat at the demonstration mess. It being the 4^th we had a regular holiday meal. Turkey and all its trimmings. I even ate 3 helpings of turkey and two of just plain navy beans. Supper last night wasn’t so extensive. Had ham and fried potatoes for breakfast, besides cereal toast and a coffee cake. Don’t think I’ll eat until late this Eve.

We are expecting a number of new men in this week and I’m going to try the leave again hope it works. I’m beginning to feel that maybe the

(page 3) flight application will go thru now since it has been several days since it was sent in and no orders to upset the plans. Maybe I’d better hold my breath for a few days yet.

Lentz is gone for the week end (weak end) I don’t know where. He left Sat P.M. and expects to be back sometime tomorrow. I don’t have any idea. He can’t go all the way back to Pa. in that length of time. Smith is home for a few days. Mr. Ferneau was out last night and I had the duty so Mrs. E. was all alone and I guess plenty lonesome too. She isn’t used to such quietness for so long a period of time.

Since I’m writing more than usual today I’ll not write the boys. I’ll get them at some later date. That ic last picture you sent was better than the other but I think you didn’t take[look?] good in either. Maybe it was your shape or somethingᶟ.

Jim called before I got home and said he couldn’t come out after Church because he had to be back on duty. So guess I’ll be all alone all day long except for – – – -get it.

(page 4) Got a letter from Dr. Matthews yesterday seems as if he is busy especially since many of the Drs. are away on vacations.

If I get leave I’ll call you either from here or some place in route depending upon the schedule. I’m going to the Captain tomorrow I only talked to the Commander the other time but it’s not best to gone go over the commander only I’m going to because I know what he will say “I’ve been here 3 yrs. without a vacation.” So what his wife and sister-in-law are here with him.

I have to write to Boonie, The folks and Ruth M. Yet today sometime. I sorta reserved today to do this and it’s a pretty good days work Id for it takes more time for me to think and compose their letters. Their not interested in the same thinks that I might write to you.

I’ve written 3 others now so so long

Love Daddy

Notes:

1. I have not been able to find a USS Ulua. A submarine of that name was built later in the war, but was never completed.

2. The HMS Lady Elsa was a British trawler under the command of Sidney George Phillips. For more information on the Lady Elsa, visit this link http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/6383.html

3. I am impressed that my grandfather would be able to get away with saying my grandmother didn’t look good in either picture and it had something to do with her shape!