Tag Archives: John F. Yegerlehner

Gas Rationing (Gladys)

Click to enlarge

Gas rationing was big deal for the people on the home front. For Gladys and the boys, living in Kentland, they did not need to use the car much. In most situations, the family could walk to their destination. Rationing did limit visits to relatives in Terre Haute and Clay City or trips made to Lafayette for shopping or doctor’s appointments. Had Roscoe been at home, he would have received a different rationing allowance for his occupation. It is hard to imagine only using 4 gallons of gas a week. In 2013, the typical American uses many times that in a single day.

V-mail dated November 9, 1942

Letter transcription:

Lt. (J.G.) R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy S.S.A. (White Poppy)
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco Calif

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland
Indiana
11-9-42

Dear Daddy –

It was raining rather hard at noon so I took the boys & Zell girls back to school. Stopped in town and got some groceries – Also was able to get ¼ lb coffee. That is how scarce it is here. I haven’t been drinking coffee since I was in the hospital so didn’t need it for myself but got it for Mother. I understand gas rationing will start Nov 22 – and we will get 4 gal a week. Of course people having to drive to work will get more. I think we will have enough for the driving we do. I take the car out enough to keep the battery charged. Will have to make a trip to Laf. Soon to take the baby down to Dr. C and have John’s glasses checked. The baby weighed 8-6 this morning. He shows a gain of about 14 oz in two weeks. That according to your letter is enough. He is getting regulated pretty good now – sleeps lots & is good when awake. He won’t take orange from a bottle so I give it with a spoon. I think that will help when I start him on Pablum – he will have an ‘idea’ of what a spoon is for. I am going to teach him to drink out of a cup as soon as possible. He is so tiny yet compared to Funks baby. He weighs over 13 lbs and it just 3 ½ weeks older than David. Arlene said they sent you some pictures. I have too but don’t know whether you have rec’d all or not. I sent you stamps twice. I rec’d two letters today & two Sat. The boys each rec’d theirs and answered. Hope you get all the letters with stamps & pictures & your commission. I have rec’d all the letters you sent I am sure.

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/05/gas-rationing-gladys/ ‎

November 8, 1942 (Roscoe)

5 Replies

: November 8, 1942 Envelope

: November 8, 1942, p. 1

: November 8, 1942, p. 2

: November 8, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Oct Nov. 8, 1942

Dear Mother,

Sun P.M. and things are as well as could be expected. Got your Oct. 17 letter today and another V-mail letter Oct 14 from Ed. Johnson. He told me of the anticipated increase in their family. You said something about Lucille but you didn’t say which one. It was a little surprising to me. Ed said I was a good one to run out on them when they really needed me, but I believe it looks to me as if they waited until I got out before starting things – Guess it wasn’t that way but I’m to write him that anyway.

We had chicken again for dinner – real honest to goodness chicken – one half chick per person. Seconds if we wanted them. I could have taken seconds but didn’t, because one was enough and maybe that would cut things short for some enlisted man. So why make a pig of myself. Of course, we have no rationing on anything – but fresh fruits and vegetables are never seen, only once in a while we have a raw apple to chew on.

This being Sun. we’ll have church tonite at 7:00 P.M. The Chaplin still has to be at another place or two earlier in the day.

[page 2] we generally have a pretty big crowd and things go along in good style. This is also the day for me to write the folks. I got a letter or two from them this week so it makes writing a little different.

Tell the boys we have coke now so they don’t need to send me any at present. It’s a little expensive though 10¢ per bottle. We can’t take the bottles back – I mean back to the States – so that makes the extra cost. It isn’t so good either when it’s tropically warmed with no ice around – Maybe the boys could send a chunk of ice. You probably have that around pretty handy or will have when the old cold north winds start blowing.

Wayne W. gave me a pretty good bird’s eye view of conditions in general back home. Our news around here and abroad seems pretty good, but our tent-mate that had the radio has gone so that cuts out the biggest part of the evening’s entertainment. We are seeing quite a bit of coming and going in the past few days and expect to see more as time goes along. Of our group that originally came fourteen have changed locations. So you see (we/they) do some moving around as was the

[page 3] custom at Norfolk.

So far I haven’t received any pictures that you keeping saying you took – And Lentz keeps asking me if you have sent his. He said he had one of a boat sinking with several at different intervals. I told him you wouldn’t send them until you go the $1.35 but I guess that need not hold you back. Hold on to your money and maybe I can send you enough for the coat. Probably right now coats would be high and quality poor or no? Anyway it’s yours so do as you wish. I don’t care what you buy as long as you use good judgment and don’t open too large a charge account.

I’ll finish later. Wrote a letter to the Folks and one to Ed. Johnson. I still have several letters to answer but couldn’t get to them yesterday had too much to do otherwise. I’m finishing this on Mon. A.M. Everything up and kicking, was a fine night to sleep – will write tonight.

Lots of Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/14/november-8-1942-roscoe/

November 8, 1942 (Gladys)

2 Replies

This letter was a nice surprise because it was written on a Sunday. Typically Gladys did not write on Sundays. The family attempted to take some pictures of the baby that afternoon but he would not cooperate. Currently, this picture of Gladys is the only one that has survived from November 8th, or at the very least, been discovered so far. We also get a look at her new perm.

: November 8, 1942 Envelope

: November 8, 1942, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Indiana
Nov 8 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

We are having an unusually warm, sunny Sunday. It was so nice we took the baby out for some pictures but he wasn’t in a mood to have his picture taken and squirmed and squinted so I doubt if the pictures of him are good. I took one of John & Mark and they were going to take the last one of me and I turned it too fast and think I turned it too far. Mark is in a bad mood at present – he wants a sharp knife and can’t get one right now. John as usual is entertaining himself at the piano composing & David is grunting with satisfaction from his 2 P.M. bottle.

Floyd called me from Wick’s last night. He was on his way to Laf. [Lafayette] to meet Ruthie – she had been home this week while he was in Blue Island. Said he had received a notice from the draft board and doesn’t know whether he the Co. will get him deferred or not. Said he has to go to Chi [Chicago] this week so I suppose he will know by the end of next week what he will do.

Bob [Hufty] was out yesterday – wanted to know if I had any word regarding the radiogram. To date I haven’t but if you got it I suppose I will hear from you about it soon. In a previous letter I explained why we sent it. You kept writing that you weren’t getting any mail and after we had sent the message to the coast, I got a letter that you had rec’d my letter of Oct. 5.

Yesterday Betty Lou [Krull] & Mark went out and gathered bittersweet and sold it to the neighbors – net income 30¢ ea. I had given Mark his 50¢ weekly and as usual he couldn’t think ahead of the present and bought 75¢ of stamps – results – broke for another week. John stayed home and helped me clean some. I did the bathroom upstairs. He cleaned the windows then the windows in his & our room. We gave Betty Lou & Buddy [Nick Krull, Jr.] some shells. The coral piece was broken some but I think I can glue it back together and mount it on something to use for an ornament on the coffee table or mantle. Wish I had another one to make a pair. Maybe there is one in the other box you have sent.

I think I’ll have to take John to Laf. during Thanksgiving vacation for an eye exam. Then it will be time for the baby to have a checkup. He weighed 8-4 this morning. He is making a steady gain, tho not fast – will in time fill out at this rate. If I had a buggy would take him out this afternoon.

Love,
Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/13/november-8-1942-gladys/

Voices from the Past (Roscoe)

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I want to jump ahead to the future for a little bit. In 1967, Roscoe retired from his medical practice in Kentland. He and Gladys moved to West Lafayette where he continued to practice his trade and teach new doctors. When they left Kentland, Roscoe was given a going away party at George Ade Memorial Hospital. Among my collection of family papers, I have a script of the evening’s events. The festivities were conducted in the style of “This Is Your Life.” Many old friends entertained my grandparents with stories of their life in Kentland. At that point, Roscoe and Gladys had been part of the community for almost 30 years (1939-1967).
Recently my father unearthed an old audio reel which had been buried away in a drawer. It was labeled “Farewell Party, March 12, 1967.” He was able to send the tape to a professional company that specializes in transferring old mediums to digital formats. Today, he received the CDs in the mail. I have been told that the sound quality is wonderful. The only disappointing detail is that my grandparents are not heard on the recording, only their friends telling their stories. I had hoped to hear their voices again. And now I just have to patiently wait for my copy to arrive in the mail.

: November 7, 1942 Envelope

: November 7, 1942, p. 1

: November 7, 1942, p. 2

: November 7, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 7, 1942

Dear Mother,

Received 4 letters today – 3 from you and one from Wayne W. It took Wayne’s letter 13 days to get there and it took eleven days for an answer to come back so all in all that is pretty good time. Our mail is sure coming thru in much better time now but I didn’t get the commission yet. You stated you had sent it but as yet it hasn’t arrived. So far there is no packages but I’ll expect them from now on until Christmas. And you also stated what the bank account amounted too so that was a help. After next pay day I’ll send some more. I’m going to send each of the boys – all three some Christmas money and you also. I’m telling you now so you can expect. It will be the 15^th before pay day so don’t expect for some time yet.

Wayne told me it had been 19° above zero. That sure sounds cold

[page 2] in our tropical weather.

In your letter today you said the boys had received their V-mail letters. I don’t remember when I wrote those but they were a long time getting there. Your letter this time took only 11 days, both were postmarked Oct. 27. That really is going some. That means only 10 days for one is lost coming over the date line. Your letters are coming now just fine and I think all the questions I’ve been harping on and ranting about are gradually being answered.

I should have told you not to send me any clothes or food for Christmas because food will probably spoil and clothes are just an excess. Most of the boys are sending things home – In the clothes line. I believe I have only the bare necessities so will hang on to them for some time yet.

I think the babies schedule is about what it should be so keep it going. In

[page 3] fact I’ve forgotten all about baby feeding. One forgets very fast I’ve found even to names of people at home. So don’t use initials as I might not know who you are writing about. It’s not so bad but one sure does forget those names rapidly.

There is no boxing show tonite so will have to put on our own. In other words it will be – The news – a few beers and then to be [bed] – quite an enjoyable evening don’t you think.

Well, I’ll try to do better tomorrow. I’ll have to put forth more effort on the next

So Solong

Love

Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/12/november-7-1942-roscoe/‎

November 7, 1942 (Gladys)

1 Reply

There has been mention of late of letters sent to the boys, John & Mark, and vice versa. At this point, many of those letters appear to be gone. Thus far we have been fortunate to have a sampling of some of the correspondence between Roscoe and the boys. There are more in the collection, but not all of them apparently survived. More of the ones from Roscoe than to him seemed to be preserved. We can thank Gladys for that. We can assume that the letters the boys received on this day where the ones Roscoe wrote on October 28th. To refresh your memory of the letters Roscoe wrote to the boys, click on the names: John or Mark.

V-mail, dated November 7, 1942

Letter transcription:

Lt. (JG) R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy SSA (White Poppy) MC
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland
Ind
11-7-42

Dear Daddy,

Sat. and 4 letters – two for me and one each for John & Mark. We have been getting your letters regularly and I think I have all you sent including the first. You said you rec’d my letter with David’s picture – but you didn’t comment on it. It may not be such a good picture but I did send several later that were we thought good. John and Mark have been writing to you but you evidently haven’t rec’d their letters. John is baking a cake and Mark is dusting this A.M. I don’t get much done mornings but take care of David – and mix his formulas. This A.M. he weighed 8-3 and he was 6 weeks old Wed (this is Sat) so he is almost averaging ½ lb a week. In case the letters don’t get to you I keep repeating his weight. He was just 6 – 3 ¼ at two weeks. I talked to Ira & he said he would write you again. So glad you are getting some mail now. Wish you could get all that was sent. I have sent both kinds. You should gets lots of letters & also Christmas boxes. This letter isn’t very newsy but I am writing in a hurry and tomorrow is Sun. and maybe I’ll have more time. I wrote a reg. letter yesterday and gave you a financial report.

Lots of Love
Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/03/november-7-1942-gladys/

Carbon Paper (Gladys)

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Before she was married, Gladys worked as a stenographer. After she married Roscoe, she continued to work as the family’s secretary. One tool of her trade was carbon paper. This is a term that has quickly gone by the wayside. Who uses carbon paper anymore? And based on some of the articles I came across while researching the origins of said paper, our youngest generations have no idea what carbon paper even is. For myself, I learned to type on a good, old-fashioned manual typewriter. When I went away to college, one of my going away gifts was an electric typewriter, not a computer. I didn’t get one of those until I was out of college, left graduate school and had been married several years. But I digress. By virtue of the fact that I know how to operate a typewriter, I know what carbon paper is and have used it on many occasions. Although not recently, and probably not in this century.

Gladys made duplicates of all her correspondence using carbon paper, except (as she mentions on November 6th) not the letters she wrote to Roscoe. We have it so easy these days with photocopiers, except of course when the machine is broken and then the world stops and everyone is screwed. Ever been in a teacher workroom, during recess and had to make a single copy for a class in a pinch before recess is over, only to discover that the copier is down? It’s not pretty. Over the years, Gladys used carbon paper to make duplicates, a practice that was passed down to her sons. This weekend as I was going through some of the OTHER folders of family correspondence, I chanced upon a particular letter of my father’s. In the 1970s, my father wrote a weekly letter to various family members and friends. At the end of that letter he wrote,

“I will continue to write my weekly letter. The original will go to my folks in West Lafayette, with copies, as usual to…”

And how did he manage this feat without a photocopier? With our trusty friend the carbon paper. For a little history on carbon paper, read here.

: November 6, 1942 Envelope

: November 6, 1942, p. 1

: November 6, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 6 – 1942

Dear Daddy,

Rec’d one letter this AM – the one telling me you had one letter dated Oct 9. If I had kept carbon copies I could send you duplicates of all the intervening ones, but what about your commission. I sent it air-mail as you directed. If I could remember some of the things I had written before. I also sent pictures – do hope you get them – Also hope you get your Christmas box – there are some good snap shots in it. I’ll mention your laundry again. I put something in besides laundry. I want it to be a surprise so if you get your laundry and there is anything else in the box you can let me know. If not you won’t be disappointed. It wasn’t anything of value but I thought you would get a “kick” out of it. I was glad you specified 5 to 7 oz a week weight gain for David. He has been doing about that – he still seems so tiny but makes a steady gain – takes his formula, cod liver oil and orange juice. He hasn’t too hearty an appetite but probably will get hungrier when he grows a little – “according to the chart” he should take 4 to 4 ½ oz per feeding every 4 hrs. He usually takes 4 oz – sometimes 3 ½ but he is so good – sleeps all night except for the 2 AM feeding and sleeps most of the day too. He is good when awake so surely he isn’t hungry and his stools indicate his food digests. His birth weight was 6-11 but he lost the 11 oz while cursing the breast. At two weeks he was 6-3 ¼ and at 6 weeks 8-2 so that shows he is making progress. He seems slow because Funk’s baby weighed nearly 13 lbs at 2 months (He was 8 – ¾ at birth) Helen & Carl Koon’s baby is another “overweight.’ He looks so fat and so much larger than David. The present formula is 10 oz carnation 18 oz water – 2 tbsp Dextri-Maltrose. That makes 28 oz for 24 hrs but he never takes the 28 oz. If he takes more than 4 oz at a time he throws up so he probably takes all his stomach can digest. I suppose when he develops more he will take more. He was on a 3 hr schedule but that was too often and he didn’t take each feeding as well as he does now. He is getting Mead’s Oleum Percomorphum (In case you don’t get the letter I told you about it) The bank balance is 825 and if I pay Physicians (30⁰⁰) Massengill (8.99) – Aloe (21.70) & Fa David 15⁰⁰ – will reduce it to 748 – that bal. includes my birthday gift. I haven’t had a chance to do any shopping since receiving it, but I haven’t been in a hurry to shop – I have been so busy taking care of David and trying to get house cleaning done and things back in the “groove,” I feel about normal again. I am still taking Liver & Vit B shots but think I’ll need them yet for a while. I am cleaning house with the help of John & Mark. They each have a bond and also David has one. J & M now have 25¢ stamp books and are to put a stamp in a week. Mother went to Cosmopolitan Club with Mrs. Zell this afternoon. She gets ‘blue’ if she doesn’t hear from Jim every so often. I told her she shouldn’t feel badly – at least he is where she could get to him if necessary and he is still in U.S.A. I don’t think she should go back to T.H. and be there alone – what with traveling being curtailed and gas rationing. It will soon be so one can’t travel by train or bus without a priority rating – that is the talk now and some of the busses have been taken off. But I will let her decide for herself.

[page 2] Seems I was too long winded for one sheet so will finish on this half. I am so glad I have kept the “Daily” letter habit. Someone said they couldn’t see that is did any good but if I hadn’t maybe you wouldn’t have gotten that one. The boys just came home from school and are gathering the clothes. They didn’t want to just now but it is getting damp out – and they won’t dry any more. It has been alternately sunny & cloudy today but the clothes didn’t dry well. Soon have to hang them in the basement. I got a perm. yesterday and while in the beauty shop one of your patients came in who owes 22⁰⁰. She didn’t seem to know me. I had just sent her a statement reminding her I wanted some money but haven’t had a reply – probably won’t get one. I sent out several statements last week but so far “no go,” (as Mark says). John brought home the script for their stunt so I will have to read it. After I read it maybe I can write you what they are going to do. That boys has a sense of humor that is “precious” – like his Dad – where as Mark is more like Floyd – his is the more obvious type – if you get what I mean. He still imitates radio characters with quite a relish.

I haven’t given you any outside news today – been too busy talking about us. You should be getting the Enterprise. Bart sends it – I got your “white poppy” just a little too late to put on your Christmas & Birthday boxes –

Love
Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/10/carbon-paper-gladys/ ‎

Tokyo Rose and Orphan Ann (Roscoe)

1 Reply

In this letter, Roscoe mentioned the attempts made by himself and his tent mates to listen to the news and some entertainment on the radio. They heard some Japanese propaganda over the airwaves. Today we know more about these broadcasts. The Japanese attempted to lower the morale of the American soldiers far from home. They played American music and they tried to manipulate the homesick boys. Several young, English speaking Japanese women were forced to broadcast under the pseudonyms of “Tokyo Rose” and “Orphan Ann.” The above audio clip is a small sample from an “Orphan Ann” broadcast. For more information about two of the real Japanese women involved in Japanese war propaganda who were captured after World War II, click here.

: November 6, 1942 Envelope

: November 6, 1942, p. 1

: November 6, 1942, p. 2

: November 6, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 6, 1942

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this in the middle of the P.M. Shortly after chow. I made the rounds saw my 27 patients (all male). Came back took a bath and am now flat on my back on the bunk with all sides of the tent up and only my trunks on – almost forgot – house slippers. The sun is hot out so it’s better to stay in the shade although a blanket and sheet is still necessary at night. In fact this must be climate very much like California. And I’ve been told it was a sort of a resort during normal times. Just raised up. I can’t write very well on my back.

I just wrote Ruth M. and may try to write another or two today. The Walkups & Allgoods is depends on my vim after I get this done. Got one letter this A.M. Yours of Sept. 1 wasn’t very interesting after getting all the latest later ones. It did recall though – on that day we came into harbor here and it was something to think back what you were doing at that time.

It sure doesn’t seem like fall of the year here and I can’t seem to realize that we are nearing the Christmas season. Of course, that is some time

[page 2] yet but it will be here before we realize it.

In Mom’s letter yesterday she told of how long it took my letters to come etc..and many of the boys say it takes only 8-10 days for their letters to get home. Hope you will give me the dope in that regard as I asked you the other days. So far my letters have been among the latest and the boys ask me how long it takes mine to get there and I can’t tell them.

The wind blew so hard last night it seemed the tent might not hold but so far we haven’t lost one although we do take a beating from the side flaps. It would seem all the mosquitoes would be bashed to death but apparently they just ride along on the waves. The netting keeps them away only once in a while one takes a nip before one retires into the sack.

Our news comes in well each night but the programs that are supposed to be very entertaining to the boys of the South West Pacific are not what I would call the best. In fact we generally try to get Japan to see what they are saying about us. It’s not bad entertainment in a crude sort of fashion. They sing “Home Sweet Home” at the beginning and end

[page 3] of their program and it doesn’t seem to have much affect on our moral coming from where it does – Stopped for a little engagement on the hillside. Guess I’ve been drinking too much beer.

Since I started it’s been an hour or two and it is now cloudy and the wind still blowing pretty hard. Looks like we might have some rain again.

Just noticed in the J.A.M.A. of the death of two of the Drs. we knew in Norfolk. They were in an airplane accident in Virginia. Seems strange that they there should have something like that happen. Right in the heart of U.S.A. but one never knows.

Hope you and the boys are making out OK. My biggest worry is the furnace. I’m afraid it will fill up and break one of the pin that feeds the coal in. The clinkers should be cleaned out well each day and that should be done when the furnace isn’t running. I always turned that thermostat on the front of the furnace back. That would stop it. Then hang something on the draft in the pipe to close it – that caused a draft and the smoke didn’t come out the fire door. Of course, one had to be careful to reverse the process when finished. So if you try to do those things yourself maybe that will help – but have someone come out about once each month and give it a real going over. Guess maybe the babes diapers will keep the moisture up.

Well, my space is all gone
Lots of Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/09/tokyo-rose-and…han-ann-roscoe/ ‎‎

Marines Face New Thrusts By Japanese (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Click to enlarge

Since Roscoe was not allowed to say what was going on around him, Gladys was most likely following the war over the radio waves and by reading the local papers. The above article was published in The Vidette-Messsenger (Valparaiso, Indiana) on November 4, 1942. Written by a UP reporter, the article was picked up by papers around the country, perhaps even the Newton County Enterprise, one of the papers that Gladys read regularly.

: November 5, 1942 Envelope

: November 5, 1942, p. 1

: November 5, 1942, p. 2

: November 5, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 5, 1942

Dear Mother,

What with eleven letters yesterday and 10 today I’m getting pretty well caught up. Those yesterday were all from you but today’s letters were varied. One from Mom, one from Walkup’s and one from Allgoods, but all those letters you told me about that were sent to me when David came have not arrived. So Mark calls the baby Davie – seems as if I’ve referred to him as the same, hope I haven’t put too much in Mark’s mind.

I sent you the radiogram I received the other day. Thought you might want to put it in David’s scrap book. I had to cut out one word so that it would pass the censor. You should have received something on that end because the thing needed a reply, but I turned it over to the Chaplin. So I’m not sure what he may have said. Sometimes I don’t trust them too far. I told him to say the word received OK. So anything else will be extra.

[page 2] You will note I haven’t bawled you out for what you haven’t written. I’m not going to. So far I haven’t received letters on Sept. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 18 and from 19 to 26. See from 19 to 26 I missed all the excitement then I haven’t received any from Oct 14 to Oct 23 but did get the Oct. 24 letter. So that brings me up to date pretty well. Some of those days are were probably Sun. and since you don’t write on Sun. there are bound to be a few days missing. I write every day Sun included. I can’t tell which is Sunday after it is past because of lack of calendar as I have told you – You don’t know how much they are missed until there isn’t one around.

I should have told you about wrapping packages. They should be wrapped extra good, because I’ve seen some come in that are in very poor condition. In fact just holding together and that is all. I’ve sent you two packages and you

[page 3] haven’t mentioned them. So I wonder if they arrived. It will take those much longer than air mail letters however.

We may have a change of address in a few days so if you don’t hear for several days you will know. There is nothing to worry about but just keep it in mind. Of course, we don’t know for sure but as I’ve said before even at Norfolk one didn’t know when his address might be changed.

Many of the fellows have Christmas packages already. Seems early but they really got here in time. It’s really very uncertain how and when to mail anything to have it arrive when it’s supposed to.

One of our boys was given the distinguished flying cross in a little affair we had here today. It was a swell thing for the kid and of course the first that I had ever seen. May we have more like him. I could say more but I can’t. Now what kind of talk is that.

I’ll save the rest of the space, got 2 V-mail letters dated Sept. 14 & Sept. 12. They aren’t good – but you might keep writing one or two per mo-

Love Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/08/marines-face-n…thrusts-roscoe/ ‎

David – Six weeks old (Gladys)

1 Reply

Today’s post features three pictures that were taken around November 4th and 5th, 1942 at David’s six week mark. He is being held by his grandmother Emma Foster.

Letter transcription:

V-mail, dated November 5, 1942

LT (JG) R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy SSA (White Poppy)
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland
Ind
11-5-42

Dear Daddy-

Thurs. and no mail but maybe several will come tomorrow. I have an appointment to get a perm this afternoon at 2:30 David is 6 weeks old so feel like I can leave him with Mother long enough to get a much needed curl. At present he is asleep but acts like he is going to wake up. It is raining and windy today – real fall weather. I scanned over the paper to see the election returns. Cliff was defeated – seems everything went Rep. except one Township Trustee. This year the 7 & 8^th grades get to put on a stunt for stunt night. John has a leading role in the 7^th grade class. He has tickets to sell – was complaining because even the “players” have to buy tickets. I think Mark has been getting into a little trouble with his teacher from some of the things he says. He and some other boys threw spit wads in music class and were sent out. His grades were all pretty good so he evidently didn’t bother the teacher too much. I think he doesn’t care so much for this teacher as he did his 1, 2 & 3 grade teachers. He is doing much better now otherwise. Doesn’t seem so nervous. He & John are both taking oral vaccine for colds. However John did develop a slight case of laryngitis but it didn’t last long. I am still giving myself liver once a week and Vit B once each week. I feel I still need it – tho I am feeling much better. Hope you get your birthday box & cards.

Love
Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/07/november-5-1942-gladys/

Red Cross Radiogram (Roscoe)

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Red Cross radiogram, dated November 2, 1942

On October 29^th, Gladys wrote that Bob Hufty had decided to take the matter in hand to get Roscoe the news of David’s birth. Bob contacted the Red Cross to expedite the message’s delivery to New Caledonia. It worked, and pretty fast too! Included in the envelope with Roscoe’s November 4^th letter was the Red Cross radiogram. The message took only 3 days to reach Roscoe. In his next letter, Roscoe explained why he sent the radiogram home with the November 5^th letter, so stay tuned.

: November 4, 1942 Envelope

: November 4, 1942, p. 1

: November 4, 1942, p. 2

: November 4, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Nov. 4, 1942

Dear Mother,

Things looked up today – got eleven letters from you, but none from anyone else. Most of them in the early part of Sept, but the two latest were Oct. 24 & 25 so that makes them only about 10 days old. As far [as] I know you are not receiving any letters from me because we you never mention the fact. Only once have you said one word about my letters coming to you. Aren’t you getting any or are you just forgetting to mention them? You told me you received the money orders and one time you said you had received 14 letters up to Oct 1, but since then you haven’t said one word. How about it? I shouldn’t be that way because you probably have said in the missing letters but it is a little vexing.

I didn’t know anything about Mark and his horn business you said something but I thought he was trying on the old horn. I would much prefer that he have a horn to a Uyke. In fact if you haven’t bought one by now – I wouldn’t anyway until spring

[page 2] because he couldn’t use it this winter and we can see more how things are by spring. Tell him I suggested he wait until spring. I’m in favor of the horn, however, we spend money on John but none on Mark. If he has a horn that can be blown give him lessons that is if the money supply seems to hold out. A few private lessons might help. At least a trial wouldn’t be out of order and a little money expended on him is in order.

I don’t mean to be bossy in what I’ve said of mail etc but I’m trying to do the best I can from here. I still love you as much as ever and am as much concerned as ever of yours and the boys welfare I should say even more so concerned.

Your letters today told of the Christmas package, the clothes of Norfolk, and the pictures of Lentz. I wish you hadn’t sent the clothes but I guess you have and I’m afraid a Christmas package will be in bad shape but that[s] OK. Send the pictures of Lentz’s and I’ll try to get part of the $1.35. Did you ever get the film I had taken here?

Even with the letter today I still have a space of from Sept 11 to about Oct 6 but the Oct 24 & 25 letters sure help.

[page 3]I’ll be expecting news of letters and of the finances. I’m very glad to hear of the family and pleased that you are able to be up and around and sorta boss the situation. I can’t tell you to hire too much done because I don’t know if you have any money or not. Yo I don’t even know if you got an allotment check for you never have said so. I’ve harped on this in so many letters you’ll think I’ve gone dippy, but I haven’t.

I told you of the uniform money. It may come to you direct and may be in 2 checks which is OK. I told this the other day but just in case-

Well, I save a little space for late developments – Just got another letter don’t sell the microscope. It isn’t worth much but I can have it gone over and put into good condition. They wouldn’t give anything what it is worth to me.

Hope I haven’t been too critical and forgive me-

Love
Daddy

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/06/red-cross-radiogram-roscoe/