Moffett Field | Genealogy Lady

On July 30, 1942, my grandfather flew to San Francisco from Chicago. I am betting that this is probably the first time he ever flew on a plane. In his later years, he wrote that he had never left the boundaries of his native county until after he graduated from high school. I don’t know how far from Clay County he actually traveled before 1942. He definitely traveled to neighboring Terre Haute and to the University of Indiana at Bloomington where he received his Bachelor’s Degree and his medical training. He had possibly traveled to Chicago to visit his Uncle Wes at some point as well. But I doubt he had ever left the Indiana and Illinois section of the country until he was assigned to Norfolk in 1942. And I seriously doubt he had ever ridden in an airplane until July 30, 1942.

St. Francis Hotel, Union Square, San Francisco

Since I have lived in California for almost 20 years at this point, and I consider San Francisco to be in my neighborhood, I am curious about the next chapter of the letters written while my grandfather was at Moffett Field. When he was ordered to report to California and Cub 13, the unit was still being assembled. Part of his orders included the direction “for duty in connection with the establishment of Cub 13”. Cub 13 was not planned by the Navy. Cubs 1-12 had been scheduled to be assembled throughout 1942 with 3 new cubs being established every quarter. My grandfather was stationed at Moffett for about two weeks before they finally shipped out to the Pacific. Moffett Field is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay near San Jose. Moffett was originally constructed by the Navy but in 1931 it was designated an Airbase. When World War II erupted, control of the base was returned to the Navy. Moffett Field has had many designations over the years. Today, Moffett is the home of the NASA Ames Research Center and goes by the name of Moffett Federal Airfield.

If you are familiar with San Francisco, you may recognize the name of the hotel my grandfather stayed in his first night in the city. For a former farm boy from rural Indiana, I am sure San Francisco was quite the experience. My grandparents traveled to San Francisco many times together in their later years. My uncle John eventually grew up and made his home there, where he died in 2011.

Oh, and guess who also ended up in California with my grandfather?

_________________________

: July 30, 1942 Envelope

: July 30, 1942, p. 1

: July 30, 1942, p. 2-3

: July 30, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

July 30

Dear Mother-

It is not 9:00 P.M. here and I suppose and hope you are sleeping soundly. The plane was late leaving Chicago and they thought they might have to put me off at Omaha but they didn’t so as I said in the telegram we got here about 7:00 P.M. Then we came into town by air line bus and he had to deliver all over town and also when we got here my small bag was gone but now I have that

(page 2) all straightened out. Lentz was not to be found. He hadn’t been here so far as they were able to tell me at the desk.

And get this-The first thing I had to do was change into my blues. Just got them on and ready to get something to eat. There wasn’t a sailor whit who wasn’t in blue. Khaki was not no where to be seen on anyone but me so rather than be shot for a foreigner I thought I’d better change.

(page 3) I believe I like the train better. It was so rough I am jarred from head to toe I believe my womb[?] is down some (huh). I ate two meals on the plane but they didn’t fill very much.

Well when I come back from eating I may write more depending upon how tired and how far I have to go to eat.

Well ate and now about ready for bed-I’m plenty tired for some reason or other. Don’t know yet exactly what I do tomorrow about finding the place. I

(page 4) inquired and its about 30 miles out yet, but the bus goes past the past. I’ll probably have lots more to write you tomorrow eve.

I’m awful sleepy just now

So love Daddy

P.S. If you do write address it in care of Moffett field but you might hold off until you get tomorrow’s letter-Silly I guess the way I’m writing this but I’m sleepy.

Notes:

If you didn’t catch the name on the hotel stationary, my grandfather stayed at the historic St. Francis Hotel at Union Square his first night in San Francisco.

http://www.westinstfrancis.com/our-history

Roscoe with his wife Gladys and their sons, John & Mark (circa July 1942 in Kentland, Indiana)

So the question is…what happened next? Did Roscoe return to Norfolk to receive his detachment orders or did he stay in Kentland until he was expected to report to Moffett Field in California on July 31^st. If it were me, I would have picked up the phone and inquired whether or not I actually had to return to Norfolk, just to turn around and leave again.

The telegram did clearly state “leave canceled, return to Norfolk immediately.” So after taking care of some business in Kentland, Roscoe most likely began his journey back to Norfolk. The next question is…did Gladys go with him. On June 10, 1946, my grandparents received a payment of $36 for the “reimbursement for the transportation of dependent (wife), for travel performed from Norfolk, Virginia to Kentland, Indiana, incident to change of station orders dated July 17, 1942”. This would indicate to me that my grandmother did accompany my grandfather back to Norfolk. Did they take the train? Did they drive the car to Norfolk and back? Why would they be reimbursed for the travel almost 4 years later? Did my grandmother leave by herself on the train and travel back to Kentland alone? When…What… Why???? And to make things even more confusing there is a statement of travel from my grandfather that states he left Norfolk at 1900 hours on July 23, 1942 and arrived at Moffett Field, Calif. at 1145 on July 31, 1942. This would imply that he left Kentland as soon as he had his power of attorney notarized on the 22^nd and high tailed it back to Norfolk by the quickest method of travel possible. If he did go back to Norfolk, he was probably able to pick up any personal items he might have left at Mrs. Evans’ boarding house and perhaps he was even able to retrieve some of his truant laundry.

After leaving Norfolk, my grandfather most likely returned to Kentland until he was required to leave for Moffett Field. At some point during the second half of July in Kentland, the family took some pictures.

Transcription of initial change of duty:

July 17, 1942

Navy Department

Bureau of Navel Personnel

Washington, D.C.

From: The Chief of Naval Personnel.

To: Lieutenant (jg) Roscoe S. Yegerlehner, MC-V (S), U.S.N.R., Naval Training Station Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Va.

Via: Commandant, Fifth Naval District

Subject: Change of Duty

When directed by the Commandant, Fifth Naval District, in July, 1942, you will regard yourself detached from Va., and from such other duty as may have been assigned you; will proceed to Moffett Field, Calif., and report to the Commanding Officer, Cub 13, at the Naval Air Station, for the duty in connection with the establishment of Cub 13, for duty with the Base Section, Cub 13, for duty with that unit when established, and for duty outside the continental limits of the United States.
Report also by letter to the Commandant, Twelfth Naval District, for this duty.
You are hereby authorized to delay until July 31, 1942, in reporting in obedience to these orders.
Keep the Bureau of Naval Personnel and your new station advised of your address.
This delay will count as leave. Upon the commencement of the leave you will immediately inform this bureau of the exact date and upon the expiration thereof, you will return the attached form, giving the dates of commencement and expiration.
The cost of this travel is chargeable to “Pay, Subsistence and Transportation”.

RANDALL JACOBS [his signature]