Tag Archives: Navy 133

Nothing New (Lentz)

V-mail, dated March 15, 1944

Letter transcription:

From:
E.T. Lentz
Comdr. (mc) USNR
Navy 133 BH4
FPO San Francisco Calif.
Mar. 15, 44

To:
Lt. R.S. Yegerlehner (MC) U.S.N.R.
Kentland
Indiana

Hello Junior – Nothing new in medical staff, still intact except three promotions – Andy, Cath & myself as you can see by return address.

Well – by today you should have arrived and I imagine it was a momentous day when you set foot on U.S. continent. We were all thinking about you and several of us have gone so far as to say we miss “Yegie.” Maybe, I’ll be seeing you soon.

Your laundry was sent as promised and you should get it by ’45.

My extracurricular activities have not been deterred, am playing golf as much as ever but not better. Received 18 golf balls (12 were reprocessed – just like new).

Write when you can –
Regards,
Ed

John W. made it
Porterfield also
See Alnav

[Editor’s note: ALNAV was a bulk communication and messaging system used by the Navy, a form of which is still in use today.]

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/19/nothing-new-lentz/

Change of Duty (Roscoe)

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Change of Duty orders, dated February 26, 1944

Roscoe received his orders to return to the United States on February 26, 1944. The journey would take a few weeks. Before he left Wellington, he presumably sent a cable home to Indiana as he makes reference to one in a v-mail written on February 27th. The cable has not currently been located, if it still exists. The first stop on the way home was to the north, in Auckland, New Zealand.

V-mail Number One (Roscoe)

1 Reply

February 25, 1944 V-mail

Letter transcription:

LT R.S. YEGERLEHNER (MC) USNR
NAVY 133 BASE HOSP #4
F.P.O. SAN FRANCISCO CALIF
2-25-44

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA USA

Dear Mother,

This is V-mail number one conforming with the wishes of the postal department. It seems to be a good idea if everyone will oblige. I’m just as anxious to receive your v-mail or air mail but I do hate writing them. Possibly after I’ve written a few it won’t be so bad. Your v-mail dated 2-11 came today and it really was a treat to be informed of snow and snow drifts, but I do hope it won’t keep up too long.

I’m looking forward to the picture Bart put in the paper for it must be a wow. I’ve seen the pictures he has printed of the Beagley boys and the Rowe boy and I can’t say so much for the artistic work of the Newton Co. E.

Maybe tomorrow I can write another air mail so solong
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/28/v-mail-number-one-roscoe/

Write More V-Mail (Roscoe)

1 Reply

February 24, 1944 envelope

February 24, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 24, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m writing a little early today and hoping that mail will arrive later, and writing of mail there is a notice out that we may be restricted to two letters per week. That is air mail letters and we are also encour informed to tell people at home to write more v-mail. So if you begin to get v-mail from me you will know the reason and possibly it would be a good idea if you used a few more. My excuse for not writing v-mail is very good. I don’t have any forms and cannot remember to get any when I’m around where they have them but if I

February 24, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] have to I guess I can make an extra trip.

One of the fellows today was chewing the fat and went into great detail in telling me how lucky I was to be here where it is nice and warm rather than back in Ind. where the winds are cold, probably slush on the ground and flu all around. My only reaction to that was Bull Dickey and I still think I’m right. Of course I’ll have to admit that a few of his points were well taken in so far as the weather is concerned but further than that I can’t agree. In fact I think he didn’t even agree with himself but was just idle conversation.

Just stopped long enough to open a coke, only my second so far today

February 24, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] but probably not be the last as I generally have one somewhere near bedtime and they don’t keep me awake. Probably would if I went to bed early but as a rule it’s near 1200. A habit gotten into at home – partially broken on the islands but restored when reading was again possible.

You probably have read about the Bush fires in Australia – well they have them here also but they are not so destructive as in Australia but bad enough for pasture land is often destroyed. They are sure a weird sight at night, almost beautiful. Maybe those two words don’t fit in any description but that is about the best way I can describe a mountain side burning.

February 24, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] I have to watch a group of corpsmen for an hour this P.M. while they take their exams for higher rating. It really isn’t my regular job but one of the fellows wanted to be off so I told him I’d take over for a time. It means just being there so the boys won’t cheat much. I gave enough of those exams before so I’m glad that that is not one of my duties here – too much like teaching school and if I’d wanted to stay with that I wouldn’t e here, but I’m here so why teach. That may be mixed a little but you probably get what I mean.

I’ll add a P.S. if mail –
Love Daddy

P.S. a Nov. Reader’s Digest came

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/27/write-more-v-mail-roscoe/

O’Shaunnessy (Roscoe)

1 Reply

February 23, 1944 envelope

February 23, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 23, 1944

Dear Mother,

After having a battle lasting a good five minutes with some huge flies maybe I can write. These flies are the super bomber type, very much like the ones we see around home in the early spring and since screens are unheard of in New Zealand we just have to swat them with newspapers, etc. One can’t rest unless they are downed because they buzz peck on the window, ceiling or bulkhead – well you know how it is.

I didn’t say anything about the pictures by way of explanation but I guess there wasn’t much to say. The overseas cap I had one was borrowed and

February 23, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] my blue suit looked as if I had slept in it but I hadn’t. It really hadn’t been pressed in a long while. The one picture of myself I thought best was the one when I was sitting in the doorway. Really I think that one flatters me and it doesn’t look too good at that.

I’ve forgotten the name of our show tonite but someone told me it was a story with a setting in a South Sea Isle. That should really be good. I believe it was Rosie. Said he had seen it before he left the states. Possibly I should have explained or maybe I did – Rosie is short for Rosenberg and the latter name speaks for itself but we get along OK, strange as it seems. There are so many Irish people around here that instead of calling me by my real name I have been dubbed O’Shaunnessy and when someone calls out that name I know who they mean,

February 23, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] some fun wouldn’t you say? I think Bob’s wife started that in the first place with a name like McReynold and O’Donnell she thought that would be more proper. She comes out rather frequently for evening chow but he goes to town of course more frequently.

Later after the show – It was a leak out. Had its beginning in England, its middle in a South Sea Isle. A very beautiful girl on the South Sea Island and that is a downright falsehood. Maybe for those who don’t know it makes good entertainment but I’ve been around some and I know where of I speak, and I might add New Zealand with the Isles. However, I haven’t probed into the inner sanctum sanctorum for beauties but seeing the rank and file of the streets I have seen no prize winners. In fact not none that would even equal you. Is that flattery or what?

February 23, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] Anyone here over I’d say 25-30 has false choppers. These people are very notorious for their poor teeth and of course they all say it’s due to a lack of minerals but I think it’s the age old custom of tea 4-5 times each day. Always, along with the tea, they have cakes, so you see sweets play a very prominent part and I have a feeling that that starts at a very early age. And of course it is a prenatal habit which must have some bearing on the child.

Just think only 6 more days in Feb. Surely something will come thru before long but several of us have been thinking that for so long now that it has become almost an obsession with us.

Well Dear we will just keep the chin up and know that love will find the way.
Lots of Love
Daddy

P.S. There was no mail today.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/25/oshaunnessy-roscoe/

Photographs (Roscoe)

1 Reply

February 22, 1944 envelope

February 22, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 22, 1944

Dear Mother,

This being the 22^nd we did have the turkey as I said yesterday. It was roasted – cranberry sauce also but you know – That didn’t appeal so much as one might imagine I mean to me. Anyway I had plenty to eat without that sauce. Cherry pie also but I also passed that up. In fact all I ate was some mashed potatoes and turkey. Not much variety but plenty of it.

Our continued warm weather still holds on and it has been trying to rain most of the day but so far a little sprinkle is all that has been forthcoming.

February 22, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] A few hours later – Had to go up on the compound and I wasn’t in any particular hurry with this letter hoping that some mail might arrive but no such luck so far. It’s about 4:00 PM and about that time. I believe we are more anxious for mail now then we were a year or a year and a half ago. I guess we didn’t know what to expect then but after mail comes regular it’s a little hard to understand why it doesn’t keep coming. Well it’s not hard to know why but it is hard not to get it. The mail topic really come in for its share of the letter today – almost ½ page. Something has to be used to fill up the space and really I can think of no better subject.

I’m going to try to get the pictures today that Rosie and I had taken last week,

February 22, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] provided I can get into town. That after all is a real problem with us. I can’t explain just why but the trams, buses, etc., don’t exactly do like they do in the States and we are a little distance away. I’ll try to write the rest after I see if we get the pictures.

Later – I got the pictures OK but due to a misunderstanding there was only one print made of each so Rosie and I will have to toss to see who will get to send which. I’ll try to send those of me by myself and later send the remainder when we have other prints made. I think one or two of them are fair of me and also of him but you won’t be able to tell of course whether his are good or not.

To have a roll of films developed and one print made of each cost 2/11 which

February 22, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] adds up roughly to 42 to 45 cents. That as I remember is about the same as back there unless they were sent to some of those quarter joints we used to send them to.

While in town I went to the show “Above Suspicion.” I’d say it was only a fair show but I hadn’t seen it before and it was a little different getting away from the compound for a while.

Well it’s getting well onto bed time so after I show Rosie the pictures in the A.M. I’ll insert one or two for your approval –

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/23/photographs-roscoe/

Wish I Had Some News (Roscoe)

1 Reply

February 21, 1944 envelope

February 21, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 21, 1944

Dear Mother,

There was a little mail today but none for me. It was dated the same as mine was last week so really I’m ahead because mine was about 3-4 days earlier than theirs. So much for mail – we’ll hit one of these days again.

Tomorrow being Geo. Wash. birthday we are supposed to have turkey in some form. I noticed on the menu it was turkey, candy, cigarettes, etc. Of course the natives aren’t well acquainted with our holidays nor are we with theirs. As I understand their holidays come mostly on Sat. or Mon. so they can make a weekend of the whole thing. I’ve never been in on any of those affairs so I don’t know

February 21, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] how long they last. I have been to their horse races as I probably told you. It reminded me of a big over grown county fair with betting of course legalized. Yes I bet and dropped a few shillings but that helps pay the tax so I just contributed about $2.00 in round numbers. Service men get special passes to the races – all free so it was work $2.00 just to get into the place. Of course everybody takes tea along and here and there among the cars one can see many picnic lunches spread and someone getting a bucket of hot water from someplace to make tea.

The races have been cut down much since the war – now they are generally held on two successive Saturdays but before the war a full week of racing – each day.

February 21, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] You just knew it was coming someplace in the letter – you guessed it. There is nothing more to offer on the 18 mo. business. We still do a good job of talking and wondering but nothing happens.

Rosie my Jewish friend told me today it was 18 months ago today that he last saw his wife so evidently she didn’t go to the port of embarkation with him either. This is also an anniversary for me it being one year ago today that we landed in our new home. The situation sure has changed both for me and the war in general. This eve we had good fried lamb chops and last year I don’t remember but it was something prepared with a can opener or probably just a plain hunting knife because I don’t remember having a huntin can opener.

February 21, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] The radio is just now blasting out with “My Old Ky Home.” Last night we were able to get Jack Benny – That was the first time I’d heard him in a long time. Possibly you have heard the program. Jack it seemed had purchased a swimming pool and the whole episode was about that.

Yesterday and today have been two of the hottest days we have had. I think I mentioned in yesterday’s note about the heat. Maybe I’m just used to being out of the tropics and am a little used to cooler weather – anyway it’s been warm.

Well Dear I sure wish I had some news for you about the 18 mo. I’m really getting the urge to get out of this place and of course the urge is in the direction of Indiana –

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/21/wish-i-had-some-news-roscoe/

Slip of a Letter (Roscoe)

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February 20, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Sunday

Dear Mother,

This being Sunday I’ll just slip this in with Sat. letter. The two heavy sheets of paper of yesterday’s letter make almost enough for on letter’s worth but this small bit shouldn’t make any difference.

Since there isn’t anything to write about but the weather will start out by saying it was a little cloudy todo this A.M. and cleared later in the day and was I believe one of the warmest days I’ve seen. Really it was warm enough to go to the seashore but it’s too far to walk hence I didn’t go. We do have a river fairly near but it’s too cold most of the time and there are too many big rocks which makes it too hard on the feet.

Well, my space is short and subject matter is shorter – so solong.
Love Daddy

February 20, 1944 envelope

Meanwhile, likely unbeknownst to Roscoe, new orders were being written…..

Something of Interest (Roscoe)

1 Reply

February 18, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

February 18, 1944, p. 1

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 18, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this at about 10 PM. Had the duty today and went to see the show “Bambi” and now that I have settled down – got a coke before me and after having read the Kentland Democrat and Newton Co. E., the only mail today, maybe I can write something of interest I hope.

I now have two Newton Co. E.’s and two Democrats to pass along to Mulligan. I’ve been giving him a pretty good supply in the past week.

I just happened to think – In one of your letters not so long ago

February 18, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] you mentioned that the Lontz boy was still in N.C. I feel sorry for him – staying in that one awful place for so long. It isn’t so bad there but it sure would get under my skin to not move around more than that. Of course I could settle in one place in the U.S.A. but if I have to be out I’d I sure like to be moving. No moss for me and you know – the rolling stone. Maybe that doesn’t sound like me and it really wasn’t like me there but things are different here.

I think one time several months ago I wrote a letter using appreciation as the basis. That increases as time goes along. I believe I appreciate you, family, and home more now than ever. The two years away have certainly been long

February 18, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] and cruel but they certainly have served a purpose in so far as bringing out the appreciation for you, home & friends. Maybe I’m all wet but had I been home all this time I believe we would have appreciated each other less than at present.

Maybe the above all sounds silly but I sure don’t mean it that way. It’s really hard to put into a letter just how one really does feel at least it’s hard for me to do so.

I guess you really put me in the Dog House with our neighbor Zell. It seems you at some time or other mentioned to him how I felt about County Agents who didn’t take their trade too seriously and he doubted if he were in the “good grace” of our family especially me. Just

February 18, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] how strong did you make it? I still think I’m a little right about one of them who ran for the good old Earth when he felt it would keep him from Uncle Sam’s army. Too good to be a farmer at one time, but too fine when it isn’t serving too much of a purpose. That may sound silly also but I did have a point to make. And please explain to Mr. Zell that it’s not his profession in general but only the exceptions. I know he was just kidding and I got a kick out of the whole affair – Just as I hope you do out of the question I asked at the top of this page.

Dear it’s my bed time so good night
Love Daddy

Not Expecting Mail Today (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: February 17, 1944 envelope

: February 17, 1944, p. 1

: February 17, 1944, p. 2

: February 17, 1944, p. 3

: February 17, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner (MC) USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 17, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m really not expecting any mail today so I’ll write early. If mail does come it will be a huge surprise since we have been treated so kindly in that respect in the past few days.

You mentioned in your letter about talking to Mrs. R. on the phone and that Joe had begun to doubt the 18 mo. Well you know what I’ve said all along however some say that that is 18 mo. counted from the landing time out here. If that be the case mine will be up on Mar. 1. Which isn’t very far away – but there are

[page 2] a few here now past due so it’s a good talking point even tho it so far hasn’t been too much of an actual fact. I know personally 3 Drs. who have gone back after 18 mo. but I know several more than that who have more than that right now – so draw your own conclusions and keep fingers crossed, chin up and stuff.

We each have a mirror in our room about 15 in. by 20 in. and somehow it seems to be fashion to stick pictures around the edge of the mirror. I have 5 of D., 3 of you and one each of John & Mark. That is a little misleading about D. In 3 of those 5 you also appear. I also have two of the house. One in summer and one in winter. It’s just a fad but

[page 3] I sorta like it pretty much. One of yours is an old one where you are standing by the front door with your new coat. Another is where you are holding D. on the front step and the other is where you are down beside the baby buggy with only D.’s head sticking out – he is on his stomach. The others are just pictures of the boys. I think I’ll keep changing them from time to time because there are more good pictures that those in my picture collection.

– Got my laundry back today. One khaki shirt, one pair of pants, 5 underware trunks and 4 handkerchiefs 6/6. In round numbers very near $1.10. A little high but I guess I can stand it now and then. The trunks we are nice and white

[page 4] so next week I’ll send the most yellow of the bunch again. Another thing that is a little confusing here is their unit of weight. A stone – a stone is 14 pounds. In other words I weigh 10 stone 9 pounds. When we were on our trip we wanted to fly a part of the way and were allowed so many stones of weight instead of pounds. Their scales read in stones and pounds – which to me is a lot of confusion but I guess they don’t mind.

It is now 2:30 and the New Zealanders who are working on the lawn have dropped tools and on their way to tea. They will all be back in about ½ hour – seems funny but I gues they like it.

Well, I guess I’ve wandered far enough –
Love Daddy

P.S. a letter came from Mr. Zell