Tag Archives: Navy 133

Starter Offer (Gladys)

1 Reply

 

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Nov. 8 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Oct. 31 & Nov. 1 in one envelope rec’d today. In one of your previous letters you omitted the Navy 133 so you may not get a few of those letters. I had the letter I wrote yesterday ready to go out but didn’t get it mailed so will put it in with this and add 133 to the envelope.

Winter is upon us in full force today. It isn’t so cold as it looks and sounds but chilly enough for a “starter offer’ for winter. The temp. in Chicago this a.m. was around freezing. It has been spitting a little snow, we have had a little sunshine, and lots of high wind.

Art Kenney finally got out to see me. He is in the Marines

[page 2] now. Was transferred to a Malaria control unit & wears the forest green uniform that looks more like an officer – (He is Petty O. 1st Class now), than the white & blue middies. I think he likes the Marine uniform better than he did the other. He says they are getting ready to go out & is pretty certain it will be the S.W. Pacific. Wishes he had been sent on foreign duty right at first and have that much over with. Would like to see you out there if he gets out before you come back. However I think he would gladly forego such a pleasure to see you get home. He says the 18 mo. tour of duty for S.W. Pacific is correct. I hope I am not building upon that for a let down. He told me that a contingent of Marines that were first sent out are back in N.C. where he is stationed and that they were sent to New Zealand

[page 3] first before coming back here.

This is the first day this fall I have hung clothes in the basement but the weather is so uncertain outside (and too cold for me) that I did what I thought sensible. Last fall we hung things out until Thanksgiving day – which by the way is on your Birthday this year. You won’t get much from us this year for your birthday – we have all sent cards but you may not get them in time. I have a roll of film to finish taking – I thought I would take them for David’s 14th mo. then send you the pictures. Maybe you will get them for Christmas. Anyway you know we are all wishing you a happy birthday.

I am having a little difficulty with John about wearing something on his head. No one else at school wears anything and he doesn’t

[page 4] want to either. I told him if he gets a cold & passes it around he won’t be very popular around here. Last year their coach told them to wear long underwear & he thought that was good advice – I wish someone like that would suggest headwear now. He did consent to wear his fingertip coat this morning. I asked him at noon how cold it was and he said “cold,” like it really was but says it’s not cold enough to wear anything on his head.

I hear Jimmy Staton – He must have been turned loose – It rained most all day yesterday so he had to stay in. I think Bobby must be out too. Jimmy, Bobby & Martha Zell make a trio. The Zell girls all are tomboys & can make as much noise anytime as boys.

Your letter came 6₵ due this am.
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/30/starter-offer-gladys/

Those Blasted Coconuts (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133, F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 7, 1943

Dear Mother,

Sunday P.M. and I enjoyed a long walk with a couple of other officers. It sure was a relief to see something other than those blasted cocoanut trees and the rolling land is a little more interesting than at the last place. To see paved roads, trains, street cars and autos even thought they drive on the other sided side of the road is a relief which is hard to explain. And another thing, which is different than the above, is fresh milk. I often drink two glasses per meal which you know is unusual for me. All the above sounds more than somewhat like a kid and I’ll probably be “ranting” along those lines for some time.

Mail comes thru to this place about the same as other areas out here but due to this address shifting of mine I’ll probably be a few days behind. V-mail might be a little faster here that at other places but don’t write too much of it – just keep the ratio about as you have in the past. I certainly or should answer

[page 2] lots of letters but it seems about as hard to write from here as from my former home.

You should have that second bunch of flowers which I requested a fellow to send. I’m sure he will send them but I’m not sure of when he will be there. You probably have them by now – I hope.

I almost forgot – today while on that walk I saw some very beautiful Iris and Tulips in full bloom, and strange as it seems they look just like the ones we have back there even though they are about six months late.

I’m having my blue suit cleaned & pressed tomorrow and the extra gold put on the arm. There were no bugs in it but it sure was needed pressing. It’s really cold enough to wear them here and it is we are also required to wear them if we go into town in the Eve. Of course, so far I’ve had no business there but might take in a show now and then to help pass away the time.

Here’s hoping you and the kids are OK.
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/29/those-blasted-coconuts-roscoe/

Settled Again (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133, F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 6, 1943

Dear Mother,

Now that I’m settled again I should be able to write on schedule. At least I’ll try.

Things here are so much different than at the last place but in a short time everything should work out all right. The cold weather here is fine and after the initial shock I’m really going to enjoy it lots. Persons around here say that it is much warmer than a few weeks or months ago but it sure seems cold to me. In fact I’ve had the radiator turned on full blast in my room continuously.

Needless to say no mail has arrived as yet and I’ll be surprised if any does come for a week or 10 days. Your Oct. 10. Letter was the last I received and it came on Oct. 24 so I’m just about one month behind.

Yesterday I sent a cable to you – hoping it would be faster than any letter but I’m told that those are sometimes very slow so if this gets there first I’ll know not to cable anymore.

Living quarters, food, etc. here are the best I’ve had and I’m sure the work will be more pleasant but that remains to be seen. More about that later

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/27/settled-again-roscoe/

Greetings (Roscoe)

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[Editor’s note: Roscoe did not write on November 5, 1943, but he did send a ‘cable’ or telegram. This telegram has perplexed me for many months. Gladys wrote November 10th on it which was likely the day she received it. On the envelope is penciled 1942? Apparently, years later, she could not remember which year she had received it. On November 4, Roscoe left Auckland, New Zealand at 1530. He traveled by “rail” overnight. At 0825 on the morning of November 5, Roscoe arrived at his final destination – Wellington, New Zealand, his “travel completed.”]

Oceania Map annotated

 

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/25/greetings-roscoe/

Still Traveling (Roscoe)

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[Editor’s note: Roscoe did not write on November 3, 1943 as he was traveling. He departed Noumea at 0700. This time he flew via Gov’t Air and departed from Tontouta airport. According to his personal Navy papers, he was a Priority Three South. He was limited to 65 lbs. of baggage. His destination was Auckland, New Zealand where he arrived at 1530. Roscoe departed Auckland at 1530 the following day (11/4).]

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133 USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
Nov. 4, 1943

Dear Mother,

You probably will note an unsteady hand to this writing since I’m practically a frozen mass. The transformation from there to here has been a decided one and I think as far as temperature is concerned a pleasant one as soon as I get accustomed to it. I’m still traveling but should be settled in a day or two. I missed writing yesterday but from now on should get back on schedule.

As yet I’m not sure of censorship so must be a bit on the non committal side until I find what the requirements and regulations are like.

My mail to you should come thru about as usual but due to that error of mine in giving you that incorrect address I’ll probably not get any mail for some time. At least I’ll keep writing.

Love Daddy

Oceania Map annotated

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/23/still-traveling-roscoe/

Awaiting Transportation (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner
Ba U.S.N. Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Nov. 1, 1943

Dear Mother,

Happy birthday – I sure wish I could do better but can see nothing better at present.

I’m still kicking around here and will be for a few days awaiting transportation.

Yesterday when I wrote you I was at a rest camp and it really was fine. I wasn’t there for the rest cure however but just as a visitor.

My poor rear felt happy yesterday because I was given a ride in a fine new

[page 2] Plymouth Sedan – yes just like one we see back there – a most welcome change from the Jeep, etc. Things around here seem almost State Side a big improvement over last year at this time. Seems I miss out on things but I sure am glad I’ve been here in the area as long as I have. I’d hate to be just starting as so many I meet but they are fresh and full of the stuff. I’m not run down but I’m ready for a vacation which I hope will come in the not too distant future but I still have my fingers crossed as to the time. I think I’m going to enjoy

[page 3] where I’m going because if will be so different.

Just had some conversation with some fellow officers – Different from that that we used to have but never the less time consuming and thought breaking up.

I have several things to do so must get busy so I’ll be ready – will try to get a letter out each day from now on as nearly as possible –
Love Daddy

Oceania Map annotated

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/18/awaiting-transportation-roscoe/