Tag Archives: Navy 224

Everything Excepting David (Gladys)

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: July 2, 1943 envelope

: July 2, 1943, p. 1

: June 2, 1943, p. 2-3

: June 2, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 2 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but had June 21 – 22 & 23 this week. Some are still enroute earlier than those but they will come – they always do. It is still chilly enough to have heat in the house. The fire went out last nite so had to clean the furnace & start a fire this morning to get wash water hot. I want to take Mother down to Dr. M. this afternoon. Would have this

[page 2] morning but didn’t get around in time. David didn’t wake up till 7 a.m. so that made his next meal come at 11 – by the time I got him taken care of it was getting on past 11:30 and I didn’t want to go in so late before the noon hour. Everything (excepting David) is so quiet around here with J. & M. gone – the Zell’s gone – and Jimmy kept inside. Mrs. James is getting ready to go stay with Margaret a while – She is expecting her baby any time. She told Mother she didn’t know how long she would stay – She has had such a time with Jimmy this summer

[page 3] I know she is glad to get away for a while. She has been taking liver shots and doesn’t seem to get much better but I think it’s the strain she is under. Irene is taking a 2 week vacation. They are going over to Monticello for a week and then stay home a week. This will be the first time Mrs. J. has been away from Jimmy for about 2 ½ years. I intended to give you a complete acc’t of our finances today but haven’t had time yet to figure things out – have been doing week-end work all morning. Will try to get it for next letter then if you get this one & not the next you will wish it had been in this one.

[page 4] My checks came this morning, so will have to go the bank today. You know they come in ants of 170 & 30. I have been moving around all morning & getting hungry so will stop & get something to eat. – after a few minutes pause I’ll try and add a line. I glances thru the Newton Co. E. and saw a letter from Vincent Clark – he is in North Africa. John Ade and Emory Richards are in the Navy Training Station at Purdue. I told you before Cliff Shandy is in Harvard Navy Training School. He got an Ensign. – Speaking of rain – we have had over 12 inches of rain since May – It hasn’t rained since last Sat. – It has been too cool –

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/15/everything-excepting-david-gladys/

Navy 60 (Roscoe)

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: April 16, 1943 envelope

: April 16, 1943, p. 1

: April 16, 1943, p. 2

: April 16, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

4/16/43
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224 60
% Fleet Postmaster
San Francisco

Dear Mother,

You will again note the change in address – just remove the 224 and put 60 in its place. I know that must be a little vexing or amusing the number of addresses I’ve had but there is a reason. This last one did not mean a change in location however.

Yesterday your v-mail letter of Mar 17, 18, 19 & 20 came and I’ve read them but will reread again before the next letter. Also got one from Ruth Y. – Floyd doesn’t do the writing in their family. I enjoy her letters OK and I understand how Floyd hates writing. I also got a

Floyd & Ruth Yegerlehner (Photo courtesy of Tom Yegerlehner)

[page 2] card from the Clarence Prue family which was written way back in Jan. From the looks of the thing I think it must have traveled all over the U.S. before it came here.

Ruth M. sent me an extra stamp and sheet of paper so I used that in answering her letter.

There is a boy here from Gary Ind. We have been together since leaving the U.S. He is a Pharm. Mate 2^nd class so at times we do have some things in common to talk about. All my Dr. friends are scattered but I hear fom some of them once in a while. I have a feeling that Dr. Walsh is back there some place. He was a little disappointing late to me in some ways.

I had room to put your pictures

[page 3] in the folder with the others you sent.

Again let me say write air mail more often with a v-mail also – say maybe every other day with each. I remember you mentioned in one of those v-mails the guessing that went on in Noumea (we can again use that name) when I first landed in Noumea. I suppose that is going on again and they may hit it by mere guessing.

If I get around to it I shall write you a v-mail today to get the new address to you and to see which goes faster.

Well for now I must get going –
Lots of Love
Daddy

Russell IslandsImage by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/18/navy-60-roscoe/

Weather conditions fair and warmer (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 15, 1943 envelope

: April 15, 1943, p. 1

: April 15, 1943, p. 2

: April 15, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

4/15/43
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% F. P. M. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Your letter of Mar. 26 just arrived and this is the P.M. of the 14^th but I dated it the 15^th since I’ll probably finish – That is as far as I got on the 14^th. This A.M. weather conditions fair and warmer just like always.

Later yesterday I received a letter from Ruth M. Dated Mar. 24 – So you C our mail isn’t so slow when things work out right. I sure was glad to hear the measles situation is better and of course was more than glad to get the pictures. I didn’t quite get what you mean about the

[page 2] dividends on the J. Hancock prem. but I am sure you will take care of it in the right way. This I believe is the last year for payment on that old J. Hancock policy at any rate they will let you know or stop send [ing] you the semi a.[annual] statements.

Yes the uniform money did not come here either so we still can’t spend that.

The septic tank needing cleaning is a surprise to me – And I still believe there probably was a hitch in the original construction for they are supposed to go longer than that.

Again I wish you would write more air mail because I feel it would come just like

[page 3] always, I mean some would come by air other by ship. The V-mail isn’t so good as yet but keep writing some of that also.

I’m not writing to so many people now but will occasionally drop a line here and there. The writing situation here is different than before as I’ve said before. However when it comes to censoring the mail I believe the boys write just as often and as much.

Well, I’ll reread your letter today and maybe I can comment more in tomorrow’s letter –

Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/16/weather-conditions-fair-and-warmer-roscoe/

Fingers crossed (Roscoe)

2 Replies

[Editor’s note: This is the first and probably only letter in the entire collection written by Roscoe that will actually be published on the date it was written, exactly 71 years ago today.]

: April 14, 1943 envelope

: April 14, 1943, p. 1

: April 14, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

4/14/43
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% F. P. M. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Again just finished the morning chores and sweating like a trouper but that isn’t unusual. There are rumors of mail coming in but I’ll keep my fingers crossed until it does but sure would appreciate some.

We got some news a few days ago that packages would only be sent at the request of the person wanting them and then only if the commanding officer signs the request so I’m wondering if your packages really will come

[page 2] thru. Newspapers can be sent only from the publisher himself. Really the papers haven’t been much help because your letters have the news before the paper arrives. You can still have it sent if you wish but I’m not particular. Anyway I’m not writing Bart anymore letters because I don’t like his reprints.

Well I still haven’t finished my story reading yet so must get busy.

Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/14/fingers-crossed-roscoe/

You could be starving (Roscoe)

6 Replies

: April 13, 1943 envelope

: April 13, 1943, p. 1

: April 13, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 13, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% F. P. M.
San Fran. Calif.

Dear Mother,

Nothing much to write and so on and so on, but must keep up the daily schedule and as I said yesterday I know our my mail to you will be “bunchy” and I’m afraid you will worry. And this letter won’t be there to tell you not to worry but it will save you that in the future. What I mean is this. The mail won’t be regular but don’t worry it just doesn’t get going. That is I think that is the case.

I’m still very much in the midst of censoring and many of the boys are sending home money

[page 2] orders but for the present I’ll just let mine pile up on the books unless you need it. Of course by the time you get this and back again to me you could be starving but sending money out of here I think is a little to [too] uncertain.

I’m washing again today trying to get the rust stain out of my clothes – used bleach and everything but it’s so hot I can’t get much worked up.

I guess I’m a little late but hope you have a pleasant Easter
Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/12/you-could-be-starving-roscoe/

Filet Mignon Steak (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: April 12, 1943 envelope

: April 12, 1943, p. 1

: April 12, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 12, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 224
% Postmaster (Fleet)
San Francisco, Calif.

Dear Mother,

Just finished my morning chores and I believe by writing early I’ll catch an earlier mail, but of course this won’t help only I know that your mail will be “bunchy.” So I hope you don’t worry about not getting letters for a few days. It’s just the way things happen.

Death_in_the_Clouds_US_First_Edition_cover_1935

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

I’ve been amusing myself at off times reading Agatha Christie’s book “Murder in The Air.” It’s a pretty good murder story but my reading time is cut in small pieces.

Yesterday being Sunday we put on a good spread. Had Fillet Mignon

[page 2] Steak – apple with ice cream – corn mashed potatoes, green beans and I almost forgot soup to begin and raisin bread. The bread wasn’t very necessary for me however. Yes I’m in my right mind that is exactly what we had and yes Iced tea with a shot of fresh limes. We do not have things like this every day but we appreciate it when it comes along you can bet.

There has been some delay due to a little argument about things in general and it’s still is going on but I’m turning a deaf ear to things.

Well, I’ll have to start doing something so solong

Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/09/filet-mignon-steak-roscoe/

Discussions about censorship (Roscoe)

9 Replies

: April 10, 1943 envelope

: April 10, 1943, p. 1

: April 10, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcriptions:

Apr. 10, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet Postmaster
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

We’ve had several discussions about censorship and I’m almost afraid to write for fear I’ll over step but after all is said and done I really believe we are bowing over backwards because I’m sure the enemy knows more than we give them credit for.

I’ve been running hither and yon today and really not composed enough to write but I’ll still try to get a line out in order to keep up the daily record. I’ll be very much interested to know how my mail is coming to you but our mail has been absent for several days. Right now supper chow bell has sounded so will finish later – Later. In fact much later (Apr 11) so

[page 2] in counting the letter you will have only one for Apr 10 + 11.

Was able to get a little news over the radio last night and that always helps – seems to be a connecting link between out here and the States.

This is my regular day to write the Folk so sometime during the day I’ll have to scratch my head to figure out what to say.

Many of the fellows are getting regular mail so I wish you would write a few more of those and not so many v-mail.

I’ll try to get back on my regular daily writing schedule again tomorrow

Love Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/07/discussions-about-censorship-roscoe/

Listening to the radio (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: April 9, 1943 envelope

: April 9, 1943, p. 1

: April 9, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

4/9/43
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet Postmaster
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

I’m wondering how the weather is at home along about now. It should be wet and rainy with April showers grass green birds singing etc. To be honest I’ve had my share of the blessed hot weather – continued summer now for a year – Mr. Berg a fellow from Missouri said this noon he wanted to go home when it’s cold so I guess we all feel the affects of the glorious summer.

We have been eating from china dishes and with real silver wear again. In fact we made better progress here than at the last place. Things are getting much more livable here so I’m beginning to wonder if maybe a move isn’t in order. Hope if it is it’s your way rather

[page 2] than the other direction? Hope. I hope. I hope.

Heard a little of Kay Kayser last night and news form the USA and from Japan. One of the fellows has a radio and we can go listen when we feel like doing so, but lately it has been so dark one can hardly feel the way home. I believe it’s darker here than at home and I also believe the moon is brighter when it is moonlight – Guess I’ve said all that stuff before.

I’ve been trying to do some washing again today – to get out the rusty color I added a few days ago. I’ve trying to soak the whole thing – dirt etc out over night.

Well, guess I’ll do something else for a change –

Love Daddy.

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

Air Battle (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 8, 1943 envelope

: April 8, 1943, p. 1

: April 8, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 8, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet Postmaster
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Today is another special day since it makes another month in this here foreign duty – eight months ago today we left the U.S.A. Some long and some short months. Anyway it’s that many behind.

In censoring the mail I ran across several accounts of the boys writing home about an air battle we were able to witness. The news of this has been released so we let the letters pass. I might say in passing the real things has it all over the movies. Even to the thrills given the audience. There is more to the story but I’ll have to stop for obvious reasons.

[page 2] Now if the boys are saving news paper clippings I might be able to recall some of the incidents if there was some little item to help. We of course can’t keep diaries anymore and it’s easy to forget things. News items that have been released to the public can be written although at time those items are incorrect and we just sorta laugh at the incorrectness of the newspapers.

We’ve been shooting the bull this P.M. over a few bottles of beer – got a little beer into camp and after all that helps raise the moral a little. That might sound funny but it’s true. Of course no one gets drunk but just enough to help the appetite, and by the way we had fresh meat for noon chow – got some native cows – a little tough but tasted good.

Well it’s about time for evening chow so solong until tomorrow

Love Daddy

____________________________________

Japs Tell of Air Fight Over Russell Islands

(By the Associated Press)

A Berlin broadcast of an imperial Japanese headquarters communique said today that 47 “enemy chaser planes” were shot down in an air battle over the Russell Islands in the Solomons last Thursday.

The Japanese admitted the loss of nine of their own planes in an action which obviously was the same as that described yesterday by a U.S. navy communique.

The navy said 16 Japanese Zeros were shot down out of a formation of 30 or 40 near Guadalcanal. The Russell islands are about 50 miles north of Guadalcanal. The navy said six United States planes were lost.

“Japs Tell of Air Fight Over Russell Islands,” Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune (Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin), 3 April 1943, p. 1, col. 2; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 30 March 2014).

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

Red instead of white (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 7, 1943 envelope

: April 7, 1943, p. 1

: April 7, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 6, 1943 [Apr. 7, 1943]
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Postmaster San Fran

Dear Mother,

Had some tough luck today – did my washing and the water I rinsed them in was rusty so now my towels etc are red instead of white. Hope the next deal is better.

I’ve been digging in our fox hole today – making it deep and livable just in case. I think we’ll put in a hot dog stand and a beer Keg. Wish we could.

At chow last night, when I told you I was going out – we had spaghetti and meat balls and a peanut butter dessert.

[page 2] We also had scotch & soda in the beginning which was the best part of the whole deal. It is rumored that we will have beer for evening chow but we don’t know for sure.

We are in a dry spell now hasn’t rained for two days.

News are as scarce as the dickens but I’ll try better next time.

Love Daddy