Tag Archives: Navy 60

Digging Clams (Roscoe)

: May 1, 1943 envelope

: May 1, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

May 1, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
Fleet P.O. San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

It seems as if another month has gone by and the good old summer time is drawing near at home and our winter is starting but we sure can’t tell about any difference.

Yesterday P.M. we went swimming for the first time in ages. First we got some limes and did some running around and then swimming and one of the fellows found a clam so we started digging and all in all we had about 3 doz. Of course we were all elated and discussed how we would prepare them but we weren’t sure if they were the eating variety. We then stopped at another place for chow and some fellow there said clams were good only in the R. months or was it in the months without R. So we were confused and threw the clams away. We still had the fun of catching the clams.

Yesterday I mentioned that I knew a fellows life history and he knew mine. Several weeks ago I said families weren’t discussed but that has been changed a bit and we have broken down, but still we don’t discuss things as much as at Noumea.

I have some outside interference of confe conversation so will have to close –

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/2014/05/17/digging-clams-roscoe/

Writing Paper (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 30, 1943 envelope

: April 30, 1943, p. 1

: April 30, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

March
Apr. 30, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

You will note the writing paper. It came thru the mail from Uncle W. Arrived just one day after the letter telling me he had sent it. I’m not too fond of writing on this type paper but beggars can’t be to critical. We can buy paper now but most of it is heavy and if I can swipe a note pad from the office I’d rather use that.

I’m writing and sweating because it is hot and sticky but that isn’t unusual only I have to have something to write to fill up space. We were talking yesterday about how drab and boring our letters must be to those who read them but there isn’t anything more that can be written and I think you folk understand that – at least we hope you do. For a while we could write more fluently but that has been stopped as you have noted.

[page 2] Yesterday Commander Fredricks got a box from home filled with sardines and shrimp. So you can imagine what we did. He ate one can and I the other – or rather the contents of one can. He makes one feel good at time by the things he says. He knows the number of children we have and more or less my life’s history as I know his. So he writes home and tells his wife about us. Then he tells me what he has written. They live in Cleveland Ohio and have one daughter 20 years old.

My Reno pals are still getting along OK but the fellow from Missouri got orders to leave. I guess that is the way it will be one at a time orders out and someone new come in to take that place.

I had most of my laundry down but this AM two pairs of pants were still there and boom down came a big (frawn) (Spelling) cocoanut leaf or limb and “busted” the line but the pants were dry enough that they didn’t have to be washed again. We “sorta” have to watch those things while walking around.

I must write Uncle W. thanking him for the paper and letter –

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/2014/05/14/writing-paper-roscoe/

Big Wigs (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: April 28, 1943 envelope

: April 28, 1943, p. 1

: April 28, 1943, p. 2

: April 28, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Apr 28, 1943
Lieut RS Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother

This will include the letter of Apr. 27 also. For the past few days I’ve been out with some of the big wigs of the Profession who have been looking the situation over in general and as a result my writing in the daylight hour whas was impossible but now that that is over I think things can be carried on in the usual manner.

Last night late I received

[page 2] your v-mail letters of Mar 31 and Apr 1. Other fellows have gotten regular air mail later than that but I have given you that word before and I think my mail will be better when you switch back to air mail.

We have a nice new washing machine and if I don’t get tropical lead in my pants before I’m going to wash my laundry which has been piling up in anticipation of the washing machine.

I haven’t received any seeds as yet but am very anxious because I believe I can do

[page 3] OK and would surely like to sink my fangs into a nice crisp carrot or radish. We had fresh liver for chow last night but on onion for those few we had the other day have long gone the way of all strong onions.

I Don’t remember whether I mentioned it before or not but I have run on to a man here from Marion Ind. and a Dr. from Logansport and also a Dr. from Evansville Ind. so maybe the old State is kicking thru.

Well, I still feel like doing laundry so here goes –
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/2014/05/10/big-wigs-roscoe/

Good Friday and Easter (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 24, 1943 envelope

: April 24, 1943, p. 1

: April 24, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 24, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

I’m still in the midst of my furniture building but I’m progressing and think I can finish today if not bothered to much.

Good Friday came and went and Easter tomorrow – Really I wish I could find a nest of bunny eggs. There isn’t any fun in finding a can of powdered eggs. Just isn’t the proper atmosphere for our present tropical abode.

I’m wondering what the Easter parade will be like this

[page 2] year at home – coming as late as it does I imagine it will be warm enough to allow people to don their finery. Here the predominate color and preferable design will no doubt be Khaki with a dash of olive drab now and then.

Last night a commander and I sat and talked until about 1 A.M. Just plain talky talk neither of us realizing that the time was as late, but the moon was out and if we forget our personal grudges of the tropic it really was beautiful.

Must get going,
Love Daddy.

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

©2014 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/05/04/good-friday-and-easter-roscoe/ ‎

Furniture Builder (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: April 23, 1943 envelope

: April 23, 1943, p. 1

: April 23, 1943, p. 2

: April 23, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Apr. 22, 1943 [April 23, 1943]
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
%Fleet Postoffice San Fran

Dear Mother,

Yesterday when I wrote I said I was going to build some furniture but just didn’t get started so my intentions today are the same. So if I can find a hammer, saw etc I’ll be in the furniture business. We have an oil stove in the galley but it don’t seem to work – seems as if they have had all the engineering brains present to work on it and still no go. I told them at breakfast I could do the job, but

[page 2] that was out – guess they were afraid I could – I’ve fixed many of the things around the house and could have at least tried.
Just had discussion about a nudist colony in Nevada. Had to stop and listen – These boys insist I’ll have to come to Reno after the war but I say for only a visit. These officers here are all line officers and it’s a little different environment than I’ve been in before, but we all get along – However, we do have verbal fights but in the next few minutes things quiet down to a loud roar.

[page 3] we are going to have fish for dinner – one of the fellows went fishing yesterday and had pretty good luck. These fish are all strange to me no bass, blue gills or cat fish all tropical, but fish are fish – really I think the sea fish make one more thirsty afterwards due to the salt.
Well, guess I must get going –
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/2014/05/02/furniture-builder-roscoe/

Calf Liver and Onions (Roscoe)

8 Replies

: April 22, 1943 envelope

: April 22, 1943, p. 1

: April 22, 1943, p. 2

: April 22, 1943, p. 3

: April 22, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Apr. 22, 1943

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR

Navy 60

Fleet Post office

San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Got three letters yesterday all v-mail dated the latter part of Mar. Mar 27 was the latest – Mark’s letter (air mail) of Mar 30 was the last received in it came 2-3 days ago.

Several things have happened which are of interest and also surprise. I was hit in the ear with a snowball the other evening – no I’m OK. The snow was made artificially and a bucket full was brought in and it was such a thrill

[page 2] that a commander picked up a handful made a snow ball and said, “Look out Jake here is comes” and wham he hit me in the ear – Really it felt good.

The other thing was fresh calf liver smothered in onions for ~~nord~~ noon day chow yesterday when I was invited out and fresh steak at our own mess for supper last night. And that wasn’t all we looked at and were able to bum some onions. We sliced them and ate them just as was. That was the first raw onion since leaving the U.S.A. I’m now yearning for a raw potato because

[page 3] the dehydrated have that well known something taken away. I’m not griping about the food but am elated at the addition.

I saw Helen Kline’s husband the day I left but could tell him nothing since I knew nothing at that time. He may have learned later – I’m sure Dr. P & W. are informed by now but you probably know as much by now as they.

Heindel, Dan & Helen (Kline) - Cambridge, MA 1942

Dan and Helen (Kline) Heindel, 1942 (Photograph courtesy of Judith Heindel Bowen)

Our length of stay is only a conjecture and I don’t think about it because if my thoughts were incorrect then I might be disappointed so we will just be patient

[page 4] and look forward and I believe the more content the quicker the time will pass.

If I can get the tools and material today I’m going to try to build a shelf to store my clothes so things won’t be so mussed up as they are most of the time.

Your vegetable garden idea sounds good but don’t overdo because after all that is hard work and the little extra that you might get won’t compensate for your overworking –

Love Daddy

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

Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/30/calf-liver-and-onions-roscoe/

Chicken bones (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: April 21, 1943 envelope

: April 21, 1943, p. 1

: April 21, 1943, p. 2

: April 21, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Apr. 20, 1943 [April 21, 1943]
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
Fleet P.O. San Fran

Dear Mother,

Maybe I can do a little better today than yesterday but I’m a little pressed for time because I’m going out for dinner. I forgot to mention that a package came today yesterday. The chicken bones and its contents. The candy in the packages was very soft but and the ants beat me to it so unless things are in cans it is just no go. Anyway thanks. The end was out of the box so don’t know how much

[page 2] might have been lost. There were was the bone, two tubes of insect repellent, 3 other small packages of candy and some funnies. No sardines.

Got a letter from Ruth Y today telling me that Glenn Hofman was coming out but she hadn’t gotten the word of my change when she wrote and I’m afraid we won’t come in contact with each other.

Next Sunday being Easter I’ll wish you a happy one. Of course this is late but I did mention it before

[page 3] and while I’m on the subject the same for a happy mother’s day – which I guess is coming along sometime next month.

It’s about time for me to be shoving off to the dinner date so solong

Lots of Love
Daddy

P.S. The chicken bones are good but not crisp as at home – make a good slow chewing candy.

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

This will have to be short (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 20, 1943 envelope

: April 20, 1943, p. 1

: April 20, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 20, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
% F.P.O.
San Fran

Dear Mother,

This will have to be short and sweet because we are very busy with and have some censoring to do.

There was mail this morn. but I didn’t get much due to the fact that most of it was old. I did get one from you date Feb 19 and you asked in that for suggestions on the lawn and I did do that some time

[page 2] ago. Hope you have all the particulars.

The other letter was from Ruth M. but it was also old although all of that mail is still appreciated.

You will certainly have to excuse this but I wat want you to get the usual daily letter

So solong
Love Daddy

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

All the mail came in (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: April 18, 1943 envelope

: April 18, 1943, p. 1

: April 18, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
Fleet Postoffice
San Francisco Calif

Dear Mother,

Since all the mail came in a day or two ago I hardly expected any to come today or for a few days yet but one never can tell. And we always hope.

The officers gave a sort of a party last night for the men – having a picnic lunch and some beer – I think everyone had a good time with maybe a few headaches this A.M. but not many because there wasn’t enough.

As yet I haven’t gotten to re-read your letters to the fullest extent and yesterday

[page 2] that letter I wrote was done so in the midst of much conversation so I’m not sure what all the content was. I can explain the whys and wherefores of these things later on.

Right now have a task to do – so solong

Love Daddy

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

Air mail vs. v-mail (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 17, 1943, envelope

: April 17, 1943, p. 1

: April 17, 1943, p. 2

: April 17, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
Fleet Postoffice
Apr. 17, 1943

Dear Mother,

Mail has really been coming along. Yesterday P.M. I received most of your v-mail up to Mar 26. Also an air mail letter from Mark and Mom dated Mar 30. So you see air mail is really still faster than v-mail. Many of your letters were repeats but that is perfectly OK because we never know when or which letter will come thru. Glad Mark is able to be up and out again and but in the last letter from mom she said John was sent home from school not feeling well but

[page 2] Mark didn’t say anything about it in his letter so he probably just had a cold – although I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t get the measles because they are very contagious.

A v-mail letter also came from Uncle W. and one from the Walkups – Those were dated in March right along with the same dates of yours.

Your idea of the Florida situation next winter sounds OK but not for me because I’m headed for Alaska. This one summer is too long and I think I would not be appreciate another 12 months of the same kind of weather. However I’ll give my opinion on you

[page 3] going down before next winter.

Yesterday I said I would send a v-mail but I didn’t because from what I learned v-mail is still not as good as air mail for our region.

I was really amused in your letter when you discussed or told of Paul coming up to find a manure spreader. Seems that was some distance to come for such.

Well, I have some work to do so must stop –
So solong
Love daddy

P.S. Use the address exactly as I have it written.