Tag Archives: Navy 60

Teacher List (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 10, 1943 envelope

: October 10, 1943, p. 1

: October 10, 1943, p. 2

: October 10, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 9, 1943

Dear Mother,

I changed the schedule a little this A.M. Did the running around before letter writing and still have plenty of time for the mail. I had a little matter of collecting some water samples so got them early and got back.

Your v-mail of Sept. 22 came yesterday. It was about the same date as your latest air mail which arrived several days ago. A Newton Co. E. came also Aug. 19. In it the teachers for the coming year were listed. I wonder

[page 2] about some of them especially one – all the kids will probably be “wiggley” by the time the year is over. Better not let the kids know I wrote that. I think you know which one I mean. For the life of me I can figure for sure which grade Mark is in. John I know because he started on the East side of the road last year – I believe Mark is in the 5^th. Is that correct?

I’ve just been informed that there was two fried chicken came into camp and I’ve been promised a piece. Things like that don’t happen

[page 3] too frequently. Hope it’s good.

I also got a call to come to sick bay so I really didn’t have as much time to write as I thought I was going to have. Seems something pops up most of the time but that always makes things interesting and makes the day pass more rapidly.

Must get going –
Love Daddy.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/02/teacher-list-roscoe/

Favorite Drive (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 8, 1943 envelope

: October 8, 1943, p. 1

: October 8, 1943, p. 2

: October 8, 1943, p. 3

: October 8, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 7, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail today and you will note the date – The same as the letter I wrote this A.M. I have some work to do early in the A.M. so I’ll write now and add a finishing touch before work tomorrow. Since there was no mail and since I’ve been wanting to describe to you what I claim my favorite drive I see no better time. I’ll try not [to] give away any military information and that may keep some of the important facts from appearing but here goes.

We will start from a certain point – first as one looks around there are the cocoanut trees. These trees are planted in rows. Somewhat like the cornfields back home. So from this point I write of I feel somewhat like I imagine a field mouse must feel in the middle of a full grown corn

[page 2] field. Now a look around on all sides – the trees – under the trees the fallen cocoanuts. These practically cover the ground on the hillsides there are fewer because as they fall they roll into the lower spots.

Now to proceed – The road between rows of trees runs straight for a distance then winds a little to miss a low spot and this continues for some distance. Then as the land becomes more uneven the road winds in and out of these rows. We are now gradually going downhill and the cocoanut trees are getting smaller and smaller. Up over a little nob and down again and no more cocoanut trees but right smack into the jungle road. The relief at leaving those even spaced

[page 3] monotonous cocoanut trees is unbelievable – now in the cool of the jungle and the sigh of relief over we proceed down a rather sharp hill and on either side huge banyan trees 10-to-15 feet in diameter and 2-3 times as tall as our own maples at home. The top branches come together above the road and with the sun excluded it is cool and shady. Huge vines are everywhere suspended from these branching trees and sight penetrates only about 5-60 feet beyond the highway – on down the hill banana plants, bread fruit trees and numerous other smaller under growth can be seen. At the very lowest point – yes you guessed it a small stream just winding out of the jungles and as suddenly winding back again

[page 4] on the other side. Up the hill and a few more S curves and what have we? – cocoanut trees – rows & rows of them and the road between a couple of rows. I like that drive because its different – nothing fancy but it’s the only one of its kind in the locality – I’ll add a line in the A.M.

Oct. 8, 1943
Today marks another month – so that is another in the back ground. We hear lots about 18 months of duty so you can figure as well as I. I mean of course the number of months left but the 18 month story might not be correct in either way. It might be longer but I doubt if it’s any shorter. Anyway I must be going now so solong until tomorrow

Love Daddy

A new runway, Russell Islands, with rows of coconut trees, 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/31/favorite-drive-roscoe/

Scare Tactics (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 7, 1943 envelope

: October 7, 1943, p. 1

: October 7, 1943, p. 2

: October 7, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 7, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your V-mail of Sept. 14, came yesterday. So you see our mail keeps gradually creeping in. Your latest however has been Sept. 23.

Today or rather this A.M. I had wart clinic – cut off four of the things. They were located on knees, arms, etc., and were always getting bumped so we saved them up and had a field day on warts.

I again find myself in one of those blank spaces as far as anything to write but possibly something will come.

I just happened to remember you said D. broke a slat in the v. blind and wonder how I would correct

[page 2] him as far as his climbing urge is concerned. I think you could pretty well imagine how I would take care of him – Remember the old washing machine stick which was more of a bluff than a hurt, but I think it worked. I suspect one would hear a lot of squeaks from J. & M. in case it looked too gruesome but they went thru the same period. There is no doubt in my mind but that D.’s mother has used some such tactics on the little fellow up to now.

Night before last I had a coke. That was the first in over 10 months. It was warm but still tasted like coke. Maybe I stretched that. I believe 3-4 month ago I had one.

You said I shouldn’t send

[page 3] anymore money for presents thru friends. Altogether I have sent word to you by four fellows. Three of whom I gave money. The first you probably won’t hear from. The second there was no money involved. The last two I gave money and I’m sure you will hear from them. It might be a little early yet but I’m sure these last two will come thru. However, I won’t do that anymore. I just wanted you to get something from friends that had gone back.

I hope by now you have the last $250⁰⁰ check I sent on Sept. 16. I’ll send more from time to time.

Some fellow got something in his finger so must go –
Love Daddy

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

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/29/scare-tactics-roscoe/

Medical Advice (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 6, 1943 envelope

: October 6, 1943, p. 1

: October 6, 1943, p. 2

: October 6, 1943, p. 3

: October 6, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 6, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letter of Sept. 17 came yesterday. The letters seem to come OK but in a little reverse order but never-the-less they are eagerly received. Many of the “frazzled” ends are picked up by the late letters.

You have mentioned several times about John having pimples. That of course goes along with his age, but have him wash his face good each night with soap and a soft wash cloth. Not squeezing

[page 2] any of the pimples – nor picking them but breaking them only with the wash cloth. Then have one of the drug stores fix up that prescription I used to use with sulfa ointment and carbonis detergens. Kenney’s should have it. Now after a rough wash with the wash cloth and a good cold rinse apply that ointment massaging it in well before going to bed. Use that for 3-4 nights in a row and after that for a few nights leaving off the ointment use some Burrow’s solution. And

[page 3] don’t worry too much and cut out the chocolate cake & candy. As I remember he is very fond of that flavor and it is bad. That might also account for some headache – a type of allergy. Now will you have him follow that or will it be like Dr. VanB’s bromides? I think you were exactly correct in not getting the bromides because his skin would probably be worse if you had given it to him. You have learned well from being exposed to my M.D. degree. I’m not kidding

[page 4] either. Again I think you scored a bull’s eye in using good common sense.

I think if you swabbed your throat with a little merthiolate – (half water) about 2-3 times per day it would help remove some of that irritation. That is in between your treatment by Dr. Ade and as I used to say. Don’t blow your nose if you get a cold – just brush it off as it runs down or snuf it up and spit it out.

Well, you certainly have received a lot of good medical advice. Hope it works –
Love Daddy

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

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/27/medical-advice-roscoe/

Blue Suit (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 5, 1943 envelope

: October 5, 1943, p. 1

: October 5, 1943, p. 2

: October 5, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 5, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of Sept. 21 & 23 came yesterday. Those were the ones with the family pictures. All pictures were good but of course the ones of you and D. were best. And you know I agree with you as to how D. compares with other children and why not? Glen hasn’t changed much as I remember him and Jim hasn’t either. His blue suit does look good – sure wish I had a chance to wear mine. I’ve only wore that suit twice. Once in the Eve, when I got to San Fran., and also in the morn, and each time just long enough to

[page 2] eat a meal. Reports that we get back from our clothes are good. Those who have seen them say they are dry, etc. Looks like mine might dry rot before I get back, but every dog has his day so mine should come.

I suppose you will be sending me a financial statement again one of these days. Remember what I said about bills on your Mother’s illness – String them along so you will always have some money on hand. Pay a little on the hospital bill every month. I don’t think anyone will be too severe.

I’m sending you another picture of the natives and myself – I’m in the picture

[page 3] but there isn’t much you can see of me – only what I’m doing. Not the skirt has to be pulled down instead of up. We learned that fast. More The natives are more modest in some ways than the American women. In other ways I would say much less that way especially the brest works. Glamour girls.

A letter came from Boonie yesterday. Seems he is a little money mad in his many enterprises, but maybe it’s just human nature.

Well, lots of Love
Daddy

Glenn holding James L., Jim, Gladys holding David September 14, 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/25/blue-suit-roscoe/

Are You Tanned? (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 4, 1943 envelope

: October 4, 1943, p. 1

: October 4, 1943, p. 2

: October 4, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Sept. 4, 1943 [sic October]

Dear Mother,

About your picture again – are you tanned? That picture suggests you have a heavy coat of tan – possibly it’s the way you have your face turned away from the light. I would have no comment either way if you were only I was just inquisitive. It’s still a very good picture.

Today was supposed to be native day but we changed it to Sun. In order to catch more at home and it works out a little

[page 2] better for us. They of course like to have treatment but are not too interested. As I said before they lead a simple life but I don’t get it. Day after day just sit with nothing to do but roam around and watch the ocean and wander thru the jungle. That all seems fine for a time but I suppose even that will would in time be very monotonous. They even have their troubles. The chief’s wife died some time ago and he married a slip

[page 3] of a thing and she ran off and left him – just the same old story.

With summer time coming on our radio isn’t so good. Just like at home in the summer time. We do manage to get at least one good news program during the evening. As a rule the Jap programs are good but they even failed us last night.

Well, I’ve some work to do so solong until tomorrow
Love Daddy

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

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/23/are-you-tanned-roscoe/

Being Interesting (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 3, 1943 envelope

: October 3, 1943, p. 1

: October 3, 1943, p. 2

: October 3, 1943, p. 3

: October 3, 1943, p. 4

: October 3, 1943, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 3, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letters of Sept. 17 & 18 came yesterday P.M. The one of the 18^th had a picture of you holding D. It really is a swell picture of both of you and I really enjoyed it very much.

In that letter you said something about my letter of Aug. 28 being interesting – I’m at a loss to know just which particular letter that was. If it was interesting or good I must have been off the beam that day so not remembering that particular letter I don’t know what to be proud of. You see that was over a month ago now and my memory

[page 2] isn’t too long.

Floyd wrote a big long letter which came yesterday and I also received a birthday greeting and letter from Mom. Seems she was a little early. She also said she was sending a package and it’s no need for me to go into the package sending again.

The Aug. 12^th issue of the Newton Co. E. came and all that I could find there except what I already knew was this family and that family going on vacation and spending a couple of weeks at this lake or at the resort. All of which made me feel real good. I’m not

[page 3] just sure how I mean that but after alls said and done I guess it’s not right to be jealous of other people nor use that their happiness to feel sorry for ourselves for there are numerous other families in our same position and some much worse.

Just had another look at the picture and I do believe you are better looking now than a year ago – No not what you are thing – pregnant and all. Let’s say a little before that – D. sure looks like an up and coming young American also.

I believe the diagnosis of

[page 4] your mother’s case is as clear as can be but they are just being kind to you in not telling you the actual facts. From the tone of your letter it seems you were just a little critical of yourself because surgery was not done. Maybe you aren’t and you should not be. If the truth were known I believe your mother had some trouble or indication that she wasn’t well when she came to you first last winter but she just wouldn’t come out with it. Then would have been the time but you had no way of knowing since of course she would not tell. As near as I see the thing you are doing the very best you know how and should not feel that a thing has been left

[page 5] undone. I hope the boys feel that way also because I wouldn’t want them to think that we had slipped in taking care of her. In Jim’s letter he still was very confident that she would recover.

We are having a slight drizzle this A.M. It makes it a little cooler because the sun just doesn’t get there.

If there is anything I write worth reading, I mean other than about you and the family, as you said I did on Aug. 28, save it because I’d like to know what it really was.

Thanks again for the picture it really was swell –
Love Daddy

Swellest (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 2, 1943 envelope

: October 2, 1943, p. 1

: October 2, 1943, p. 2

: October 2, 1943, p. 3

: October 2, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 2, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just another Sat. a small rain last night helped lay the dust but makes the atmosphere a little more sticky.

Your letter dated Sept. 19 and posted Sept. 20 came yesterday. You had just gotten back from the hospital and told me your mother couldn’t seem to take what you thought was ammonium nitrate. You never have given a definite report on the x ray findings – but that probably can is in the letters from Sept. 14 to Sept. 19 which at present are missing. A letter also came from the Folks yesterday.

[page 2] they seem to be coming along pretty good. Mom used to write with a very nervous hand but anymore her writing is very steady. In this letter she again praised you in how you were carrying on. I hope you don’t get tired of me harping on the subject but it sure means a lot to me that other people can see how you are doing.

I guess the problem of putting in the storm windows was solved easily and early since Glenn so kindly put them in for you. It makes me feel good to know that the weather is cool someplace – cool enough to even think of glass for windows. I haven’t seen any glass windows

[page 3] for ages. Windshields are the only glass one ever sees. Pardon me always referring to cool weather but I hope you understand.

I’ve mentioned several times about Drs. getting orders, etc. All those fellows have spent less time in the Pacific that I and they are just being changed to more desirable locations. I seem to be in between and sometimes I wonder if my name hasn’t been lost in the rush. Of course I don’t mind for I’m enjoying this type work and am willing to stay until my tour of duty is over whenever that might be. Maybe I shouldn’t be writing this stuff all the time but it is the most interesting conversation

[page 4] we can carry on. There is a certain satisfaction in us old timers getting together and projecting ourselves into the future. You should hear what some plan and desire when they return. I’m just silent on that score because my only plans and more plans are to come back to the swellest three boys I know and “The Mother” who has carried on with these boys first and foremost. Those are the swellest plans I can think of. Maybe I’m getting too sentimental for an old crust who never was much of a romancer.

Well Dear I hope everything is OK with you – I’m still pulling for you to the Nᵗʰ degree.
Love Daddy

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

The First Act (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 1, 1943 envelope

: October 1, 1943, p. 1

: October 1, 1943, p. 2

: October 1, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
10-1-43

Dear Mother,

The first act upon arising this A.M. was to wind the calendar. One doesn’t need a watch just a calendar and it’s a great pleasure to turn the Dr. Miles addition over one leaf.

I’m waiting to use the telephone but it seems the party line is busy so I may have to wait for some time – men gossiping I suppose. I’m not eves dropping to hear what is going on.

[page 2] Another Dr. recently got orders and that is gradually leaving me here with a bunch of new comers. It keeps one guessing from day to day as to what the day might bring. Seems this letter is almost a copy of what I wrote yesterday only stating it in different words.

You can tell no doubt by what I’m writing that I’m in a hurry. It’s that old inspecting story and I’ve got to go when transportation

[page 3] is available and if I don’t get this out before then it won’t make the delivery so some day I’m going to sit down and really write again. I’ll just convey the sentiment by saying

Lots of Love
Daddy

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

Another Behind (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 30, 1943 envelope

: September 30, 1943, p. 1

: September 30, 1943, p. 2

: September 30, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 30, 1943

Dear Mother,

This seems to be the end of the month again and that leaves another behind. In other word tomorrow will mark the beginning of the 15^th mo. Time is drawing nearer & nearer but as yet we don’t know how long it will be. We’ll just wait and see. It’s really fun on the downhill stretch because there is something to look forward to. In the beginning the only thing that could be seen was the peak ahead.

Now – 2 ½ hours later

[page 2] had some running around to do and had to go when I could get transportation. It must seem to you from the letters I write that all I do is run around and you are about right but it’s all part of the official business.

In Ruth M.’s letter she said she was sending me a birthday present – she admitted it was a little early. I’d just as soon she hadn’t sent anything because packages are usually not in good condition and why waste time and money doing a thing like that. I believe however I’ve gone into that several times. I hope you keep that in mind also. If there was

[page 3] something I needed I ask but there isn’t a thing. The food is better and my food that you would get would come from your rations so don’t. Tobacco of all kinds are plentiful and much less in price than there so that it out. Letters and pictures are the most desirable so as long as they keep coming I’ll not complain.

I head heard over the radio that they were going to reclassify some of the 4F group. I wonder if that will affect Floyd in any way. In their letter the other day it wasn’t mentioned.

Well, must get going
Love Daddy