Tag Archives: Navy Base Hospital #4

Laundry (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

No mail today and no show tonight so we just sat around and chewed the fat. In fact, lots of talkie talk with nothing settled and nothing elevating being told.

I played Lentz 3 games of Acey Ducey and he beat me 2 out of three but next time it will probably be reversed. It’s only a matter of pride because we don’t have anything bet unless it’s a chew of tobacco or a cigar.

Today was the first time in two weeks we were able to send any laundry. People

[page 2] here really take their holidays seriously and it’s really hard to get anything done. 2 to 3 weeks is the usual length of time for a vacation and they all seem to take them around Christmas time.

I believe I have given you the total taxable amount for the year of “43. If I didn’t here it is and if so here it is again. The total taxable amount as I figure it is $2,566.00 less of course deductions. The office may give us the exact figures but I think those are very near. I don’t believe we will have any tax to pay but possibly we do have to file anyway. You

[page 3] may do what you think best about that. We should have enough bonds to cover all the back taxes so we don’t have to worry too much about them. Right now I have very little on the books so you can’t expect any extra for a while. When I get enough I’ll send it home – but I’m going to think some of traveling money for the next month or two. Outside of laundry expenses aren’t much more here than at the last place. The food costs the same but what a difference. I still weigh about 12-13 pounds less than when I left Noumea but I was a little fat when

[page 4] there. This A.M. I weighed 151 and one time in Noumea I weighed 165. Chubby wasn’t I? I’m not complaining or feeling sorry for myself because I feel good and really don’t care to gain anymore – not that I’m on a diet but that is just the way it is. To tell the truth my appetite or I should say my choice of foods is much more limited now than previously, because we were over fed in some lines – peas for example. And we still have lots of them.

It seems I’ve written this whole letter about myself – please excuse I’ll try to do better next time.

Lots of Love
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/23/laundry-roscoe/

New Zealand (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

There was no mail today but I didn’t hardly expect any since those came yesterday. We will have to wait now for several days again I suppose.

I could see nothing bad about D.’s mother in the picture where she was holding him on the Johnson’s front porch. You said you were trying to get him to hold still and yours wasn’t so good.

The order came thru that we can now say we are stationed somewhere in New Zealand – so here I am. That is as much as we can say. It really is a pretty country and young with respect to ours in the length of time it has been settled. Natives here often ask what we knew of or thought of their country before the war. I just don’t know what I did think and of course now I’m prejudiced and no use asking you, for you have a different idea now than you had before I know. In some ways I think the people here are about like ours were 50-60 years ago. There is no hurry. The trains stop ever so often

[page 2] for 20-30 minutes and everyone gets off for a cup of tea. Imagine going on a day’s trip in the U.S. and stopping 3-4 times while all left the train and had a cup of tea and a few cakes. I’m still not a converted tea drinker, and don’t ask anyone of them to drink Ice tea. That is simply unthinkable.

The pictures – You said those boys looked English – They certainly are. To hear them talk is just like listening to some bloke over the radio direct from England. It doesn’t sound so funny coming from older people but when a kid comes out with that talk it seems as if they are putting on the dog. I think

I think Bob & I were the only Americans those boys had ever seen or at least talked to and were they thrilled? I suppose our kids would be the same. They have a daughter about 14 and of course we had to autograph her book. I mean write our names in those books girls about that age carry around with them.

Well, Maybe I can write more about the natives next time –
Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/19/new-zealand-roscoe/ ‎

Little Old Man (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 3, 1944

Dear Mother,

Yours of Dec. 18 and 20 came today, one of them had the pictures of Jimmie Ed & David with their mothers, etc. I think I got the biggest shock of all from the one of D. standing alone on the sidewalk. Of course you had often written about him walking and standing, etc. but he looked so boyish and grown up in that picture. He was standing there just like a little old man.

There is a wide gap of about one week in your letters so I didn’t get to begin at the beginning. I don’t know what happened to Virginia Z. but you spoke of the possibility of her having a skull fracture, I suppose the details are in those missing letters.

The giving of Vit. C. tablets to D. is a good idea and might be better than forcing him to take the oranges. However, commercial tomato juice would also be OK or grape fruit juice or pineapple juice but I suppose those things require lots of points so I see no reason why Vit. C. tablets aren’t just as

[page 2] good.

Sure was glad to hear you were able to get some good coal but I missed the first load. You were just said you had gotten some more so I supposed you were able to get some from someplace other than Chet V. Maybe that will put you thru the coldest part of the winter and the poor grade of coal won’t be so bad during the spring.

You mentioned another thing. Ar The dividends on the insurance – you said the three policies. I don’t remember how you get three. I thought it was four. And there should be a small dividend on the one that was paid up. On each premium slip on the old policy there was always so much, less the dividend, plus the sum interest on the loan. Now that the loan is paid up we should be able to collect that dividend. I have a feeling you meant the $26⁰⁰ was on the four policies or possibly on all five. I’ll be glad to get a financial statement at the end of the year – you said you would send one if I wanted one. Not too detailed however. I hope the $300⁰⁰ check I sent helped out. Well the space is all gone so

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/17/little-old-man-roscoe/

No Mail on Sundays (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 2, 1943 [sic]

Dear Mother,

I was wrong about the mail. I just found out they don’t do much with it on Sun. either so none came in or at least none was delivered. So all the hopes I had for today are transferred to tomorrow. It’s that old tomorrow that always gets one, but mail will just have to come one of these days.

Went swimming this P.M. It was the first time here and in fresh water. It had been so cold but lately the mid summer heat has been something terrific especially in the middle of the day. Even at that the water was cold. It must be from springs in the mountains.

I’ve started this before the show and will finish after and give comments good or bad. Last night’s show was Bittersweet or some such name – all in color and lots of singing Nelson E. & Janette Mc. Maybe you have seen it. I think it’s old but of course I wouldn’t know. I feel a little hottish or if I might have gotten a little sun but I guess it won’t be too much of a

[page 2] shock to be sunburnt a little.

Where we swam there wasn’t much breeze and no sand. Just rocks and my feet burn from walking on the rough hot rocks, but that should help get the smell off of them so I can stand that. I didn’t get the swim this year on Christmas or New Year but did come pretty close – well I’ll see you after the show. I mean finish after the show.

The show is over and it was so so. A prison picture. “The House Across the Bay.” I’m not sure just how many bells I’d give it but not too many. Of course we always have a big crowd regardless of the picture and if one doesn’t like it he doesn’t ask for his money back because it’s all for free as you know.

Lentz is about the same as always – just “sorta” getting used to the set up as I was about 6-8 weeks ago. When I came here I didn’t know anyone and I sure felt like the same old orphan boy at the picnic so I know how he feels.

Well, must write the folks a note yet so solong,

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/15/no-mail-on-sundays-roscoe/

A Little Reunion (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 31 & Jan 1, 1944

Dear Mother,

Note the two dates the P.O. censor board etc., don’t seem to work on New Years’ so I have combined the two. There of course wasn’t much to write about on either day for one is about the same as the other but it seems I’ve written that many times before. You could even say I’ve heard that song before.

Tomorrow should be a good mail day because it’s been ever so long now (it seems) since mail came this way.

Had a little reunion today when Ed. Lentz came walking in to be one of our fellow workers. You remember he and I came into the Navy on the same day way back there at Norfolk – we had some conversation. He had heard from Mrs. E. and all her old gang are gone except the “very nice” man. I really don’t know how long ago he had that word from her.

My room is just off the “Rumpus” room and there are several officers in there talking about prison hangings and deaths in general,

[page 2] gas chambers, shooting and stuff. A very interesting and thrilling conversation. I just get little parts of the stories now and then a few of the “wise cracks” that some how manage to make the stories a little more listenable.

I’ve been some little time up to now writing this letter but had a lot of competition – first the stories I referred to earlier and then a couple came in the room to shoot the breeze and stuff.

Our New Years’ dinner was about the same as Christmas only not just as much “dog” or I mean turkey. I’m getting all mixed up. I guess it was turkey. Then for this Eve. meal we had hamburger. Just a little change wouldn’t you say?

As I told you a few days ago my resolution to write will have to start now. I mean to other people – I owe Ruth M. & Y. a letter each, Wayne W. and ever so many I just hate to think of everyone I must write. Maybe I can write each a short v-mail, and that reminds me I never did write you that v-mail but I promise –

Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/12/a-little-reunion-roscoe/

A Few Pictures (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 30, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this letter in between the usual times but since there is no show tonight I’ll write during that time. To begin with there was no mail today so there isn’t much to serve as a basis for writing. Secondly nothing has happened since yesterday so I guess I could stop here and now but with so little written that wouldn’t be proper so I’ll just keep writing something until something else comes into mind.

After the trip I sent you a few pictures and promised to send others. I thought I had gotten all of them sent but found two three in the drawer. I guess you have no difficulty picking me out of the group. The one is taken at the entrance of the small hotel with Mrs. McCormick the manager. In the other is Mrs. Mac. again with her two sisters and one of the sister’s boys. The mother of the boys is between Bob & I. The boys were thrilled at being able to talk personally with Americans.

You will note the teal tea table between Mrs. Mac. & I. That seems to be a very

[page 2] necessary article with them. It “sorta” reminded me of being out in the yard on Sun. PM and at home and having a round of cokes, but this is an every day affair, however, this happened to be Sun.

The one where I had my hat off I wasn’t going to send because it looks like the devil but it’s good of the others. Everything is the same only the father of the boys is taking the place of the sister who I taking the picture. Mr. Mac. Hadn’t gotten there as yet but his picture is in one of the pictures I sent before. That was the one with the frayed edges. Mrs. Mac opened the camera before turning it up the film.

I’ve certainly filled up space and hope I haven’t been too tiring. I probably could tell you more in the way of names and places but perhaps I’d better not or it might get the censors ax. Maybe some of this won’t pass.

Well, maybe the old year going out tomorrow will bring mail with it. I hope
Love Daddy

[Editor’s note: The photographs mentioned in this letter are not in my collection so they may no longer exist.]

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/10/a-few-pictures-roscoe/ ‎

Chow (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 29, 1943

Dear Mother,

The only mail today was a package from Mead Johnson & Co. A bunch of Vit. A, B, C & D. I’m not sure that I need them but will keep them just in case I feel as if I’m getting low in any one of the said vitamins. Right now I feel I should really take some of some kind because the food for me today was bad. At noon we had corned beef and I’ve eaten lots of that. This isn’t so bad because it wasn’t canned but I don’t like it as well as chicken. This eve. for chow we had spaghetti and lamb stew and I just simply would not eat. I did, however, eat a few raw cucumbers with vinegar and a small, very small piece of cake – Tomorrow is another day and the food will be better and I won’t fall off too much in weight for not having eaten much as of Dec. 29. I’ve drank a few cokes and those will help keep the system going.

Just stopped to kill two great big flies, and when I say big I mean just that. They remind one of bombers. We have no screens and they come in and buss and one really feels like he is being blitzed. I don’t pay much attention to them at night but early in the morning they are a real menace to

[page 2] one’s sleeping routine.

The box that came from Ruth & Floyd yesterday had parts of an Indianapolis Star in it and the fellow that I wrote about from Kentland got a Star from someone and he traded me that for the Newton Co. E. so I have some reading to do especially the funnies. There was three comic books and I have read those so am now ready to start on the funnies.

It’s late tonight as I didn’t start writing until after the show and the show was rotten. That last part had nothing to do with the late start at writing but I just added it for affect or something.

Well Dear I’ll take a vitamin pill, get the funnies and retire – so solong until tomorrow –
Love
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/08/chow-roscoe/

Re-read Your Letters (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 28, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’ve re read your letters. The latest from you was the v-mail Dec. 13 and the next was your greeting card and letter – Dec. 12. The other v-mail was Dec. 11 and the letters were back to Dec. 5 but not all were present back that far. Some are missing.

I was amused at what you said wrote that John said about the money situation. Does he take after his Mom or his Pop? He should have a vote of thanks for thinking of the family finances. And the finances – what with those large chunks coming out for the piano, the loans, the hospital, etc., I think you have really done well. Next year we won’t have those things, but there is always something to th take the place of those things. You mentioned your mother’s hospital expenses. What are you or have you done about the funeral expenses. I assume you had Bob H., etc. and you have some arrangement with him. You perhaps wrote all this but it hasn’t arrived. Did you have take her to Shelburne? Or What? Maybe you would rather not write those things but I’d like to know.

[page 2] I hope you and the boys don’t get the flu – you mentioned in your last letter that it was pretty thick around. I suppose Dr. M. is worked pretty hard during conditions like that. He probably does what he wants to and lets the rest go to someone else. How about the Drs. in Sheldon? There were three there when I left, and our friend at Earl Park? And do you ever hear from Jim Openshaw?

Miller must have been sent out quick because the last time I heard he was in Tenn. or Mich. and had just been transferred.

Seems as if I’ve asked lots of questions in this letter rather than answered those your letter but those are some of the things I’ve thought of while reading your letters.

The mail hasn’t arrived as yet today or I should say it isn’t time for the mail to arrive so I’ll finish later – Later –

Yours of Dec. 9th came – a greeting card letter from Ruth & Floyd and a box from them also. So all in all it wasn’t a bad mail call –

Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/05/re-read-your-letters-roscoe/

Trouble with the Furnace (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 27, 1943

Dear Mother,

Received several letters from you today – Yours & the boys Christmas greetings – a letter and box from the folks and a greeting card letter and picture from Dolores. The picture was of she and he taken in Washington. I’ll have to re-read your letters before I write next time because I’m on-duty now and the letters aren’t where I am. And that is also the reason for the pencil.

You mentioned the check – That was the first one I sent. Hope the other one have arrived by now. Your mail service that way must be pretty good – almost as good as when I was back up the way.

A Newton Co. E. came today – The one telling of C.O. Riggs. That was the first I knew of the whole thing and in it was an account of the Simison girl having her appendicitis – Lots of news – Even Grace Cox was in the hospital. You haven’t mentioned lately whether Dr. Van Kirk is back at work or not – Maybe you aren’t interested in him. Not even enough for him you to write about him.

It seems you are having trouble with the

[page 2] furnace and Indiana Coal. Can’t Geo. Monroe get the thing regulated? Why don’t you have him make trips out there about every hour some day to check on it to see if he can really get things going?

I’m going to check the figures on the finances you gave and probably will have some comment about those but I read the letters so rapidly I couldn’t tell now a single figure you mentioned.

Do you remember a long time ago I mentioned sending an officer home with a bad eye? About June first. He is now back out at the first station when I was first located. He was back there U.S.A. for 5 months, so I guess he doesn’t have too much to complain about.

Well, next time I’ll answer more of your letters.
Love Daddy

P.S. also got a letter from Wayne W.

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/03/trouble-with-the-furnace-roscoe/

Christmas Dinner and a Wedding (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.O.P. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 26, 1943

Dear Mother,

Now that Christmas is over and things have quieted down to a lazy Sunday P.M. a letter might be in order.

First here is the menu of our Christmas dinner – 1. Tomato Juice cocktail 2. Creamed Turkey soup with rice 3. Roast Vermont Turkey 4. Giblet Gravy 4. Dressings 5. Lettuce and tomato salad 6. Ice cream with fresh strawberry sauce 7. Oranges 8. Candy 9. Nuts 10. Cigars & 11. Cigarettes and 12. Coffee. I don’t believe I left anything out. Yes these were sugar cookies

[page 2] to eat with the ice cream. I copied that from a menu which was all prepared, etc., but couldn’t be sent thru the mail.

When I told you about that wedding being Christmas day I was mistaken. It is this P.M. instead and I’m waiting for something to develop. It’s supposed to be at 1600 and it is now 1400 so I have some time to kill. I’ll add a note at the end if anything startling happens.

Yesterday’s mail brought only a letter from Ruby Cunningham. She just wrote out of a clear sky and last night after writing that short note I wrote her a letter so

[page 3] you can see how I spent Christmas night. There was a show which was only fair and I played a game or two of Acey Ducey.

I’m going to make a New Year’s R. to write all those people I owe letters. That is almost a week away so I have that much time to delay. I used to like to write and would generally get the answer out on return mail but not so anymore. I’ve written & rewritten the writable things and that must be the reason for my change. Then too maybe I don’t have as much time, or maybe I don’t use my time as I used to do. Anyway I don’t write as many letters now as one year ago.

[page 4] I haven’t written the Folks yet today but will before the wedding. It keeps me from getting so nervous about the affair – say who is getting married? I’ll finish later.

Several hours later – The wedding was a great success. The groom kissed the bride. There wasn’t any fanfare. Just a quiet little affair with me the only American there except the Chaplin but for that matter there was only about 8 other people there and I didn’t act as best man. They didn’t have one of those things. I just had to sign as a witness. After the affair they took some pictures. The only one I got in was the one of the Chaplin & I. Romantic don’t you think –

Well Dear hope you had a nice Christmas
Lots of Love
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/01/christmas-dinner-and-a-wedding-roscoe/