Tag Archives: Pacific Theatre

Base Hospital #4 (Roscoe)

: November 11, 1943 envelope

: November 11, 1943, p. 1

: November 11, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 11, 1943

Dear Mother,

All the rainy weather of the past few days has been canceled by the fine warm sunshine of today. This is really the first good day since I arrived, and from what I can learn the bad days here are much in the majority.

Today was the first day I was able to send any laundry as it is collected and delivered only once per week. At least here we don’t have to bother about drying the stuff and it is also starched and neatly ironed. All of which will cost more than we previously paid. It cost me eleven shillings to have my blue suit and rain coat put in wearing condition. I think that is a little under two dollars but I’m not too sure. One has to have blues to go into town and I want to go in and look around to see what these parts of the world are like. I’ve thought of Christmas shopping but old timers here say it’s a non profitable trip both from articles being scarce and from the prices requested but I’d like to see for myself.

Some of the officers here play golf frequently but as yet I haven’t been for I’m afraid I couldn’t count high enough to keep the score. Golf balls are a little

[page 2] hard to secure but it seems all those wishing to play somehow find them.

Sometime ago in one of your letters you mentioned something about hiding Mark’s bike and Ruth Y M. also mentioned it in her letter but I really didn’t get the whole story – It’s probably been told in those letters which are missing. In reading between the lines I believe it must have been some type of punishment. Those letters should be catching up with me before too long now. Your last letter was is still one dated Oct. 10 which is over one month old. My mail situation is as bad now as it was a year ago at this time, but it should get better now again when you finally get my address corrected.

I was just trying to recall the different ways in which my mail has been addressed. You probably remember all of them but I’m sure I can’t. Without trying I can think of six ad different one I have had. It really makes one think I’ve been lots of places – maybe I have, at least, I’ve covered lots of miles. Even in this letter I’ve rambled from one topic to the other without writing anything worth reading but it’s the best under the circumstances so solong until next time

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/06/base-hospital-4-roscoe/

A Room of One’s Own (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: November 10, 1943 envelope

: November 10, 1943, p. 1

: November 10, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 10, 1943

Dear Mother,

In talking with individuals here I find that mail is much slower in these parts than it was in the last area in which I was located, so don’t worry if my letters are slow in coming – I’m writing daily again so when things do get going again you should get them the letters as regularily if not as soon. I used to write I the morning but now that we can use lights – (good lights) – as long as we wish I write at night after the show – yes we have a show 2-3 or 4 times per week with some other features thrown in on other nights. Last Last night we had a type of variety show by a bunch of entertainers – singing, dancing and musical. A little girl 10 years old stold the show with her singing and dancing. She was really good. The other parts of the program were just fair but it was something to pass the time. I’m sure John would be a hit on that program with his playing.

We have had some rain today and it has been rather cold. I’m getting a little more accustomed

[page 2] to the weather now and I really like it. Even if it does rain, for here, one can get inside and turn on the heat and dry things out.

Each officer here has a room about 8 by 10 with a clothes closet in one corner, a bed and a desk dresser combination and one chair, a throw run on the deck and of course a window – my window faces South I think. It’s so much different than living in a tent and I surely appreciate it. To some individuals it might be classed as a hole in the wall but after living in various manner and modes this is really a delux affair. I can read in bed and after 10:00 P.M. also.

Yesterday my woman’s influence got the best of me so I moved the furniture. I didn’t like the arrangement so the three pieces of furniture were re-arranged – It was a job but I made it without too much of a struggle. I thought of you rearranging the furniture at home while I was doing this. In fact I moved the bed twice before it really suited me. I’ll leave it this way now until spring or maybe fall house cleaning which ever season comes up next.

Well Dear I’ve just about exhausted the paper so much get to bed –
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/04/a-room-of-ones-own-roscoe/

A Letter from Sis (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 9, 1943 envelope

: November 9, 1943, p. 1

: November 9, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 9, 1943

Dear Mother,

A letter from Sis came today informing me that your Mother had passed away. I’m very sorry and feel badly that I couldn’t be there to assume the responsibilities with you but that just was not possible. From your letters I knew pretty well what the final outcome would be. As I wrote before you must be very careful now because you have been going on nerves and the let down will have its affect.

Ruth praised you highly in the way you are carrying on. All of which I felt sure of, but it sure makes me feel good to hear it from others. I think I’ve written that before but I don’t mind repeating on a subject of that type.

I hope Jim could come home and help you but Ruth didn’t say if either Glenn or Jim were there. You probably have written all the details but the letters just haven’t made the rounds. Her letter was dated Sept. Oct. 17 and it does seem strange that that should come thru and none of yours. Perhaps you didn’t have time to write as often as you wished.

It seems that D. is still a favorite with

[page 2] his aunt Ruth because she described some of his doings while she was taking care of him. Of course Mark & John came in for their share and she also said that people around there said she looked like me. How terrible for us both!!

I’m glad my Mother could come and be with you for awhile. I know she must have felt badly because I believe she thought lots of your Mother. I suppose we were very fortunate in having the mothers we had and I cannot sympathize with you because mine is still with us even though we have been miles apart for some time now.

Glenn surely picked a very good time to come home because he was able to see his mother before it was too late and I’m sure she was very much pleased with his visit.

Don’t worry about finances, etc., because they will be taken case of as time goes along and worry will only make thinks more severe for you.

I’m very anxious to receive your letters of the past few weeks for I know you have written as often as possible.

All my sympathy Dear and
Lots of Love
Daddy.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/06/02/a-letter-from-sis-roscoe/

Personal Means of Locomotion (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 8, 1943 envelope

: November 8, 1943, p. 1

: November 8, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133 USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Nov. 8, 1943

Dear Mother,

It seems it’s about as hard to think of things to write from here as it was at the last place but I know if I can ever get mail from you it will be easier again.

There is a fellow here from Anderson Ind. that I had a chat with this Eve. I mean he chatted with me – His tongue was a little on the run away order and he did most of the talking. He knows a few people that I know so we did have a little in common.

Took another walk this P.M. Just a short turn around the valley – Not a long walk – about ¾ hr. all in all and I was about all in when we returned. You see I’m still not used to walking too much and here I don’t have a jeep like at the last place so must use my own personal means of locomotion. The roads are mostly black top so it’s much better walking than from cocoanut to cocoanut. The varieties of vegetation are so much more numerous here and really is beautiful this time of year with all the fresh green and also the various wild flowers. As time goes along I want to go on

[page 2] longer walks in order to see as much of the country as possible. The cities doesn’t don’t hold nearly as much for me as the country because they are somewhat like our own.

It seems I have a devil of time with shillings, pounds, etc., but possibly in time I’ll be able to carry on a transaction without feeling I’m being robbed. It’s almost a necessity to be able to use the money even in our own compound. Rumors have it that we will be paid that way but I rather doubt that.

I had an extra half strip put on my blue coat and it came to six shillings and I’m having the suit and rain coat cleaned & pressed and I thik think that will cost around 10 or 11 shillings. I think 6 shillings is about the same as one dollar but I’m not sure.

Well, Dear I hope your mail is getting thru to you better than mine is coming this way for it sure does seem a long time since I’ve heard from you but it’s still –

Lots of Love
Daddy

Map of New Zealand (via Wikipedia Commons)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/31/personal-means-of-locomotion-roscoe/

Those Blasted Coconuts (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 7, 1943, envelope

: November 7, 1943, p. 1

: November 7. 1943, p. 2

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)

1 Reply

: November 6, 1943 envelope

: November 6, 1943, p. 1

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/

A Good Big Meal (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 2, 1943 envelope

: November 2, 1943, p. 1

: November 2, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

11-2-43
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133 USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.

Dear Mother,

A short note again today. It’s hard to concentrate in a stage of moving and I’ll really do justice to a letter when things get settled down.

I really had good food since getting here because everyone here I know feels that we deserve a good big meal and really I feel stuffed most of the time. I possibly have gained all that I lost which wasn’t very much.

Just now was offered some

[page 2] Ice cream but refused. In fact I don’t care much for Ice C.

I’ve had to bum stationary for the past few days due to the fact that mine is all packed neatly away but I guess it will arrive to you just as well.

Must get going now.
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/20/a-good-big-meal-roscoe/

Awaiting Transportation (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: November 1, 1943 envelope

: November 1, 1943, p. 1

: November 1, 1943, p. 2

: November 1, 1943, p. 3

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

Stomach Happy (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 15, 1943 envelope

: October 15, 1943, p. 1

: October 15, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 15, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail yesterday but I hardly expected any since a bunch came the day before.

Was I stomach happy last night? Here was the reason. I was invited out for dinner. The first course was an oyster cocktail; next a combination salad; then the main part of the meal. T-bone steak, nice thick & rare – French fried potatoes, Tiny tender peas, next came apple pie. Then raspberry ice cream and last of all a basket of oranges – I brought mine home on the outside. I forgot both ripe and green olives. Too many for me to eat them all. No celery however, but I won’t complain about that. It was truly the best & biggest meal I had had since leaving the states, and I don’t expect another like it until I get back and possibly not then what with rationing & everything. We left the meal in

[page 2] time to go to the show. “The Crystal Ball” was the name of the show. After the show there was a slight beer party in the ward room. It seems that three of our officers were promoted and they dug up some beer, peanuts, pine nuts, pecans and a few other tidbits. So you see I had a nice full stomach to retire on, but this A.M. I don’t seem to have any after affects and strange as it seems I slept well also.

It must seem from what I’ve written that all we do is eat and sleep. I can assure you it will be a long time before another meal and evening like that rolls around again.

Well, I must get to work in order to get some of that excess food & drink out of my system.
Love Daddy

Flowers (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 14, 1943 envelope

: October 14, 1943, p. 1

: October 14, 1943, p. 2

: October 14, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.
Oct. 14, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of Sept. 24, 27, 29, 30, Oct. 1 & 2 came yesterday. I’m at a little loss to know why 24, 27, & 29 were all post marked Sept. 29. Probably was a little slip up some place along the line and doesn’t make a great deal of difference. In one of those letters the 7 months pictures and the letter you wrote way back there were present. I can’t understand that either but I guess these P.O. in the field have a lot to do.

So glad you got the flowers – I just knew this friend wouldn’t fail and I don’t feel badly about sending that amount of money. You should get another bunch of flowers along about your birthday from another fellow. In case you don’t get those all I can say is happy birthday. What I meant to say was I’m taking this opportunity to wish you a happy birthday because I can’t send anything – not even money in time and I didn’t send any sooner because I didn’t have any and won’t until the last of the month. So I have you get the flowers in time.

[page 2] I’m sorry your mother’s condition fails to improve. If it isn’t a carcinoma it has to be a hardening of the liver and the treatment of either is futile but I still think it is carcinous and the Gall stones have nothing to do with the condition. I’m afraid you are going to be pretty short financially because you only had a little over $150 so early in the month. You hadn’t mentioned before about paying the hospital as you went along which I think is a good idea if you can but it if cuts you so low that you can’t make the rent & insurance stall them off for a while – don’t ask Jim for more than half the expenses and I guess Glen isn’t able at this time to aid in that respect. I’m sure the finances will work out OK so don’t let that worry you.

Now about you – Your invoice sounded good but let me warn or prepare you – In sickness an individual who is responsible for the care of sick will often go on their nerves – Then when it is over if proper care isn’t taken a relapse or let down is evident and that is what you have to guard against. Get plenty of rest – sleep and let the house work go for a while. Your indigestion is probably like what I had when

[page 3] Openshaw, Mathews, etc. were out of town and I was run ragged remember. Don’t blame the strep you had last winter too much. Of course you might have a recurrence but you didn’t have a strep the year before and one got you last year so just because you did have that last year is no reason to expect one this year.

100 pounds, dark hair, Green eyes, 5’4”, pleasing features, a little slim but just my type. Do keep healthy Dear – just as if you won’t try?

The one year old pictures were good and but don’t try to send the movie films. Of course I’d like to see them but don’t take the chance of losing them and I don’t know the size nor the size of our machine here. Where is the pressure coming from for D. hair cut? Don’t tell me just let me guess. I won’t express myself on the subject. You probably know how I feel. Isn’t that a big help?

Those letters are such a big help when they come in as late as those yesterday – Thanks and lots of love
Daddy

P.S. I received a letter from the fellow who sent the flowers and he told me he had done so. He is from Reno, Nev.

[Editor’s note: The fellow from Reno, Nevada was mostly likely Roscoe’s former tent mate, George Wingfield, Jr., who was transferred a few months previously.]