Tag Archives: Pacific Theatre

Slip of a Letter (Roscoe)

February 20, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Sunday

Dear Mother,

This being Sunday I’ll just slip this in with Sat. letter. The two heavy sheets of paper of yesterday’s letter make almost enough for on letter’s worth but this small bit shouldn’t make any difference.

Since there isn’t anything to write about but the weather will start out by saying it was a little cloudy todo this A.M. and cleared later in the day and was I believe one of the warmest days I’ve seen. Really it was warm enough to go to the seashore but it’s too far to walk hence I didn’t go. We do have a river fairly near but it’s too cold most of the time and there are too many big rocks which makes it too hard on the feet.

Well, my space is short and subject matter is shorter – so solong.
Love Daddy

February 20, 1944 envelope

Meanwhile, likely unbeknownst to Roscoe, new orders were being written…..

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/20/slip-of-a-letter-roscoe/

Something of Interest (Roscoe)

1 Reply

February 18, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

February 18, 1944, p. 1

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 18, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this at about 10 PM. Had the duty today and went to see the show “Bambi” and now that I have settled down – got a coke before me and after having read the Kentland Democrat and Newton Co. E., the only mail today, maybe I can write something of interest I hope.

I now have two Newton Co. E.’s and two Democrats to pass along to Mulligan. I’ve been giving him a pretty good supply in the past week.

I just happened to think – In one of your letters not so long ago

February 18, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] you mentioned that the Lontz boy was still in N.C. I feel sorry for him – staying in that one awful place for so long. It isn’t so bad there but it sure would get under my skin to not move around more than that. Of course I could settle in one place in the U.S.A. but if I have to be out I’d I sure like to be moving. No moss for me and you know – the rolling stone. Maybe that doesn’t sound like me and it really wasn’t like me there but things are different here.

I think one time several months ago I wrote a letter using appreciation as the basis. That increases as time goes along. I believe I appreciate you, family, and home more now than ever. The two years away have certainly been long

February 18, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] and cruel but they certainly have served a purpose in so far as bringing out the appreciation for you, home & friends. Maybe I’m all wet but had I been home all this time I believe we would have appreciated each other less than at present.

Maybe the above all sounds silly but I sure don’t mean it that way. It’s really hard to put into a letter just how one really does feel at least it’s hard for me to do so.

I guess you really put me in the Dog House with our neighbor Zell. It seems you at some time or other mentioned to him how I felt about County Agents who didn’t take their trade too seriously and he doubted if he were in the “good grace” of our family especially me. Just

February 18, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] how strong did you make it? I still think I’m a little right about one of them who ran for the good old Earth when he felt it would keep him from Uncle Sam’s army. Too good to be a farmer at one time, but too fine when it isn’t serving too much of a purpose. That may sound silly also but I did have a point to make. And please explain to Mr. Zell that it’s not his profession in general but only the exceptions. I know he was just kidding and I got a kick out of the whole affair – Just as I hope you do out of the question I asked at the top of this page.

Dear it’s my bed time so good night
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/16/something-of-interest-roscoe/ ‎

Not Expecting Mail Today (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: February 17, 1944 envelope

: February 17, 1944, p. 1

: February 17, 1944, p. 2

: February 17, 1944, p. 3

: February 17, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner (MC) USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 17, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m really not expecting any mail today so I’ll write early. If mail does come it will be a huge surprise since we have been treated so kindly in that respect in the past few days.

You mentioned in your letter about talking to Mrs. R. on the phone and that Joe had begun to doubt the 18 mo. Well you know what I’ve said all along however some say that that is 18 mo. counted from the landing time out here. If that be the case mine will be up on Mar. 1. Which isn’t very far away – but there are

[page 2] a few here now past due so it’s a good talking point even tho it so far hasn’t been too much of an actual fact. I know personally 3 Drs. who have gone back after 18 mo. but I know several more than that who have more than that right now – so draw your own conclusions and keep fingers crossed, chin up and stuff.

We each have a mirror in our room about 15 in. by 20 in. and somehow it seems to be fashion to stick pictures around the edge of the mirror. I have 5 of D., 3 of you and one each of John & Mark. That is a little misleading about D. In 3 of those 5 you also appear. I also have two of the house. One in summer and one in winter. It’s just a fad but

[page 3] I sorta like it pretty much. One of yours is an old one where you are standing by the front door with your new coat. Another is where you are holding D. on the front step and the other is where you are down beside the baby buggy with only D.’s head sticking out – he is on his stomach. The others are just pictures of the boys. I think I’ll keep changing them from time to time because there are more good pictures that those in my picture collection.

– Got my laundry back today. One khaki shirt, one pair of pants, 5 underware trunks and 4 handkerchiefs 6/6. In round numbers very near $1.10. A little high but I guess I can stand it now and then. The trunks we are nice and white

[page 4] so next week I’ll send the most yellow of the bunch again. Another thing that is a little confusing here is their unit of weight. A stone – a stone is 14 pounds. In other words I weigh 10 stone 9 pounds. When we were on our trip we wanted to fly a part of the way and were allowed so many stones of weight instead of pounds. Their scales read in stones and pounds – which to me is a lot of confusion but I guess they don’t mind.

It is now 2:30 and the New Zealanders who are working on the lawn have dropped tools and on their way to tea. They will all be back in about ½ hour – seems funny but I gues they like it.

Well, I guess I’ve wandered far enough –
Love Daddy

P.S. a letter came from Mr. Zell

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/14/not-expecting-mail-today-roscoe/

A Little Ahead (Roscoe)

4 Replies

: February 16, 1944 envelope

: February 16, 1944, p. 1

: February 16, 1944, p. 2

: February 16, 1944, p. 3

: February 16, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 16, 1944

Dear Mother,

A Kentland Democrat came yesterday and in glancing thru it I found John’s name mentioned twice, both of which I hadn’t been informed. One was the entertainment at the County farm by he, Rev. Servies & the Wood girl and the other was the honor roll for the eighth grade. Neither item was very important and it probably just slipped your mind or you may have written both items and they didn’t arrive. I mean the letters because I don’t believe all the letters have come thru. I haven’t check on which letters may be missing

[page 2] now in a long time. I have a

I have all the letters you have written so far and would like to bring them home but in case of any question of weight I may have to destroy them. There is considerable weight involved you know in that many letters. Of course weight may not be a factor depending upon the way orders might come – when they come??

So far today no mail and I hardly look for any since we have had so much in the past few days. Mail just came – so hold the phone.

Just finished reading your three in two letters Feb. 1 & 2 and Feb. 3. A v-mail letter came from U. Wess and one from Mom – air mail dated Feb. 5. That was the latest this time. One of your letters had D’s picture – Very good picture

[page 3] It sure does help to get the mail a little regular. I forgot all about Ground Hog Day – both you and Mom mentioned it but this certainly doesn’t seem like Feb. In fact it seems to be more turned around than last year. You know how it is when you have to stop and think of what day and date it is well I have to stop and think what month it is.

This time last year is a never to be forgotten time because I was moving from one station to another and I did remember Valentine’s Day because being in a travel status I was on a ship. I didn’t mind the ship but well you know or can imagine. All that seems like a

[page 4] dream now – one you don’t like to talk about because it might have been true or too terrible to think of, but I should talk because I’ve been very lucky. I guess that’s what one would call it.

Back to you – I was a little worried because from the last letter it sounded like you were getting a cold. That was Jan. 31 but in these last ones you seemed to be OK so that was a relief.

If I were you I wouldn’t buy too many bonds right now – keep as much money on hand as possible because “we” might need some and it doesn’t add up too fast on a set salary – a little ahead might mean a lot to us in a few months because rent is pretty high anyplace else but in Kentland – Maybe I’m day dreaming but it feels good to feel that way.

Love Daddy

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

Lots of Mail (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: February 15, 1944 envelope

: February 15, 1944, p. 1

: February 15, 1944, p. 2

: February 15, 1944, p. 3

: February 15, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 15, 1944

Dear Mother,

To begin with the P.S. that I closed with in yesterday’s letter. There was lots of mail – First to add to my chagrin a Valentine came from you and it hit the day smack on the head – anyway I wrote you mentioning Valentine on the day. Your air mail of Jan. 31^st came and 4 others, all older than the ones received a few days ago. The picture of D. finally arrived. They were good. I thought – very – the one in the folder looks a lot like the baby picture of mine – Maybe I’m just imagining. Anyway they were good pictures. There was three Christmas packages. Tw One from Funks, one from Boonie – They were just alike – a round box of

[page 2] assorted candies. Meade Johnson also sent a big box of assorted vitamins and then there were several Christmas greetings. There was on from Pinky C., Mrs. Smart, Joe Mullens, Dorothy Salter, Bill Funk, Carl Funk and Harry Hufty. These of course we[re] from Mr. & Mrs. In each case where there was a Mr. & Mrs. Mrs. Smart sent hers for 1½ cents which was a surprise because I didn’t know that could be done. There was also a letter from Boonie. He wrote very fluently on Col. Wilkie but a few weeks ago when I asked him if he knew Otto. He studied a little and finally admitted he did remember him but not nearly as much as Otto lead we to believe in the letter.

[page 3] All in all it was a pretty good mail call even though there were more letters from other people than from you. However your letter was still the latest of the bunch. So that still made you tops even in the mail. There were a couple of old Newton Co. E. in the bunch also.

I’m going to try to get the films into town today that I wrote you about a few days ago and maybe in a few days I can send a picture to you. It was taken with a friend of mine – A Jewish boy from Brooklin. Doesn’t that sound funny coming from me. He is a very fine fellow and so far we have gotten along very well. So much for those until we see how they turn out.

Today we got an official statement

[page 4] from the pay office on the amount taxable collected in 1943. I’ve sent that to you before but don’t know what my figures were – This is official – $2,530.00 so if its necessary to file those are the figures plus anything you might have collected in the way of interest or old bills, both of which wouldn’t amount to much.

Our back yard is being leveled off and spaded getting ready for some grass. It will be nice when it gets all green but I hope I’m not here that long. I’ll be willing to imagine how it will look at some later date.

In all probability I’ll reread your letters and add more comment tomorrow. Thanks again for the pictures & Valentine

Love Daddy

P.S. also received a letter from Geo. Wingfield – he had received your letter.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/10/lots-of-mail-roscoe/ ‎

Happy Valentine’s Day (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: February 14, 1944 envelope

: February 14, 1944, p. 1

: February 14, 1944, p. 2

: February 14, 1944, p. 3

: February 14, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 14, 1944

Dear Mother,

You will most certainly have to pardon my absentmindedness about Valentine’s Day because it surely slipped my mind and I didn’t even tumble when the one came from the boys. It just all seemed foreign and a long way off or the wrong time of year or something. I know that sounds crazy but never the less true. So – Happy Valentine’s Day and all that goes with it.

I just happened to think of another thing you mentioned in your letters that I forgot to

[page 2] mention and that was the music lessons that John’s teacher was talking about. The $7.00 variety. How often would those have to come? Surely not once per week. I think he should have lessons more advanced but not that strong each week, but we can talk of that later. I hope talk and not write. That last sentence has no more significance than anything else I’ve written about coming home. So far there have been 4 Drs. leave here on the 18 mo. deal but others are past due and things seem to be at a standstill in so far as their orders are concerned. As it

[page 3] stands now there are three groups here who have been out longer than Cub 13. So you see we don’t just know what to think. There is however less than one month time for us as well as the groups ahead of us. We figure all the angles backward and forward and when it’s all said and done the whole thing adds up to only one thing – confusion.

There were mail bags in camp today. I saw them with my own eyes, but as yet we have heard nothing or seen no results of the sorting but hopes are running pretty high. I’ll let you know at the end of this if any arrives.

I did some laundry this PM.

[page 4] That was the first in a long time. I told you once the number of pairs of socks and trucks I had so I don’t have to wash so often but when I do – Oh Boy! I have been sending some of my most yellow trunks to the laundry to get that well known Gray out of them.

Just stopped to chit chat with the bridegroom & Lentz – nothing in particular as you might imagine. They both came in and bummed a coke – Tea time – possibly gossip time.

Well Dear I hope to P.S. some mail –
Love Daddy

P.S. Mail did arrive and I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. It was a landslide.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/08/happy-valentines-day-roscoe/ ‎

Mrs. Kindell (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: February 13, 1944 envelope

: February 13, 1944, p. 1

: February 13, 1944, p. 2

: February 13, 1944, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 13, 1944

Dear Mother,

Going back to the letters. I now recall what the $6.60 was for but until you mentioned it again I just couldn’t figure that one out. I started this letter just a little abrupt but on re-reading I find that was one point about which I wrote you before.

It seems from your letters that the pond must have served a very good winter playground for the kids and with Bob S. supervising the affair it surely was a fine thing. I guess you knew Mark wrote me of his fall.

[page 2] He expressed it in a rather unique way. He, from what you say, must like the great outdoors and all the sports that go with it. Although from what you wrote he doesn’t like his arithmetic so very well. I was surprised at John writing that he liked arithmetic so well, but on second thought that isn’t so strange because it is an exact science and that is more to his makeup.

I didn’t know Mrs. Kindell was ill and how should I if you didn’t know it. She used to have very high blood pressure along with her diabetes so I suppose one or the other or both were the causative factors. She was a nice old lady even though she used to be

[page 3] a little hard on my nerves on Thur. P.M. There have been a number of my old patients pass away since my leaving there but when one considers the time it isn’t out of the ordinary because 2 years ago this mo. I was examined or was it Jan.? Anyway it’s been just about 2 years.

I suppose Red wouldn’t allow Coke to be sick from what she said to you but it seems to one that he was in my office about 2-3 times each month. And he also went to Mayo Brothers and they found nothing wrong. That last paragraph was just an afterthought.

Well, Dear, that is about all I can recall now
So Lots of Love
Daddy

Ten Letters (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: February 12, 1944 envelope

: February 12, 1944, p. 1

: February 12, 1944, p. 2

: February 12, 1944, p. 3

: February 12, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 12, 1943 [sic]

Dear Mother,

I wrote in yesterday’s letter that I would add a P.S. in case any mail came – well it came but I got so interested in reading I forgot to add the P.S. There were ten letters from you, 2 from the folks and one from Ruth M. Yours ranged all the way from Jan. 7 to Jan. 29 with the Valentine from the boys included. That was what I call a real mail call. There was also a Christmas package from the Brewers for which I’ll have to write and thank them – It was a mixture of things: tooth brush, tooth paste, peanuts, cheese tidbits, English walnut kernels, two hankies and a pocket comb. Everything was in

[page 2] pretty good condition. The cheese tidbits were a little crushed but not bad and there was also two packages of cigarettes which were pretty badly crushed.

Now to your letters. I’m sure D. must have a slight throat irritation which probably won’t amount to much and so long as his temp. stays near normal I wouldn’t worry too much although it pays to be careful with those things in kids. The pictures were good but the one of D. has not arrived as yet. The clipping did however and I wouldn’t say that it was very good of him, but paper pictures are generally not too good. Chet V.’s picture was good but Art. K. looks like he was messed up like a dog’s breakfast.

The comments and the condition of Irene was a foregone conclusion even before I left there as I look

[page 3] back on the situation now. Maybe the Funks, the Statons and the Yegerlehners should take another vacation in Wisconsin. I’m sure it would help the Yegerlehners. It’s almost fate that another member of that group should need the benefit of a mental psycho analysis. I still feel that interest in family over and above finances. That applies of course to the latter. The former seemed to be a case of religion running away with family and I’m not being irreligious when I write that.

Watch your knitting – I don’t refer to the last paragraph. I mean actual. You wrote of how much you were planning on making and I’m afraid that might cause a few of your headaches especially at that certain period. If your breast is worse at that time I’m not so much

[page 4] worried but don’t let size be a factor in treatment. Have it checked on rather frequently and another biopsy if the Dr. thinks necessary.

I’m writing this letter later than usual because I had the duty and couldn’t write until I was off the desk. That makes me have the duty 3 times in one week. Twice for myself and once for Bob the bridegroom. Tomorrow I’ll try to reread your letters and write some further comment on them.

This being Lincoln’s birthday we had some little extra for noon chow. Grapes and nuts and I’m still cracking a nut now and then.

Well Dear your letters sure are a very good builder upper and I’m so tickled to get them –
Lots of Love
Daddy

Two Extra Letters (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: February 11, 1944 envelope

: February 11, 1944, p. 1

: February 11, 1944, p. 2

: February 11, 1944, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 11, 1944

Dear Mother,

Last night I really did myself. Wrote two extra letters, one to Joe R. and one to Geo. Wingfield. It was a tough fight but I made it without too much over extending my strength. By strength I really mean mental strength. I’m sure when they read those letters they will also agree that my mental strength wasn’t too much. I felt I just had to write Geo. and thank him for the Christmas present and

[page 2] Joe had a letter coming so he got a note.

There are plenty of rumors about mail but so far I haven’t seen anything that would indicate that the rumor is correct. We always gripe even if mail is a little slow but it’s getting to the place now where it is really serious. Especially air mail – I hope your mail is getting thru better than mine is. This last paragraph was a repeat last week if I remember correctly.

One of my friends here got a roll of films and borrowed a camera and he and I are going to dress up and snap each other. If they are good I’ll send them home

[page 3] providing we can pass them by the censor. I don’t mean we’ll try to put anything across but will try to get the background so that it will pass. I had one good one not so long ago. I mean one of the Drs. took one and I was going to get one but the developing co. lost the film and the Dr. is gone now so – and it was a good picture. Lentz has taken some but they are in color and he is sending them back to the States to be developed and you know how long that will take.

Well, if mail comes I’ll add a P.S.
Love Daddy

Staring At That Wall (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: February 10, 1944 envelope

: February 10, 1944, p. 1

: February 10, 1944, p. 2

: February 10, 1944, p. 3

: February 10, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 10, 1944

Dear Mother,

For the past hour or more I’ve been down on the bunk just thinking of what I might write you and I could do no good lying there staring at that wall so I decided to get up and start and maybe something would come.

I thought possibly I could put down my thoughts while lying there but often trying to recall what I was thinking I can’t seem to recall so I guess I was a total blank. I did read the morning paper. I had taken care of the news pretty well just before and after breakfast so started in on the want ads, public sales, legal notices

[pager 2] and other bits of printed articles. Some interesting, some queerly stated and some just plain funny. Much of their wording, etc., reads like our papers used to years ago. Even the Kentland papers seem to be more modern in statement. One never reads a paper but what there is a notice or two which states that such and such a man, no names, but a brief description who wishes to become acquainted with a certain type woman with marriage as the aim. And their ad about patent medicine are a scream. I can’t remember any just now but they are really heart rendering with the suffering which is going on needlessly.

This county as you might know, I didn’t, has state medicine and I’ve heard something about it from the lay individual as well as the Dr. and

[page 3] I can say the parties concerned are in a fog as to its merits and demerits. It came just about the time the war did so neither side has had a fair chance to win out. It seems that the Drs. are living and some of the patients are living so it can’t be a total failure on one side or the other. It is a little hard to ask the Dr. how much his salary amounts to so it’s hard to learn much – I do know this there are dissatisfied persons on both sides. However, that is something I don’t intend to get worked up about just now. If it comes it will just have to come and everyone concerned will have to make the best of it.

Lentz just poked his head in to inquire about the time. He informed me there was no mail again today – don’t know where he got his information but I’d say it

[page 4] was darn rotten information and not the least bit welcome. The mail situation is about like it was first when we left the States. There is one thing I’m always certain about, however, and that it that there are letters on the way because I know you are writing as regular as you always did. Lentz could have been mistaken so I’ll still have hope for another hour or two since it is only about 1500.

It’s time I should have my PM coke. I’m getting just like the natives only theirs is tea. I saw a group of men working on the road this AM and about 1000 they all stopped and had tea – eh what!

Well, I did get something written after all so solong love
Daddy