Tag Archives: Pacific Theatre

Local Entertainment (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
Dec. 14, 1943

Dear Mother,

It’s a little late again this time. Seems as if I didn’t have time to write during the day and then there was a stage show of native talent and naturally I wanted to go to that. It’s a regular Tue. night program and of course it’s must different than the usual movies we see. I can’t say that I’d pay much to see such back home but it is different and a few of us go just to see what will

[page 2] happen and how it will happen. Possibly the how is as much the entertainment as the what. The thing lasted about 2 hours and everyone was more or less show happy when the last act was presented. They do have some kids that are good dancers and singers but it seems to me they try to over develop 8-10 year olds’ voices. Many of the 16-18 year old actors they have, try to over act, but who am I to be critical of singing and acting?

Tomorrow is Coca Cola day. We get can get a case. It costs us 3/6  I think, and that is very reasonable but we have to

[page 3] furnish the bottles and the case in the beginning, and that is a little more. The 3/6 is about 58 cents I think and the 3/6 is read or means 3 shilling & six pence. A shilling is a bob and a six pence is a sprat. Just like we would say a Jitney and a buck. They have lots of sayings which to us might be a little funny or even a little smutty and that can also be turned around. The word bloody is never used in mixed society. I mean nice society and if someone remarks that they were screwed yesterday – That means they drew their salary yesterday. Imagine

[page 4] what a funny situation that might create back in the U.S.A.

Tomorrow is payday and I’ll be sending you a check. I really don’t know how much is due. However, I won’t get it sent until the 16th so you can be looking for that letter. I just hope it gets to you by the first of the year because I know we always had lots of insurance, etc., coming due around about then.

Well, Dear starting this letter with no thought in mind as to what I would write – I think I did pretty good to fill up this much space so before it’s all gone let me write – “Lots of Love” from

Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/06/local-entertainment-roscoe/ ‎

Writing Practice (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. 13, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just finished writing some records and while I’m in the writing atmosphere I’ll try on a letter – with records to write and letters my writing should improve but it seems to get worse. I miss a secretary and a wife who to do all the writing that was done around our place – The wife the most however. I really didn’t know how much I didn’t write before I joined the navy but I can easily break that writing habit once this thing is over. The above was some bunch of nonsense but it sure filled up space.

I thought I heard someone

[page 2] talking about mail but my rushing in to see was all unnecessary because there was none but it isn’t hardly time yet so there is still some hope.

I’m writing this time in the P.M. just before walk time (Long pause). The fellow I was going walking with just came along and it is now some hours later and three letters to answer – yours of Nov. 27, Nov. 30 and Dec. 2 came; the two last ones were v-mail. A greeting card letter also came from Sam & E.

I didn’t know Foulkes’ brother-in-law had been out of the States. Yes it isn’t good to be ill like he must have been. He evidently wasn’t in the Pacific area because I know of no tour like that unless it was for his

[page 3] illness.

I had received word about Marie S. in your letters and you writing of X-ray treatment – just reminded me. The next time you go to Lafayette take Mark and have a chest X-ray. All you need to do is go to St. E. and ask that Dr. Mcc McClelland read the picture, and if need be you can give Dr. Cole’s name.

I was amused and at one thing you wrote and that was the “loaning” of D.’s shoes to Jimmie Ed. Was there hope or despair in the word loan? Who is there to wear them after D.? Maybe I just read between the lines or am I assuming? Or am I just plain crazy? Or what?

Even in the letter from Sam & E.

[page 4] D. came in for his share they said “very sweet and good looking” like his mother. I added the last part of that.

You need not apologize for the Christmas presents because I certainly did not over extend myself for you – and remember I asked you not to send things and I know the spirit in which it was given and certainly appreciate it very much. (another pause)

It is now about 8 hours since this letter was started. The last pause was a bit of Bull throwing along medical lines and lots of fun.

Well Dear again a Merry Christmas and Lots of Love
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/04/writing-practice-roscoe/ ‎

Time and Censorship (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 12, 1943

Dear Mother,

Another Sunday almost gone and after it’s all said and done time does pass rather rapidly – not rapidly enough at times but when one looks back he sometimes just wonders where it has gone. Really it has been some time since I’ve left the last station but it doesn’t seem long but add that on to what I’ve had here and it puts things along toward spring – and who knows.

So much for that – I don’t just know why or how I got started on that time business and after all as we have written

[page 2] before – Don’t build too high on any time period and then if things don’t work out the disappointment will not be so great.

I did hear from one of our original group – not a Dr. He has been home and back again and I can’t see too much percentage in that – but here I go again – seems I can’t get off the subject.

I’d forgotten when I sat down to write that this was the day to write the folks so must do that before going to bed. There are other letters to write also – both the Ruths and some of my pals back up the line but it just seems I have a dickens of a time getting started. It’s not nearly so much fun writing to anyone but you as it used to be. Your letters are just natural to write, but

[page 3] I will say I’ve certainly fallen down in subject matter recently, and try as hard as I can I can think of nothing that would be of interest and still be passable. It seems there are more censorable things here than at any previous station. Maybe it just seems that way to me.

If I’m going to get a letter out to the folks I’d better get started. The reason I’m so late is – our orchestra played for a while – Then some old news for about ½ hour and a then long movie, so it’s a little late and good night –

Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/02/time-and-censorship-roscoe/

A Better Christmas Present (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Dec. 10, 1943

Dear Mother,

Two air mail letters today one dated Nov. 23 & one Nov. 26. The pictures were in one and believe it or not I think you couldn’t have sent a better Christmas present. Those are the first pictures I’ve seen in a long time because the ones you have sent are packed away and are supposed to be sent to me. You see most of my gear had to be shipped because I traveled by air and couldn’t take everything. I sure went round and round there to tell you I didn’t have your

[page 2] pictures with me.

A letter from the folks came yesterday today also. It seems as if they are getting along fine. Mother’s writing has improved lots and I’m sure she isn’t nearly as nervous now as a year or so ago.

When on our trip we had some pictures taken and when they come back I’ll send them to you if they are good. They might be good of the hills, etc., but the subjects in question were both poor so I know they can’t be too good. The pictures I mean – I’m run down –

Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/29/a-better-christmas-present-roscoe/ ‎

Pounds, Shillings & Sixpence (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
Dec. 9, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just received your v-mail of Nov. 28 It sure seems as if v-mail is faster than air mail and eleven days isn’t bad. I hope mine are getting to you in as good time. Some day I’ll write you a v-mail to compare the time – I’ve said that before but never have – when I think of it I don’t have any forms and I can’t remember to get the forms when I’m around where they can be gotten where ever that is I haven’t found out yet.

In your letter today you again wished me a Merry Christmas. Those greetings are sure getting

[page 2] here early but better that way than not all at all.

Got my laundry back today and it was 4/6 which I think figures about 70-75 cents. That was for three shirts and a pair of Pjs. Maybe that isn’t so bad. Really back there I imagine it is higher than that now. That 4/6 is shilling & sixpence. We just don’t try to compare it with U.S. money because it’s too hard that way. It’s all in pounds, shillings & sixpence (or rather pence). I’m not too handy at the stuff yet but a little better than at first. I keep thinking a pound note is the same as a dollar bill but it amounts to about $3⁰⁰ or rather a little more than three dollars. Really

[page 3] they must have intelligent cash registers around here to figure all that business and have it come out right at the end of the day.

The pictures you wrote about haven’t arrived as yet but they should in the next few days because all the letters before and after that one came. It’s been some time since I’ve had pictures but I think you explained that films were a little hard to get back there.

Well, here is wishing you that Merry Christmas to you and –

Lots of Love
Daddy

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Finances and Flowers (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. 8, 1943

Dear Mother,

Four letters from you today one from the Folks and a birthday greeting from The Krulls. All of the letters were old the f some early in Oct. and the others early in Nov. It’s always good to get those old ones to fill in the gaps. It seemed you had missed one of mine back in Oct. and it was a rather important one. I think it was the one I wrote the day my orders came. I guess you have all those by now. I haven’t lined up your letters lately to see how many are

[page 2] missing but I doubt if there are many which I failed to receive.

In one of your letters today you described the flowers and the letter. I still don’t understand why Palmer wrote the letter to the flower people. (I’ve forgotten their names). He had your address etc. I guess it was just the way he wanted to do it.

I expected before now to get something on the finances but it seems those letters must be missing. The last time you wrote about finances was in Oct. Possibly you are waiting to make out an annual one at the end of the year – I really don’t care just so I know you are able to get along.

I liked that little note

[page 3] or rather the last line of one of the letters where you wrote about writing letters in order to receive them. You put it in a clever way and the quotation marks around the ending of the letter – However you have used the quotation marks rather frequently and I remember what you wrote when you started that practice. That was way back many long months ago.

The time now is 10:45 PM and very nearly my bed time so for now –
Lots of Love
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/25/finances-and-flowers-roscoe/

A Little Spoiled (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 7, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just returned from the dentist – had two teeth filled and have one or two to be worked on at a later date. Many of the persons who have been up the line complain of their teeth going bad but mine have done very well. Just need 3-4 small fillings and that is about normal for me in this period of time.

In one of your letters yesterday you told of D. being a little spoiled and that John & Mark thought he should be corrected and their saying of what Daddy would do. Sometimes I wonder, and I’m a little surprised that they think punishment is in

[page 2] order when their mother doesn’t seem to feel that way. Maybe they are a little hard on him and or could it be D.’s mother is a little more or should I say less strict now that when J. & M. were coming along. Whichever it is I’m not worried because I know D.’s mother will do right by him.

The clipping about Wymond K. was OK. I’m sure the whole family is proud of him and of course his wife must be glad he is back not to say anything about how glad he is to be back home with the family. Of course now he has to wonder to where he will be sent next.

Your v-mail dated Nov. 26 just came – you wished me a Merry Christmas – a little early but appreciated just the same. There

[page 3] was also a letter from the old camp and one from the Master of a Lodge here inviting me to their meeting tomorrow night – I’m not sure I can make it, however, tomorrow night but will try later.

I was a little late in sending the boys their Christmas money but maybe it will get there in time for them. It won’t take long for them to spend it so I guess I need not worry about that. I’m sure Mark will enjoy his possibly on something to eat or drink. Of course John will buy records or something of the kind & D. – haven’t the slightest idea.

I’ll return the Merry Christmas
Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/23/a-little-spoiled-roscoe/ ‎

Well of Information (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. 5, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just finished a letter to the Folk and one to Sis so maybe if I hurry I can get one out to you before I run out of things to say. It’s funny but my well of information is very shallow and it seems to take some time for the thing to even get enough to cover the bottom not to say anything about filling up.

We had turkey for noon day meal today. At first I thought it might be what was left over from Thanksgiving but it wasn’t at least it didn’t taste like the leftovers we used to have. Due to my being away on Thanksgiving I missed that meal but

[page 2] we had our fried chicken instead and one can’t kick on a good meal of fried chicken. I wrote you about the chicken in yesterday’s letter.

I’ve been wondering what Dr. Van Kirk will do now that he is out of the Army. He probably will be in demand at his usual work – possibly more now than even before. The way he liked Army life I’m sure he must have been displeased with his discharge. Maybe that will help the other Drs. in the area. At least that will be one more to call and find out of town.

I thought there had been a law passed to keep the pre Pearl Harbor fathers at home and why is Socky Wilson so near to being drafted? There are others with fewer children than

[page 3] they have.

Some of the Drs. here do their own laundry and I’m think[ing] of doing mine also. The first bunch I got back from the laundry was a surprise. I told them I’d paid for those clothes before but the price sure is in keeping with new ones. I thought when I left The Russells I was thru with laundry but I may change my mind. At least we have good hot water here and at that place everything was cold but the drinking water.

Later – about 9 hours. Had a little work to do and just didn’t get back to this. It’s now about 11:30 PM and almost my bed time but I may read for a short time if I can find something to read – So
Good Night –
Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/18/well-of-information-roscoe/

Fried Chicken (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

Another Saturday rolls around and another week gone. In other words this is Sat. night and I can’t say it compares with a like night at home. There isn’t even a show and of course there are no stores or streets to be crowded, but maybe that doesn’t happen there anymore. Seems as if you wrote something a month or so about Sat. night. I believe you wrote that the usual late buying was slow because of a lack of goods to sell.

Repeating – Three days ago I sent you a check and in the letters of Dec. 3. I sent each of the boys a money order – I hope they all get there in plenty of time for good usage. I know Mark will have a glorious time with his and D. probably won’t get much kick out

[page 2] of the whole affair and John will probably buy or want to buy some records. And you – please use that amount for a dress, etc. Something you feel you couldn’t or wouldn’t want to afford otherwise.

Just stopped to get a few magazines to read – a few copies of Life which I hadn’t seen before – Of course they are Sept. and Oct. issues but they make good reading or I should say good time passers. Especially in off hours.

I’m trying in my off moments to think up and view over in my mind the rudiments of Masonry so that I might attend lodge and also Rotary. I think either or both will be fun and good experience but so far I haven’t made any direct contact. I have found however that the Rotary meeting is at the noon day meal and that is a little difficult to attend.

[page 3] You came in for your share of praise from Ruth M. in her letter. Especially how you were getting along and carrying on thru your mother’s illness. I do hope you have not tried to over extend yourself and do too much on your nerve. Please try to take things easy and watch the sinus and throat infection this winter. I know it’s easy for me to say this but it’s an another thing to avoid the difficulty.

During our leave we had an occasion to have fried chicken. The natives here didn’t know how to prepare such so I went into the kitchen and did it myself and believe it or not it was browned to perfection with mashed potatoes and all the fixings. Everyone seems to be pleased – and why not? Because we had two chickens for three people. It was the first of things like that in ever so long so you know it was enjoyed.

So much for today –
Love
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/16/fried-chicken-roscoe/

Dear Mother (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 3, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’ve almost gotten writ cramps from writing letters. One to each of the boys with their money orders and one to Boonie. Those were earlier this P.M. so maybe I’ll be able to write you without too much difficulty. It might seem it’s a task to write you but don’t feel that way because it isn’t and I might say it’s the only highlight of the day – for somehow it seems like a real visit topped only by getting and reading one of your letters.

Writing the Christmas letters to the boys seems to bring to reality the time of the year and actually it is only about 22 days until Christmas time. Last year when we left it seemed a long time when one spoke of Christmas – I mean of ’42 but here it is of ’43 and the time has gone someplace or somewhere. Much of the past seems only like a dream – or may I add a “nightmare” with the bad man on the march and very near or on the edge of the cliff ready to be pushed off into space. There is a certain something about that feeling which appeals to the adventurous side but there is also a relief in a good non anticipated

[page 2] disturbance of the sandman’s best. True experience is a wonderful thing – usually one would take nothing in a financial way for those experiences but would pay very little to be able to take the same trips and the same adventures a second time. Really I’m writing a lot of trash so just don’t pay too much attention. May it’s something I “et.”

To the more serious side – You haven’t written anything of finances for ages. Is it so bad you don’t like to write? Or have you written and the letters just haven’t arrived? Later I’ll give the figures on which income tax have to be paid for 1943 and you can figure it out with the legal brains at home to see how we stand. I’ll have some extra money to send home sometime this month – either the 15th or the last of the month so if you will let me know I’ll make an added effort to send it as soon as possible.

It’s hard to tell how the mail will go thru around Christmas and in case it is slow let me say now that I hope you and the boys enjoy yourselves lots because really we have more reason to feel elated this year than last. I’ll write more of Christmas later but for now

Lots of Love
Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/14/dear-mother-roscoe/