Tag Archives: Russell Islands

The Gunner’s Mate (Roscoe)

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: July 5, 1943 envelope

: July 5, 1943, p. 1

: July 5, 1943, p. 2

: July 5, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

July 5, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

July 4^th has come and gone – yesterday I wrote that the crowing event of the day was breakfast but noon day meal was also a good one – steak, French fries, ice cream & pie etc. Again you see most of the emphasis is placed on food.

I think I saw some mail bags today but that doesn’t mean that they are for us but it is always encouraging. I won’t be out until later or late in the day and I can’t wait for this or it might miss the

[page 2] out going. If there is any of course you will get the low down of it in tomorrow’s letter.

I carted my laundry out early this A.M. so I think by the time I finish this and do a little extra work it will be ready to hang but it doesn’t look too nice for a drying day.

Last night the wind blew and it really was cool. The sheet and bed spread were hardly enough. Must be our winter weather setting in. There are a few slight colds around just like in the

[page 3] winter time at home.

It seems I’m having a hard time concentrating again on anything that might be interesting. The gunner’s mate just came in to see if our pistols were in good condition. Mine has been hanging in one place for a long time and it’s been longer than that since I’ve worn it. Too heavy for a man with a small waist line.

It’s about time for me to get out and on the job so maybe as I promised yesterday I’ll be able to think of some wild to tale to write of tomorrow.

Love Daddy

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/22/the-gunners-mate-roscoe/

Independence Day 1943 (Roscoe)

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: July 4, 1943 envelope

: July 4, 1943, p. 1

: July 4, 1943, p. 2

: July 4, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

July 4, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Cal.

Dear Mother,

This being Sunday and a holiday no doubt we will spend the day with firecrackers and later a picnic supper on the sea shore. Sound like a rather enjoyable day don’t you think? I have other ideas about the enjoyableness of such a situation.

The crowing event so far as the day is concerned has already past and that was two eggs sunny side up with bacon and toast. That is not the usual breakfast however. Just a pick up by one of the officers in his wandering

[page 2] around. Of course those eggs were either state side or New Z.

Have been giving the regular routine yearly shots and since I’ve been in over a year mine were due also, so my arm is a little stiff but other than that there are no bad affects.

I saw in the Newton C. E. issue the law about the car insurance and I think ours is OK, but you said you were going to check with Ira. Since it isn’t due until Aug. 11 (I believe). You will have had plenty of time to arrange to make it OK if it is not.

The bell just rang for 8:30 and

[page 3] I’m supposed to begin giving shots at 9:00 so before long will have to get things arranged for the bunch that come in. Just something like the days when the kids came from school to get their shots. Only none of these cry and carry on but some do get very white and act as if they would like to pass out.

Well, I’ll promise to do a better job of writing next time as I so often do –

Love Daddy

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

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/20/independence-day-1943-roscoe/

To Begin With…(Roscoe)

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: July 3, 1943 envelope

: July 3, 1943, p. 1

: July 3, 1943, p. 2

: July 3, 1943, p. 3

: July 3, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother

Your letters air mail of June 12, 14, & 16, v-mail of 8, 13, 15 and air of May 13 and one from Uncle Wess of June 17, and a v-mail from each of the older boys and one from Ruth M. arrived yesterday.

To begin with we need say no more about the uniform and travel money because I got the word that you have received all. I may report the same thing in a letter or two but it’s a relief to know it all arrived OK. Along the same line I’m going to increase the allotment sometime

[page 2] this month but it won’t be effective before Aug. or Sept. Sc The old one should carry right along until the new one takes place but I’ll try to send you a check in a few days to carry you over in case there is a mix up. Our pay accounts are here now and in the next week or ten days I think I can send you the check. If the allotment comes thru OK you can use the check to pay off your insurance loan and/or buy some bonds, etc. More about that in letters to come.

The pictures were swell – sure gave a good idea of how D. and the rest of the family is coming along.

[page 3] The views of the house and surroundings were equally good. The grass did look a little long on the back terrace but with all the rain you’ve had there it must certainly grow fast.

You mentioned something about Salmon – don’t send any. Of course if you have OK – we have that here, and since the sardines take so many points don’t send those either. In fact I don’t believe it’s necessary to send anything because our food is good and it may become lost on the way and besides that it takes good ration

[page 4] points to get those things. I’m

I’m sure your scrap book will be interesting – The two items you mentioned were swell and by now you probably have others.

You wrote of Joe R. – you will have my letter telling of his visit etc. before long. His commanding officer has been on duty here and sure is a swell fellow. It would be OK to be in an outfit like that – Not any better than what I’m doing at present but there are lots of others worse.

Lots of Love Daddy

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/18/to-begin-with-roscoe-2/

A Quickie (Roscoe)

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: July 2, 1943 envelope

: July 2, 1943, p. 1

: July 1, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran.
July 2, 1943

Dear Mother,

This will have to be a more or less a quickie as I have some work coming up. I’ll just hit the bare surface and promise more tomorrow. I’m afraid if I wait until later in the day the whole mail will be missed and might be late and of course you might say what if it is since it’s no letter at all.

Another of my tent mates is being shipped to a different

[page 2] location so that means someone else will come in – Seems when I get to a place I stay for some time and then all of a sudden I leave, but so far there are no indications of my leaving here but it all happened so sudden at the last place, and th life is getting pretty good here – good food etc – I mean.

Well, I promise to at least try to do better next time.

Love Daddy

A new runway, Russell Islands, 1943

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/16/a-quickie-roscoe/

One Year Ago This Month (Roscoe)

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: July 1, 1943 envelope

: July 1, 1943, p. 1

: July 1, 1943, p. 2

: July 1, 1943, p. 3

: July 1, 1943, p. 4

: July 1, 1943, p. 5

Letter transcription:

July 1, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.

Dear Mother,

Notice the date. The first thing I did upon arising this A.M. was to torn my calendar over. One more calendar moth behind but not quite a month as far as leaving the states is concerned. It sounds good to say, however, that I got my orders one year ago this month – I don’t know what time means because so far as I know no definite time has been set, but we always have hope.

[page 2] I’m not very “writy” this A.M. for some reason – just seems all I can do is sit and look out over the cocoanut trees.

My garden is going to be as I said before a total flop so I don’t have to worry about the work of cultivating or weeding.

We were told we can buy a case of beer today so we can have a little liquid refreshments. It of course will be warm but that isn’t so bad. I’m afraid it would be stolen if it were stored in our Fox Hole but that might keep it a little cooler.

[page 3] I’m writing this on the corner of the table and I mean the corner because it sure is stacked high all over the other portion. Just let me list some of the thing. Three magazines under the paper I’m writing on, 4 novels not stacked neatly, 2 canteen cups with a deck of cards in one – Some pictures of the Island that can’t be sent home. One canteen – Three tubes of burn Jelly are Three cans of burn Jelly – One cup made out of Half a cocoanut – used now as an

[page 4] ashtray, Three china cups for drinking purposes, one copy of the naval regulations, one box of aspirin, one scrub brush, one tin box for my chewing gum, one flash light, one medicine glass – another ash tray and one roll of toilet paper – There may be other things but from where I’m sitting I can’t see them. The other furniture is as orderly and well kept as the table so you can use your imagination –

Love Daddy

P.S. I missed a bottle of merthiolate and a bottle of glue – They were behind something – also six

[page 5] magazines under the pile.

Possibly one of the pictures of the island that couldn’t be mailed home

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/14/one-year-ago-this-month-roscoe/

Soundscape (Roscoe)

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: June 30, 1943 envelope

: June 30, 1943, p. 1

: June 30, 1943, p. 2

: June 30, 1943, p. 3

: June 30, 1943, p. 4

: June 30, 1943, p. 5

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

I couldn’t got go to sleep for a period last night so tried to think of what I might write and nothing seemed to come. Then all of a sudden I began to realize I had been listening to the sounds around about so I thought why not describe those. Those would not be military information so why not. First

In describing sounds one does not know whether to take the near ones – the far – the loud etc. In describing a landscape I learned long ago to read it someplace – A point of view had to be selected – like a high hill

[page 2] or a tall building. Well the point of view of my sound description is my bunk with only a pair of trunks to protect my nudeness. Approximately 7:30 P.M. Dark as only a tropical dark night can be with a gentle, soft breeze floating thru the screened walls of the tent. As far as near or distant sounds were concerned there is no way of knowing exactly so I’ll not bother. I’ll just take them as one they came to me and was then were crowded out by the next.

Crickets or some such – were filling the entire atmosphere and it seemed nothing not another sound possible but a slight breeze scraped the long frown of the palm trees and gave a rustling sound much louder than that thru our well known maple trees at home. “Screach” the

[page 3] door to the bath house was opened as a late bather decided on a bath in darkness – Maybe he is the modest type. Ring Ring – the telephone still gives me a little start, however it’s never for me. Then a sharp bang followed in a few moments by another “screach’ of a rusty hinge. Someone had a belated B.M. The first bang was the hinged lid over the hole – purr airplane!!! No just a jeep or truck in the distant – Squeak, squeak high up – Rats fighting in the tree tops. They build nests way high in the air among the cocoanuts and seem to have their affairs at night. They can also be heard just outside the tent gnawing – and also inside scampering from one place to another. The loudest sound

[page 4] was almost missed – It’s also the most consistent and that is probably why it didn’t break thru – The Surf – The roaring swish beginning low and in a crescendo like sound finally breaking and one could imagine the white spray leaping high and then the receding waters – The whole process repeated over & over again. Just made one think of a huge monster rushing to escape but the chains always holding him back.

I suppose this could go on and one but why bother when can use the imagination after looking at the National Geographic.

Another sound purr – airplaine!!! No just a small patrol boat or distant truck – whistle whistle – The shrill whistle of the Bosun pipe – which means

[page 5] that all is secure – and ok! “Golly” I’m getting sleepy – Hoping you are the same – good night –

Lots of Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/12/soundscape-roscoe/

The Smell of Steak (Roscoe)

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: June 29, 1943 envelope

: June 29, 1943, p. 1

: June 29, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
June 29, 1943 1500

Dear Mark,

Of course you knew I had not forgotten you even though it has been a long time since I’ve written. I believe both of you boys have written at that since I have.

Who is ahead in the garden? You or the weeds! I’ll bet those radishes and lettuce sure does do taste fine.

I almost forgot – I sure was glad to hear you were such a brave guy when

[page 2] you had your tonsils out. I want you to remember how you felt when Dr. Romberger told you to take a big smell of that stuff and you took her down so you can tell me.

Writing of smells there is one that I’ve missed here a lot and you can help me out. Get an envelope full of steak broiling smell and seal it up tight and send it “kerplank” right on out.

Well, I know you are a busy man but if you can find time drop me a line

Love Daddy

P.S. give Mother a big “squeeze” for me.

Mark (January 1943)

Catching A Train Whistle (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: June 29, 1943 envelope

: June 29, 1943, p. 1

: June 29, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
June 29, 1943 1435

Dear John

I’ll just bet you thought I’d forgotten all about you but I hadn’t. Maybe Mother let’s you read parts of my letters or does she?

In some spots here the grass grows to only a few inches high and never any taller – Isn’t that wonderful? Or I mean wouldn’t it be wonderful if our yard had that kind of grass?

It’s a little hard to write because you haven’t written

[page 2] for so long either and since I can’t say much about here the subject matter is a little on the down grade.

There are lots of things I miss out here and one this one I believe you can help me out. I’d like to hear a train whistle, so the next time one goes by you get an envelope and catch the sound and seal it up tight and send her whizzing right on out. I’d ask you to put it in a bottle but it might get broken.

Well if you aren’t too busy

Write –
Love Daddy

P.S. Don’t forget the big “hug” you are supposed to give Mother for me.

John (January 1943)

A Little Thought Provoking (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 29, 1943 envelope

: June 29, 1943, p. 1

: June 29, 1943, p. 2

: June 29, 1943, p. 3

: June 29, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

June 29, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.

Dear Mother,

NO mail today so far but the day is still young. So again that makes writing a little difficult but I’ll probably think of something.

Censoring mail is a job hated and despised by one and all I’m no exception but it is a little thought provoking because here I sit reading some fellows personal thoughts to the one and only which under normal times would be a crime not to mention the underhandedness of the thing.
Then one wonders what the

[page 2] fellow looks like and also what the girlfriend or wife to whom it is going looks like. From the content of those letters one would think every gal in the State was a Miss Indiana a super duper prize winner in looks and a purified angel in actions. I like to think of what their relations will be say 10 years from now.

Then there is always another thing that I like to wonder about and that is the answers that come back to the boys. I mean the returns obtained from what is sent out but that would be mean to even think of. The above of course is pointless but

[page 3] it makes a distasteful job a little more pleasant and that can be applied to many of our present obligations the various and sundry of which are not too well liked. This last sentence almost got me down – didn’t know exactly how to get it stopped so I just pulled back on the lines said “whom” and hurriedly stamped out a period. That is another thing I’m getting low on is periods. Maybe you had better send another 2 dozen. (I’m all right). Now to be a little more serious.

Image from All Posters

In the May 15 issue of the Sat. Evening Post there is an article – “So We Don’t Know There is a War.” It’s about Spencer Indiana down in Owen County

[page 4] and it seems they are carrying on in keeping with every other county. Some of the names and places I remember very well.

Saw a fellow last night that had left the states in June ’43 and he even had starch in his collars and cuffs. We questioned him pretty carefully or rather greedily about conditions there just like we do of a person coming from a foreign land.

Believe it or not I’ve been writing on this letter for about two hours. Some of the time used in thought some for conversation and some just sitting – Hoping you are the same –

Love Daddy

Article from Clay City News mentioned in previous letter regarding attack procedures

A Little Flavor to the Water (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: June 28, 1943 envelope

: June 28, 1943, p. 1

: June 28, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

June 28, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif.

Dear Mother

All I got from that mail yesterday was a bunch of Medical supplies and the Newton Co. E. After reading the C.C. news over I found their air raid warning system and I sending it back to you with a few comments. I passed the thing around at chow yesterday evening and it was the best laugh of the day – maybe people back there can’t get the joke but we did. I can’t explain any further.

Last night while two of us were alone – the other fellow broke down and told me his family troubles – it is a pathetic case and I’m afraid I wasn’t much of a Dorthea Dix, however, he is also a doctor so he should know as well as I some of the answers – Not that I know the answers but he should know them as well as I. Really I don’t think he expected me to solve his problem but just wanted to tell somebody his troubles. Strange but he has no desire to go back said he has had peace and quiet since coming here – That must be a queer sensation. There is of course no point in my writing you this but just wanted something to fill up sape space and you might say what a space filler upper.

[page 2] Another Colliers and a Post came to one of my tent mates so we have some late reading matter some time in one of the May issues. Maybe those papers give us the pulse – so to speak of the country back home. I haven’t seem a Reader’s Digest for some time now. Some of these days some of the late issues will probably come rolling along.

Just stopped a moment because the water stinks in the shower house. Probably a lizard crawled into the tank and drowned and is giving a little flavor to the water – Something like that rat smell we had when we lived at Clay City in Grandma K. house, remember?

I see it’s nearing the end of the month and I hope you will remember about the financial statement I asked for. The last one you gave me was May 1^st. You If you have said anything about it since the letters just haven’t come thru. Repeating I have your letters stating you got the $150 & the 32⁶⁰ checks but the $100 hadn’t arrived and I gave you the check number etc.

Well the space is about all used up and I am hot and sticky – Hoping you are the same (or do I).

Love Daddy