Tag Archives: Russell Islands

Real Potatoes (Roscoe)

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: June 26, 1943 envelope

: June 26, 1943, p. 1

: June 26, 1943, p. 2

: June 26, 1943, p. 3

: June 26, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

June 26, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 – F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

After re-reading your letters yesterday it seemed your mail is a little slow but I believe it will pick up and by this time you should be getting them almost as soon as you did while I was in Noumea.

I saw some potatoes and onions this A.M. real potatoes. Of course we have had lots of onions in an off-color manner and one or two meals of potatoes but it sure looks as if things are picking up in the food line but when it picks up I suppose I’ll be changed because

[page 2] that is the way it has been and I won’t be a bit mad if it changed in the right direction – are you thinking the same as I?! I’m not building any hopes as to an early return – then if its longer I won’t feel so badly. You know how that is.

This is the dope on that check that hasn’t arrived as yet – No 115,268, Issued Jan 13. Issued by J.E. LeCours – sent to you May 13 – Symbol number 59-658. However, I wouldn’t do anything about it for another month or six weeks. I’ll talk to someone around here and then write you when I think you should proceed with the reclaiming – I

[page 3] hope by this time you have it and the whole matter can be dropped.

A fellow that left here stopped and had a look at my clothes and he wrote back that they were being taken care of and were nice and dry etc. So if the moths keep out everything should be OK. There were some moth balls in them and there were no moth when I left. So I’m hoping there will be no chance for any to get into them for operation.

The letter you wrote on June 6 was postmarked June 9. Either it got lost in the P.O. or one of the boys forgot to mail it. It wasn’t

[page 4] mailed on the train like some are that you get in late at night. So there was a slight mix up some place along the line.

I’m having to struggle more than somewhat to think of things to write today – its just one of those days when Cerebration seems to be at a low ebb.

I’m wondering if you appreciate the endings I’ve been using on my letters or are they “lousy” – hoping you are the same

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/2014/09/04/real-potatoes-roscoe/

Mail Received (Roscoe)

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: June 25, 1943 envelope

: June 25, 1943, p. 1

: June 25, 1943, p. 2

: June 25, 1943, p. 3

: June 25, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

Your letters of June 8, 9, 10 & 11 came today so there is lots to write about and as I said in yesterday’s letter the mail is always a good & welcome topic to write about. So far I’ve just read them once but will reread again later. In one of those letters you mentioned that you had received the travel check so that won’t have to be written of in any future letters. The $100 letter will probably be coming along later. I’ll send you the number, date of issue, etc. if it doesn’t come thru and we can get another. I think it is a good idea for John to drop his band during the summer (swing band) because too much is too much. I’m

[page 2] writing this on my knee out in the yard as the boy is giving the tent the usual morning cleaning.

Was that a battle Raymond Bower had been in or several? He left the states just about the same time I went to Norfolk. It also looks like Jim might be getting ready to do something from the way you wrote of his activity. I’ve received several notes from Joe R. and at present he is I think about 60 miles from me in an Easterly direction. That is only a supposition however and I believe Hicky is in that neighborhood also. I think I’ve probably written all that before.

A three page news bulletin came

[page 3] from the Home hospital. It came in the form of 3 v-mails. They were dated June 1. So you see v-mail is still slower by several days.

That business of Grandma carrying D. downstairs sorta gave me a little scare – There is no banister there and it might be a little dangerous. Maybe you could have one put in if the pocket book is sufficiently padded. That’s just an idea – Maybe D. will be able to walk up and down by himself and the problem will be solved and a banister would also help him. Do what you think best –

It would be trite for me to say I enjoy your letters because they are chucked full of things I like to hear – So when I write of my own being poor I don’t want

[page 4] you to get the idea I’m casting any reflections.

I saw by that Home Hospital news bulletin that Dr. Combs was still at Greencastle Indiana – That must be very rugged duty and to think he has had to suffer for nearly a year if my recollection is correct. I did notice that several of the Drs. had % addresses so they are scattered somewhat.

Took a trip this A.M. before breakfast – Just a sight seeing trip and was there a beautiful sun peeping up out of the sea! That made breakfast late and then your mail came and that made me late in getting this written – Hoping you are the same

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/2014/09/02/mail-received-roscoe/

Military Humor II (Roscoe)

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: June 24, 1943 envelope

: June 24, 1943, p. 1

: June 24, 1943, p. 2

: June 24, 1943, p. 3

: June 24, 1943, p. 4

: June 24, 1943, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.
June 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

Received your June 3 letter yesterday (the one mailed in Lafayette) and one from the folks dated June 7. So much for mail.

I’ve been thinking a lot about why I couldn’t make or rather write a better letter so I decided to make an analysis of the situation. Starting first with the beginnings and endings. There I had a wide variety of subject from which to select since because one always notices that when censoring the mail. Some are on the light and funny side; others seem to convey the idea that the writer is signing his last will.

[page 2] So after running thru them ad infinitum none were quite correct. Then I thought again of the ones we use and for our purpose I don’t believe there is any better. Perhaps it’s the hidden meaning conveyed by the Simple words “Mother” & “Daddy.” So I’ll just continue unless you can send a better one??

Then the body of the letter – news – that’s out as you well know – description – not too minute – actions – none – weather not too exact – but in a general way I have exhausted that subject often because one word, two words, I should say does the trick – hot and damp. You have the advantage there thanks to the seasons, and

[page 3] cold and chilly can be added – health (mines good) can’t say about the camp in general for that is considered military information – Friends and fellow officers – I’ve probably caused you to chew your nails along that score already – you don’t give a hoot about them for they are unknown to you. When you write of the boys it’s OK – means a lot to me – Coconuts bla-bla. The commander and I had a bet yesterday 1000 to one. I was betting the 1,000 – he said that was a lot of bucks – I said, “Who says buck? I mean coconuts.” He didn’t want to win the bet because nothing could make him more unhappy than have 1,000 coconuts piled on his lawn in Cleveland, Ohio. Back to the original subject lizards – that’s been over stressed – Laundry – that’s been twisted dry. Food – a

[page 4] very delicate subject and more can be added. That is we hope new varieties can be written of as time goes along – Say-y-y – the mail – hope that can also be extended and elaborated – onion and sardine parties – all has been said and it “stinks.” The garden a total flop up to now – but the onions, carrots and lettuce may save the day – radishes [?] top heavy too much has been written – places I’ve seen not interesting anymore – Our four legged friends the cows that’s a good and everlasting subject because they might wander into cuttin’ meat as chow time – that was mentioned under the heading of food – (bottom of page 3) – shells and other sea and marine life a dead and smelly subject – I’m about run dry – hoping you are the same

Love Daddy

P.S. If dry get a drink. OVER

[page 5]

Don’t mind me I’m just trying to write a letter that you could enjoy (I hope)

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/2014/08/31/military-humor-ii-roscoe/

Military Humor (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 23, 1943 envelope

: June 23, 1943, p. 1

: June 23, 1943, p. 2

: June 23, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.
June 23, 1943

Dear Mother,

I started and got this far some time ago but things bothered me. Had some kid in and then a telephone call to make. Really I wonder what I would have written had not the interruptions taken place. However that is in the same class with the “ifs” and that is about as easy to settle. I suppose this (as the one I would have started ½ hr. ago) would will have nothing in it so why wonder and if.

No need of me writing the

[page 2] next but we are able to get some news now and then over the radio and it seems the axis are being put on the pan. The loss to Japan of those 77 airplanes over the Solomon Islands must have terrific. Of course maybe the radio or the news analyists were a little “stretchy” in their figures but when something like that is given out we always hope the figures are correct.

Another pause – a commander came in with the backache and

[page 3] when a commander comes around a Lieut always has to listen and try to do something to keep them from being irritated. It might be better in the end – which end! Your guess is as good as mine. Anyway I’m supposed to outline and help construct a heat lamp for the purpose of administering some heat – Make it warm not for the commander.

Well, I’d better get going and try to do my boy scout deed for the day – hoping you are the same –

Love Daddy

P.S. I was trying to be funny – How’d I do?

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/2014/08/30/military-humor-roscoe/

A Little Irked (Roscoe)

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: June 22, 1943 envelope

: June 22, 1943, p. 1

: June 22, 1943, p. 2

: June 22, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.
June 22, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’m a little Irked this AM. It’s just one of those mornings when everyone wants to complain of a headache and one can find no apparent cause, and everyone seems to want something and seemingly they don’t have need for it – So much for family affairs. Just like a morning at home when everyone was up late the night before.

Got all my laundry dry yesterday in good condition so I am set for another week. My shirts are getting

[page 2] pretty thin. Went to scratch my back the other day and poked a hole right thru the shirt. I bought two since I’ve been here and should have enough to last for a time at least.

After a pause – Maybe I feel better now – nature called results obtained.

Yesterday was the Skipper’s birthday and everything was all set at evening chow. Cuttin’ meat, a cake, ice cream and he didn’t show up – went out for chow – was a little disappointing

[page 3] but the cake was saved until today. Either for lunch or dinner, I don’t know which.

No mail yesterday but it’s hardly time since the Sunday delivery came and the letters were fairly recent ones.

Had to survey some food this A.M. We always have some spoilage – The cans get bumped and wet and then spring leaks, and in order to receive that amount it has to be passed on by the medical profession. Canned meats are the worst thing because they sure stink when they spoil.

Well, I’m all written dry.
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/2014/08/28/a-little-irked-roscoe/

The Crazyiest Letter (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 21, 1943 envelope

: June 21, 1943, p. 1

: June 21, 1943, p. 2

: June 21, 1943, p. 3

: June 21, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.
June 21, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of June 2, 4 & 5 came yesterday. I just wonder if that of the 3^rd was v-mail and if so it is a little late. It seems from your letters that the bunch of mail along about the time I mailed the last two checks is delayed but I still have hopes.

Mark was home when you wrote the last letter so that was a relief. You mentioned something about not having too much pep – watch that garden work – yard

[page 2] work and all the other duties you have to do. No need of getting down for the sake of a small garden.

This is the first day of winter and it’s hot as the devil. Really I don’t expect any snow at all here maybe we’ll have to use the sheet and bed spread instead of just the sheet at night.

You haven’t made any mention of the bank acc. for a few days. In fact I think it was the first of May. If you could remember a word around the first of each month would keep me informed. Not that

[page 3] I could help any but it would give me an idea of how things were going.

You said Mark’s Adenoids weren’t bad but the tonsils were only the letter describing them I guess was the one of June 3^rd which did not arrived.

I got a letter from Hicky yesterday and also the note that was sent up personally. I had sent a letter back to him that was 2/3 cut away by the censore so he wrote me another which was OK, and nothing cut out. Said he must have pulled a boot in the previous one.

There was also the crazyiest

[page 4] letter from the Indiana State Med. Assoc. It was in the way of giving advice as to health – diet, exercise, etc. I would sent it to you but I want to send it back with some modifications and additions. One thing they suggested was to sleep 8 hours every night regardless let nothing interfere. They haven’t been where I’ve been. Another was to diet –Eat only white meat of chicken & pheasant. The red meats are too fatening. They just haven’t eaten any field rations. And so the paper ran. I’ll fix it and send it back to them if I don’t lose my ambition

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/2014/08/26/the-crazyiest-letter-roscoe/

Father’s Day (Roscoe)

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: June 20, 1943 envelope

: June 20, 1943, p. 1

: June 20, 1943, p. 2

: June 20, 1943, p. 3

: June 20, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

Sunday A.M. and sorta loafing around just like a nice summer A.M. at home. Even had a late breakfast. I think the cooks must have had a rough Sat. night possibly down at the corner drug store or in Joe’s Bar room. I doubt if anyone knew or cared whether yesterday was Sat., etc. It’s really funny sometimes about the arguments as to the day of the week. Sometimes one is off as much as two days.

[page 2] Just got a note from Hicky. He gave it to a passer by and it came to me this A.M. It was written yesterday. He always wants me to come and see him but our modes of travel are not for visiting purposes. It sure would be fine to talk to someone from home and someone who appreciated Indiana and it’s “corn” as much as I do. Of course, every state takes a beating in turn. We think Reno will soon find out about the war because the stage coach is due there now that spring is here and

[page 3] the roads are passable – and so it goes.

According to the calendar today is Father’s Day so will have to add a little something to my letter home to the folks. Of course it should have been done several days ago but I just forgot it.

Just stopped to take on a cake of chewing gum. W With that you sent Christmas and with what Mom sent I still have quite a supply.

It seems funny to hear some of the new fellows talk – all about the “zoot suits” and the

[page 4] color of the Ration cards and the different cards in use and also about some of the latest shows and new books. We don’t get those commonplace news and you folk back there think nothing of it because it’s just a gradual process.

In some of the latest magazines there are jokes and cartoons regarding shoe rationing which are a little hard to understand. I guess we won’t have any trouble catching on to those things – anyway just give us a chance –

No mail again yesterday
Love Daddy

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

“Nuthin” About Gardens (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 19, 1943 envelope

: June 19, 1943, p. 1

: June 19, 1943, p. 2

: June 19, 1943, p. 3

: June 19, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:
June 19, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

Well, it’s been some time now since the above was written – just sitting trying to think of something which might be slightly interesting.

I see someone working in my garden – probably pulling weeds and I think it will probably be a wreck because one of those fellows thinks he knows but he don’t know from “nuthin” about gardens. One time he gave his experience in horticulture – which was one lilac bush planted and someone

[page 2] stole it before it had a chance to grow but he still insists he knows so that the reason I’m afraid the whole project will be ruined. I’ll make a report on that later.

My chief pharm. and corpsman sometimes get under my skin always wanting something like a bunch of kids. The chief thinks he should have more men and I tell him to make the boys he has work. The boys want time off and they don’t like where they live, etc. Just a big happy family. Of course, most

[page 3] of the time I just laugh at them and as Dorothy K. would say pass out some sarcasm, and they like it more than somewhat.

By the way – do Krulls still have their car and are their tires still holding out. As I remember both car & tires weren’t so hot when I left. And maybe I’d better ask the same question about our own car. Hope you don’t drive it as much as Alma W. used to drive their car, but I’m not worried about that because the gas rationing wouldn’t allow that. Has anyone been able to get a new car?

[page 4] I talked to a Dr. yesterday who left the States in Apr. 43. I just sorta stared wondering what it was like. Then he stared back when I told him it was Aug. when I had last seen the States. I also asked him if he had heard of how long our stay out might be and he had nothing to offer in that respect.

The chief was back again for some more dope but no requests this time so we parted good friends –

Excuse this letter please
Love Daddy

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

Maybe Inspiration Will Come (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 18, 1943 envelope

: June 18, 1943, p. 1

: June 18, 1943, p. 2

: June 18, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Calif
June 18, 1943

Dear Mother,

This is one of those times when it seems there is nothing to write about but maybe inspiration will come.

To begin with our mail has definitely had the brakes slammed on and nothing came yesterday but the Apr. 29 issue of the Newton Co. E. As I’ve said before practically all of the news were old but some items weren’t issued before thru any other source. Again there was the usual home on leave boys, and J. Edward was one of those. I guess I shouldn’t be

[page 2] too jealous because it requires boys at home as well as out here, and maybe in due time we’ll all get our chance to get the much coveted leave.

I never did hear what happened to John Simons when he was in the hospital and I’ve often wondered how A.D. Washburn is getting along. Of course I wonder about others also but those two just happened to pop into mind. I often see Mrs. Dye’s name mentioned and wonder if her husband is still where he was when I was home. It seems the

[page 3] length of time out is generally greater when one has duty at a place like that before passing along. If that be the case it will work better in my case, but all those things remain to be seen. Guess maybe you begin to think that I think more of coming home than of the war but that isn’t true only one does like to think of home once in a while.

Well, I’m all out of anything to write so will try to do better next time

Lots of Love
Daddy

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

Allotments (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: June 17, 1943 envelope

: June 17, 1943, p. 1

: June 17, 1943, p. 2

: June 17, 1943, p. 3

: June 17, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

June 17, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

I was correct yesterday when I anticipated no mail would come and it didn’t, but we have had lots of mail-less days so we can’t feel too badly.

Day before yesterday I did all the big gardening and this A.M. I noticed the various seeds were peeping up thru the soil. They sure start fast and I’m afraid just keep growing to tops. Even at that the lettuce should be OK. I’ll report on that in a week or so.

A day or two ago I wrote

[page 2] that I thought I would change the allotment but I’ve “changed up” my mind for this reason. When I get back I’d probably have to change it again because of living conditions and I would have to have these stopped and that might mean a month for you without funds. So when I get paid and have any excess I’ll just send it to you and keep out of the red tape of having the allotment changed. You see two allotments are all that is allowed to any one person s I can’t add another without dropping one

[page 3] that is already in affect. Of course I can do nothing at all until I can get paid and I don’t see any progress in that line as yet. I do hope you have enough funds to go on and from the last word you gave me it seemed you were getting on OK, but with not much of a surpluss. I’m not scolding I’m worrying whether you can get along OK.

By the time you get this it will probably be 4^th of July. Just doesn’t seem possible but my calendar surely doesn’t tell “fibs.” Having had all this

[page 4] summer weather it gets one all twisted regarding time.

Just paused to remove my shirt. The hot sweaty feeling is relieved somewhat by being bare and also helps the heat rash I have on my left arm. That stuff really is a nuisance around here but never is serious.

I often see in the paper where Ed Barce was home of the week end. That must be tough duty and I suppose he hits the bottle as much as ever. Another thing that surprised me was Hilda and Amelia working – bet it doesn’t last.

Well, guess I’ve gossiped enough.

Love Daddy