Tag Archives: Russell Islands

They Were Expendable (Roscoe)

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: May 27, 1943 envelope

: May 27, 1943 new address

: May 27, 1943, p. 1

: May 27, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

May 27, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Again I find myself with pen, paper etc but very little if anything to write but maybe ideas will come as the writing progresses.

One of the fellows got several cans of boneless and skinless sardines yesterday and another got some various assorted cans of turkey and sardines etc. He also got the book “They or we were expendable.” I forgotten the exact title. In my wandering I’ve met the fellow Kelley who has so much to say in that book so it really gives the book a personal touch, or something.

Our stamp and stationary supplies are rapidly becoming a problem but I think before the supply is entirely depleted we will be able to get more or maybe I’ll have to write v-mail letters in your regular air mail – Maybe one or both will come thru. I keep changing my mind on that so often but I do that as situations arise.

Took a short trip thru the jungles again the other day and it’s almost like the time when John had candy all over his

[page 2] face – I don’t believe what I see. The growth is much thicker than the movies show and more interesting. The parrots, cockatoos are very pretty and about as colorful as the marine life around the islands. Those things are all interesting to see but as I feel now I would never have missed anything had I not seen any of these things but maybe I don’t feel quite that bad. I really hope we aren’t forgotten out here and I’m willing to give the ball bearing “Waves” a chance to get off their fat fannies and do their stuff outside the continental limits of the U.S.A. We get word now and then that there are men there anxious to get out so more power to them. Don’t get the idea I’m too homesick or that I’m feeling sorry for myself or want other people to feel sorry for me but I do hope a schedule is worked out where by changes are made to relive the men overseas.

I’ve rambled and jambled and said very little and I hope you taked take what I’ve written in good spirit.

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/2014/07/06/they-were-expendable-roscoe/

My Sister Eileen (Roscoe)

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: May 26, 1943 envelope

: May 26, 1943, p. 1

: May 26, 1943, p 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

Again the morning chores are over and awaiting the day’s developments. This old month of May is rapidly coming to a close and that means another month behind.

Last night was the first I was able to read – It was sorta on the sly and of course I had to finish my book. Read until 11:30 P.M. The book was “My Sister Eileen” – Just a catchy book with no plot but well written and a little on the funny side. The show has been produced I think but of course I didn’t see the show. After I had finished reading I had to go to my tent and it really was as black as the inside of a cow or anything blacker you can think of. Anyway I knew if I walked I the general direction I’d either hit the tent or the clothes line. I hit the latter but got to the tent ok.

Some fellow here got a letter from his wife saying that coconuts were 25¢ per in the states, boy what a pile of dough is going to waster here. On the average one buck’s worth drops around our tent each night. That would really be dollars from Heaven if one

[page 2] could collect.

Speaking of that song – I’ve taken care of one of the writers of that song and also taken care of one of Walt Disney’s copy artists. He sure can give a lot of dope on the inside of that particular kind of movie. One surely does meet some interesting people as well as some uninteresting – Rich and poor. One of my friends from Reno owns two hotels there and probably is worth a cool million but he doesn’t seem any different than us. He has been my tent mate since coming here and I would never have know but the other fellow from Reno told me, but to own two hotels one has to have a few buck. We also run into the stuffy, pontifical type who are now making more money than they ever made in their life before and do a lot of talking about their pre war work.

This letter seems to be quite much on the gossip side but it fills up space and since there is no news. This seems the best I can do. Anyway

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/2014/07/04/my-sister-eileen-roscoe/

14th Anniversary (Roscoe)

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: May 25, 1943 envelope

: May 25, 1943, p. 1

: May 25, 1943, p. 2

: May 25, 1943, p. 3

: May 25, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

May 25, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

As I remember it this is the day or was the day some 14 years ago – of course I could have missed it a few days but I think I’m correct. I sure hope the next one will be more pleasant for both of us.

I wrote a letter to “Hicky” Reinhart yesterday – sure hope he gets this in better time than the last one. Both our letters made two way trips because they had been sent to the place we were transferred from.

I told you about having fresh potatoes – well from that same source the fellow got a piece of frozen meat all packed in a burlap sack and he thought it was pork – but it’s Lamb. That is OK, but as a rule Navy lamb isn’t what civilian lamb is. I think it was lamb – several years ago and eventually grew out of that stage.

Yesterday being laundry day I have my clothes all clean and ready for another week. The wash this week consisted of 2 sheets, 3 shirts, one pair of pants, 4 towels, 5 underware trunks and

[page 3] numerous socks. It is washed for us and we hang it to dry and do the pressing simply by folding. In that way everyone from the highest to the lowest looks wrinkled but that doesn’t bother.

The last few nights the moon has been unusually bright and it sure is beautiful intermingled with palm trees and ocean but under present circumstances the beauty is somewhat retracted from.

We had hearts of coconuts again last night for supper – It’s the million dollar dish but I’d rather have good old celery or carrot sticks served in ice

[page 4] cold water.

This is just a hint – If you could pick up a few cans of canned chicken it sure would be fine – provided it didn’t cut too much off your own rations – we had some the other day that a fellow got from home and it was delish – but I wouldn’t want to use up any of the rations for you and the boys – a can of olives would also be appreciated.

Well, I’ve said about enough – hope you are enjoying the anniversary day as much as possible under the circumstances and may the next be more enjoyable

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/07/02/14th-anniversary-roscoe/

The School Teaching Game (Roscoe)

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: May 24, 1943 envelope

: May 24, 1943, p. 1

: May 24, 1943, p. 2

: May 24, 1943, p. 3

: May 24, 1943, p. 4

: May 24, 1943, p. 5

Letter transcription:

May 24, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

This will probably have to be a little short due to the fact that I’m – you might say in the school teaching game – That is I have to give an examination to boy to be passed on to a higher rating. It means $10-$15 per month more for the kid and the honor that goes with it.

A lapse of about 1 ½ hours – The exam is over and that is that. He passed.

Went shelling yesterday P.M. again and had pretty good luck but I think I’ll stop for a while

[page 2] because the stink of the shells around don’t never end if a few are brought in each day, and I’m also getting scared because practically every rock has a sea serpent or crab or numerous other forms of marine life – some slick and slimy looking and some just plain repulsive. The way we get the shells is to wade in the water about one foot deep and turn the rocks over. So you see if one of these animals swim against my legs I do lots of splashing and spattering.

Had a real treat yesterday. Real French fried potatoes.

[page 3] some how some one brought in about one peck of good old Idahoes and what a treat. We also had cutting meat but the potatoes were the real prize. I think you can gather from my letters what we consider the most important food. And you would be surprised at the number of conversation that are dominated by food.

Received a letter from Wayne Watson today it was written back in Mar. If I remember correctly I haven’t answered his last one but I just can’t keep the letters going like I used to do.

[page 4]so you will have to set lots of people right and also give them the news from here which is poor news as far as news is concerned not much.

You may get a letter from a lady in Reno N. some day – Mr. Howell said he would have his wife send you some copies of newspapers she has.

Well, I’m all written out again – Love Daddy.

P.S. got a letter from H. W. Reinhart (Hicky) yesterday – I think he is following me just like Dr. Joe is doing.

P.S. again – My full name on this envelope is a mistake OVER
I just slipped.

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/2014/06/30/the-school-teaching-game-roscoe/

Dr. Joe Roberts (Roscoe)

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: May 23, 1943 envelope

: May 23, 1943, p. 1

: May 23, 1943, p. 2

: May 23, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

May 23, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Just finished my morning chores and trying to settle down to writing.

Yesterday out of a clear sky from some source I got a letter from Dr. Joe Roberts and from his address I don’t believe he is very far from me but that is more or less a guess but I think I’m correct – I sure wish we could get together for a visit which is not impossible if my guessing is correct. The above seems to be

[page 2] a little mixed up but maybe you can get it straight.

Just by way of repeat I’ve sent two uniform check – one for 150 & one for 100 and later a check for 32.60 for you travel. All were in separate letters and mailed about one wk apart. When you get them give me the dope in several letters at intervals.

Went shelling again yesterday and had pretty good success but not as good as before but we didn’t stay as long. These are a little more stinky than

[page 3] those we had in Noumea because the live animal is there and has to be gotten out.

This being Sunday I’ll have to write the folks to keep up my weekly schedule. Then too I’ll have to drop Dr. J. a letter and compare notes but censorship is just as strict between here and there as it is between here and you.

Well, there are rumors of mail – hope they aren’t false.

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/2014/06/28/dr-joe-roberts-roscoe/ ‎

Beach combing (Roscoe)

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: May 22, 1943 envelope

: May 22, 1943, p. 1

: May 22, 1943, p. 2

: May 22, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

May 22, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

I’ve been sitting here for 5 full minutes with pen ready but nothing came so in order to get started I thought I’d give you the setting.

Went shelling again yesterday and had pretty good luck but not as good as day before. It must sound funny that I tell you about beach combing when I’m supposed to be fighting but anyway we still like to pick up shells.

I’m having a little “dohinky”

[page 2] made for Carl Funks baby. I’ll send it to you and you can present it. I don’t know why I’m so worked up about their baby but that is the only announcement I’ve received just like that. Hope David doesn’t feel badly about what I’ve said.

The shells I got are still alive so the inside has to be cleaned out. First we put them in fresh water – That kills the inside then we set them out or bury them and the ants eat the inside. We have to bury them to avoid the stink. All

[page 3] those shells from Noumea where dead and cleaned out when picked up.

The letter I mailed yesterday will probably get there in better time than others because of the circumstances under which it was mailed.

My very good friend whose the initials you note on the letters is now our big boss – was elevated only recently.

Well I did get some written at that so my first 5 minutes weren’t wasted after all.

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/2014/06/27/beach-combing-roscoe/

No cream or sugar (Roscoe)

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: May 21, 1943 envelope

: May 21, 1943, p. 1

: May 21, 1943, p. 2

: May 21, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

May 21, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco

Dear Mother,

Yesterday after your letters came or rather day before – another v-mail came but it was dated earlier than the latest – but on the whole the mail is coming thru pretty good.

Went shelling yesterday and got quite a few pretty nice ones so some of these days I’ll be able to send home some again. These in a way are prettier than those at Noumea, but they are not nearly so numerous.

I’ll have to tell you one habit that I’ve gotten into – No

[page 2] cream or sugar in my coffee – sure came in handy this A.M. It seems the colored mess boy sprayed the sugar with fly spray and everyone was going on about the coffee but mine tasted OK. Really I thought it was my tastes on the brew but found it was fly spray.

Just got thru giving a fellow a dose of Epsom Salts and did he smack his lips. That is not my idea of what a person should smack their lips about.

Saw some baby pictures yesterday of an officer – His

[page 3] is about 4 mo old but it was only a snap shot and not much could be seen but bundles of clothes.

In you [sic] last letter you told of John’s having a temperature hope he is getting along OK. It seems hardly possible that he would have the measles at that late date but you never can tell.

Well, must get going
Love
Daddy

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

Something to write about (Roscoe)

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: May 20, 1943 envelope

: May 20, 1943, p. 1

: May 20, 1943, p. 2

: May 20, 1943, p. 3

: May 20, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

May 20, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran

Dear Mother,

I feel I really have something to write today before I got your v-mails of 5-1, 4-26, 4-29 and your air mail of 5-3 and 5-5 – so you see our mail is better and the air mail is best. However, write a v-mail now and then because there is always a chance that that will be good. In your letter of May 3 – there was a picture of D. It of course wasn’t as good as others but I appreciated it just the same. I’d like to have a good picture of the house. Those I left behind were good but I left them as you know.

It seems to me a $100 bank balance isn’t too much and I don’t believe I’d buy too many bonds unless the balance is larger. I’m going to send a $32 check for your travel

[page 2] expenses to Norfolk. They wouldn’t allow the trip home because you came before I had orders and I didn’t know that. I could have storied [?] about the date but I didn’t so that is $32 we don’t have to worry about. The first check I sent I forgot to indorse or rather sign but since you have power of attorney you shouldn’t have any trouble.

I received an announcement of the arrival of Carl Funks baby and can think of nothing to send unless it would be a cocoanut and I’m afraid it would spoil before arrival. I may think of something as time goes along.

While talking of babies – you have mentioned several times about Johnson’s baby having eczema. I would be all for trying some of the deproteinated milk which

[page 3]several companies 3 put out. Really I believe the little fellow is sensitive to milk and then I’d have them use only olive oil on his skin with a good application of sulfathiazole ointment 5% about every 2 days. I mean the olive oil every day instead of soap and water – No advertised baby oil will do. If olive oil is not obtainable, I’d use a good grade of mineral oil but the olive oil is better. The thing for them to do however is to see their Dr. because long distant treatment and diagnosis isn’t so good and this is really long distant.

Too bad about Eddy Ray but things like that do happen. I’m just wondering if Mr. Steinbaugh had cancer of the lungs.

It seems your mail is slow and spotty like mine – really mine has been faster than yours – It took only 14 days for your last letter to come and that is really good considering.

I’d try to buy a bond now and then

[page 4] but pay off the note on my insurance if possible and that will cut down that interest. If I could get my back pay that would help but at present I see no hope for that.

You probably have thought of it but just to remind – The next winter’s coal supply should be thought of now, and too the furnace has to be cleaned during the summer because if there are too many ashes the feeder pin will break in the hopper as it did once when I was taking care of the thing.

Well, I think I’ve said my say for today and tried to answer questions and give advice but it’s funny how one forgets things in a year’s time and it’s a year today since I joined up. You sometimes write out a person first name and give only the last initial and I have a deuce of a time figuring who you are talking about –

Love Daddy

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

Didn’t Get Much Sleep (Roscoe)

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: May 19, 1943 envelope

: May 19, 1943, p. 1

: May 19, 1943, p. 2

: May 19, 1943, p. 3

: May 19, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

May 19, 1943
Lieut R.S.Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother –

Up and going but didn’t get too much sleep for one reason or another, but it’s no more than some nights I used to have when Marshal Dyer or Tom Murphy etc used to call or when someone decided to have a babe.

We have wild rumors of more mail but none has filtered into camp as yet. The day being young we still have hopes.

Geo. by some turn of

[page 2] fate got two of these large hunting knives that are carried on ones belt in a large leather case – So he gave me one. The blade is about 8 inches long and is sharpened on both edges. Really I don’t know why I carry it but he gave it to me and so I wear it. We can always use it to open cans of sardines if we have the sardines.

Geo & Vince went shell hunting yesterday P.M. and are planning on going again

[page 3] today or tomorrow and I’ll try to go along and see if I can add some to my collection. I have a few but the “pickin” here isn’t so good as at Noumea.

You said something about me sending my blues and extra clothes home. If I did that and we arrived home in cold weather I’d have to buy new ones. I wouldn’t be one bit surprised however that if those things would be sent anyway because in time the storage where they are may become a burden so if

[page 3] they should come rolling in you will know the reason.

We have a lot of pseudo-farmers here who have wild ideas concerning farm products. I just sit back and laugh – It sounds like the city farmer to me. Some feel that if they had one chicken that would mean one egg per day the year around.

Well, I’ve some work to do so will proceed –
Love Daddy

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

A Navigation Argument (Roscoe)

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: May 18, 1943 envelope

: May 18, 1943, p. 1

: May 18, 1943, p. 2

: May 18, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

Yesterday P.M. we planted some more potatoes but another heavy rain came so I’m afraid. Seems as if every time I make garden it rains – That rally wouldn’t bother other smaller seed but as yet I haven’t received any seeds.

We are in the midst of a navigation argument or rather a lesson so I may have things in here on sextants – starts etc.

[page 2] I haven’t mentioned it now for a couple of days but I sent the uniform money in two separate letters one on about May 6 and one May 13.

Yesterday was laundry day and by getting my clothes in early I got them back early and had them dry before dark. I just wonder what it would be like to wear a shirt that has been ironed and pants that are pressed. We heard that the uniform are to be

[page 3] changed to a slate blue which will be OK by me because I’ll have to buy new ones anyway by the time I get back.

I’ve been getting the raze for the last page due to a fellow losing a toe and the fellows here said I was cutting his toe nails and my knife slipped – but that wasn’t the way at all.

Well I’m run down and the complications are to [too] great.

Love Daddy