Tag Archives: Russell Islands

Weather conditions fair and warmer (Roscoe)

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: April 15, 1943 envelope

: April 15, 1943, p. 1

: April 15, 1943, p. 2

: April 15, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

4/15/43
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% F. P. M. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Your letter of Mar. 26 just arrived and this is the P.M. of the 14^th but I dated it the 15^th since I’ll probably finish – That is as far as I got on the 14^th. This A.M. weather conditions fair and warmer just like always.

Later yesterday I received a letter from Ruth M. Dated Mar. 24 – So you C our mail isn’t so slow when things work out right. I sure was glad to hear the measles situation is better and of course was more than glad to get the pictures. I didn’t quite get what you mean about the

[page 2] dividends on the J. Hancock prem. but I am sure you will take care of it in the right way. This I believe is the last year for payment on that old J. Hancock policy at any rate they will let you know or stop send [ing] you the semi a.[annual] statements.

Yes the uniform money did not come here either so we still can’t spend that.

The septic tank needing cleaning is a surprise to me – And I still believe there probably was a hitch in the original construction for they are supposed to go longer than that.

Again I wish you would write more air mail because I feel it would come just like

[page 3] always, I mean some would come by air other by ship. The V-mail isn’t so good as yet but keep writing some of that also.

I’m not writing to so many people now but will occasionally drop a line here and there. The writing situation here is different than before as I’ve said before. However when it comes to censoring the mail I believe the boys write just as often and as much.

Well, I’ll reread your letter today and maybe I can comment more in tomorrow’s letter –

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/2014/04/16/weather-conditions-fair-and-warmer-roscoe/

Fingers crossed (Roscoe)

2 Replies

[Editor’s note: This is the first and probably only letter in the entire collection written by Roscoe that will actually be published on the date it was written, exactly 71 years ago today.]

: April 14, 1943 envelope

: April 14, 1943, p. 1

: April 14, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

4/14/43
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% F. P. M. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Again just finished the morning chores and sweating like a trouper but that isn’t unusual. There are rumors of mail coming in but I’ll keep my fingers crossed until it does but sure would appreciate some.

We got some news a few days ago that packages would only be sent at the request of the person wanting them and then only if the commanding officer signs the request so I’m wondering if your packages really will come

[page 2] thru. Newspapers can be sent only from the publisher himself. Really the papers haven’t been much help because your letters have the news before the paper arrives. You can still have it sent if you wish but I’m not particular. Anyway I’m not writing Bart anymore letters because I don’t like his reprints.

Well I still haven’t finished my story reading yet so must get busy.

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/2014/04/14/fingers-crossed-roscoe/

You could be starving (Roscoe)

6 Replies

: April 13, 1943 envelope

: April 13, 1943, p. 1

: April 13, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 13, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% F. P. M.
San Fran. Calif.

Dear Mother,

Nothing much to write and so on and so on, but must keep up the daily schedule and as I said yesterday I know our my mail to you will be “bunchy” and I’m afraid you will worry. And this letter won’t be there to tell you not to worry but it will save you that in the future. What I mean is this. The mail won’t be regular but don’t worry it just doesn’t get going. That is I think that is the case.

I’m still very much in the midst of censoring and many of the boys are sending home money

[page 2] orders but for the present I’ll just let mine pile up on the books unless you need it. Of course by the time you get this and back again to me you could be starving but sending money out of here I think is a little to [too] uncertain.

I’m washing again today trying to get the rust stain out of my clothes – used bleach and everything but it’s so hot I can’t get much worked up.

I guess I’m a little late but hope you have a pleasant Easter
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/2014/04/12/you-could-be-starving-roscoe/

Filet Mignon Steak (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: April 12, 1943 envelope

: April 12, 1943, p. 1

: April 12, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 12, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 224
% Postmaster (Fleet)
San Francisco, Calif.

Dear Mother,

Just finished my morning chores and I believe by writing early I’ll catch an earlier mail, but of course this won’t help only I know that your mail will be “bunchy.” So I hope you don’t worry about not getting letters for a few days. It’s just the way things happen.

Death_in_the_Clouds_US_First_Edition_cover_1935

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

I’ve been amusing myself at off times reading Agatha Christie’s book “Murder in The Air.” It’s a pretty good murder story but my reading time is cut in small pieces.

Yesterday being Sunday we put on a good spread. Had Fillet Mignon

[page 2] Steak – apple with ice cream – corn mashed potatoes, green beans and I almost forgot soup to begin and raisin bread. The bread wasn’t very necessary for me however. Yes I’m in my right mind that is exactly what we had and yes Iced tea with a shot of fresh limes. We do not have things like this every day but we appreciate it when it comes along you can bet.

There has been some delay due to a little argument about things in general and it’s still is going on but I’m turning a deaf ear to things.

Well, I’ll have to start doing something so solong

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/2014/04/09/filet-mignon-steak-roscoe/

Discussions about censorship (Roscoe)

9 Replies

: April 10, 1943 envelope

: April 10, 1943, p. 1

: April 10, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcriptions:

Apr. 10, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet Postmaster
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

We’ve had several discussions about censorship and I’m almost afraid to write for fear I’ll over step but after all is said and done I really believe we are bowing over backwards because I’m sure the enemy knows more than we give them credit for.

I’ve been running hither and yon today and really not composed enough to write but I’ll still try to get a line out in order to keep up the daily record. I’ll be very much interested to know how my mail is coming to you but our mail has been absent for several days. Right now supper chow bell has sounded so will finish later – Later. In fact much later (Apr 11) so

[page 2] in counting the letter you will have only one for Apr 10 + 11.

Was able to get a little news over the radio last night and that always helps – seems to be a connecting link between out here and the States.

This is my regular day to write the Folk so sometime during the day I’ll have to scratch my head to figure out what to say.

Many of the fellows are getting regular mail so I wish you would write a few more of those and not so many v-mail.

I’ll try to get back on my regular daily writing schedule again 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/2014/04/07/discussions-about-censorship-roscoe/

Listening to the radio (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: April 9, 1943 envelope

: April 9, 1943, p. 1

: April 9, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

4/9/43
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet Postmaster
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

I’m wondering how the weather is at home along about now. It should be wet and rainy with April showers grass green birds singing etc. To be honest I’ve had my share of the blessed hot weather – continued summer now for a year – Mr. Berg a fellow from Missouri said this noon he wanted to go home when it’s cold so I guess we all feel the affects of the glorious summer.

We have been eating from china dishes and with real silver wear again. In fact we made better progress here than at the last place. Things are getting much more livable here so I’m beginning to wonder if maybe a move isn’t in order. Hope if it is it’s your way rather

[page 2] than the other direction? Hope. I hope. I hope.

Heard a little of Kay Kayser last night and news form the USA and from Japan. One of the fellows has a radio and we can go listen when we feel like doing so, but lately it has been so dark one can hardly feel the way home. I believe it’s darker here than at home and I also believe the moon is brighter when it is moonlight – Guess I’ve said all that stuff before.

I’ve been trying to do some washing again today – to get out the rusty color I added a few days ago. I’ve trying to soak the whole thing – dirt etc out over night.

Well, guess I’ll do something else for a change –

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/2014/04/06/listening-to-the-radio-roscoe/

Air Battle (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 8, 1943 envelope

: April 8, 1943, p. 1

: April 8, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 8, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet Postmaster
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Today is another special day since it makes another month in this here foreign duty – eight months ago today we left the U.S.A. Some long and some short months. Anyway it’s that many behind.

In censoring the mail I ran across several accounts of the boys writing home about an air battle we were able to witness. The news of this has been released so we let the letters pass. I might say in passing the real things has it all over the movies. Even to the thrills given the audience. There is more to the story but I’ll have to stop for obvious reasons.

[page 2] Now if the boys are saving news paper clippings I might be able to recall some of the incidents if there was some little item to help. We of course can’t keep diaries anymore and it’s easy to forget things. News items that have been released to the public can be written although at time those items are incorrect and we just sorta laugh at the incorrectness of the newspapers.

We’ve been shooting the bull this P.M. over a few bottles of beer – got a little beer into camp and after all that helps raise the moral a little. That might sound funny but it’s true. Of course no one gets drunk but just enough to help the appetite, and by the way we had fresh meat for noon chow – got some native cows – a little tough but tasted good.

Well it’s about time for evening chow so solong until tomorrow

Love Daddy

____________________________________

Japs Tell of Air Fight Over Russell Islands

(By the Associated Press)

A Berlin broadcast of an imperial Japanese headquarters communique said today that 47 “enemy chaser planes” were shot down in an air battle over the Russell Islands in the Solomons last Thursday.

The Japanese admitted the loss of nine of their own planes in an action which obviously was the same as that described yesterday by a U.S. navy communique.

The navy said 16 Japanese Zeros were shot down out of a formation of 30 or 40 near Guadalcanal. The Russell islands are about 50 miles north of Guadalcanal. The navy said six United States planes were lost.

“Japs Tell of Air Fight Over Russell Islands,” Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune (Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin), 3 April 1943, p. 1, col. 2; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 30 March 2014).

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

Red instead of white (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 7, 1943 envelope

: April 7, 1943, p. 1

: April 7, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 6, 1943 [Apr. 7, 1943]
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Postmaster San Fran

Dear Mother,

Had some tough luck today – did my washing and the water I rinsed them in was rusty so now my towels etc are red instead of white. Hope the next deal is better.

I’ve been digging in our fox hole today – making it deep and livable just in case. I think we’ll put in a hot dog stand and a beer Keg. Wish we could.

At chow last night, when I told you I was going out – we had spaghetti and meat balls and a peanut butter dessert.

[page 2] We also had scotch & soda in the beginning which was the best part of the whole deal. It is rumored that we will have beer for evening chow but we don’t know for sure.

We are in a dry spell now hasn’t rained for two days.

News are as scarce as the dickens but I’ll try better next time.

Love Daddy

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

Not in a “writey” mood (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 6, 1943 envelope

: April 6, 1943, p. 1

: April 6, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

4/6/43
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet Postmaster San Fran

Dear Mother

Your letters of 2-23, 2-26, 3-11 and 3-12 came today and also John’s of 2-25. You didn’t say how often my mail was getting there and how long it took. Maybe you said but after all your letters have been very spotty.

Sorry Mark had the measles but the latest letter told of his improvement. Guess by this time you have given D. the Immune Globlin as I noted you suggested in your

[page 2] last letter and by this time you know my feeling on the matter because I suggested it a few days ago.

Maybe I told you before but just in case – Dr. Porterfield wrote me that all my things are stored so don’t expect them at present.

I’m invited out to Lun Dinner this Eve – Yes to another navy camp – won’t that be thrilling – maybe they do have the spam cooked in a different way. Who knows – it may taste like chicken!

Well, I’m not very “writey” today – So solong until tomorrow

Love Daddy

The Banika airfield under construction in March 1943 on the Russell islands (Image via http://www.ibibilio.org)

Shrubbery Business (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: April 5, 1943 envelope

: April 5, 1943, p. 1

: April 5, 1943, p. 2

: April 5, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Apr. 5, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet P.O. San Fran Calif.

Dear Mother,

Just in case you didn’t or won’t get yesterday’s letter I’ll repeat – Use the above address entirely for I believe it will be better. As I stated yesterday our mail has been rather regular. Today a letter came form Dr. Porterfield and all my clothes etc – have been stored at the last station so don’t expect them home at least for the time being. However, I’ve heard that the storage place there is being moved and the stuff might be sent anyway.

[page 2] We had to put our home address on also. So if the storage place is being moved it might be sent home.

I’ll also repeat what you asked about the shrubbery but since I’ve been away some time my suggestions might not be so good but as we previously planned – real uniform small shrubbery especially like Lloyd’s in scattered locations and not directly set in front of the house would be idea but you use your own Judgment because things are different than when I left.

You can let me know how

[page 3] you make out on that shrubbery business and after it is in take a picture and send it.

If at any time, I should write you information please keep it to yourself because too much talk isn’t good but I’ll not write anything unless it’s a slip.

I don’t believe I ever did say definitely but the promotion is definitely right but I still don’t have two bars to wear. In fact I haven’t worn any insignia for some time.

Well, hope mail mail is getting thru to you and I see no reason why it shouldn’t

Love Daddy