Tag Archives: Russell Islands

Last station (Roscoe)

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: March 14, 1943 envelope

: March 14, 1943, p. 1

: March 14, 1943, p. 2

: March 14, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Mar 14, 1943
Lt. R S Yegerlehner MCUSNR
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Fran

Dear Mother,

A Sunday P.M. like this at home and I would be sleeping because it’s raining and has been all day long. We have bucket full of good rain water for washing and bathing and after all things like that are appreciated.

There was no mail this morn so the topic of writing will have to be something of which I haven’t the slightest idea as yet.

We did have church this A.M. under a canvas top and with music and everything. The Army Chaplin came and brought a small organ but one key stuck and there was a slight discord in the music but it was different.

I’ve just written the folk a short letter and will try now to write

[page 2] on my weekly schedule to them again but even though I’ve been able to get some extra paper I’m not going to write to too many people for fear of a shortage.

There are 5 of us officers in one tent – none doctors – Two of them are from Reno N. One from Missouri and one from California so that gives you an idea of our peaceful family. The ones from Reno know where Lovelock is but they do not know your brother and we have an invitation to spend some time with them when we make our trip west. One owns a hotel so that solves a big problem right there. Being with these men is much different than before because families etc are not asked or talked about. No one seems to give a darn about the other fellows’ private lives and that is OK with

[page 3] me because talking about home etc always brings up thoughts and memories which are pleasant but none the less home sick stimulators. Don’t get me wrong – I do think of home lots but it isn’t so bad if I keep it to myself – I’m just that way.

This place is to me much more typical of the South Seas than the last station. Can’t mention the name of the last station anymore. And I really like it better – can’t say why but it’s just that way. Maybe it’s more trees and vegetation and when one talks of jungle he really means Jungles if you get what I mean.

Well, I really feel like taking a few winks of sleep and if I can get into the net covered bunk without getting wide awake I’ll do that very thing –

So Solong Love Daddy

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/02/16/last-station-roscoe/

Fox Holes (Roscoe)

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: March 13, 1943 envelope

: March 13, 1943, p. 1

: March 13, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar 13, 1943
Lt. Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Fran

Dear Mother,

We are having a slight sprinkle of rain this P.M. The first in several days and lots would be appreciated because rain water is good compared to our present water.

You know how those storm cellars are built thru parts of Indiana – well we have them here only we don’t need them for storms. Therefore we call them “fox holes” and you don’t have to guess more than three guesses as to what they are used for but we get along OK and really get a kick out of the various designs and types. So much for our outbuildings.

There seems to be little doubt left as to the promotion. This A.M. I

[page 2] got a letter from Drs P & W and they have the word there so there so things must be something to it. I also got a letter from Barb. Dr. Porterfield said he was going to write you – Hope he didn’t write anything to cause you to worry all he was supposed to let you know was my address and also Parson Wright was to be sure to let you know but I was able to write sooner than I thought so neither of them would have need written had I known but you should have my new address and the old can be disregarded.

Had sauerkraut and wieners for noon chow along with lima beans so you know I was pretty well pleased. I did a small washing again this A.M. but fortunately it was dry before the sprinkle. My vigorous rubbing of the socks has caused some holes – so will have to do some darning. All this must be rather boring but it’s all in the days work and since we have to keep a tight lip subject matter is scarce.

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/02/14/fox-holes-roscoe/

Chicago Tribune Maps (Roscoe)

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: March 12, 1943 envelope

: March 12, 1943, p. 1

: March 12, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar. 12
Lt. Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Fran

Dear Mother,

Received a letter from Uncle Wess, one from Ed Johnson and one from Ruth M. so maybe things won’t be so bad. All of the letters were dated earlier than your latest. In other words no Feb. mail has arrived as yet. Uncle W. sent some very fine maps from the Chicago Trib and since I left all those I had in Noumea these surely are appreciated – drop him a line for me if you haven’t already.

We have been having a few sprinkles of rain but not enough for wash water but I did the bulk of my washing two days

[page 2] ago so have plenty of clean smelling clothes if not clean otherwise.

It’s a funny thing but our nights are cool – it can be as hot as the duce in day time but always at night we need a blanket. I’m always suspicious of lizzards when I crawl under the blanket – afraid one will pick that as a hiding place but so far none have been that unfortunate.

I believe you should still use air mail occasionally – maybe they will come thru – That is if they will take them.

I hope to get more paper in a few days and then be able to answer some of those other letters.

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and translated by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/02/12/chicago-tribune-maps-roscoe/

Camp life (Roscoe)

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: March 11, 1943 envelope

: March 11, 1943, p. 1

: March 11, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar 11, 1943
Lt. R. S. Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Fran.
Dear Mother,

I’m using the Lt. alone because I feel very certain that the (jg) can be dropped. That increases the pay about 50⁰⁰ per month but as I said before I have no way of getting any to you and in fact no way of getting any for myself but I don’t have the least thing to buy. I was able to buy 60¢ worth of stamps and that is the extent of my spending since Feb 12.

I might give you a little information on the camp life. Bucket baths are the vogue and almost any time during the day one can see officer or enlisted men in birthday suits bathing – Swimming trunks are never seen therefore all bathing is done in the nude.

Just stopped long enough for a cocoanut hull full of tea – “Hi say ole choppy – the tea is invigorating” but its

[page 2] not ice tea. I th

I thought I had gotten the word to you about the taxes – not to pay them but in your last letter you seemed to be going ahead, and the separate returns are not applicable in our case as I see it. I’m wondering if you filed the mortgage exemption – and I don’t remember about the pills for Nick and I have a very strong suspicion that Dr. M. will have a hard time using my microscope because it isn’t much good. And I haven’t received any package from him nor anyone else – I did receive a pound of tobacco from Bill & Jewell but didn’t have a chance to write them – so if you should write them mention it please. In other words I’m still conserving on paper. Maybe paper will be coming along some of these days. Thank the boys for their letters which came along with one of those I received from you.

I thought you could still write air mail but it would be handled as ordinary mail. The only point being it would reach the coast sooner but you probably got the dope straighter than I. I’ve run this together in order to get in more so read it as it’s supposed to be written.

I reread my letter in the Newton C. E. and it sounded crazy. Hope you can give the club some interesting sidelights on New Caledonia. Well, paper all gone for now.

Lots of Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/02/10/camp-life-roscoe/

Letters from you (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: March 10, 1943 envelope

: March 10, 1943, p. 1

: March 10, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar 10, 1943
Lt. Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% P.M.
San Fran

Dear Mother,

Just a little late again this eve but I just got in – I’ve been on the sea all day and my face burns like fire and I’m dry as a fish. In that boiling hot sun for 5-6 hours one really gets hot. We weren’t fishing either.

Got 3 letters from you today – one had the picture of you and D. That was Mar Jan 24. The other two were earlier. Also got one letter from Clarence Y and one from Ira Dixon but

[page 2] those I will not answer until I get some stationery. You probably wonder why I didn’t use that you sent. Well I could only bring a minimum amount of stuff. That is the reason all my clothes etc are still in Noumea. I suppose there is lots of guessing etc. but I can’t even hint. We are all fine but at times things are a little exciting if you get what I mean but one gets used to things like that –

The pictures were fine thanks lots. I left all the others in Noumea.

Lots of Love
Daddy

P.S. Don’t worry about us.

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/02/08/letters-from-you-roscoe/

Pineapple (Roscoe)

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: March 9, 1943 envelope

: March 9, 1943, p. 1

: March 9, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar 9, 1943

Dear Mother,

I may have asked you to drop the (jg) too quickly – for there were some exceptions near the end and it may take a day or two to get things straightened out. I’ve gotten along this far with the (jg) so it won’t bother to go a while longer only I hate to be all set and then have things changed. I’ll let you know when it is all fixed.

One of the boys brought in a pineapple a few days ago and today we decided it was ripe enough and was it good. The pealing is here in a box beside me and the ants are having the time of their lives between the pineapple

[page 2] and a dead lizzar which got himself in a bucket of water and got drowned. There are no flies present around the affair – ants to thick.

We would all feel better if mail would catch up but somehow we seem to be lost again. We get food OK so we can[‘t] be entirely lost.

Well hold your breath on the promotion thing for a few days and I’ll get the correct dope to you.

Due to lack of subject matter will stop –

Love Daddy

Another possible photograph from the Russell Islands

©2014 copyright owned & transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/02/06/pineapple-roscoe/

Promotion (Roscoe)

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: March 8, 1943 envelope

: March 8, 1943, p. 1

: March 8, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar. 8, 1943
Lt R. S. Yegerlehner
Note (jg) gone
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster

Dear Mother,

I hope you noticed the (jg) gone from the title. It is sorta peculiar that this would come just 7 mo to the day that we left the U.S.A. Now that gives the same pay and rate as a captain in the Army or in other words two stripes. I can’t send any more money at present because my pay accounts allotments etc are still in Noumea so all I can do is let the whole business pile up until such time as I’ll get there or they are sent to me. Write the folk and tell them and maybe I can

[page 2] spare one sheet of paper for that purpose, but just in case I don’t you write them.

It’s almost too dark to write more just now so I’ll try to finish in the A.M. Our lights here just don’t work.

Next A.M. not much change in temperature or otherwise. Didn’t rain but weather still hot and flies still bad.

Tell others who might write about the omission of the (jg) part.

Lots of Love,
Daddy

Another possible picture from the Russell Islands, 1943

Killer Flies (Roscoe)

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: March 7, 1943 envelope

: March 7, 1943, p. 1

: March 7, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Sun Mar 7, 1943
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster San Fran

Dear Mother

Another hot sunny Sunday P.M. but the only way one knows it is Sun. now is by the dose of atabrine. Thru the week we get ½ tablet on Sun one whole tablet. That is the anti malarial drug we take at present. That dose is supposed to keep malaria away and as for me it has done so.

It’s funny the things some fellows will think of and tell – one fellow claimed the flies so bad that when he got inside his misquito netting and moved his foot they dive bommed [bombed] his net and were very angry. This is true – There are countless numbers of flies but they will not fly on fly paper. They are more educated

[page 2] than our flies at home. We aren’t bothered much by mosquitoes of which we are very much pleased.

We were issued a coverall suit and a pair of green pants. The coveralls were too big and I gave them away. The pants were size 38 and much too uncomfortable so this A.M. I altered them. I took my trusty pocket knife and a needle and thread and even if I do say so it’s a good job. I just took out a v-shaped piece from the back – V – for victory.

I hope you drop the folk a line now and then. I’ve written once and will write again in a few days but not too often on account of paper shortage as I’ve told you before. I believe the paper I have will last until the shortage isn’t so acute if I use it judicially. Anyway – Lots of Love

Daddy

___________________________

According to the previously linked article by Dr. Snead, during the early afternoon hours on March 6th, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the Russell Islands. There was limited damage but one individual was killed and twelve were wounded. It makes me wonder whether or not Roscoe treated any of the wounded. The above letter from the day after has (as usual) no information about his daily activities.

Another possible photograph from the Russell Islands

Dry spell (Roscoe)

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: March 6, 1943 envelope

: March 6, 1943, p. 1

: March 6, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Sat. Mar 6
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster, San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Not much to write about since yesterday – In other words business as usual. It’s hard to understand our long dry spell after so much rain at first but it sure does help to dry out the damp clothing. I’m glad I left my blues in Noumea because it is dry there as compared to here.

My mail from here should be getting to you by now, I hope, but as yet none of yours has come thru.

I forgot to mention but the other eve. we had a good chicken

[page 2] dinner and you can believe me it was appreciated after eating out of can. Also had some fresh steak for dinner so things aren’t so bad. And we have some pasteries now and then so that isn’t so bad. Of course, at all times we can have milk from the nuts that are abundant but I told you the other day of my experience with those.

Well, I’m all run down and it’s time for evening chow so all I can say is watch the newspapers and listen to the Radio –

Love Daddy

Sat. Mar. 6, 1943
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% P.M.
San Fran. Calif.

______________________________________

Since Roscoe was beginning to send hints to Gladys in the form of “read the newspapers or listen to the radio”, I tried to find some newspaper articles about this time of the war in the Pacific in order to embellish my posts. But I found something a whole lot better! On the Digital Commons @ Liberty University website, I found a wonderful article by David Lindsey Snead titled “Obscure but Important: The United States and the Russell Islands in World War II.” Roscoe was in fact on the Russell Islands, and a member of Operation Cleanslate. This is the first time I have been able to find any detailed information about Operation Cleanslate. I actually had chills when I found the first reference to Cleanslate in the article. Several of Gladys’ letters to Roscoe have Cleanslate written across them as their forwarding address. Among the family photographs are four large pictures that were obviously taken during World War II, but I had no idea when they were taken. I don’t know if Roscoe took the pictures himself or if they were military stock photos. At this point, I believe they were probably taken on the Russell Islands.