Tag Archives: Russell Islands

Water Torture (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 13, 1943 envelope

: October 13, 1943, p. 1

: October 13, 1943, p. 2

: October 13, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 13, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail again yesterday and this is about the longest time between late mal mail in a good while, but I guess it will be coming along in a day or two.

We are having a slight drizzle this A.M. Just like one of those spring days back home – reminds one of a good cucumber shower at home. Rain & then sunshine. We were lucky in getting our laundry in yesterday. Many of the officers didn’t bother to get them in when dry so they are now very much damp again.

I didn’t sleep so good last night

[page 2] because there was a leak in the tent just above my face and a drop hit me there first. I sorta curled up and then was hit on the shoulder. You see it wasn’t a fast leak so I’d just about get to sleep when the next drop would come – well I “schrunced” in the other direction and then got a drop on my belly. Well I just got up and moved the bunk out of the line of the drip. Sleeping practically in the nude as I do those drops really were cold. It all reminded me of that old drop drop of water used on prisoners in days gone by,

[page 3] because it seemed I was too sleepy to move.

Today is my regular time for getting out to do some high powered inspection and of course I’ll have more enemies this Eve than now but they get over it easy and I don’t know that there is much they can do if they don’t get over it, because that is my official duty. I’ll get my neck jumped on if I don’t and I’d rather be on theirs than have some one else on mine.

Well maybe I’ll hear from you today I hope.
Love Daddy

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

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/09/water-torture-roscoe/

Fellow Men (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 12, 1943 envelope

: October 12, 1943, p. 1

: October 12, 1943, p. 2

: October 12, 1943, p. 3

: October 12, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 12, 1943

Dear Mother,

I haven’t the slightest idea what is going to be in this letter because I’m a perfect blank but maybe something will turn up so that words will come.

Might just as well discuss the liberal education obtained from association with fellow men. To begin with will take the fellow from Louisiana who in the various discussions describes and boasts of the nice products of his native state. Ask a few questions and he is off discussing seeding, flooding, and harvesting with plenty of “Ah do declare” mixed in with the discourse.

[page 2] The gentleman from Texas who has frequently referred to his ranch and we of course thought it a big cattle ranch but found after more discussion it was a goat ranch. The Gent from Montana innocent like asked him the value of such – was it milk? The Gent from Texas just about blew his top and loudly proclaimed Mohair. So we know there are goats galore in Texas.

The Gent from Montana talks long and loud of the various ranges and dams of that mountainous country. Of how cold it gets in the winter time, the deer hunts and the wild horses.

Back East – The attorney from Baltimore

[page 3] knows everything and doesn’t fail to impress or trys tries to impress the legal phase of things that are and things that will be.

The Gent from Mississippi who knows all about the Navy because he has kept a keen eye on shipping in the immortal river from which the state derived its name or the other way around.

And there are a few from California. It’s just too terrible to smug that fair state by even telling of it to foreigners. That would be using the name in vain but I sometimes wonder about their blessed state.

Nevada has been represented but now that list of paradise

[page 4] is no longer mentioned because the Native sons are back there gathering more data for new assaults on unsuspecting tent or roommates later. They talked so long and loud that their ready supply became exhausted.

With all these discussions no one has been convinced of the advantages of the others native state but at that we do get a bird’s eye view of our own country without travel. Even the Gent from Indiana can’t seem to impress the importance of corn as a plant for human dietary consumption, but corn otherwise is effectively used by every Gent present.

Forgive the impersonal letter. I just had to write something.
Love Daddy

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

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/08/fellow-men-roscoe/

Under Your Inspiration (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 11, 1943 envelope

: October 11, 1943, p. 1

: October 11, 1943, p. 2

: October 11, 1943, p. 3

: October 11, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 11, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letter written Sept. 23 came yesterday. In it you described D. birthday party and all the things he received. He must be a popular boy around the home town.

I had just finished reading the Story in Reader’s Digest – “Chicken Every Sunday” when your letter came. I keep wondering why you always say I could write this or that. If you gained that impression from my letters I’m sure it’s a warped impression because I’ve never considered what I write as being interesting or

[page 2] even amusing. Maybe I’m writing under your inspiration and don’t remember what I have written. I’m sure of the latter because I often time start and then remember that I’ve written that before or have I? So if you get repeats you’ll know I just forgot. And you will remember how I used to resent the re-telling so if I’ve caused you to be the recipient of such a blunder please forgive.

I hope Glen doesn’t feel that your mother hasn’t received the best. You will remember I wrote a week or two ago saying if the truth were known your mother was sick longer than you knew and you said in yesterday’s letter that she had

[page 3] told my mother she hadn’t felt well for some time.

Certainly was fine that Jim could come thru to help you out with the finances. I’ll send all I can but must keep some on hand in case of a transfer because one can’t always be paid at every cross-road without going thru rolls of red tape.

I’m sorry the Zells felt they were financially responsible for D. accident. However, it seems D. was really the winner in the affair. The bonds the boys have will be helpful in their future school work, and since we have been reduced in salary they will probably need it, but I guess

[page 4] that isn’t anything to worry about at present but thinking ahead will do no harm.

Just had a long delay – a conflab about some trash being deposited in a certain area but I think everything is OK now and everybody happy I hope.

Well, I’ve got to make a trip so I’ll have to step and get going –
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/06/under-your-inspiration-roscoe/

U.S.O. Entertainers (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 10, 1943 envelope

: October 10, 1943, p. 1

: October 10, 1943, p, 2

: October 10, 1943, p. 3

: October 10, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 10, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just back from running around so maybe I can settle down and write.

There was a U.S.O. show here last night – Three men – The outstanding one in my estimation was Felix Knight who claimed he was with the Metro Opera for some time. I wondered if John ever heard of him. He sings tenor and seemed to me to be good enough for opera. The other two weren’t so hot but I guess it’s fair entertainment for this part of the world.

We have had some other

[page 2] U.S.O. entertainers here but most of them so far are “has beens” at least I feel I wouldn’t care to pay to see shows like that at home. Maybe I’ve mentioned that before.

The world series base ball games are on now as you know. If we get up about 4:00 A.M. we can get the broadcast direct. So far I haven’t had that much ambition but our skipper gets them on his radio. He comes to breakfast with the results so why should I get up that early? We can also get a rebroadcast at 8:30 PM but I’m not much interested in that.

This being Sun. it’s the regular day for writing the Folks. I haven’t

[page 3] heard from them this week but had two letters last week.

I noticed in the Newton Co. E. that Emmit Miller was being transferred from Cal. To Tenn. He has been in the service much longer than I. Maybe I should have gotten in the Army. Have you heard anything from Jim Open? It’s a funny thing how some people manage to stay in the U.S.A. for such a long period of time. Maybe I shouldn’t feel that way, but one can wonder if he wants to. All thru the paper I see where this one and that one have been home or transferred and m any of them I treated after they were in the service. Well, let’s stop all this crying.

Oct. – at home I can see

[page 4] all the leaves turning the various colors. The early frost mornings and of course a few hot days now and then. That reminds me don’t forget the antifreeze in the car radiator. Maybe you won’t be able to get any this year but you probably have that taken care of by now.

This has been one heck of a letter but it’s the best best I can do even with plenty of time. I just don’t seem to function – Maybe it’s the heat – Maybe it’s because I haven’t received any late mail from you in a few days and my inspirations are lacking. Anyway

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/04/u-s-o-entertainers-roscoe/

Teacher List (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 10, 1943 envelope

: October 10, 1943, p. 1

: October 10, 1943, p. 2

: October 10, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 9, 1943

Dear Mother,

I changed the schedule a little this A.M. Did the running around before letter writing and still have plenty of time for the mail. I had a little matter of collecting some water samples so got them early and got back.

Your v-mail of Sept. 22 came yesterday. It was about the same date as your latest air mail which arrived several days ago. A Newton Co. E. came also Aug. 19. In it the teachers for the coming year were listed. I wonder

[page 2] about some of them especially one – all the kids will probably be “wiggley” by the time the year is over. Better not let the kids know I wrote that. I think you know which one I mean. For the life of me I can figure for sure which grade Mark is in. John I know because he started on the East side of the road last year – I believe Mark is in the 5^th. Is that correct?

I’ve just been informed that there was two fried chicken came into camp and I’ve been promised a piece. Things like that don’t happen

[page 3] too frequently. Hope it’s good.

I also got a call to come to sick bay so I really didn’t have as much time to write as I thought I was going to have. Seems something pops up most of the time but that always makes things interesting and makes the day pass more rapidly.

Must get going –
Love Daddy.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/02/teacher-list-roscoe/

Favorite Drive (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 8, 1943 envelope

: October 8, 1943, p. 1

: October 8, 1943, p. 2

: October 8, 1943, p. 3

: October 8, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 7, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail today and you will note the date – The same as the letter I wrote this A.M. I have some work to do early in the A.M. so I’ll write now and add a finishing touch before work tomorrow. Since there was no mail and since I’ve been wanting to describe to you what I claim my favorite drive I see no better time. I’ll try not [to] give away any military information and that may keep some of the important facts from appearing but here goes.

We will start from a certain point – first as one looks around there are the cocoanut trees. These trees are planted in rows. Somewhat like the cornfields back home. So from this point I write of I feel somewhat like I imagine a field mouse must feel in the middle of a full grown corn

[page 2] field. Now a look around on all sides – the trees – under the trees the fallen cocoanuts. These practically cover the ground on the hillsides there are fewer because as they fall they roll into the lower spots.

Now to proceed – The road between rows of trees runs straight for a distance then winds a little to miss a low spot and this continues for some distance. Then as the land becomes more uneven the road winds in and out of these rows. We are now gradually going downhill and the cocoanut trees are getting smaller and smaller. Up over a little nob and down again and no more cocoanut trees but right smack into the jungle road. The relief at leaving those even spaced

[page 3] monotonous cocoanut trees is unbelievable – now in the cool of the jungle and the sigh of relief over we proceed down a rather sharp hill and on either side huge banyan trees 10-to-15 feet in diameter and 2-3 times as tall as our own maples at home. The top branches come together above the road and with the sun excluded it is cool and shady. Huge vines are everywhere suspended from these branching trees and sight penetrates only about 5-60 feet beyond the highway – on down the hill banana plants, bread fruit trees and numerous other smaller under growth can be seen. At the very lowest point – yes you guessed it a small stream just winding out of the jungles and as suddenly winding back again

[page 4] on the other side. Up the hill and a few more S curves and what have we? – cocoanut trees – rows & rows of them and the road between a couple of rows. I like that drive because its different – nothing fancy but it’s the only one of its kind in the locality – I’ll add a line in the A.M.

Oct. 8, 1943
Today marks another month – so that is another in the back ground. We hear lots about 18 months of duty so you can figure as well as I. I mean of course the number of months left but the 18 month story might not be correct in either way. It might be longer but I doubt if it’s any shorter. Anyway I must be going now so solong until tomorrow

Love Daddy

A new runway, Russell Islands, with rows of coconut trees, 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/31/favorite-drive-roscoe/

Scare Tactics (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 7, 1943 envelope

: October 7, 1943, p. 1

: October 7, 1943, p. 2

: October 7, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 7, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your V-mail of Sept. 14, came yesterday. So you see our mail keeps gradually creeping in. Your latest however has been Sept. 23.

Today or rather this A.M. I had wart clinic – cut off four of the things. They were located on knees, arms, etc., and were always getting bumped so we saved them up and had a field day on warts.

I again find myself in one of those blank spaces as far as anything to write but possibly something will come.

I just happened to remember you said D. broke a slat in the v. blind and wonder how I would correct

[page 2] him as far as his climbing urge is concerned. I think you could pretty well imagine how I would take care of him – Remember the old washing machine stick which was more of a bluff than a hurt, but I think it worked. I suspect one would hear a lot of squeaks from J. & M. in case it looked too gruesome but they went thru the same period. There is no doubt in my mind but that D.’s mother has used some such tactics on the little fellow up to now.

Night before last I had a coke. That was the first in over 10 months. It was warm but still tasted like coke. Maybe I stretched that. I believe 3-4 month ago I had one.

You said I shouldn’t send

[page 3] anymore money for presents thru friends. Altogether I have sent word to you by four fellows. Three of whom I gave money. The first you probably won’t hear from. The second there was no money involved. The last two I gave money and I’m sure you will hear from them. It might be a little early yet but I’m sure these last two will come thru. However, I won’t do that anymore. I just wanted you to get something from friends that had gone back.

I hope by now you have the last $250⁰⁰ check I sent on Sept. 16. I’ll send more from time to time.

Some fellow got something in his finger so must go –
Love Daddy

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

Medical Advice (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 6, 1943 envelope

: October 6, 1943, p. 1

: October 6, 1943, p. 2

: October 6, 1943, p. 3

: October 6, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 6, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letter of Sept. 17 came yesterday. The letters seem to come OK but in a little reverse order but never-the-less they are eagerly received. Many of the “frazzled” ends are picked up by the late letters.

You have mentioned several times about John having pimples. That of course goes along with his age, but have him wash his face good each night with soap and a soft wash cloth. Not squeezing

[page 2] any of the pimples – nor picking them but breaking them only with the wash cloth. Then have one of the drug stores fix up that prescription I used to use with sulfa ointment and carbonis detergens. Kenney’s should have it. Now after a rough wash with the wash cloth and a good cold rinse apply that ointment massaging it in well before going to bed. Use that for 3-4 nights in a row and after that for a few nights leaving off the ointment use some Burrow’s solution. And

[page 3] don’t worry too much and cut out the chocolate cake & candy. As I remember he is very fond of that flavor and it is bad. That might also account for some headache – a type of allergy. Now will you have him follow that or will it be like Dr. VanB’s bromides? I think you were exactly correct in not getting the bromides because his skin would probably be worse if you had given it to him. You have learned well from being exposed to my M.D. degree. I’m not kidding

[page 4] either. Again I think you scored a bull’s eye in using good common sense.

I think if you swabbed your throat with a little merthiolate – (half water) about 2-3 times per day it would help remove some of that irritation. That is in between your treatment by Dr. Ade and as I used to say. Don’t blow your nose if you get a cold – just brush it off as it runs down or snuf it up and spit it out.

Well, you certainly have received a lot of good medical advice. Hope it works –
Love Daddy

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

Blue Suit (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 5, 1943 envelope

: October 5, 1943, p. 1

: October 5, 1943, p. 2

: October 5, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 5, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of Sept. 21 & 23 came yesterday. Those were the ones with the family pictures. All pictures were good but of course the ones of you and D. were best. And you know I agree with you as to how D. compares with other children and why not? Glen hasn’t changed much as I remember him and Jim hasn’t either. His blue suit does look good – sure wish I had a chance to wear mine. I’ve only wore that suit twice. Once in the Eve, when I got to San Fran., and also in the morn, and each time just long enough to

[page 2] eat a meal. Reports that we get back from our clothes are good. Those who have seen them say they are dry, etc. Looks like mine might dry rot before I get back, but every dog has his day so mine should come.

I suppose you will be sending me a financial statement again one of these days. Remember what I said about bills on your Mother’s illness – String them along so you will always have some money on hand. Pay a little on the hospital bill every month. I don’t think anyone will be too severe.

I’m sending you another picture of the natives and myself – I’m in the picture

[page 3] but there isn’t much you can see of me – only what I’m doing. Not the skirt has to be pulled down instead of up. We learned that fast. More The natives are more modest in some ways than the American women. In other ways I would say much less that way especially the brest works. Glamour girls.

A letter came from Boonie yesterday. Seems he is a little money mad in his many enterprises, but maybe it’s just human nature.

Well, lots of Love
Daddy

Glenn holding James L., Jim, Gladys holding David September 14, 1943

Are You Tanned? (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 4, 1943 envelope

: October 4, 1943, p. 1

: October 4, 1943, p. 2

: October 4, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Sept. 4, 1943 [sic October]

Dear Mother,

About your picture again – are you tanned? That picture suggests you have a heavy coat of tan – possibly it’s the way you have your face turned away from the light. I would have no comment either way if you were only I was just inquisitive. It’s still a very good picture.

Today was supposed to be native day but we changed it to Sun. In order to catch more at home and it works out a little

[page 2] better for us. They of course like to have treatment but are not too interested. As I said before they lead a simple life but I don’t get it. Day after day just sit with nothing to do but roam around and watch the ocean and wander thru the jungle. That all seems fine for a time but I suppose even that will would in time be very monotonous. They even have their troubles. The chief’s wife died some time ago and he married a slip

[page 3] of a thing and she ran off and left him – just the same old story.

With summer time coming on our radio isn’t so good. Just like at home in the summer time. We do manage to get at least one good news program during the evening. As a rule the Jap programs are good but they even failed us last night.

Well, I’ve some work to do so solong until tomorrow
Love Daddy