Tag Archives: Russell Islands

Being Interesting (Roscoe)

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: October 3, 1943 envelope

: October 3, 1943, p. 1

: October 3, 1943, p. 2

: October 3, 1943, p. 3

: October 3, 1943, p. 4

: October 3, 1943, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 3, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letters of Sept. 17 & 18 came yesterday P.M. The one of the 18^th had a picture of you holding D. It really is a swell picture of both of you and I really enjoyed it very much.

In that letter you said something about my letter of Aug. 28 being interesting – I’m at a loss to know just which particular letter that was. If it was interesting or good I must have been off the beam that day so not remembering that particular letter I don’t know what to be proud of. You see that was over a month ago now and my memory

[page 2] isn’t too long.

Floyd wrote a big long letter which came yesterday and I also received a birthday greeting and letter from Mom. Seems she was a little early. She also said she was sending a package and it’s no need for me to go into the package sending again.

The Aug. 12^th issue of the Newton Co. E. came and all that I could find there except what I already knew was this family and that family going on vacation and spending a couple of weeks at this lake or at the resort. All of which made me feel real good. I’m not

[page 3] just sure how I mean that but after alls said and done I guess it’s not right to be jealous of other people nor use that their happiness to feel sorry for ourselves for there are numerous other families in our same position and some much worse.

Just had another look at the picture and I do believe you are better looking now than a year ago – No not what you are thing – pregnant and all. Let’s say a little before that – D. sure looks like an up and coming young American also.

I believe the diagnosis of

[page 4] your mother’s case is as clear as can be but they are just being kind to you in not telling you the actual facts. From the tone of your letter it seems you were just a little critical of yourself because surgery was not done. Maybe you aren’t and you should not be. If the truth were known I believe your mother had some trouble or indication that she wasn’t well when she came to you first last winter but she just wouldn’t come out with it. Then would have been the time but you had no way of knowing since of course she would not tell. As near as I see the thing you are doing the very best you know how and should not feel that a thing has been left

[page 5] undone. I hope the boys feel that way also because I wouldn’t want them to think that we had slipped in taking care of her. In Jim’s letter he still was very confident that she would recover.

We are having a slight drizzle this A.M. It makes it a little cooler because the sun just doesn’t get there.

If there is anything I write worth reading, I mean other than about you and the family, as you said I did on Aug. 28, save it because I’d like to know what it really was.

Thanks again for the picture it really was swell –
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/21/being-interesting-roscoe/

Swellest (Roscoe)

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: October 2, 1943 envelope

: October 2, 1943, p. 1

: October 2, 1943, p. 2

: October 2, 1943, p. 3

: October 2, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 2, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just another Sat. a small rain last night helped lay the dust but makes the atmosphere a little more sticky.

Your letter dated Sept. 19 and posted Sept. 20 came yesterday. You had just gotten back from the hospital and told me your mother couldn’t seem to take what you thought was ammonium nitrate. You never have given a definite report on the x ray findings – but that probably can is in the letters from Sept. 14 to Sept. 19 which at present are missing. A letter also came from the Folks yesterday.

[page 2] they seem to be coming along pretty good. Mom used to write with a very nervous hand but anymore her writing is very steady. In this letter she again praised you in how you were carrying on. I hope you don’t get tired of me harping on the subject but it sure means a lot to me that other people can see how you are doing.

I guess the problem of putting in the storm windows was solved easily and early since Glenn so kindly put them in for you. It makes me feel good to know that the weather is cool someplace – cool enough to even think of glass for windows. I haven’t seen any glass windows

[page 3] for ages. Windshields are the only glass one ever sees. Pardon me always referring to cool weather but I hope you understand.

I’ve mentioned several times about Drs. getting orders, etc. All those fellows have spent less time in the Pacific that I and they are just being changed to more desirable locations. I seem to be in between and sometimes I wonder if my name hasn’t been lost in the rush. Of course I don’t mind for I’m enjoying this type work and am willing to stay until my tour of duty is over whenever that might be. Maybe I shouldn’t be writing this stuff all the time but it is the most interesting conversation

[page 4] we can carry on. There is a certain satisfaction in us old timers getting together and projecting ourselves into the future. You should hear what some plan and desire when they return. I’m just silent on that score because my only plans and more plans are to come back to the swellest three boys I know and “The Mother” who has carried on with these boys first and foremost. Those are the swellest plans I can think of. Maybe I’m getting too sentimental for an old crust who never was much of a romancer.

Well Dear I hope everything is OK with you – I’m still pulling for you to the Nᵗʰ degree.
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/2015/03/19/swellest-roscoe/

The First Act (Roscoe)

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: October 1, 1943 envelope

: October 1, 1943, p. 1

: October 1, 1943, p. 2

: October 1, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
10-1-43

Dear Mother,

The first act upon arising this A.M. was to wind the calendar. One doesn’t need a watch just a calendar and it’s a great pleasure to turn the Dr. Miles addition over one leaf.

I’m waiting to use the telephone but it seems the party line is busy so I may have to wait for some time – men gossiping I suppose. I’m not eves dropping to hear what is going on.

[page 2] Another Dr. recently got orders and that is gradually leaving me here with a bunch of new comers. It keeps one guessing from day to day as to what the day might bring. Seems this letter is almost a copy of what I wrote yesterday only stating it in different words.

You can tell no doubt by what I’m writing that I’m in a hurry. It’s that old inspecting story and I’ve got to go when transportation

[page 3] is available and if I don’t get this out before then it won’t make the delivery so some day I’m going to sit down and really write again. I’ll just convey the sentiment by saying

Lots of 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/2015/03/17/the-first-act-roscoe/

Another Behind (Roscoe)

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: September 30, 1943 envelope

: September 30, 1943, p. 1

: September 30, 1943, p. 2

: September 30, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 30, 1943

Dear Mother,

This seems to be the end of the month again and that leaves another behind. In other word tomorrow will mark the beginning of the 15^th mo. Time is drawing nearer & nearer but as yet we don’t know how long it will be. We’ll just wait and see. It’s really fun on the downhill stretch because there is something to look forward to. In the beginning the only thing that could be seen was the peak ahead.

Now – 2 ½ hours later

[page 2] had some running around to do and had to go when I could get transportation. It must seem to you from the letters I write that all I do is run around and you are about right but it’s all part of the official business.

In Ruth M.’s letter she said she was sending me a birthday present – she admitted it was a little early. I’d just as soon she hadn’t sent anything because packages are usually not in good condition and why waste time and money doing a thing like that. I believe however I’ve gone into that several times. I hope you keep that in mind also. If there was

[page 3] something I needed I ask but there isn’t a thing. The food is better and my food that you would get would come from your rations so don’t. Tobacco of all kinds are plentiful and much less in price than there so that it out. Letters and pictures are the most desirable so as long as they keep coming I’ll not complain.

I head heard over the radio that they were going to reclassify some of the 4F group. I wonder if that will affect Floyd in any way. In their letter the other day it wasn’t mentioned.

Well, must get going
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/2015/03/15/another-behind-roscoe/

New Comers (Roscoe)

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: September 29, 1943 envelope

: September 29, 1943, p. 1

: September 29, 1943, p. 2

: September 29, 1943, p. 3

: September 29, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 29, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letter dated Sept. 14 and mailed from Lafayette on Sept. 16 came too yesterday. You must have gotten the date wrong or it was delayed in the mailing. A letter also came from Ruth Y. Seems she has been canning also. I suppose everyone is doing that to save as many points as possible thru out the winter time.

I talked to a new comer yesterday and he informed me that things weren’t so tough back there. He said

[page 2] it was much worse here than there, but to hear some of the new comers you would think we are in clover.

The same old process that happened to our original group of Drs. a long time ago is happening here. I can’t tell you the number of Drs. we had here in the beginning but only 1/3 of the original group remain and of course I’m one of that bunch. It’s a little disheartening to see them pull out. Many of the line officers have gone but that is a little different. I figure on this moving business from

[page 3] lots of angles and still can’t come to any conclusions. Right now I’m the oldest Dr. in the area – I don’t mean age but time spent but they change and I remain. It’s either that the powers that be know a good thing when they see it or that they figure I’m not apt to harm anyone so they just keep me on. I’m not feeling sorry for myself – just trying to be funny. I think I’ll put in for a 10 day leave and go to the sea shore and bask in the sunlight and swim and camp out. That a few years ago would have seemed

[page 4] and would have been an a financial impossibility but at present it could be done just for the asking but somehow it has no appeal whatever at present.

I surely have rambled on in a disjointed way but I mean well.

Glad to hear Mark is on the ball with the 4-H work. Yes I guess we will have to do something about John but it’s a big job with lots of angles.

Hope things are getting along well at this time
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/2015/03/13/new-comers-roscoe/

Our Poor Clothes (Roscoe)

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: September 28, 1943 envelope

: September 28, 1943, p. 1

: September 28, 1943, p. 2

: September 28, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 28, 1943

Dear Mother,

You should see our poor clothes on the lines all water soaked from last night’s rain and one section was broken down by a falling coconut branch – I don’t know whose line it was but one of the other fellows fixed it up before I got up. Luckily none of the white clothes got as far as the ground and the khakis don’t show dirt.

I saw several bags of mail this A.M. – hope it is for us at least part of it. However, we can’t complain too much about our mail situation.

[page 2] Now after 1 ½ hour delay – First the chief who is head man with the food supply – Next the personal officer and last the executive officer. I think they are all pleased and happy. The executive officer had a cold – Funny to have a cold in the tropics but they do happen.

Our telephone is a party line with two others. Our ring is two longs but half the time the operator forgets to ring twice and what with the other rings and the ringing for the operator we have a bell going most of the time. I still get a little start every time the phone rings – just a carry over from the old

[page 3] days.

I guess the boys are head over heels in school work by now. Do I know many of the teachers or have they changed? You mentioned in your last letter that Al was able to get the required numbers, etc. Maybe the boys will write me of their teachers, classes, etc., one of these days.

It won’t be long now until I’ll be expecting some pictures of D. at this first year and of course the rest of the family with their Mother included. I like her pictures very much.

More tomorrow
Lots of 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/2015/03/11/our-poor-clothes-roscoe/

Native Day (Roscoe)

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: September 27, 1943 envelope

: September 27, 1943, p. 1

: September 27, 1943, p. 2

: September 27, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

No mail yesterday but we hardly expected any since a good bunch came Sat.

This is native day again and it’s getting near the time to go, but I’ll try to get something sensible in this. If I wait until after I’m afraid of missing the mail.

You wrote of Mrs. Dye and her husband’s return and how glad it made you feel. Well, recently I gave an officer a goodly on his return to the USA. Maybe

[page 2] you think that didn’t make me feel good. I should save this as a surprise but I won’t – He is supposed to send you some flowers in time for your birthday. That is the 4^th try so let me know if anything comes thru. I’m really testing my friends and if they don’t respond I’ll strike them off as friends. Of course they have my money and I do hope you will get some pleasure from them contacting you.

I wrote Jim yesterday P.M. in answer to the letter I

[page 3] received from him Sat. There are lots of other letters I’m going to try to answer soon. Namely Ruth M., Uncle W., Ruth Y. and others. I get behind so much anymore but I guess it doesn’t make so much difference so long as I’m able to get yours out each day. To me that is the important thing for it still gives me a lot of satisfaction to write you. That last statement isn’t very clear but I hope you understand what I mean.

I’ll promise more and better tomorrow –
Love Daddy

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

“These Hear Parts” (Roscoe)

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: September 26, 1943 envelope

: September 26, 1943, p. 1

: September 26, 1943, p. 2

: September 26, 1943, p. 3

: September 26, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

3 v-mail letters from you, one from Jim, an air mail from the folks and an air mail from the Walkup’s. Your latest v-mail was dated Sept. 13 and was the latest received. It seems it’s nip and tuck with air & v-mail but the air mail is best.

Glad Jim could come home again to see his mother and also see Glenn. I also In Jim’s letter he told me of his foot & leg trouble and that should be corrected before he gets out because lame fellows don’t have much business in “these hear parts.” However when one makes Chief in the Navy he is as good as retired. Maybe Jim hasn’t found that out yet. A Chief never

[page 2] works. Maybe I’m a little hard on that branch.

You were part of the tropic in both mom’s letter and Jim’s. They were both praising you very much. Sure did sound good to hear read what they had to say. Of course I agree with them more than somewhat and can then add lots more to what they wrote.

I’m not much surprised at John’s allergy since it is in the family on both sides. That is one of the things we will have to work on as time goes along. And I guess Mark has a little at times also – Maybe D. will be free but that remains to be seen.

Repeating – I sent $250 on Sept. 16. That should help pay the extra expenses you are having but as I said before let the bills run and pay them as we go along for

[page 3] I don’t believe the Hospital will be too hard if you try to pay a little each month.

We had eggs sunny side up this A.M. The first time in about 6 wks. Sure makes one appreciate them more when they are served so infrequently.

I changed procedure this time and wrote the folks first. I thought maybe I’d have more ideas when I finished theirs. Their letter today was more to Dad because his birthday is coming up, and I wished him a “happy birthday.” Mom in her letter was telling me what she received – hose [?] Towels, etc., and she also mentioned the letter in which I wished her a happy birthday – From her letter I believed she appreciated my letter as much as she did the

[page 4] gifts. Maybe that is not so out of line but it did seem funny when she put it the way she did.

I’m going to air my bunk today, because something smells in this tent. Smells like Garbage but we can’t locate it so we are going to do some airing to see if that will help. The blankets we have under the mattress may be a little moldy and that might be where the smell is coming from. It couldn’t be my feet but it sure makes one wonder at times.

Well, I’ll be writing again tomorrow –
Love Daddy

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

Don’t Know What to Make of Your Mother (Roscoe)

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: September 25, 1943 envelope

: September 25, 1943, p. 1

: September 25, 1943, p. 2

: September 25, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

Your air mail of Sept. 10 & Sept. 11 came yesterday both of course earlier than the one of day before yesterday which was Sept. 12.

I guess Jim crossed me up when he sent my letter on to you – I’ve sorta forgotten what I wrote him. I mean the words I used but I know whatever it was I meant it.

From your letters, etc., I really don’t know what to make of your Mother but I guess that isn’t so unusual since the Drs. there seem to be having a little trouble and they have the x-rays, etc., to work with. The gallstones shouldn’t be

[page 2] causing too much difficulty – by that I mean her condition doesn’t seem to be a gallstone case out and out from your descriptions – maybe your next few letters will be more informative – That is the Drs. may have something more definite to tell you.

I keep wondering if you will get the flowers I’ve sent via a friend. He promised me very faithfully that he would do that and since I gave him money I believe he will. He seemed a little more sincere than some of the others by whom I sent word to you.

Sorry about the coal situation. You will have to order from

[page 3] both telling them the first one to get coal in will be the one that gets the job. You will have time yet in the next few weeks because while it may be getting a little cool it won’t be too cold for some weeks. That is if the winters are as they used to be. It seems last winter was a freak so one hardly knows what to expect this winter.

Well this is inspection day so must get ready for the event.
Love Daddy

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

Jeep Waiting (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 24, 1943 envelope

: September 24, 1943, p. 1

: September 24, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Sept. 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your v-mail of Sept. 1, Sept. 7 and air mail of Sept. 11 came yesterday. You wrote the air mail while in the hospital and said you would call Dr. Cole before you left and I thought you would give me a report on what you found out but you mailed it before you called. I guess you will explain to me in the next mail.

It sure was great hearing you tell of someone returning. Mr. Dye as I remember was over there before I left the States. Of course duty at a place like he had would be great as compared to what I’ve had but

[page 2] other people could say the same about the duty I’ve had. I guess everyone thinks his work is the hardest and his task is the greatest and there will always be a chance for an argument on both sides. I’ve been in this place now for over going on 8 months and it does get a little old in spots but it’s interesting. I’ve been all over the place on land all around on the water and even in the air above so it’s almost as well known to me as Newton o. but it’s not nearly as beautiful from some standpoints.

I have a jeep waiting for another trip so must get going in order to cover the territory today –

Love Daddy