Tag Archives: Russell Islands

Slaughter House (Roscoe)

: September 23, 1943 envelope

: September 23, 1943, p. 1

: September 23, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 23, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’m a little late in writing today but in plenty of time for the outgoing mail. I had to spend most of the morning at the Slaughter house inspecting the beef as the butchering was being done. It seems I’m getting to be more of a Jack of all trades more and more each day.

The date I see has a particular meaning since D. is at his first year. I’ll bet the boys are making a to do over his birthday and his Mother also. Even his dad is thinking about little D. a little more today than otherwise. I suppose by

[page 2] now he has the birthday present I sent him. I’m certain I can be nearer to him when his next birthday rolls around.

Our mail is a little slow again but it usually comes along so we just wait and then seemingly out of the blue a bunch come in. It’s been some time since I’ve written John & Mark but one of these days I’ll break down again.

Just repeating – I sent $250⁰⁰ on Sept. 16^th so if you haven’t received it let me know. I’ve kept all the numbers, etc.

Well, since I’m late I’d better stop and get this out.
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/2015/02/28/slaughter-house-roscoe/

Cold Beer (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 22, 1943 envelope

: September 22, 1943, p. 1

: September 22, 1943, p. 2

Sept. 22, 1943

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran C.

Dear Mother,

Your letter written Sept. 7 came yesterday. In it you told of Funk’s return and the difficulty you had of buying meat at Bair’s grocery with Fords’ being closed. It must be a problem to buy all those things with ration cards, etc. We often see gags in the magazine relative to rationing but we just can’t appreciate the jokes but maybe you can’t either but we don’t have the basis for understanding them.

Yesterday P.M. when everything was hot and I was as dry as powder one of my tent mates came in with a case of cold beer. I can tell you it was the biggest treat we have had in ages. Even turkey or fried chicken would not have been more appreciated. That is best understood if you can imagine drinking

[page 2] only warm water with ice water or cold water at a premium. So you see what the cold beer meant.

I have to go out and do a little inspecting again this A.M. It seems that job keeps me on the run most of the time and it does help pass the time rather rapid but it’s a little hard on the rear system since these jeeps don’t ride to easy. They may go places OK but one is bruised in places often getting there.

The trip is over and I’m not too bruised, and while at the General’s place another beer (cold) was offered and received.

Seems as if beer is about all I’ve written about but I do do other things as well as thing of other things.

Space is all used up so solong until tomorrow –
Love Daddy

P.S. Here is one more picture I forgot to mail.

Office of Emergency Management. c1943-1945. National Archives.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/26/cold-beer-roscoe/

Native Patients (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: September 21, 1943 envelope

: September 21, 1943, p. 1

: September 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 21, 1943

Dear Mother,

8:30 A.M. and good and hot. We can noticeably tell that summer is arriving for the past 2 weeks have been definitely warmer and with much less rain than a month or two ago but I imagine the rain will begin again before long but that is only imagination.

Our native patients are responding real well to treatment and they seem to appreciate what we are doing for them but they are never in a hurry when we go there. We ask them to be there so it won’t take so long but each time it is the same. We treat one or two then have to wait for the others to appear. Many of the officers buy grass skirts and other articles of junk paying from 25¢ to $1.00 but to me it is all junk and dirty at that. I don’t think I’d want to send any of that stuff home after it had been fly specked from the sores and dirt of the villager. I guess you know me well enough

[page 2] to appreciate what I’ve been saying. In one of the pictures I sent you, you will note one white baby – It isn’t as bad as you are thinking. I know the story back of that but can’t reveal it at present.

So much for the natives – I mentioned something about imagination earlier in this letter and mine has been over worked in the past few weeks or months as to how you are getting along with your mother’s illness and with all the worry of the boys. I do feel that you are doing a good job as only you can do, and I look forward to getting the pictures of you as much as those of the boys because I want to keep check on how you are retaining your appearance and up to now I’ll say according to the pictures it has been pleasing. Keep it up Dear.

It’s considerable later now than when I started this letter so 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/2015/02/24/native-patients-roscoe/

Flower Blossoms (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: September 20, 1043 envelope

: September 20, 1943, p. 1

: September 20, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Sept. 20, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60, F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

This is our regular native day so the practice is what you might say black.

Yesterday being Sunday we took a little trip and a swim. When we returned we stopped at an old orchard and collected some limes, mango and some flowers. I’m sending one of the flowers. I know it will be all crushed, etc. but the perfume may still be present. These flowers sell for $1.00 per blossom in New Zealand and Australia, and they can’t be bought in the U.S.A. I know when it arrives you won’t be able to tell anything about it but I’m going to send it anyway. The Island has lots of them and when you are near one of those brushes the perfume in the air is really wonderful. I’ve tried to press flowers to send but the colors seem to fade in the pressing procedure.

There hasn’t been any mail now for

[page 2] two days and of course we get impatient but we used to wait weeks on end.

If I remember correctly I got the news of D. arrival on Sept. 23 the day he was one month old. Of course I could be incorrect – you said Oct. 20 and that may be right.

A Dr. just came in the other day who had left the States Aug. 23. I’m really glad I came out when I did because I feel that I have a good chance of returning in the not too distant future. By that I mean months yet, but months don’t seems so long when one has been out years already. I say years and it is now going on two –

Loves of Love
Daddy

Pressed blossom from the Russell Islands, 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/22/flower-blossoms-roscoe/

Meat Points (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: September 19, 1943 envelope

: September 19, 1943, p. 1

: September 19, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Sept. 19, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

Your letter written Sept. 5 just two weeks ago today came yesterday. You had been to the hospital and have given a report about your mother and I must say the report was not good but you were doing the best things you knew how and after all that is the only thing one can do.

You said you were in a spot with company and meat points. I should think you wouldn’t hesitate to collect meat points from your company and I would think they wouldn’t think hard of it if you did ask for them because that is a nationwide program and everyone should understand.

It’s hard to imagine the cool weather back there. We just take hot for granted and that is that. All our tents, buildings, etc., are just a top with sides screened in. Storage places for foods are the same way. Never expecting of course freezing weather nor not much wind. In fact not enough wind to blow rain into the sides of the huts. I guess I’ve said all that before but I just happened to think as I was writing – how different we live from what we used to – but I think

[page 2] we can easily get back to the good old fashioned way – weather included.

Once in a while I see Josserand’s name in the paper. I just wonder if the old fight is still going on among the three as it was when I left.

I’m having a little competition from conversation so don’t be alarmed I’ll try my best to keep this on the upper level. I wish I could put some of those things down but that wouldn’t be cricket.

Glad to hear your hands cleared as soon as they did and I think you should be exceptionally careful in the next few months of what you eat because of the nervous tension you are under.

It sure would be fine if a locker could be established at Kentland. It would save gas, tires, etc. Brook would be worse but we can still use the one at Sheldon.

Well, I must get on with a letter to the Folks –
So Solong until tomorrow
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/2015/02/20/meat-points-roscoe/

Last Three Pictures (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: September 17, 1943 envelope

: September 17, 1943, p. 1

: September 17, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Sept. 17, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

I’m sending the remaining three pictures today and that is all for the present. You will note I don’t appear in any of these. I think you can tell that easily enough.

I mailed you two letters yesterday – one with the pictures and one with the check. I suppose the one with the check will be delayed and the one with the pictures will sail right through. Use the money as you see fit and you possibly have many places for it.

[page 2] The Newton Co. E. came yesterday. The issue of Aug. 5. Most of the news yu had already written, but I did see when Joe Mullens’ mother died and Chas. Molter ran a fork in his head. Both used to be good patients of mine. I often see that in the paper, however, and I just wonder what my competitor tells them and how they are treated in general. I guess as good as most people are medically treated now.

Well, with the pictures I can’t add too much in paper so I’ll promise more next time.

Love Daddy

Construction of the airstrip on the Russell Islands, 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/16/last-three-pictures-roscoe/

Just A Note (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 16, 1943 envelope

: September 16, 1943, p. 1

: September 16, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 16, 1943

Dear Mother,

Two letters today. I had the other letter all mailed when I received the check so just a note with the check enclosed.

You will probably be needing it for hospital exp. The Drs. will probably not charge you but if so don’t pay until I have a chance to see them. Keep as much as you can in the bank for expenses that might come up. I don’t believe I’d try to buy any bonds because there is no point to buying in case and then have to cash them in.

This amount keeps me a little low but I still have enough and will probably draw

[page 2] more by the time I need it for traveling expenses.

You said in your Sept. 3 letter you would send me a financial report in the next letter so it probably will be coming in the next few days.

Lots of Love
Daddy

Better Care (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 16, 1943 envelope

: September 16, 1943, p. 1

: September 16, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Sept. 16, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.

Dear Mother,

Your air mail of Sept. 1, 2, 3 and your v-mail of Aug. 25 came yesterday Eve. It does seem a little funny that Jim should take on the way he does and I think your attitude is swell for after all its that way and nothing seemingly could have altered the situation. The latest supposition of Tuberculosis I have considered a bit also but that to me seems a little unlikely – no need for me to go into the reasons why I think so.

Now about you – your hands, etc. You have the situation solved. A little too much over indulgence in things you shouldn’t eat and also a let down after the responsibility of up & down stair etc. By all means, if possible, keep your mother in the hospital. She will get better care there and it won’t be so hard on you. The trips will not be as hard as

[page 2] taking care of her.

It sure made me feel good that the letters I write give you a lift. The compliments you know I sincerely mean and of course you know all along how I feel so anytime you feel low just consider how I feel about you. I know you like to hear those things and I like to write them because it makes me much more proud of you just for me to write them because for if I didn’t feel that way I couldn’t write that way. The above may sound considerably mixed up but I mean well.

You will find some pictures. I’m not humpbacked as that one makes me look. None of the pictures are good of me but maybe you will enjoy them some what.

Love Daddy

[Editor’s note: The pictures that Roscoe refers to do not appear to be part of the collection, although the picture below might be one of them.]

Yaws Disease (Roscoe)

5 Replies

: September 15, 1943 envelope

: September 15, 1943, p. 1

: September 15, 1943, p. 2

: September 15, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Sept. 14, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.

Dear Mother,

I don’t know if I mentioned it before but we recently received a new doctor boos boss here and he is interested in taking care of the natives so he has deputized me to go with him one day each week or rather he has ordered me to do this and so far he has gone with me. You will note the pictures. We didn’t know the pictures were being taken except of course the group picture – There are eight pictures in all and I’ll send some each in the next few letters. They aren’t good of me or the other Dr. but some of the natives are good. I will comment some on them but not too much. You can easily see our operating table and some of our

[page 2] patients. In one you can see a dog under the table chewing on a nasty old bandage we removed after one week’s time. We rushed the dog away as soon as we saw him but the picture was taken before we knew it was there. The building back of us is the church. The picture with the light streak was the one I wanted to turn out good. I got clear over on the end and tried to get between two women but one woman is completely blocked out by another just in front of her. What do you think of the South Sea Island Glamor girls?

Many of these natives have Yaws, a disease that resembles syphilis and that is what we are treating and we seem to be getting good results. We spend about 2 hours there each week. They are not on the Island we are but on one of the neighboring group.

[page 3] You will note the date of this letter is Sept. 14. I’m writing this at night because tomorrow is inspection day of other camps and in order to finish in one day I’ll have to start early and be gone most of the day so I’ll just add a note in the morning.

Sept. 15. A.M.

Just happened to think I’m the one without the cap in case you can’t tell me from the other Dr. or the natives.

I’ll send you a check in a day or two so be on the lookout for that and more pictures.

Must get going now so
Lots of Love
Daddy

[Editor’s note: None of the photographs that Roscoe mentions appear to exist in the family papers.]

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

Stage Door Canteen (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Sept. 14, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

Somehow we missed mail yesterday; the first time in several days but the service has been so good lately that we have no right to complain – only hope that is won’t be too many days before more comes in.

The show last night was “Stage Door Canteen.” There was a host of stars in it and it was a fair show. The thing that struck me funny at the show and always does is the reactions of the audience. A good musical number is received with very little attention. Not long ago an actress sang a semi-opera (I guess that is what it’s called) and the boys made so much noise in a discussed [disgusted] fashion the song couldn’t be heard, and then let some blond just walk on to the stage and the cheering really is stupendous. I guess it’s [a] distorted sense of what’s right and wrong. If the audience at home carried on at trivial things like they do out here anyone could write a play with success, but I guess it’s youth away from civilization and that is bound to be a little

[page 2] distorting.

I suppose the weather back there is really getting pleasant and frost can be expected at any time – the leaves turning brown – smokey Indian Summer days – flies crowing around the screen doors at night – The air filled with bugs at night and numerous other things characteristic of Indiana at this time of year. Can dream I guess. Missing those things 2 years in succession makes one remember wonder if he really can remember that far back. If I’m incorrect about the above correct me please. Maybe living in a land of eternal green makes one forget and maybe one living there without getting into the tropics don’t appreciate those things. I don’t believe I did, at least not to the fullest extent. Of course maybe I’m a little prejudice in my view point just now, and possibly to ye use that old Edwards saying – “What all that meat & no vegetable?”

I’ve written enough nonsense so to be more sensible I’ll say solong until tomorrow and

Love from Daddy