Tag Archives: Russell Islands

Armistice Day 1918 (Roscoe)

: August 22, 1943 envelope

: August 22, 1943, p. 1

: August 22, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 22, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.

Dear Mother,

Sunday A.M. a little cool and cloudy, otherwise just the same as any other morning. I’m just stalling for want of something better to say – in other words just waiting for thoughts to become collected. At least to begin with I’m not in that blue Monday stage such as I was yesterday. Maybe the letter I wrote yesterday kept me going.

Last night’s show was Bob Hope in “They Got Me Covered.” Not much to the show but he did pull some pretty good gags – and a Walt. D. short in color was also very good in the beginning. It was a slap at Hitler and some his friends. That is both of the pictures. It seems that practically all the shows now deal with some phase of the war. Either a spy picture or a war correspondence or some such. I don’t suppose you go to shows very often or do you? I’m still not in the habit but for want of

[page 2] something better I go but sure do squirm and fuss in my seat while the plot is developing.

I suppose you are having a little celebration today for John’s birthday. I sent him 2 dollars and wrote he and Mark a day or so ago so will not write him today. He is just about the age now that I was in the last war. I don’t remember my 13^th birthday but I do remember that just before I was 14 the Armistice was signed and on that Nov. 11 school was dismissed and I had to go home and shuck corn. What a celebration!! I hope this thing will wind up while John is in his 13^th year.

This is the usual day for the letter to the folks and since one came from them this week it seems more like answering a letter but there is very seldom and questions anything to answer only the formality of exchange.

Well, Mother Dear I hope everything is OK with you and the family –
Love Daddy

[Editor’s note: While I do not know which Disney short Roscoe watched, this is an example of one of the many propaganda shorts made by Disney during the 1940s]

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/27/armistice-day-1918-roscoe/

On Top of the World (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: August 21, 1943 envelope

: August 21, 1943, p. 1

: August 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

This is one of those days when it seems like blue Monday but it’s Sat. Just one of those days that will brighten as the day wears on. They always do so I’m expecting this one to be that way. In fact I’m feeling better already – It’s the writing time to you which is giving me the uplift so you can consider yourself the cause of my morale being raised and while on that subject I think or rather I know that your letters, your pictures and just you have been the uplifting influence for me in this area but I can’t just limit it to this time for that has been going on now for well “neigh” on to 15-16 years. Now I’m feeling lots better – and you?

I hope my writing these feelings of mine toward you don’t in any way have a depressing feeling affect. If that happens to be the case let me know and I’ll surely stop – but when news are so scarce other things creep into the letters just natural like but sometimes I can understand how they might have a different

[page 2] affect than if they were told to you in person. So if you are depressed let me know and I’ll try to keep all these things and tell them to you in person when that day arrives. I’d like to be able to write my feelings a little more – shall I say not so bluntly but you know how I am more on the practical side and less on the – I can’t think of the word or words to express that other side which goes to prove my practical point of view.

So far I’ve used lots of words and tried to say lots but you may have to read between the lines to get my full meaning. Maybe I should write other things but I just don’t like to break the spell or maybe not the spell but my thoughts are about you and I don’t like to have them broken.

Well Dear – I’m not nutty or mentally affected as you might gather from what I’ve written but I’m really sitting on top of the world because I have someone like you back there pulling my way and causing me to be raised out the dumps just by writing to you so I’ll continue my thoughts until tomorrow with

Lots of 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/2014/12/25/on-top-of-the-world-roscoe/

Blowing Horns (Roscoe)

4 Replies

: August 20, 1943 envelope

: August 20, 1943, p. 1

: August 20, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 20, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.

Dear Mother,

You have heard and know what those old thunder storms are in the summer time there at home – well we had one of those last night. There really was a lot of electricity and a considerable amount of rain, but it’s fairly hot again this A.M.

I received a letter from Dr. Porterfield yesterday and Dr. Williams was sent out from there recently – not back home but on a different duty. I’m glad I began my duty when I did because I think my chances are better of returning sooner than if I had had duty there so long. That may be just a lot of wishful thinking on my part, but that remains to be seen.

I went to the show last night and got so disgusted with the thing. First they finished a show which had been started some days previous. Then two musical shorts and if those were musical – things have changed. To me it was a bunch of fellows blowing horns etc. without any regards for each other or the audience. Then the real feature of the evening

[page 2] but by that time the coconut logs had made such an impression that no matter how good I wouldn’t have like it, and besides that we missed all our radio programs which all in all makes me more than somewhat unhappy.

I received a box of sardines from Ruth M. yesterday but anymore we don’t go for things like that because our food is so much better. So as I told you before don’t send anything – no use to use your ration cards for us. We’ll probably eat what we have on hand but we won’t get near the pleasure we once did. There is more to that than just the eats. The old gang that arrived here at the same time are all gone except on fellow and myself so we don’t have the parties. Many of that gang were of our original cub – not Drs. – and when a bunch has been together that long we “sorts” feel like relatives. And when the same bunch goes thru a few hardships that has a tendency to increase friendship. So this one fellow and I sometimes sit and go over older times. Of course Dr. Gardiner is here but he missed lots of the times our original bunch had. New faces have arrived and it’s just not the same as in the olden times – That’s what all old people say.

Well, lot of 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/2014/12/23/blowing-horns-roscoe/

New Piano (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 19, 1943 envelope

: August 19, 1943 Letter to John

Letter transcription:

Aug. 19, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif.

Dear John,

I started writing you and Mark last night but Mark was as far as I got so now that I’ve finished Mother’s letter I’ll see if I can think of some of the things I wanted to write you.

First of all I’ll bet you are really glad to have the new piano. I’ve wondered if it will hold the pitch as well as the old or I mean better than the old. Hope it is really a good piano.

Mother wrote me you were having some pimples on your face and nose – I wouldn’t be alarmed about those since that is very natural for boys your age – but let me give you some advice don’t pinch or squeeze them – use a wash rag and wash them rather vigorously once or twice each day and if they are broken open all the pus from them will be washed away, and new ones are not so apt to reappear.

School will be very near by the time you get this and I suppose you will be glad to get back to the old swing of things.

Well here is hoping you like the new piano and don’t forget to give that kiss to Mother from me

Love Daddy

John (January 1943)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/21/new-piano-roscoe/

New Mess Boy (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 19, 1943 envelope

: August 19, 1943, p. 1

: August 19, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 19, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

I started writing the boys last night but Mark was as far as I got – Had too many visitors but I think I can write John today and get them out on the same mail.

Yesterday was really a pleasant day. Cloudy and therefore fairly cool all day long but old Sol is really putting it down this A.M. trying to make up for lost time and I think from the way if feels the lost time will be made up very rapidly.

As you gather from the things I’ve written I’m having a hard time thinking and writing but if I keep writing maybe something will finally click.

Our mess boy is here cleaning now and he is telling some cock & bull story about some of his colored friends – his story are a little vague but he laughs just the same and of course we join in when he laughs just to be sociable. We now have a new mess boy and he does much better than the previous one. He even sweeps from behind the bunk. The other one just cleaned out the center.

[page 2] The news we are getting of the war sure sounds good but I sometimes wonder if maybe we aren’t a little over stating our damage to the enemy. It’s hard to really say. So far as I know it seems to be rather accurate but I’m not in the know to any great extent.

I left my good Asia map at the last station and I miss it so much but I’ve got out good connections out for another. I did bring the one from Europe and Uncle W. sent me a small one of the So. Pacific. However I guess the war would go on even though I didn’t have a map.

You wrote of picture – The last I’ve gotten are those of you and the boys and the one of Virginia with D. If there was any since then I haven’t received them.

Well, hope everything is OK with you
Lots of Love
Daddy

Virginia Zell with David

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/20/new-mess-boy-roscoe/

Grandma’s Sheets (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 18, 1943 envelope addressed to Mark

: August 18, 1943 Letter to Mark

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Aug. 18, 1943

Dear Mark,

Seems as if I wrote John last so it’s about time for one to you – I’ll probably write to John also. You understand the last letter to him was for his birthday – on your birthday I’ll write you a special letter but I must not forget D. comes in between you and John and it won’t be long now before D.’s letter will be due.

Mother wrote me of the accident you had with Grandma’s sheets. Little things like that happen to most everyone now and then. The main thing is always to be honest about things that happen – especially to tell mother the truth which I know you do. I guess that is enough advice just now.

I’ve gotten some pretty big fish stories about you and Uncle Earl this summer – I’ve been fishing a time or two and the best we could do was a 30 pound tuna fish. Some other fellows here have caught some about twice that size.

You’ll be all hot about school by the time you get this and I’m wondering if you like that or if you would rather work in the yard and garden.

It is about time for me to get to bed – will write to John tomorrow.
Love Daddy

P.S. Don’t forget that Kiss to Mother from me.

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/12/18/grandmas-sheets-roscoe/

Mow You Down (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 18, 1943 envelope

: August 18, 1943, p. 1

: August 18, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Aug. 18, 1943

Dear Mother,

You mentioned in several of your letters about people asking you if you had written me relative to D. accident and some had advised against such. I think you did exactly right because after all I’m not a weakling and can take those things. In fact I’d feel terrible if I didn’t know and I’d be disappointed in you. Sure I’d feel badly about anything that might happen but hypocrisy is the worst thing imaginable and it’s something you and I have never participated so why start such at a time like this. This is war and as I mentioned before it’s bigger than families so we have to take things and bear them. I’m certain you have always well written me things as they are at home and this is best. I can’t always write you things that happen here for various reasons which you understand. I haven’t felt so sorry for D. as for you because I know how he will get along – but the extra work, worry and self accusing, which I hope you haven’t done to[o] much of, will have a tendency to “mow you down,” but you know

[page 2] dear I’m for you and know that you have executed the best judgment at all times – so what do we care about what other people say. I say we because any criticism against you is equally shared by me.

Your letters of July 28 and 30 came yesterday and in them you told of receiving the check etc. Also got letters from Ruth M. and Mom. So now I’ve been well told about the family’s visit of course it was from different angles but and none repeated to me monotonous. The folks and Ruth M. were all very much impressed by the way you are carrying along and nothing but praises came from them so that makes me feel swell also. They were very much awed by D.’s behavior in the cast and his personality – I wonder – mothers or fathers!! Could it be both. I’ll vote for the maternal. Of course my ego is a li enters a little into the picture – self imposed ego of course.

I hope I haven’t made you feel badly by this letter. I really meant to make you feel better – Not by so many words but I’m all for you and you know it and I wouldn’t have any changes in you even if it were possible –
Lots of Love Daddy

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

An Officer’s Salary (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 17, 1943 envelope

: August 17. 1943, p. 1

: August 17, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
Aug. 17, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of Aug. 2, 4 and 6^th came yesterday – The one with the financial statement was missing but you repeated a little so I have a fair idea. I don’t believe I would pay Ruth & Earl anything now that you have bought the bonds, etc. better keep a small reserve on hand – buying a bond once per month if you can. That was a false rumor about our pay so I couldn’t send any if I wanted to. If I were you I’d pay off the piano and then buy one bond per month unless of course it cuts you too short. We can always turn the bonds in and pay Mutch provided the our tax isn’t more than the bonds. So it’s just what you might call dealer’s choice.

I got a letter from Wayne W. and he was complaining about the amount of work he had to do and also said he hadn’t gotten away for a vacation as yet. Poor boy. No doubt people are working harder and trying to do more but they just can not forego the pleasures and vacations they once had with out some amount of complaining. I’m not feeling

[page 2] sorry for myself because an officer’s life isn’t so bad but it’s a 24 hour job seven days per week and it’s really tough on the boys that have to work hard. Of course that is true not only in this area but on all fronts – so it is a little “vexing” to hear one complain about not having a vacation.

Sacky has been was on the verge of being drafted when I left according to him and probably is still a little alarmed but maybe the hot breath of the draft board is finally blowing on the back of his neck. Officer’s salary does sound pretty good but I just have a $130 board bill to pay and what board especially in the beginning. Of course in the States there is also room & board – an enlisted man has none of that to worry about so there isn’t so much difference in the pay as one would expect.

My total salary now runs around 4000 but that is not all taxable and as I said above there is a deduction for food.

Well this letter has been more or less on the complaining side but I’m not that way all the time. I’ll try to be different next time.
Love Daddy

Short Wave Band (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 16, 1943 envelope

: August 16, 1943, p. 1

: August 16, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

I’m a little late this A.M. due to just plain conversation, but in plenty of time to catch the outgoing mail because it doesn’t go out until P.M. I think.

Wash day and a fine day if the clothes come back in time. Sometimes the boys get a little lax in taking them to the laundry and in returning them so even if the day is sunny they don’t get dry.

I think we will be paid again today but I’m not going to draw any because it might cut me too low in that reserve but will try to get some off to you at the next pay day. Now As I have it figured with the excess of the 500 and your regular 200 you should be OK for the time being. So I’ll try to help you out with some extra next month.

[page 2] In the last letter I got from Harry Storm he said Christmas packages could be sent without request between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15 but my suggestions is to send nothing. Take the money you would ordinarily spend and buy the boys stamps and just write me about it. It’s too uncertain to try to send anything. Seems funny to be talking of Christmas in Aug. but it’s only one month now before that Sept. 15 rools [sic rolls] around. So rather than have you send something or be writing about it I’ll get the order in early –

We had Red Skelton on the radio last night but it wasn’t very clear from that station. If you are ever up until midnight 2:00 A.M. and turn the radio on to 9.7 megacycles, That would be on the short wave band you could get the same programs we get. I’m sure our set would pick them up – because this little old battery set we have here does a very good job of getting K.W.I.D. and also Tokyo at 8:00 PM which would be 4:00 AM. There – don’t stay up to[o] late to listen to them because the[y] over state things – we know.

Lots of Love Mother [yes, he actually signed it Mother!]

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

I Like Mail (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 15, 1943 envelope

: August 15, 1943, p. 1

: August 15, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 15, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.

Dear Mother,

I reread your letters again yesterday and find that I commented on most of the things you asked about or wrote about. The address you use is OK but the USNR should follow my name – putting it after the Navy 60 might be a little confusing. It’s a small matter but anything that might be confusing should be done away with because you know how I like mail.

You asked if we had heard Fibber in a certain radio program – we didn’t some how we haven’t been able to get any of those programs since getting our radio. I think we just haven’t had it on at the right time. We do get the news pretty good and some music – if you want to call it that. The best station has a recording of a

[page 2] base ball game which lasts about ¾ hour. That is really the height of something of other. We want entertainment and they put on a ball game which has been played hours before and they would give the final score and be done with it. One listens to a ball game to see what the final score will be – anyway I don’t like it.

I was very glad to hear that the folks could spend a few days with you. I imagine they got a big kick out of the trip and the visit. I’m sure John will enjoy himself on his own for the week or rather I mean traveling alone. I think things like that are good for them – Lets them know how to get along for themselves.

Well, I’ve got to write the folks today so will get started on that right now –
Love Daddy