Tag Archives: Solomon Islands

Yankee Doodle Dandy (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

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

Dear John,

I’ve just finished writing Mark and I find that this was the only paper I had. So you will have to excuse it at present because it is raining and the store is closed.

The last letter I remember getting from you was the one thanking me for your birthday present. So I guess it really was my time to write.

Mother wrote the other day that you were playing foot ball – in your Ph. Ed. Class. That should really be good for you – give you some muscles and make a tough boy?

Do you ever write any compositions anymore? Our show the other nite was “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and in it the hero was always composing songs. It made me think of you. I could just see you sitting there pecking out the tunes.

Right now we have news commentators on – Raymond Gram Swing is on – It’s nice and clear – sounds just like we used to get them at home.

Love Daddy

P.S. Don’t forget that kiss to Mother.

John (January 1943)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/24/yankee-doodle-dandy-roscoe/

How About You? (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mark –

It surely has been a long time since I’ve written you and about that long since I’ve received a letter from you.

Mother often writes me that you are still working on your airplanes. I just wonder how many different planes you can identify – The P-38 of course is easy – the P-40 isn’t so easy – How about the F47, F4U, F67, TB7, SBD, the B-25, B-24, B-17 & the Ventura? I think I can identify each of those types – How about you?

I hope your school work is coming along fine by now and I know your grades will be as good and probably better than last year. You can do it I know. So I’m looking forward for a good report at the end of your first grading period.

Well son I’m betting on you so don’t let me down.
Love Daddy

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

Mark (January 1943)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/23/how-about-you-roscoe/

The F Word (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 20, 1943 envelope

: October 20, 1943, p. 1

: October 20, 1943, p. 2

: October 20, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

I seemed to have gotten the address date etc., at the heading of this letter out of the usual order – for no reason at all. Just a mental relapse for a short period of time.

Last night’s show was – “My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” a pretty good light comedy. It’s a scream to attend the show not so much for the show itself but to get the reactions of the men who are and have been from under the influence of women. The officers are a little more reserve in their comments, but when the leading actress makes here her appearance there are loud cheers & whistles which would cause most shows in the states to stop and investigate. Let the leading lady walk across the stage in a suggestive manner as they sometimes do and the same loud cheering – The thing that really brings down the house is mention of a South Sea Isle. The shows aren’t the only place where women’s influence is missing.

[page 2] The ordinary conversation of the men and some of the officers is dotted all too often with juicy bits of vulgarity which would make the hair raise of many a good man woman and/or men also. The favorite word which one hears most often is that nasty four lettered word which runs something like the f—k. You would be surprised as to the number of places where that has been used as an adjective. I’m not being vulgar in writing this – That is maybe not. In a Time Magazine of about one year ago that word was printed just as I have it written – Maybe you have read it. I shutter [shudder] to think of the influence necessary to delete that word and I have a feeling that there will be many blushing faces due to the slip of the tongue. I’m not pleading the fair haired boy but thank goodness that is one word I haven’t picked up even though possibly I have selected a few extra.

Woman’s influence on man might make a good topic and I could write from both sides since I’ve enjoyed the one side and despaired of the

[page 3] of the other and I’ll add that the woman who has had the most influence on me has been the very best – namely Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner

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/2015/04/22/the-f-word-roscoe/

New Boss (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 19, 1943 envelope

: October 19, 1943, p. 1

: October 19, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

Yours of Sept. 7 & 9 came yesterday – In the 7 letter you seemed to be OK, but in the 9^th you wrote of being in bed and from your letter I supposed you had a bowel upset. I can think of nothing better than Kaopectate. However by now you are all over that I hope. In one of your letters was the letter from Mead Johnson & Co. I thought it was nice of them to write and offer – of course there is nothing in their line that I want or need just not at present.

A letter came from Wayne W. and also a v-mail from Dr. Mathews. Sometime when I get ambition I’ll drop them a line – Wayne seems to be busy having school and rationing trouble. Dr. Mathews also seems to be busy and anxious for me to return – No more anxious than I however – believe me.

You mentioned Doris Green getting married – That is one on me because I don’t know who Doris Green is – possibly I do but just can[‘t] remember now. The baby crop

[page 2] seems to be picking up not gradually but by leaps & bounds. Funny how things like that keep going or is it?

I have a new boss – came yesterday and I have to go meet him in about ½ hour – since I’m the only old timer here I guess I’ll have to show him the ropes. It’s always a pleasure as well as a care because some of the fellows with lots of brass really have brass. Although most of them are pretty fine individuals.

Hicky Reinhart sent me four plugs of chewing tobacco. I didn’t know he knew I chewed the nasty stuff. I don’t very much but when I find I’m smoking too much I take on a chew and that gives me a rest. Is that good? You really won’t need to bother answering that letter question, because I know what you would say and rightly so – why use either?!

Well, Dear I hope things are OK with you and continues to be so.
Love Daddy

P.S. This is the last of this paper – hence the both sides issue.

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/2015/04/21/new-boss-roscoe/

More Water Torture (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 18, 1943 envelope

: October 18, 1943, p. 1

: October 18, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 18, 1943

Dear Mother,

Blue Monday or rather I should say hot & sticky Monday. I had that same old Chinese torture last night. A drop of water about every 15 min., either in the face, shoulder or tummy. I’m going to try to do something about that today because it is bothersome to have that tent top leak and have that drop of water ever so often. If it were a large stream I guess I’d get my rain coat or something but it isn’t worth while when the drops are so far apart. So much for that nonsense.

Again I’m wishing you a happy birthday and I do hope your next bunch of flowers gets there in time for your birthday. I believe this fellow is reliable and will come thru but according to his schedule it may be later than your birthday so don’t give up hope.

Here it is past the middle of Oct. and I’m

[page 2] still at the same place as in Feb. If anyone had told me then I’d be here this long I surely would have felt as if he were using the truth very careless but time has passed very rapid and I suppose I can say I’ve enjoyed myself as much as am I could have anyplace out of the U.S.A. and possibly more so than at Norfolk. It’s just the distance that makes Norfolk more desirable.

The radio is on in the skipper’s tent and the colored boy is trying to do the “jive” at the same time – trying to clean our tent and neither one is going along so well. In fact my thoughts are going to pot also. He is always asking for something and also thinks I can send him home but he is too healthy for the medical department to have much to do with his going home.

Well, I’m all done up as far as more letter in concerned.
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/2015/04/19/more-water-torture-roscoe/

Tonsil Advice (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 17, 1943 envelope

: October 17, 1943, p. 1

: October 17, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

Your v-mail letters of 9-28 & 10-4 came yesterday and your air mail of 10-3. That made the v-mail one day later than the air mail – That is the last v-mail. They were both printed or pictured on the same day. Too bad Glen had to go home but finances are an important thing in this day & age.

I can’t give you any advice about your tonsils because I don’t know what the condition of your throat was after your illness last winter. So you will just have to rely on Dr. Ade and yourself. I do believe this however that if removed in the spring you will have less trouble with raw irritation during the winter but maybe just raw irritation wouldn’t be as bad as a full blown sore throat all winter long.

I don’t believe I mention or commented on the new great grandchild – no doubt

[page 2] the whole family is proud and even more so since a female turned up at that time.

Your finances were more depleted than you stated in your previous letter but if you had all bills paid up to Oct. 4 maybe you can skimp along until Nov. 1 when your regular checks come in – and maybe by that time I’ll be able to send a little again.

The boy is here cleaning and he keeps mumbling and I’m trying to write in between. He wants my Jeep this P.M. and I have to think of a good excuse because he drives too reckless. The colored boys around here are have wrecked a few so they can’t be trusted to far. I’ll just have to send a driver but they don’t like that.

Well, I have to go treat the natives again this A.M. and it is about time.
Love Daddy

P.S. We heard Sat P.M. football game between Navy & Penn. State a direct broadcast this A.M. at breakfast time – figure that out.

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/2015/04/17/tonsil-advice-roscoe/

Inspection Time (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 16, 1943 envelope

: October 16, 1943, p. 1

: October 16, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Cal
10-16-43

Dear Mother,

No mail yesterday again but today is young.

My thoughts aren’t well collected this A.M. so I’m just not sure of what might get into this letter.

Just a thought that I overlooked in your last letters and that is the seemingly superiority of our D. Maybe you didn’t mean it that way but I’m glad you feel that way – first because it’s a parent’s duty and second from what you say it seems to be true. Maybe I’m breaking my arm – patting myself on the back. Hope you haven’t any broken bones from that type of thing.

Today is regular inspection day for our own camp and since I have the Island to look after ours

[page 2] is always a little worry some to me because it should be a good example. It usually is in pretty good condition and I have very little to worry about but it is a continuous fight to keep the little things going. Like having the cooks clean their finger nails and having them change their uniforms before they get to slick or slimy. You know men are men the world over, and this is no exception out here.

Now you will have to admit I’ve written something but as far as it being interesting or informative it is nil, but it did serve as a kind of visit with you which otherwise would have been missed

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/2015/04/15/inspection-time-roscoe/

Stomach Happy (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 15, 1943 envelope

: October 15, 1943, p. 1

: October 15, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

No mail yesterday but I hardly expected any since a bunch came the day before.

Was I stomach happy last night? Here was the reason. I was invited out for dinner. The first course was an oyster cocktail; next a combination salad; then the main part of the meal. T-bone steak, nice thick & rare – French fried potatoes, Tiny tender peas, next came apple pie. Then raspberry ice cream and last of all a basket of oranges – I brought mine home on the outside. I forgot both ripe and green olives. Too many for me to eat them all. No celery however, but I won’t complain about that. It was truly the best & biggest meal I had had since leaving the states, and I don’t expect another like it until I get back and possibly not then what with rationing & everything. We left the meal in

[page 2] time to go to the show. “The Crystal Ball” was the name of the show. After the show there was a slight beer party in the ward room. It seems that three of our officers were promoted and they dug up some beer, peanuts, pine nuts, pecans and a few other tidbits. So you see I had a nice full stomach to retire on, but this A.M. I don’t seem to have any after affects and strange as it seems I slept well also.

It must seem from what I’ve written that all we do is eat and sleep. I can assure you it will be a long time before another meal and evening like that rolls around again.

Well, I must get to work in order to get some of that excess food & drink out of my system.
Love Daddy

Flowers (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 14, 1943 envelope

: October 14, 1943, p. 1

: October 14, 1943, p. 2

: October 14, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran C.
Oct. 14, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of Sept. 24, 27, 29, 30, Oct. 1 & 2 came yesterday. I’m at a little loss to know why 24, 27, & 29 were all post marked Sept. 29. Probably was a little slip up some place along the line and doesn’t make a great deal of difference. In one of those letters the 7 months pictures and the letter you wrote way back there were present. I can’t understand that either but I guess these P.O. in the field have a lot to do.

So glad you got the flowers – I just knew this friend wouldn’t fail and I don’t feel badly about sending that amount of money. You should get another bunch of flowers along about your birthday from another fellow. In case you don’t get those all I can say is happy birthday. What I meant to say was I’m taking this opportunity to wish you a happy birthday because I can’t send anything – not even money in time and I didn’t send any sooner because I didn’t have any and won’t until the last of the month. So I have you get the flowers in time.

[page 2] I’m sorry your mother’s condition fails to improve. If it isn’t a carcinoma it has to be a hardening of the liver and the treatment of either is futile but I still think it is carcinous and the Gall stones have nothing to do with the condition. I’m afraid you are going to be pretty short financially because you only had a little over $150 so early in the month. You hadn’t mentioned before about paying the hospital as you went along which I think is a good idea if you can but it if cuts you so low that you can’t make the rent & insurance stall them off for a while – don’t ask Jim for more than half the expenses and I guess Glen isn’t able at this time to aid in that respect. I’m sure the finances will work out OK so don’t let that worry you.

Now about you – Your invoice sounded good but let me warn or prepare you – In sickness an individual who is responsible for the care of sick will often go on their nerves – Then when it is over if proper care isn’t taken a relapse or let down is evident and that is what you have to guard against. Get plenty of rest – sleep and let the house work go for a while. Your indigestion is probably like what I had when

[page 3] Openshaw, Mathews, etc. were out of town and I was run ragged remember. Don’t blame the strep you had last winter too much. Of course you might have a recurrence but you didn’t have a strep the year before and one got you last year so just because you did have that last year is no reason to expect one this year.

100 pounds, dark hair, Green eyes, 5’4”, pleasing features, a little slim but just my type. Do keep healthy Dear – just as if you won’t try?

The one year old pictures were good and but don’t try to send the movie films. Of course I’d like to see them but don’t take the chance of losing them and I don’t know the size nor the size of our machine here. Where is the pressure coming from for D. hair cut? Don’t tell me just let me guess. I won’t express myself on the subject. You probably know how I feel. Isn’t that a big help?

Those letters are such a big help when they come in as late as those yesterday – Thanks and lots of love
Daddy

P.S. I received a letter from the fellow who sent the flowers and he told me he had done so. He is from Reno, Nev.

[Editor’s note: The fellow from Reno, Nevada was mostly likely Roscoe’s former tent mate, George Wingfield, Jr., who was transferred a few months previously.]

YEG1943-05-15 - David on stoop with tulips

One of David’s 7th month photographs

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