Tag Archives: United States Naval Reserve

A Good Big Meal (Roscoe)

: November 2, 1943 envelope

: November 2, 1943, p. 1

: November 2, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

11-2-43
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133 USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.

Dear Mother,

A short note again today. It’s hard to concentrate in a stage of moving and I’ll really do justice to a letter when things get settled down.

I really had good food since getting here because everyone here I know feels that we deserve a good big meal and really I feel stuffed most of the time. I possibly have gained all that I lost which wasn’t very much.

Just now was offered some

[page 2] Ice cream but refused. In fact I don’t care much for Ice C.

I’ve had to bum stationary for the past few days due to the fact that mine is all packed neatly away but I guess it will arrive to you just as well.

Must get going now.
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/20/a-good-big-meal-roscoe/

Awaiting Transportation (Roscoe)

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: November 1, 1943 envelope

: November 1, 1943, p. 1

: November 1, 1943, p. 2

: November 1, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner
Ba U.S.N. Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Nov. 1, 1943

Dear Mother,

Happy birthday – I sure wish I could do better but can see nothing better at present.

I’m still kicking around here and will be for a few days awaiting transportation.

Yesterday when I wrote you I was at a rest camp and it really was fine. I wasn’t there for the rest cure however but just as a visitor.

My poor rear felt happy yesterday because I was given a ride in a fine new

[page 2] Plymouth Sedan – yes just like one we see back there – a most welcome change from the Jeep, etc. Things around here seem almost State Side a big improvement over last year at this time. Seems I miss out on things but I sure am glad I’ve been here in the area as long as I have. I’d hate to be just starting as so many I meet but they are fresh and full of the stuff. I’m not run down but I’m ready for a vacation which I hope will come in the not too distant future but I still have my fingers crossed as to the time. I think I’m going to enjoy

[page 3] where I’m going because if will be so different.

Just had some conversation with some fellow officers – Different from that that we used to have but never the less time consuming and thought breaking up.

I have several things to do so must get busy so I’ll be ready – will try to get a letter out each day from now on as nearly as possible –
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/18/awaiting-transportation-roscoe/

Heading South (Roscoe)

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[Editor’s Note: Roscoe left the Russell Islands on 10/26/1943 at 1400. Two hours later, he arrived at U.S.N. Base “Bevy.” This was the Naval code designation for Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands. The following morning (10/27/43), Roscoe left “Bevy,” heading towards Navy 140 in the New Hebrides. He arrived later that morning at 1100. He spent the day catching up with some old friends. His journey continued on the morning of 10/28 when he departed at 0700. He was not able to write on October 28th or 29th.]

: October 27, 1943 envelope

: October 27, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Mob. Hosp. #4
Navy 132
Oct. 27, 1943

Dear Mother,

The address I’ll use on the outside will remain the same for several days but you use the one on the inside.

I’m spending the night with my old boss Cmdr. Frericks. Thought while passing thru I’d just stop for a short chat. We are discussing our times together in the days gone by. Just like Old Settlers.

These letters that I’ll write in the next few days will of course be only notes but later on I’ll try to be a little more specific.

Spent last night with Hicky Reinhart and of course we chewed the fat long & loud. Didn’t turn in until way late and was up pretty early in the A.M.

Your letters if you use the address may have a race with me because our mail had been much faster in the last few days. I’ll do better in the next few days.

Lots of Love
Daddy.

P.S. Hold the phone –
Hi folks – Sure grand to have my friend “Doc” here with me.
H.F.

Map courtesy of the University of Texas libraries http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/australia/solomon_islands_pol89.jpg

©2015 copyright owned & transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/09/heading-south-roscoe/

Farewell Party (Roscoe)

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[Editor’s note: According to Roscoe’s travel log & military papers, he left the Russell Islands on October 26, 1943 at 14:00.]

: October 26, 1943 envelope

: October 26, 1943, p. 1

: October 26, 1943, p. 2

: October 26, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Mob. Hosp. #4
Navy 132
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 26, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail yesterday and I was really anxious to get the latest for I’m afraid my mail will be slow in getting to me now for a few weeks but I guess I’ll just have to wait as we have had to in the past on various occasions.

We had a little party last night – consisting of liquid refreshments, sardines, anchovies, canned chicken,

[page 2] canned tuna fish, cashews, melba toast, bread and ended with fruit cake. Just a little jungle get up. You can understand the reason for the party I think. The boys here have all been very swell to me and I really have enjoyed being around such a group.

Maybe I’ll be able to write more interesting letters as time goes along. More topics or I might say new topics. Censorship may be a little different also.

[page 3] As far as this is concerned with respect to tour of duty it should have no affect. It’s just a break for me. I don’t mean just for me but all are being given similar breaks, however I think I have the cream for the area. At least that is what I’ve been told.

Well Dear I’ll write as often as I can during the next few days –
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/2015/05/07/farewell-party-Roscoe/

Rommel’s Defeat (Roscoe)

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#Navy

: October 24, 1943 envelope

: October 24, 1943, p. 1

: October 24, 1943, p. 2

: October 24, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just finished writing the Folk. Reversed the order for a change. I thought that perhaps while writing to them I might get an Idea or two to write you. It didn’t work so well because the idea hasn’t hit as yet.

Yesterday in the news Oct. 23 was being discussed as a date that would go down in history because of the start of Rommel’s defeat in Africa. They should have also added that was the day I learned of D. arrival. At least I think that was the day. It was near enough to that anyway to be important.

[page 2] I’ve finished my running around for this morning so far I think but have some little to do this P.M. The tropical atmosphere does give one a type of lassitude which is hard to shake off at times and one is about as comfortable while on the move as while sitting still.

I’m taking a long time to write this letter or rather a long time trying to think of something but the time as I figure isn’t wasted because while I’m thinking of something to write I’m also thing[ing] of you and there is a certain satisfaction in that. It’s a type of visit by proxy – not good but not bad under the circumstances. I often wonder what other officers write their families. I suppose it’s about

[page 3] the same with a little more “boloney” one way or another. Some probably slice it thin others thick but it’s all taken from the same chunk.

A long pause – visitors. The topic of conversation ran from sore heels to lizards – to the possibility of nurses on the Island and on & on. None of which were interesting or educational. Just a means of passing time.

I’m hoping that some mail will find its way into camp today – It has been some time now since late mail arrived.

At least we can 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/2015/05/03/rommels-defeat-roscoe/

The Only Mail (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 23, 1934 envelope

: October 23, 1943, p. 1

: October 23, 1943, p. 2

: October 23, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Oct. 23, 1943

Dear Mother,

The only mail yesterday was the C.C. news and the Newton Co. E. The C.C. news was June 11 and the Newton Co. was Aug. 26. So you see the news from home by that route is rather stale. I’m at a little loss to understand why Mark takes such an interest in 4H work. The account of their outing was in that issue of the Newton Co. E and it seemed to me the boys were older – of course I have no objections but it does seem a little queer and I was just wondering. I’m hoping that there will be some fresh mail today because it’s about time again.

[page 2] Last night we heard Jack Benny on the radio. It was pretty clear. Much of the time programs like that aren’t very clear. In last nite’s program he married a rich gal after giving her a raw deal as a new paper reporter. You probably don’t remember the episode. They generally condense a half hour program into 15 or 20 min. There is no advertising. Not a mention is made of their sponsors, and that is true of all the programs so when that is cut out the programs are much shorter.

I’ve hit one of those slumps when it seems there isn’t a thing to write and I just sit a perfect blank.

[page 3] Just thought of something. Maybe you had mentioned it before but I saw in the paper the item telling of the arrival of the Schultz baby. I just couldn’t help but think of her varicose veins – naughty naughty one might say – Maybe you don’t remember what I mean. Or do you? I spent lots of time, when I’m not thinking of the family, running thru the happenings of the past – thinking of this and that patient and the little off the record side lines that make life worthwhile.

Well, I’m what you might say exhausted as far as writing is concerned so
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/2015/04/29/the-only-mail-roscoe/

Wanting Sympathy (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 22, 1943 envelope

: October 22, 1943, p. 1

: October 22, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.
Oct. 22 – 1943

Dear Mother,

Your air mail written Sept. 27 came yesterday and as you might imagine there wasn’t much news in it because it was almost one month in getting here. However, one always appreciates letters regardless of how old.

There goes that word appreciate again – The more I thought of yesterday’s letter – the one I wrote – the dumber it seemed but I can’t see how or what I can write unless I go off on a tangent like that because vital news of each day’s happenings are not available – yes I’ve wrote that same old excuse so often it’s trite by now. I guess repeating that is a form of topics sorta pleading for sympathy. And every human at some point or another wants sympathy in one form or another. How on earth did I get started on sympathy? Must have been something in the diet.

In yesterday’s letter you said something about Reed Walker wishing I was there. I wonder what

[page 2] his trouble might be – my mind sure does roam, because you wrote in another letter saying he was going with Mrs. Jack Kindig – maybe he needs an over haul on the organs of internal combustion preparatory to an all out assault. That could be classed in the realm of smutty, nasty or catty depending upon the view point. Poor Reed, and how about that “little Devil.” I don’t mind the Devil but he could have left the little off. Once when Adm. Halsey, as the story goes, was walking along the deck of a ship heard a sailor say “There goes that old S.B. – “ where upon The Adm. Turned and said “Who says I’m old.” It’s time for the laugh now.

It seems all I’m doing now is throwing the “Bull” and someone has said that in this era of meat shortage many people would be sufficiently nourished if they swallowed their own “Bull.” Sounds good in theory but practically I’m afraid it wouldn’t stick to the ribs as most “Bull” don’t stick to anything unless its real instead of fictitious and on ad infinitum.

Please Dear excuse the crudeness of this –
Lots of Love (and that’s not Bull)
Daddy

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

Appreciation (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 21, 1943 envelope

: October 21, 1943, p, 1

: October 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

I wrote John & Mark each a letter last night – not much of a letter but I thought possibly they might get a kick out of it and they probably appreciate getting a letter addressed directly to them.

And while writing of appreciation – It’s a word we often use but frequently think of what it means. We possibly never appreciate the things we have until we are removed from them. How much did we appreciate the morning paper? If it were a few hours or even minutes late we had plenty to say. What was our reaction when we couldn’t get a drink of cold water? Was that appreciated then? Understand you don’t have to answer these questions. I’m just trying to point how much we didn’t think of those things. A number of others can be enumerated – pushing the button on the radio and there is the station wanted. Want a strawberry sundae? How about a coke & a hamburger – What are those things? A good warm shower or even

[page 2] a tub bath could be had. And to be sure many varieties of foods. There is always a possibility of too much starch in the finished shirt or a few wrinkles now and then. What a button off a shirt! And yes that light over this chair is not correct and what kind of a chair were you thinking about? That mattress and those springs are a little too hard.

All those things and numerous others could be mentioned – commented upon – the necessity of each questioned and many wasted words of praise or sympathy depending upon the whether here or there, but possibly the greatest thing we didn’t appreciate was the well round society we were living in – In other words a “co-Ed” society, plus kiddes and also the old folk. And last but not least one very definite and outstanding thing – That glass of water before each meal!

The above all sounds crazy I know and I really did and still do appreciate you and your care of me –
Love Daddy

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

Yankee Doodle Dandy (Roscoe)

1 Reply

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)

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.