Tag Archives: United States Naval Reserve

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)

© 2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/09/native-day-roscoe/

“These Hear Parts” (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: 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)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/07/these-hear-parts-roscoe/

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

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

Slaughter House (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: 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/

Native Patients (Roscoe)

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: 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)

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: 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)

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

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