Lt. Julius Rosenberg and his wife had their spring baby as was written earlier in a letter from Julius to Roscoe.
©2016 Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/25/another-birth-announcement/
December 20, 1944 envelope
Letter transcription:
December 20, 1944, p. 1
Dec. 20, 1944
MERRY XMAS
Dear Yeggie
Well – about time I wrote you a few lines. Really haven’t had anything new to tell you, everything is quiet, still 24 on & off, every other weekend.
No word from anyone recently – not even Bob O’Donnell. Did get several letters from N.Z.
Just think – you were down in N.Z. a year ago, perhaps in South Island over the Glazeeewr. Just about a year ago I was ComServPac and boarded the ship Xmas eve with “Want any help Criss” and MacClatchie. In a few weeks, I’ll be celebrating my first trip to Majestic & St. George.
I hear that all is quiet in N.Z. – all the Americans are practically out, a few stragglers as O.W.I., J.P.B., A.R.C.
December 20, 1944, p. 2
[page 2] get in occasionally. Dammit it would be nice to get down there to do some inventorying.
Our weather is cold & snowy and it was down to 15° last nite. I am not used to it and my feet get cold.
Saw my Brother the other day (Lt. Cd. MC USNR) Ass’t Dist Med Officer, Charleston D.C., lucky son of a gun; he was on a 10 day leave. Won’t get holidays at home, due back in S.C. Thursday this week. The Kid Brother is up near Detroit in a ferrying command now.
My cruise box (Bokis) & sea bag arrived 2 weeks ago, all intact. Lucky! Did you get yours?
Am sorry I didn’t write sooner –
Regards to all the family –
Merry Xmas –
Ed Lentz
WRITE I hear from Frank Olrich occasionally & see John Willard also
©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/20/news-from-lentz/
November 27, 1944 envelope
Letter transcription:
November 27, 1944, p. 1
U.S. Naval Hospital
Chelsea, Mass.,
November 27, 1944
Dear Yeger,
Been meaning to write you for a long time, but I’ve been busier than hell. I took the N-P course at Philadelphia and really enjoyed it immensely. Red Dryer and Bob Walker were there while I was there and we had a swell time. The course was very interesting and I’m now an N-P man.
I was assigned to the above hospital and met Joe McGinn & Perry Snyder who are here too. Recently Stan Myers, who is on duty at Longson [?], came here as a patient to have a herniated nucleus pulposus removed – remember how we laughed at his back ache? He’s OK now. Bob Walker is on duty at Newport, R.I., only 1½ hours from here and I should be seeing him soon. From him I learned that Jerry Goodman was still overseas and crying like hell. I hope I’ve given you all the news.
It’s pretty nice duty here, although I work very hard – this N-P service is really kept stepping, but I’m enjoying it. We had a hot and uncomfortable summer at Philly – did I tell you I met Ed Lentz there? But it’s nice here. We have an apartment in a 2 family house out in the suburbs of Boston and it’s very comfortable. I have a car now and we get around quite a bit.
November 27, 1944, p. 2
[page 2] By the way, I have hopes of having a Junior soon – at least we’re expecting his (or her) debut late in March. Everything is OK, so far.
Enough of me – how are you doing? How is the wife and how are the boys? I hope you are enjoying your duty – I know you like it better than being overseas – I know I do, even though I work much harder. I lost your address so I’m addressing this to your home address, and I’m hoping you get it finally.
Don’t be like me – please drop me a line soon and let me know all about yourself. By the way, when are we getting our promotions?
Best regards to you family. My wife sends her best
Sincerely,
Rosey
©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/19/update-from-julius-rosenberg/
October 20, 1944 envelope
Letter transcription:
October 20, 1944, p. 1
Saturday Oct. 20, 1944
Dear Yeggy
I am really ashamed to have not got a line off to you sooner. You might think that the old O’Donnells had forgot you completely. The first day I arrived in here I looked you up in the phone directory for the base and then I found out you had been shifted. You letter was forwarded to us by way of the folks.
We got a letter from Lentz the other day he is still organizing things so he won’t have so many watches. Something tells me that you have the bes set up that way. It seems that I have a night watch every other night. Duty here could be a lot worse than it is, but it’s not like old Silverstream.
Pat is working here on the compound with me. She’s in the recreation building over on the Naval Hospital Side which makes it very convenient for us. We still haven’t got a car – somehow I just can’t pay out to your “landsman” the price they want. You haven’t seen anything good down where you are have you? If you see anything that looks like it’s a buy let me know. Most of these people up here just dust out the car they get from an individual and then charge $250 more than they paid for it.
We have a 3 room kitchenette apartment here in Waukegan that we got with the usual luck of the Irish, the first night in town. I sure hope that regardless of how interesting my job here is, we may be able to stay here, for I could never get anything like this anywhere else for 2X the price.
Since both of us are working we don’t gad about much.
October 20, 1944, p. 2
[page 2] We play a lot of acey ducie at night and see some shows. We’ve only been in Chicago three times. Getting home to Rockford takes so long via Greyhound bus that we’ve only been out there twice.
Right now I am listening to Dufy’s tavern here at the station. As usual I have the duty. Dotty LaMour is giving the low down on the beautiful tropical islands. I think even Sniveling Jacks in the Tribune has changed the inhabitants of the S.S. isles to scroungy looking natives instead of beauties.
Roberts is still here. Which reminds me. When are you going to be a Lt. Comdr. Not that Robert’s has made it, but you have been a “real” Lt. for 19 months – What next? Also are you planning another south seas trip before this conflict is over? I wish I could give you some word on it. All seem to have got rid of all the Medical officers around here who have never been overseas. Now they are weeding out all those guys who have been overseas less than 18. There seems to be a lot of guys who had a split time over there. 9 months, 12, 10, 6 etc. They were returned for sickness, deaths in the family, or for some other screwy reason.
It’s apparently only a matter of time before they start in to send out men with a full overseas tour. The only thing that will influence this is a very sudden change in the war. We picked up a lot of MOs who had been in some sort of a pool in England. They were there for about 6 months. 5 before the D day and one month after. As soon as the beach head was successful they quickly sent them back to the States with 15 days leave and then sent them to the South Pacific. I imagine there are a lot of guys in Europe with less than 18 months duty. They will all be eligible if things fold in Europe.
October 20, 1944, p. 3
[page 3] Incidently what do you think of the work they’ve done in the Pacific since you left. If they do as much in the next year as they’ve done in the last we’ll be getting som where.
What have you learned from our great student Lentz? I sure would like to have the 3 of us get together again. Pat talks about it a lot too. But I suppose that someday we’ll be free and able to move around. What kind of post war plans do you have? How about Indiana? I don’t know what I’m going to do for sure. Nevada looks awfully good. I may go out there and try and mine some gold before the depression which is a sure thing for my money.
I cast my ballot for Dewey the other day as a member of the armed services. Sidney H. for my money should be number one man on some beach raid.
Before I forget it I want to thank your better half for that swell letter she wrote the folks saying that Pat and I were coming soon. That’s a long way back and I realize now that you don’t much about our trip.
I came back in a tanker from Wellington leaving there on May 6th and reaching here May 23rd. Pat followed me on the 12th of May and reached San Francisco on June 1st. I landed in San Pedro with Mason, Rutter, and Sherrovk from Silverstream. It took them 5 days to get my orders fixed. On the 6th day I left Pedro and went to S.F. on just a hunch although through a cable sent me by Ed Lentz I knew Pat had left N.Z. by way of Auckland.
October 20, 1944, p. 4
[page 4] I met Pat’s ship in S.F. and took her off. Criss, Witter and Cathcart were all with her which made the trip a lot of easier for her. Hudgins helped her out a lot to with food as she acts like her husband does when the ground swells start in.
We had a honeymoon in S.F. staying at the Mark Hopkins then came on to Rockford for about 10 days. I had a total leave of 15 days plus travel time. I will always be glad that I talked you into that trip to the South Island.
Well bud, I’m going out and get a coke. Wish I could just run down to your room and have one with you.
Let’s hear from you and not the way I usually do.
Lt. R.P. O’Donnell
414 South Jackson St.
Waukegan,
Illinois
©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/17/update-from-robert-p-odonnell/
[Editor’s note: Herman Frericks was Roscoe’s commanding officer during his time stationed in the Russell Islands. Frericks was not a doctor. He served in both WWI and WII. He was a native of Cleveland, Ohio. When this letter was written, Commander Frericks had been stationed on Saipan Island, Marianas Islands for only a few weeks.]
October 18, 1944 envelope
Letter transcription:
October 18, 1944, p. 1
Oct. – 18-44
Dear Doc: –
What a surprise when I got your letter, the last thing you said when you left the ARD-5 is that you would drop me a line from your new station. I’m not going to wait that long. You no doubt know that I was home on a thirty day leave but right back out again. I am executive officer of this base and it is a big job, plenty of work. I do have a nice place to live, I have a nice house for myself, living room, bedroom, complete bath even a flush toilet and a nice small galley and a stewart’s mate to look after it and cook my meals, I eat right here and am going well, I had cutting meat for supper and real eggs for breakfast.
My leave at home was wonderful
October 18, 1944, p. 2
[page 2] and I rather had hoped for some state side duty, but here I am. I did all the things I wanted to while home and sure enjoyed every minute and look forward to my next leave. Old Vince was here but is on his way, sure wish I had a crowd of officers here like I had at Navy 60, the gang here is terrible, at least about 90% of them. Just a word more about my house, I have a swell desk, radio, desk lamp, a really nice place to live, so I didn’t do bad for only being here about a month and a half.
Best of luck to you Doc and I sure hope we can get together again sometime, my regards to your family and I hope you are all well and happy
Sincerely,
Matie Frericks
©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/16/commander-h-frericks/
[Editor’s Note: Thomas Arthur “Art” Kenney ran one of the two pharmacies in Kentland. He joined the Navy in 1942, and served as a pharmacist’s mate. He and Roscoe were good friends for many years.]
September 26, 1944 envelope
Letter transcription:
September 26, 1944, p. 1
Sept. 26th 1944
Dear Doctor, Gladys & Family:-
I’m sitting here feeling sorry for myself so I will pass away a few minutes dropping you a line. Well lots of things have happened since I bid you adieu over two years ago. You have seen lots I have seen some and the war has is definitely over the apex and we are all looking forward to when it will be over, which I hope & pray will be sometime next year. I received the Kentland Democrat today and see where another Kentland lad has paid the supreme price, Bruce William’s boy. I wonder how many more will be forced to give their lives before this war is over.
Francis said he has seen you a couple of times since you have gotten back to the States, but he didn’t say how you survived your tour of duty out here. I have often wondered if you picked up any of these tropical diseases. I hope you haven’t. I don’t worry too much about them but do hope I escape anything too serious.
Haven’t had it too hard out since I signed up sometimes feel a little ashamed when I read what some of the lads have gone through but guess guys my age aren’t suppose to be daredevils. I have been in Malaria Central ever since I’ve been in the Navy. I’ve done everything from hatching mosquitoes, identifying larvae & blood parasites, to bossing Natives, draining ditches and spraying oil. Out here I don’t have a lot to do guess they figure I can’t shoulder too much responsibility or maybe it’s the old Navy game of getting out of work. I do have a mighty good superior officer here. I was with him all the time I was in the States and will probably be with him all the time I’m out here. An entomologist from U. of S. Calif., taught there and really knows entomology.
September 26, 1944, p. 2
9-30-44
I started this the other nite and the generator went off so I will finish now.
[page 2] This is Sat. a.m. and about time for inspection but don’t know whether will have one or not. If I ever get back to Kentland I’m going to have field day on Fri. and inspection on Sat. Oh yeah and eat beans for breakfast Sat. a.m. so don’t come in the store Sat. before ten o’clock. We have really had our share of rain the last week out here. If this is the dry season God help us when the rainy season hits. Had a letter from Francis & Clara yesterday and still no orders for him, he says he’s sitting there expecting them any day. Wherever he goes I hope he gets good duty. He surely has been lucky to stay in the States as long as he has. From what he says guess he has gotten some good experience.
What do you think of the war now? Do you think we’ll make it back by 1946? I hope we do, but we are up against a wall in Germany and have a long way to go out here. I guess from what we hear of the news Halsey has been having the time of his life. He surely loves a good scrap. Several unrated (Seamen) have gotten orders back to the states from here. Most of them have been out here a year, they are going back for new construction. Personally now that Mather is gone I hope they leave me out here until I’m ready to be discharged. Well there isn’t any news I can write haven’t had a chance to make Chief yet suppose when my time is up I’ll get to hope so anyway so far I don’t have a good enough vocabulary for Chief yet maybe I can acquire it. Take care of yourselves don’t work too hard and maybe will all be back in Kentland in ’46.
Sincerely,
Art Kenney
©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/14/art-kenney/
Sometime during the month of August or early September 1944, the Yegerlehner family enjoyed a day at a local lake, or perhaps a trip to the nearby Missouri River.
In late September, David celebrated his second birthday. Gladys wrote about the celebration and his presents in the Baby Book.
David’s baby book, September 23, 1944
Liberty, Mo.
Sept. 23 – 1944 –
David’s second birthday – 28 lbs – 35 1/2″ tall
David had a party and received two books from Marylin Moll, sweater from Francis Smith, sweater from Bobby Steinbaugh, Tinker Toys from Mary Lynn Brian, Jeep from Nancy and Jimmy Masek, pull toy (donkey) from Gary Sanders, block from Billy Straup, pull toy from Mrs. Russell, antimated book from Aunt Doroty, books from Mother, Daddy, John & Mark. Airplane from Sheril Thrailkill.
Mother and John made a cake for the party and put two candles on it. Marilyn & Francis blew out the candles for David when they were lighted. All the guests at David’s party were Navy people. All will soon be leaving Liberty, except Mary Lin Brian her mother.
At two years David is quite a big boy – he goes to the toidey by himself. At night he calls when he needs to go and gets out of bed and is in the bathroom before the light is turned on. Still takes an afternoon nap – goes to bed about 8 or 8:30 in the evening.
©2016 Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/13/davids-23rd-month-and-second-birthday/
Baby Book, July 23, 1944
Transcription:
July 23 – 1944
David’s 22nd month – 27 lbs – 34 3/4″ tall
David is learning the words we spell – know when we spell “car.” Has finally learned to drink orange juice. Also likes to sip Coke when we drink one. Says, “Coke” very plainly. We now have a piano for John to practice on and he likes to play on it. John is trying to teach him (David) a beginner’s piece. While I take a sun bath he likes to get a handful of sand and pour on my back.
The Yegerlehner boys, July 1944, Liberty, Missouri
The following picture appears courtesy of Gladys’ niece, Gerry. It was originally mailed to Gladys’ brother Glenn in Nevada and remained with his family’s photographs.
Baby Book, August 8, 1944
Aug. 8 – David started running a temperature on the 10th he started to break out with measles (3 day). By 13th he was over them. Lost a finger nail – got it mashed and after two weeks it started coming loose.
©2016 Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/11/davids-22nd-month/
Postmark: July 11, 1944 Great Lakes, Ill.
Addressed to:
Lt. R.S. Yegerlehner
MSUSNR
Naval Training Station
Great Lakes, Ill.
Nav. Flight Prep School
Wm Jewell College
Liberty, Mo.
Hi Ya – Write me and I’ll write you soon as I get 15 day leave or sooner. Am resting a few hours – leave at 2:30 PM. My new address is
U.S. Naval Amm Depot
Fort Mifflin, Pa.
near Phila 20 min. drive from house
Ed Lentz
©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/09/postcard-1-lentz/
[Editor’s Note: Dr. Edmund T. Lentz was one of Roscoe’s oldest Naval acquaintances. They both arrived together in Norfolk, Virginia, and shared a room during the early summer of 1942 at Mrs. Evans boarding house. They were shipped out to Noumea, New Caledonia, in August 1942 as part of the CUB 13 unit. During the fall of 1942, Dr. Lentz and Roscoe parted ways when Dr. Lentz was shipped to another location. They were reunited in Wellington, New Zealand, at Base Hospital #4, for a few months before Roscoe was shipped out first.]
Letter transcription:
July 2 44
Dear Roscoe – Well, at last I landed in U.S.A. – Thursday nite – an am quartered in this hut until notified of my assignment which I expect to be in a few days.
Was out to dinner with Frank Olrich last
[page 2] nite and today when I called Jim Graeser of Cub 1 Hosp. – he notified me that they are having a Cub 1 shindig or reunion tonite so I will be off to the Races in an hour or so.
Frank gave me your address – why the hell didn’t you write?
Had quite a time at the Pool les Bateaux
[page 3] then drove up from there to Auck. – in the meantime had 7 days leave, spent at Rotarua.
Hope to see you if I can – I expect to go by train, don’t like flying; flew part way up, got stuck for 12 days in N., waited for ship.
[page 4] I can wire you when I get to Chicago – how about it?
Quite a place – this country – but hell to be a stranger or a serviceman I can see that.
Well – cheers
Regards to the family
Ed
946 Duncan Ave
Yeadon, Pa.
©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/08/at-last-i-landed-lentz/
Genealogy Lady 