Tag Archives: United States Naval Reserve

David’s 21st month

Meanwhile, the Yegerlehner family was reunited in Liberty, Missouri, where Roscoe would be stationed for the next 14 months at the William Jewell College Naval Flight Preparatory School.

David’s Baby Book, June 23, 1944

Transcription:

June 23 – 1944 –
David’s 21st month – 27 lbs – 34 3/4 inches tall

Since David’s last month he has traveled by train from Chicago to Kansas City, Mo. – (506 miles). David has two more teeth (upper bicuspids). Now comes in and says “tie-tie” when he wants to toidey. Gets anyone’s shoes he can find and walks around (clomp, clomp). He likes the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Knows the pictures in the book and points out the different objects. David and Mark have a double deck (Navy) bed. Mark sleeps on the upper and David lower. He can climb up on his bed anytime he wants to.

Hello O’Shaunessy

2 Replies

[Editor’s Note: At this point in the letters, there is no more correspondence between Roscoe and Gladys for 14 months until August 1945. The intervening months can be filled in with letters from fellow officers, family members and former neighbors as well as some Naval documents and periodic entries in David’s baby book. Today’s letter was written by Robert P. O’Donnell, a doctor who served with Roscoe in Wellington, New Zealand, at the Naval Base Hospital #4. Readers may recall that Roscoe wrote of his friend Bob on several occasions, mostly pertaining to his nuptials. This letter features a brief passage written by Bob’s wife Pattie.]

June 14, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

June 14 – 1944

Hello O’Shaunessy,

Got back to San Pedro on the 23^rd of May. Killed some time in San Pedro until my orders came, and then went to S.F. I got there on June 1^st in time to go aboard ship and pick up Pat who had arrived that day by separate ship.

Pat and I were in San Francisco seeing the town until June 6^th and then came on here to Rockford where we are dry cleaning everything we own and trying to repair the wear and tear of travel.

I have Great Lakes for duty. Am supposed to report on June 18 plus travel time. I figure that that will

June 14, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] be June 21 –

Dad and Mother got a swell letter from your wife that helped to pave the way for Pat. I’ll bet you were glad to see the kids again.

Had a letter from the Mayor of Wellington – Comdr. Lentz – He has started home and I think was stuck in Noumea awaiting transportation. I hope we can all get together in Chicago.

I think we’ll stay out here until about the last minute. What is the dope on living quarters? Are we going to be able to get them? If we can’t, can we get hotel accommodations easily for a few days until we have a chance to get quarters? What’s

June 14, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] the story on gov. quarters – Do they have them?

What kind of duty do you have? Are things in general snafu

In other words – get off your duff and start giving me the word on what gives –

Pat sends her love –
Bob

Lt. R.P. O’Donnell
208 Paris Ave.
Rockford,
Illinois

If you happen to hear of an officer transferring or anything just before I arrive grab onto his apartment

June 14, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] for me –

Hallo O’Shaunessy –

Is it going to be good to see you again? Please thank your wife for her letter – and we certainly would be grateful if you can help us out on somewhere to rest our weary little heads come nightfall. Incidentally you can see that married life hasn’t improved my old man.

Till we see you in the near future Yeagey –

Pattie

I have a cousin – John E. Kelly who is in boot came at G.L. got there in last week – Look for him if you’re giving shots –

Bob

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/05/hello-oshaunessy/

Won’t Write Again (Roscoe)

1 Reply

June 12, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 12, 1944, p. 1

June 12

Dear Mother –

The pullman bag was sent out this AM via parcel post, so you should have it in plenty of time.

I hope you are able to get seats on the train OK. As I said in a letter before try to get there early and when the porter gets your bags, etc., ask him about seats and give him a tip of a buck or some such amount to have him get you a good seat or two seats rather. In case you can’t get seats on that train call me at the station so I’ll know you aren’t coming that way. You probably will check the pullman bag and the sea chest and carry the other small bags with you. If the linens and towels don’t come thru right away I can borrow.

So far as I know there is no change in the schedule here for the 16^th and it sure can’t come too soon. This has been the longest 10 days or however long it is up to now. Seems longer than the over sea time. Hope I don’t sound too bad. There just isn’t much to do around here and a hotel room

June 12, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] in a small town is about as friendly as two blonds at a bathing beauty contest. Maybe that is bad by comparison.

You sorta left me up in the air in the last paragraph of your letter today. Makes one wonder what news you are holding out.

It rained pretty hard here today and lasted for some time but it has been pretty warm.

Well, hope you are getting the things pretty well squared away there, but don’t worry too much about things because we can get things them eventually straightened out.

I probably won’t write again because a letter that I’d write tomorrow night wouldn’t go out until Wed. AM and that would arrive too late Fri.

So lots of Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/04/wont-write-again-roscoe/

Next Sunday (Roscoe)

6 Replies

June 11, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 11, 1944, p. 1

6/11/44
USNFPS
Liberty Mo.

Dear Mother,

Sunday Eve and I’m listening to the radio. In fact that is what I’ve been doing since leaving the school at 1500 and it is now 2020. I didn’t eat an evening meal – Had a big noon day meal so just skipped supper. I’ll probably get out and have a bar of candy or some such.

The P.O. was closed today so didn’t get the bag sent out. If it’s too big for parcel post I’ll send it express. It should get there in time that way. You might have to pick it up at the Depot if it comes by express. I’ll let you know in tomorrow’s letter how I’ve sent it.

Several of the officers and families seem to have a habit of eating Sunday dinner at the school. Of course I ate there. The head of the commissary is a civilian employed by the school and he doesn’t charge the Dr. He says that is the regulation. I’ve been eating 2 meals a day there and one here at the hotel – Breakfast. Their breakfast at school is at 0600 and that is a little early. Meals cost 35₵ to those who pay.

June 11, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I’ll have plenty of typing for you to do when we get settled. I’ve almost finished the book.

One of the pharmacists told me I wouldn’t have needed any bed linens because I could borrow enough from sick bay. That might be OK but I wouldn’t want to do that unless in a pinch. That is a course that could used if necessary.

One of the pharmacist mates is a piano player and is planning on taking lessons at a conservatory in K.C. At least he is going to find out about it in the near future. They don’t have much of an Art and Music school here, but do have a voice instructor.

Well it’s been a long and dreary day and I don’t mean rainy. Hope next Sunday will be more pleasant –

Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/03/next-sunday-roscoe/

I’ve Been Thinking (Roscoe)

3 Replies

June 10, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 10, 1944, p. 1

Sat. 6/10/44

Dear Mother,

Just after your telephone call. I’ve been thinking of some of the things you should do or have done. First – I think you should have an understanding about a notice of something like 30 days in case we want the place back. Ours here is 30 days. They may want to use the Bendix since there are no facilities for laundry in the basement, but that is up to you and them. You explain to them also how Geo. Monroe took care of the furnace last winter and then call Geo. and tell him to keep that up this next winter and send us the bill. And emphasize to him that he should release the trapped air in those radiators ever so often. Much of that junk of ours could be burned. I mean things in the garage

June 10, 1944, p. 2-3

[page 2] and lots of Mark’s mess in the basement. Maybe you have already done that.

You can also explain to them that our basement is not finished neither are there sufficient screens to go around the house but we will not do any fixing now because period. If they don’t want it unless just don’t rent it because we are still paying $20 more than they in an inferior house and off the record in an inferior town, but be that is it may – – -. Maybe I’ll like the town better after you come – I don’t like to create a false impression so that you will have an opinion formulated

[page 3] before you get here.

You drop me a note again as to the time, etc. I’ll be there but just so it will be a double check. Bring that sea chest on your ticket but tie some clothes line around it because that is sometimes handled pretty rough.

I was going to get your tickets and Pullman, etc., from here so I cased a $50 check today but that is OK because the lady we rent from isn’t going to deposit the $65 check until we move in.

Just have the renter there deposit the check to our account at the bank and tell Chaffey about it and also have him notify us if same isn’t

June 10, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] done. I suppose I’ll think of dozens of other things to be done but really I hadn’t even thought of renting. The Smiths will probably think we are a fine pair. Anyway they didn’t want to pay the $45 so.

Well, I’m going to take this to the P.O. and maybe it will go out tomorrow. I found I couldn’t ship the bag tonight but could ship send a letter.

Fri. the 16^th seems a long way off – wish you were here now.
Love Daddy

P.S. Get to the train early and get a good seat. Generally those trains form about 15 min. before starting time.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/01/ive-been-thinking-roscoe/

Release Clause (Roscoe)

4 Replies

June 9, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 9, 1944, p. 1

June 9

Dear Mother,

Just wrote a letter to Geo. inviting him to come thru our town on his trip East. I told him we would be here after June 15 or 16.

I did all my talking with the mother of the lady who owns the house when I rented it. And today I got a call from the owner relative to a lease. The reason she wanted that was because her husband is in the Navy and in case he would come home she would want her home in 30 days – the lease is for 3 month. I’m taking it to a lawyer here at the station to see if it is OK. There is a clause in it which releases me in case orders come thru. I haven’t signed and won’t

June 9, 1944, p. 2-3

[page 2] until I get advice from this fellow tomorrow.

The piano will stay in the house and she has an ironer which she if going to leave. The boys will like this – She has had an old colored man take care of the lawn in summer and the snow in the winter and she is going to have him continue at her expense. She is afraid if she lets him go she won’t be able to get him back again.

The drain board around the sink as I recall is a composition substance and isn’t in good condition. That is about the only thing not nice and of course the color of the outside isn’t anything to shout about in fact I think

[page 3] it yells right back at you. I now know why your letters were slow. You missed Tue. because of Zell and the train schedule. You’ll let me know more definite later as to time & place.

My Free letters go just as fast as your air mail letters so I’ll just save my money.

I don’t know what to advise you about the trip. There is a train from Chicago leaving there at 7:00 PM, arriving here at 7:00 AM and the bus trip to Quincy isn’t good. That is about a 5 hour trip from here. I believe the train would be much more comfortable for all concerned.

June 9, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] I mean 5 hours each way. Of course I’ll make the trip if necessary.

I ate plenty of green onions for dinner today hope you can’t smell them from this letter. I thought I’d get all those things out of my system before you came down.

Well, Dear I hope this letter writing will soon be over –
Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/29/release-clause-roscoe/

Very Much Absent (Roscoe)

1 Reply

June 8, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 8, 1944, p. 1

6/8/44
U.S.N.F.P.S.
Liberty Mo.

Dear Mother,

Your letters have been very much absent. Maybe I’m expecting too much but I haven’t hears from you since I talked to you on the phone. I suppose there will be 2 or 3 tomorrow. So far only one letter has arrived and that was written on the 4 & 5^th.

There are a few things I wish you would bring. No. 1. The part of that lesson you typed is not here and that book with the first 3 lessons and the envelopes the lessons have to be sent in are all missing. No. 2. See if you can find any of those feeding charts for babies. It seems I’ll have a few of those to put on a feeding schedule.

I took my medical bag over to sick bay today and had it all fixed up for house calls just in case. There was one call this eve. I had to go out to the other Dr.’s house to see their little boy – he had had an accident. Nothing serious. As I told you they have three. The oldest 3 yrs. old and if I’m not mistaken she is again that way. Maybe she just hasn’t returned back to shape since the last – if so what a shape –

The address I gave you last night should read West Kansas street but I think most people here

[page 2] go sorta by instinct like they do at home.

I wish you would be here in time to meet the Dr. and his family before they leave. They are Jewish from Brooklyn. The people here all seem to like them very well. However, if you come too soon we’ll have to camp you out because it will surprise me lots of these people get out by the middle of the month, but I jess things will work out somehow.

It rained a greater part of today and has been pretty cool. Good weather for chiggers – Mine are still with me but not as bad today as yesterday or the day before.

I guess I’m about run down and maybe I’d better take your advice and drop the folk a line this eve. I should have done that before but it just seemed I couldn’t get started –

Love Daddy

Work Correspondence (Roscoe)

2 Replies

June 7, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 7, 1944, p. 1

6/7/44
USNPFS
Liberty Mo.

Dear Mother,

Your air mail letter came this morning. I doubt very much if air mail helps much in the delivery of mail. That one was mailed on the 5^th and received on the 7^th.

Our address will be 324 Kansas street but I wouldn’t use that because people still live there. There will be time enough to change the address after you come down. I’ve been wondering when that will be. Guess I’ll hear in a few days when you have your reservations, etc. I’m really fed up on hotel life but there isn’t much that can be done until this Dr. leaves. He is home on leave at present. His folks let live in Brooklyn and he wanted to see them before going west.

I’ve been working on this correspondence and have the first lesson done – ready for typing. I’m just marking the places in the book for you to copy, and it’s all much clearer that way – we can either get a typewriter at the station or arrange for you to come to the sick bay and do the typing. So you see I’m anxious for you to get here – To work correspondence.

You can inform the boys that the lawn here hasn’t been moved lately. People here don’t keep their lawns very nice. Possibly let them grow in

June 7, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] order to have a place for the ciggers to hide. My bites are gradually subsiding but once in a while I have to stop and scratch. I’ve got bites in the most funniest places, and that is plural when I say bites and places.

While over at Olathe Kan. The other day I saw Francis Kenney. He has been around these parts for some time. Just happened to run into him. We had quite a chat. That place is about 60 mile from here but it is our nearest hospital. He wants us to get together when you come down. Do you know who he married?

It is now almost 2000 and I think I’ll spend the evening working on the next correspondence lesson. It doesn’t take long to work the course this way and I believe you can type it just as well if not better.

As soon as you find when you are coming and on what route let me know so I can plan to meet you and also plan on disposing of you until the house is ready. I talked to the Dr.’s wife last night and she said they were going to be out by the 15^th but I don’t know how much fixing will have to be done before this other family moves out of ours. The Dr.’s wife didn’t go East. She stayed with the children.

Well, lot of Love
Daddy

News from George Wingfield, Jr.

1 Reply

[George Wingfield, Jr., served with Roscoe in the Russell Islands and New Caledonia. They shared a tent together at one point. This letter was forwarded by Gladys in her June 6th letter.]

June 2, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

June 2, 1944

Dear Yegie,

Am home again on a week’s leave and while I’ve been away, new orders to Naval War College, Newport, R.I. came thru, so shortly I’ll be leaving S.D. in time to get there by 1 July for a 5 month course in tactics, strategy, etc. – then a staff job somewhere. Expect to stay in Chicago 2 or 3 days with my mother Mrs. Paul D. Hamlin, 1301 Astor Street, sometime between the 22 – and – 27^th. In case you have a local phone number eave your number there for me. She’s in the book.

Mates Frericks and Howell

June 2, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] are still “put.” Jim Gardiner called me when he returned. He’s with the Marines near San Diego.

Got registered while I am home as otherwise I couldn’t have voted in the coming election – and I did want to offset a good new deal vote with mine – and will!

Feel great and the fishing is good. I’m ready to lick bears or Newport socialites – come what may.

Jack’s letters to others indicate that the Japs may have infiltrated as far back as New Caledonia! How times do change.

Regards,
George

Liberty, Missouri (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: June 4, 1944 envelope front

: June 4, 1944 envelope back

Letter transcription:

June 4, 1944, p. 1

Colonial Hotel
Liberty Mo.
June 4, 1944

Dear Mother,

Just back from the party I told you about on the phone. I met most of the officers, their wives and children. It seems the medical department is composed of me and that is the dependants care as well as anything else navy that comes up. It was interesting meeting all the outfit in one group. About all types and kinds were represented. The skipper and his wife are ex farmers from Southern Ill. And seem to be very fine. There is also the flashy type who sorta feel they should demand attention, and I might say the children are all types and kinds also. It se

It seems they have parties like this rather frequent. It was an outdoor

June 4, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] hamburger fry with salads, onions, olives, cake, ice cream, etc. Just a harmless get together. Outside of hot weather, I believe the duty here should be OK but that remains to be seen.

I hope a room here at the hotel without bath. There are none with bath available. The price of the room is $1.25 per day. There is a lavatory in the room but the bath is community and a tub. There is a shower at the sick bay so I’ll have my bath there.

I have to be at the base by 7:45 and after sick call it’s more or less here and there.

The Dr. I’m relieving is still here. They have 3 children, the oldest of which is about 3 years old. They seem to be very well thought of and a little hard to follow maybe because they were well liked, but we shall see.

Well, I’ll write more tomorrow night but the night letter of tomorrow night should get there first –

Lots of Love
Daddy