Tag Archives: United States Naval Reserve

Slip of a Letter (Roscoe)

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February 20, 1944, p. 1

February 20, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Sunday

Dear Mother,

This being Sunday I’ll just slip this in with Sat. letter. The two heavy sheets of paper of yesterday’s letter make almost enough for on letter’s worth but this small bit shouldn’t make any difference.

Since there isn’t anything to write about but the weather will start out by saying it was a little cloudy todo this A.M. and cleared later in the day and was I believe one of the warmest days I’ve seen. Really it was warm enough to go to the seashore but it’s too far to walk hence I didn’t go. We do have a river fairly near but it’s too cold most of the time and there are too many big rocks which makes it too hard on the feet.

Well, my space is short and subject matter is shorter – so solong.
Love Daddy

February 20, 1944 envelope

February 20, 1944 envelope

Meanwhile, likely unbeknownst to Roscoe, new orders were being written…..

1944-02-20 - Change of Duty

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015  copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/20/slip-of-a-letter-roscoe/

A Little Ahead (Roscoe)

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 16, 1944

Dear Mother,

A Kentland Democrat came yesterday and in glancing thru it I found John’s name mentioned twice, both of which I hadn’t been informed. One was the entertainment at the County farm by he, Rev. Servies & the Wood girl and the other was the honor roll for the eighth grade. Neither item was very important and it probably just slipped your mind or you may have written both items and they didn’t arrive. I mean the letters because I don’t believe all the letters have come thru. I haven’t check on which letters may be missing

[page 2] now in a long time. I have a

I have all the letters you have written so far and would like to bring them home but in case of any question of weight I may have to destroy them. There is considerable weight involved you know in that many letters. Of course weight may not be a factor depending upon the way orders might come – when they come??

So far today no mail and I hardly look for any since we have had so much in the past few days. Mail just came – so hold the phone.

Just finished reading your three in two letters Feb. 1 & 2 and Feb. 3. A v-mail letter came from U. Wess and one from Mom – air mail dated Feb. 5. That was the latest this time. One of your letters had D’s picture – Very good picture

[page 3] It sure does help to get the mail a little regular. I forgot all about Ground Hog Day – both you and Mom mentioned it but this certainly doesn’t seem like Feb. In fact it seems to be more turned around than last year. You know how it is when you have to stop and think of what day and date it is well I have to stop and think what month it is.

This time last year is a never to be forgotten time because I was moving from one station to another and I did remember Valentine’s Day because being in a travel status I was on a ship. I didn’t mind the ship but well you know or can imagine. All that seems like a

[page 4] dream now – one you don’t like to talk about because it might have been true or too terrible to think of, but I should talk because I’ve been very lucky. I guess that’s what one would call it.

Back to you – I was a little worried because from the last letter it sounded like you were getting a cold. That was Jan. 31 but in these last ones you seemed to be OK so that was a relief.

If I were you I wouldn’t buy too many bonds right now – keep as much money on hand as possible because “we” might need some and it doesn’t add up too fast on a set salary – a little ahead might mean a lot to us in a few months because rent is pretty high anyplace else but in Kentland – Maybe I’m day dreaming but it feels good to feel that way.

Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/12/a-little-ahead-roscoe/

Mrs. Kindell (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 13, 1944

Dear Mother,

Going back to the letters. I now recall what the $6.60 was for but until you mentioned it again I just couldn’t figure that one out. I started this letter just a little abrupt but on re-reading I find that was one point about which I wrote you before.

It seems from your letters that the pond must have served a very good winter playground for the kids and with Bob S. supervising the affair it surely was a fine thing. I guess you knew Mark wrote me of his fall.

[page 2] He expressed it in a rather unique way. He, from what you say, must like the great outdoors and all the sports that go with it. Although from what you wrote he doesn’t like his arithmetic so very well. I was surprised at John writing that he liked arithmetic so well, but on second thought that isn’t so strange because it is an exact science and that is more to his makeup.

I didn’t know Mrs. Kindell was ill and how should I if you didn’t know it. She used to have very high blood pressure along with her diabetes so I suppose one or the other or both were the causative factors. She was a nice old lady even though she used to be

[page 3] a little hard on my nerves on Thur. P.M. There have been a number of my old patients pass away since my leaving there but when one considers the time it isn’t out of the ordinary because 2 years ago this mo. I was examined or was it Jan.? Anyway it’s been just about 2 years.

I suppose Red wouldn’t allow Coke to be sick from what she said to you but it seems to one that he was in my office about 2-3 times each month. And he also went to Mayo Brothers and they found nothing wrong. That last paragraph was just an afterthought.

Well, Dear, that is about all I can recall now
So Lots of Love
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/06/mrs-kindell-roscoe/

Two Extra Letters (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 11, 1944

Dear Mother,

Last night I really did myself. Wrote two extra letters, one to Joe R. and one to Geo. Wingfield. It was a tough fight but I made it without too much over extending my strength. By strength I really mean mental strength. I’m sure when they read those letters they will also agree that my mental strength wasn’t too much. I felt I just had to write Geo. and thank him for the Christmas present and

[page 2]  Joe had a letter coming so he got a note.

There are plenty of rumors about mail but so far I haven’t seen anything that would indicate that the rumor is correct. We always gripe even if mail is a little slow but it’s getting to the place now where it is really serious. Especially air mail – I hope your mail is getting thru better than mine is. This last paragraph was a repeat last week if I remember correctly.

One of my friends here got a roll of films and borrowed a camera and he and I are going to dress up and snap each other. If they are good I’ll send them home

[page 3] providing we can pass them by the censor. I don’t mean we’ll try to put anything across but will try to get the background so that it will pass. I had one good one not so long ago. I mean one of the Drs. took one and I was going to get one but the developing co. lost the film and the Dr. is gone now so – and it was a good picture. Lentz has taken some but they are in color and he is sending them back to the States to be developed and you know how long that will take.

Well, if mail comes I’ll add a P.S.
Love Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/02/two-extra-letters-roscoe/

Staring At That Wall (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 10, 1944

Dear Mother,

For the past hour or more I’ve been down on the bunk just thinking of what I might write you and I could do no good lying there staring at that wall so I decided to get up and start and maybe something would come.

I thought possibly I could put down my thoughts while lying there but often trying to recall what I was thinking I can’t seem to recall so I guess I was a total blank. I did read the morning paper. I had taken care of the news pretty well just before and after breakfast so started in on the want ads, public sales, legal notices

[pager 2] and other bits of printed articles. Some interesting, some queerly stated and some just plain funny. Much of their wording, etc., reads like our papers used to years ago. Even the Kentland papers seem to be more modern in statement. One never reads a paper but what there is a notice or two which states that such and such a man, no names, but a brief description who wishes to become acquainted with a certain type woman with marriage as the aim. And their ad about patent medicine are a scream. I can’t remember any just now but they are really heart rendering with the suffering which is going on needlessly.

This county as you might know, I didn’t, has state medicine and I’ve heard something about it from the lay individual as well as the Dr. and

[page 3] I can say the parties concerned are in a fog as to its merits and demerits. It came just about the time the war did so neither side has had a fair chance to win out. It seems that the Drs. are living and some of the patients are living so it can’t be a total failure on one side or the other. It is a little hard to ask the Dr. how much his salary amounts to so it’s hard to learn much – I do know this there are dissatisfied persons on both sides. However, that is something I don’t intend to get worked up about just now. If it comes it will just have to come and everyone concerned will have to make the best of it.

Lentz just poked his head in to inquire about the time. He informed me there was no mail again today – don’t know where he got his information but I’d say it

[page 4] was darn rotten information and not the least bit welcome. The mail situation is about like it was first when we left the States. There is one thing I’m always certain about, however, and that it that there are letters on the way because I know you are writing as regular as you always did. Lentz could have been mistaken so I’ll still have hope for another hour or two since it is only about 1500.

It’s time I should have my PM coke. I’m getting just like the natives only theirs is tea. I saw a group of men working on the road this AM and about 1000 they all stopped and had tea – eh what!

Well, I did get something written after all so solong love
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/30/staring-at-that-wall-roscoe/

Two Things (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
2-8-44

Dear Mother,

Two things happened today which are a little out of the ordinary and maybe will break the monotony of the letters of the past few days.

First and possibly foremost is one that has nothing to do with me only in a roundabout way. The fellow that I spent my leave with – you have his picture, well, he got married. I guess I had never mentioned that he was single and all that stuff. Lentz is standing up with him because the girl who is going

[page 2] to be the best woman, etc., is a friend of Ed’s. And I’m taking his duty. It makes duties come very close together for me but I guess I can help a boy out in a pinch. I think it was one of those whirlwind affairs where things happen fast. In fact, when he and I went on the trip he was against the institution of marriage and I’m very certain that he didn’t know this girl at that time, but you know when people fall they really fall hard. She is a nice girl for all I know – and why should I know? He has had her out here on a number of occasions and she is Irish the same as he – of course me being Irish also – think she is OK.

[page 3] He was very much in a huff all morning. He told me last night when he came home but didn’t tell Lentz until this AM, and Lentz had sent his clothes to the cleaners and he wanted to borrow mine but he was a bit too large in spots, so he had to get clothes from someone else. Enough for the romantic side.

The second thing was the Rotary meeting. I enjoyed it pretty much but of course not as much as at home. The home club will not get a notice that I attended because it is against the censor regulations. They could name the country but they can’t name the town.

[page 4] so in the course of due time the Kentland Club will be notified – after the war I suppose. I’ll try to write Bob Hufty and at least tell him that I attended the meeting.

The mail just came – I’d say about 2 doz. V-mail for all the Drs. I was lucky enough to score one letter – your V-mail of Jan. 26. Not much but it helps lots just to get that little bit for it lets me know you and the boys are doing OK. It sure looks as if V-mail is all that comes anymore. Your last air mail was Jan. 12 and the picture of D. never did arrive as yet.

Well, Dear must get to work –
Lots of Love
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/26/two-things-roscoe/ ‎

Candy Stains (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 6, 1944

Dear Mother,

You will note I’m using the paper you sent for my Christmas present and you will also note the candy stains on the inside. I had to throw only 2 or 3 sheets away so that wasn’t bad.

The wind today sure is whipping around. Due to our not having storm windows or the building being built too good the dust sure does pour in on windy days. The whole day reminds me of a March day at home – clear, cloudy, windy, etc. No rain as yet but it could most any time from the way it looks.

Had to stop long enough to open a coke. I just put the case under the bunk and

[page 2] when the urge comes on to drink one it isn’t hard to get it. Really no strain nor pain. I’ve often wondered if coke is to be had in the states or if it is rationed. If I remember correctly it was a little hard to get at times before I left.

Another Rotarian and I are planning on going to a meeting this coming Tue. I should have gone long before now but all of their meetings around here are noon meetings and it’s a little hard to get off and get transportation at that time of the day.

I’m on regular O.D. duty today. It really doesn’t amount to very much only being on the phone for a 4 hour stretch and that gets pretty tiresome before the 4 hour period rolls around. It’s a little painful if any calls come in from New Zealanders

[page 3] because I have a duce of a time understanding them over the phone. It’s sometimes bad enough in a conversation with them.

The outing season is still one here. I can see cars parked along the roadside, from my window, or picnics along the river and the mountain side. That sentence is a little mixed up but I think you can get the meaning. The cars and the mountains are not having the picnics.

I haven’t written the folks as yet today but will get started just as soon as I finish yours. That is always a good Sunday sentence as you well know because it appears in all my Sunday letters.

Just checked up to see on what day

[page 4] Easter comes this year. Yes, maybe I’m thinking of the same thing you are but I’m still not counting on anything like that. I suppose the 4th of July would be a better date to look forward to. It seems that that business crops into every letter I write anymore. It’s the most vital topic I can think of so I guess it’s bound to break into print or I should say writing very often.

Well, it seems as if I’m just about all washed up for anything else to write so
Lots of Love
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/23/candy-stains-roscoe/

Notice the Date (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133
USN Base Hospital #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 5, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m starting this on Sat. and if I can think of enough to write I’ll mail this one and write another for tomorrow even though they will both leave at the same time.

So far today I haven’t been warm because it’s one of those cool wet damp rainy days. I’m really not complaining because when I think of that hot steaming place it’s a pleasure to shake a little with the cool breezes.

Our show last night was fair – Rosalind Russell and someone in “Borrowed Wife” – a comedy that moved rapidly and filled with wisecracks. Tonite there is a

[page 2] double feature with two western pictures. No doubt they will really be good, but when one doesn’t like the show he can always get up and leave – There is no money involved so it’s one’s own pleasure.

You will notice the date on this letter – It seems to be getting around to that certain time and I don’t mind telling you that I’m not going to get much discussed until the month of Mar. rolls around and then I can’t promise. I’ve often written of the time, etc., but I find the anxiety increasing by the inverse rule, which means the shorter the time the more anxious. I guess I need say no more because

[page 3] you are perhaps experiencing the same reactions. When one is away from civilization it seems a more or less routine to see only persons in Khaki, but when one sees kids, women, men in civilian clothes with colored ties and numerous other things it is a little harder to have the time pass rapidly. Now I’ve said some things I didn’t even mean to say because I’m afraid they might make you feel badly. Please excuse I’ll be over this odd moment in a short time.

The radio in the rumpus room is going full blast and the dice of 3-4 Acey Ducey games are clicking. I’ve played a game

[page 4] or two since chow but one gets little tired of that also. It generally takes 20-30 min. to play one game – fun but there is lots of luck along with some science. Right now the Beer Barrel song is on the radio – a good song I’d say.

So far I have said nothing about mail – You guessed it there hasn’t been any but the P.M. is rather young.

Now that I’ve gotten so far along with this I’ll post it and write another tomorrow – That way I can say

Lots of Love (one time extra)
Daddy

 

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/21/notice-the-date-roscoe/

Central Heating (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 3, 1944

Dear Mother,

You will have to explain to Mark that his birthday present might be a little late because due to something or other the P.O. isn’t issuing money orders just now but I’ll get one as soon as they are and maybe it will get there in time I hope.

It has rained a little this P.M. and is rather cool in fact so cool I’m thinking of adding a little extra heat. That is another thing

[page 2] these people here don’t believe in – central heat. Each home has several fireplaces and I don’t think they are used much at that of course I have no way of know[ing] if they are used or not. We have one in our lounge here and it hasn’t been used over once or twice and we have one in our officer’s club which has never been used.

I suppose you and the boys use our fireplace pretty frequently these days. I know how you used to like to do that in the evening.

This is before mail time – fooled you this time but not

[page 3] starting the letter with those few simple remarks. We should be due for some good air mail one of these days, but I believe I’ve said that on many occasions before.

I seemed to have stalled for it’s been about 10 min. between the last two sentences. I have a big map on the wall next to me of the Pacific Ocean and I keep looking at the latest war developments and then my eyes drop to N.Z. and off hand we are a considerable distance from the war, not to say, a more considerable from home.

I’ve often wondered about Gale Dye’s husband. I believe

[page 4] you said he returned to Hawaii after his 10 day leave. Who knows I may get a 10 day leave some of these days – I hope – That some of these days is a vague indefinite thing but a reality which will be an actuality in some not too distant future I hope.

No mail so let’s change the subjects and say –
“Lots of Love”
Daddy

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©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/17/central-heating-roscoe/

Birthday Letter to Mark (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner (MC) USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Feb. 2, 1944

Dear Mark,

It seems to me you have a birthday this month so I guess I’d better send you the same as I did John & David. This one is different however because it will be a mixed up one. Bought in shillings and then when you get the money it will be in dollars. How do you like that? Wouldn’t it be a surprise if when you went to cash it you would get 12/9 instead of the two bucks?

I guess I received a letter from you just the other day thanking me for the Christmas present I sent you – That just about slipped my mind. So I really owed you a letter.

Well, I hope I won’t have to send John any present for his birthday from overseas but one never can tell.

Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/14/birthday-letter-to-mark-roscoe/ ‎