Tag Archives: World War II letters

Getting Ready to Move (Gladys)

1 Reply

May [Sic June] 8, 1944 envelope

May 8, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
5-8-44 [sic June 8]

Dear Daddy –

Your letter about the house came today. Sounds Ok. Nothing much exciting to report. I still don’t know which way to come – via Chi. or Laf. – or even by bus from here. If you could meet us at Quincy we could go by bus to there from here but I think I’ll call you or have you call me to settle the issue before we start.

Have been working in the yard some. Have the present growth of weeds about eliminated – I suppose it’s a waste of time and the way I ache all over I am not sure it’s worth it.

May 8, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Your shirt came from Seligs – you are going to hate it – it’s very heavy material – even heavier than the first one you brought – at least we got a shirt back and that’s more than we got out of orders so far.

About the train from Laf. – it has to go thru St. L. and would take us from 1:30 a.m. – until 4:30 p.m. to make the trip – could almost do that well on the bus – It leaves here at 10:00 a.m. and gets in Quincy at 7 p.m. – If you could get off on Sun. or any day we might come by bus – but maybe it would be best to come by train. I’ll decide after I hear more from you. Must get this ready to mail.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/26/getting-ready-to-move-gladys/

Work Correspondence (Roscoe)

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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

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/25/work-correspondence-roscoe/

Invasion (Gladys)

4 Replies

: June 6, 1944 envelope front

: June 6, 1944 envelope back

Letter transcription:

June 6, 1944, p. 1

Kentland Ind.
6-6-44

Dear Daddy –

Well about all we have heard today has been invasion. Mr. Zell went to Delphi to a Rotary meeting and was going to find out about the train from Laf. and reservations but he didn’t have time when he came home to give us the info but will when he comes home this evening. In case we can’t get train reservation we can get bus connections from here to Chenoa, Ill., and change there. That bus goes thru Quincy and into Kansas City but the bus trip all the way would require 18 hours. I thought

June 6, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] You could possibly meet us in Quincy if we have to go by bus, but we will come by train if we can get seats.

It is so cold today, the heat kicked on, but I turned the therm. down so it wouldn’t get so hot.

Mildred Morton’s mother died yesterday. She was in St. E. and was recovering, satisfactorily they thought, and her death seemed to be rather unexpected.

We had a dust storm yesterday and it was warm enough to have all the doors open and the house is very dusty throughout today. I washed some things today. The water got hot enough – the hottest it has been for a long time.

June 6, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] I went to the dentist & took Mark along. He said there was nothing to do about Mark’s teeth in front, but he did put some filling in. My tooth was just sensitive and nothing to be done now.

Lucile said they couldn’t get lumber enough to build Jimmy a play sand box so I told her to come out & see if they could find enough here. They came, but while we were looking Lucile thought about the supper she left cooking on high so they left before we found anything.

I waited to talk to Mr. Zell before finishing this and didn’t get it mailed Tues. He found that we could

June 6, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] get a train out of Laf. at 1:30 a.m. that would get us into Kansas City sometime around 11:30 or 12. I called Chicago and there are no day trains out of Chicago to K.C. or Liberty, so I think we will go from Laf.

It is some warmer today but was very chilly yesterday. The sun is shining today again.

I am forwarding a letter from Geo. Wingfield – why don’t you write him and ask him to stop off in Liberty and see us while he is on his way to Chicago? Here is another v-mail from Lentz – am trying to sew, so will sign off.

Love Mother

Your first letter came today –

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/24/invasion-gladys/

Listening to the News (Roscoe)

5 Replies

June 6, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 6, 1944, p. 1

6/6/44
NFPS
LIBERTY MO

Dear Mother,

Most of the day was spent by the radio listening to the radio news. There is a radio in sick bay and we used it most all day.

I’m just wondering what day you have for reservations or rather what day you plan on coming. We may have to park you and the boys in the streets. The Dr. here isn’t planning on leaving until the 14^th or 15^th and then the lady wants a couple of days to redecorate before she vacates the house for us. This hotel is so crowded. I got the only room vacant Sun. but if you come before the house is ready I guess we can do something.

I talked to the supply officer and we think best that you buy your tickets and ship the stuff and then we will put in for your expenses later. If we knew which train, etc., we could get the tickets but we believe it best for you to get your tickets which best suit you as to time and route.

I’m listening to the radio and scratching ciggers and I’m not able to concentrate. And I might say the ciggers have an almost upper hand. I’m going to try to devise something to keep the little pests away if and when we have another garden party.

June 6, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] It has been so cool here since Sunday. I was really cold all day. Guess I’ll get warm in bed tonight.

Our house is one Kansas street and I think the number is 324 but I’d better check that before I give that to you for our permanent address. I got a letter from Mom, one that was sent to USNH Great Lakes today. So far no letter from you but maybe you haven’t written since we made the telephone calls.

As soon as you can tell me when you have your train reservations I’ll see what and how I can arrange to take care of you until the house is available.

Well, the news goes on and one. Most of it now is repeat but one keeps the radio one in case something new comes on.

Up to now this is about all I can think of tonight so
Lots of Love
Daddy

342 W. Kansas Street, Liberty, MO (Image courtesy of Google street view)

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/23/listening-to-the-news-roscoe/

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

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/22/news-from-george-wingfield-jr/

Cokes Would Be In Order (Gladys)

1 Reply

June 4, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 4, 1944, p. 1

Kentland Ind.
June 4 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Will start a letter this evening and maybe I’ll have something to add tomorrow – Howard & Ursula came to see me this afternoon. Helen is home and is going to come over and see me. She lived in Kansas City, Mo., 10 yrs. If she comes tomorrow I’ll tell you anything that might be of help to us. Howard asked me if we would rent our house. I told them our little attempt with Smiths – They agreed with me our house is well worth $45.00 – said they were getting $40.00 for theirs in the country. Mrs. W. said she thought our house should be worth $50.00 – The new

June 4, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Ag teacher is looking for a place & Mrs. Z. asked me if we were considering renting. I told her I didn’t know yet – we would have to see about “Mo.” first.

Arlene came up and Lucile brought Jimmy so we really had “open yard” this afternoon. Mark got the idea cokes would be in order so he & Virginia loaded up some bottles and went to the Station and bought cokes with his money – without consulting me. I had the same idea so was glad he had acted before I told him to. Jimmy Ed & David both got a share of their mother’s cokes – Jimmy is a veteran coke drinker but David seems to like the stuff pretty well too – Arlene has a new girl – one that seems to be the answer to all her desires for a helper – She even lives there and so Arlene has a little more time off.

June 4, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] When Arlene loaned us the “Thum” bottle, she decided to pour a little out in something in case she might want to dab a little on Donnie “in case” – The only thing she saw at the time was a “shot glass” so poured some in it. She told Bill what she had done and he told everyone she was trying to break him by putting “Thum” in his glass. I am certain that would break anybody of anything – after getting the tiny bit in my eye.

I wrote to Ruth M. today. You should drop your folks a line now and let them know you are in your new location. As soon as I get news from you of a house I’ll call for train reservations.

Love Mother

June 4, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] Monday afternoon –
So far I haven’t talked to Helen. I saw Coke this morning and strange as it may seem they haven’t any K.C. connections. I thought perhaps they would know someone there.

I cleaned half the basement this morning – Try to finish the other this evening. David got an ink bottle this morning and spilled ink from davenport to kitchen so J. & M. cleaned living room & dining room floors – however it needed to be done. The house looks like the one at Lake Forest – I have rugs all over the place to catch the black marks –

Hoping to see you soon –
Love Mother

David, Jimmy Ed Johnson & Donald Funk, dated June 4, 1944

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/21/cokes-would-be-in-order-gladys/

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

News from Navy 132 (Lentz)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

E.T.Lentz – Comr. MCUSNR
NOB Navy 132
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
May 29, 44

Dear Yegie – Still here but not for long; am absorbing air and scenery mostly.
Rec’d a letter from John W. who expected to be assigned to Gt. Lakes.
All gone except Buster H. who is giving me the brush off; he is waiting for a relief.
Thanks for sending the note, rec’d ack. of it today.
How is the family? Are they all staying at home. Regards to all

Lt. Commander F. Edward Walker, U.S.N.R.

1 Reply

[Gladys included this letter from Lt. Commander F. Edward Walker in her letter dated May 2, 1944.]

Lt. Commander F. Edward Wlker, U.S.N.R.
Room 1110 at 995 Market Street
San Francisco, California
Feburary 26, 1944

Lt. R.S. Yegerlehner, MC USNR
℅ USN Base Hospital #4
Navy 133, ℅ Fleet Postoffice
San Francisco, California

Dear Doctor:

I am pleased to enclose herewith my check in the amount of $1.50 which represents a further refund to you from the Cub 13 Officers Club.

A few days ago we received a check in refund of part of the purchase price of the initial investment of the officers club, which permits us to give a 6% dividend.

I just received your address from George Wingfield and I am happy to forward this to you.

Lieutenant Stanich is now located at the Naval Base Assembly Depot at San Bruno. Commander Porterfiled is located at Quantico, Virginia. Jack Howell is back at Navy 131, officer in charge of Receiving Station.

Commander Rimpau and I are both here in San Francisco, and if you should come this way at any time be sure and hunt us up.

With personal regards and best wishes to you always, I am

Sincerely yours,
F. Edward Walker
Lieut. Comdr. USNR

Can you tell me where following are:

Lt. D.A. Mills MC
Lt. J.W. Gardiner DC
Lt. Criss
Lt. R.C. Comstock
Lt. F.W. Stockwell

Romaine’s Commencement (Ruth)

2 Replies

April 30, 1944, p. 1

[Gladys included this letter from Ruth Mutchler in her May 2nd letter. Ruth was Roscoe’s sister.]

Letter transcription:

Wilmington Ill.
April 30, 1944

Dear folks,

Just a line before I go downtown this morning. I am sewing & must go down to get some thread. It is raining again this morning as usual.

We have been anxious to know what has become of you. In your last letter you said you had been apartment hunting & we have been wondering if you have found one. It will be nice if you can be near Jake while he is stationed there. Romaine & I were in Chicago, all day on Saturday, two weeks ago. We eyed every Naval officer that we saw. Thinking just perhaps

April 30, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Jake may have been downtown, but – no see –

We went up for her formal. Had a hard time finding one, but finally found one which we think is quite pretty. It is yellow marquisette. She is getting all excited now, the Senior activities are “stepping up.” Had the Senior play Fri. & Sat. nights. She had so hoped grandpa & grandma would come up for commencement, but Mom wrote & said that it wouldn’t be possible for them to come now. She is still counting on you to be here.

Earl & Chuck are trying hard to get their garden in but so much rain keeps

[page 3] them from it. They now have their potatoes, peas & early stuff such as lettuce carrots & onions in. Earl went fishing

April 30, 1944, p. 3

for a little while yesterday after-noon, but too cold for that, got two I think he said. He is so busy at the mine, he hasn’t much time for fishing & gardening.

Must run along now. Let us hear from you, haven’t Jake’s address so can’t write to him, so send it along when you write again. Hope you are all well

Love Ruth

Come for commencement if you can. It is May 26.