Tag Archives: World War II letters

Early Valentine (Gladys)

: January 22, 1944 envelope

: January 22, 1944 Valentine (front)

: January 22, 1944 Valentine (interior)

: January 22, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

1-22-44

Dear Daddy – Will just slip a note in with my valentine. It is Sat. P.M. David has been a little cross today. Thurs. he had a temp. Yesterday it was gone but came up again today. I had Dr. M. come out. He examined him and said he has bronchitis. However it may be measles. There are measles around again. Where he could have been exposed to them I don’t know but there are some cases in town. He coughs and I thought I detected a redness like the measles start to break out on his tummy – I just took his temp. and he has 100° rectally which of course is 99 and that isn’t much. We have been keeping him on the couch and that requires someone to stay with him all the time. He seems to feel better now, just had a good nap. Dr M. had a v-mail from Earl R. somewhere in England. He was pretty despondent in his letter. Has been ill and in the hospital. I am inclined to believe he hasn’t the stamina of Joe, or you. I thought his letter sounded like a cry of self pity. Maybe I shouldn’t say that but knowing how long you and Joe have been away and keep your chins up – Well, I think you have the better attitude. Of course you haven’t been ill or hospitalized and that could make a difference.

It is a grey wintry day but not cold. J. & M. have been in all day due to David needing attention. I think D. will be better by tomorrow. Dr. M. ordered sulfamerazine for him and if he doesn’t have measles the sulfa should clear up any infection.

J. & M. have to carry out clinkers so I will have to go see about D. Geo. Monroe came out yesterday and oiled the stoker – He does every 60 days.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/22/early-valentine-gladys/ ‎

I Know I’m Nuts (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: January 21, 1944 envelope

: January 21, 1944, p. 1

: January 21, 1944, p. 2

: January 21, 1944, p. 3

: January 21, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 21, 1944

Dear Mother,

The weather again comes in for the well known beating. It is or rather has been raining most of the time since I wrote yesterday, and it has been rather cold not to – if you don’t have to be out too much but I haven’t been out much just between ward & mess hall and back and forth, etc. I rather enjoy the rain – gives one a real reason to gripe and we always feel better when in that mood. Just by way of example – You remember Mead Johnson sent the vitamins. Well I didn’t take them because I was afraid I’d feel too good and

[page 2] therefore would have nothing to complain about and then I’d feel worse. Figure all that out and you probably will have something to complain about or possibly you have something to complain about because I’d write such stuff – Don’t worry that I might be ready for the bughouse because for lack of better subject matter I’m making poor conversation but I need not write you how poor it is because you have probably guessed it by now.

It sure is funny what one will think while just sitting trying to think of subject matter – Just now a little bird flew by and I wondered if birds ever have diarrhea or sore throats

[page 3] and what they do about if it if so. That last was off the record also. Up to the time that bird flew past I thought I was thru with the nonsense.

This is before mail time and I still have hopes. That picture of D. hasn’t come and I’m real anxious about it for you wrote so highly of it.

Later. The mail came and your v-mail of Dec. 21 and a v-mail from Brewer’s of Jan. 1. Again you wrote of D.’s pictures and I’m gradually getting all the dope on Virginia Zell. I think I now have the whole story – of course that is no fault of yours – It just the way the mail happens to come.

I think I forgot to tell you – yesterday a Christmas greeting came from Sinda Steiner – That

[page 4] was really a surprise. It was postmarked Berne, Ind. and I can’t make out the connection. The folks have said nothing about her being away from home.

I know I’m nuts but it is now 1225 and I’m still not sleepy and it goes that way every night. Seems as if the show, and Acey Ducey game, a bull session and always late to bed – Tonight it was Lentz, last night someone else, but what the ____ What else is there to do? So why not, we used to have fun with the nips and now with friends so what!

Love
Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/21/i-know-im-nuts-roscoe/

Mystery Temperature (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 21, 1944 envelope

: January 21, 1944, p. 1

: January 21, 1944, p. 2-3

: January 21, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-21-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Jan. 6, 7, 8, & 11 came today. In fact I just finished reading them and thought I would answer while things are fresh in my mind. About that tax $6.60 – that was the first quarter last year gross – I quit paying after that. I talked to Agnes a few days ago and she told me not to file even Federal, so will just let it ride. Our present bank bal. is around $70.oo but all bills are paid. The first of Feb. the income will take care of ins. due (J., M. & D.) and current bills and we should have a good bal. Maybe enough for a bond. David got enough Christmas money to get a new bond. I think J. or M. will get it at school to give their school credit during the present Bond drive.

David flared up with a temp. yesterday but now it is gone. He has had a hang-on cough from the flue he had following our visit to Mutchlers and he coughs more now. He had a temp. all night.

[page 2] I put him in bed with me because I figured he would be restless. He had 101 2/5 rectally about 7 A.M. but now 9:45 he is normal. I have him established on the studio couch with a cover over him and toys around him which he keeps throwing on the floor. He doesn’t feel too bad because he laughs & plays. I put his house slippers on him. He pulled them and his sox off, but his feet & legs are covered with the spread. He ate a pretty good breakfast and had two B.M.’s on the toidey. I called the Dr. and talked to him about D. He told me to give him the same pills I gave him when he had the flu. I was going to ask him to come out but he seems so much better I don’t think it is necessary. However, I will watch his temp. closely and if it starts to rise will talk to the Dr. I can’t understand this. D. seemed perfectly well, I had been taking him out of doors, every day, then yesterday he shoots up a temp. and today it’s gone. I am glad it is but would like to know the cause.

Tell Bud Mulligan his aunt came to see me yesterday. She is staying at Zeva Simmons. Zeva works for Mrs. Knowlton.

[page 3] You remember her, don’t you? Jimmy’s mother. I don’t know where Jimmy is now, but Zeva had been to see his wife and daughter not long ago.

I heard that Link quite the stone quarry and is working at the factory. Irene is in the hospital yet – as I understand is taking a rest cure. I wonder when her mother will get to take a vacation – but guess that is none of my business.

It is warmer out today and the sun is shining. I have washing to do and should hang it out but when the trains over by 24 go past they throw out such a smoke screen the clothes have tattle tale grey when they are dry, so the basement is the safest place after all.

The Newton Co. E. is running pictures of service men and they have Art Kenny’s in this week – He is wearing the sailor uniform he had when he entered the service – you know he is now in the Marines – well to say the least the picture isn’t flattering – I wanted to laugh when I first saw it.

I told you in a v-mail about Tommy Britton’s mother calling me. She said Tommy told them you had called from

[page 4] San F. and was on your way home. I told her he was mistaken. He said Mark had told him. I know Mark doesn’t tell things like that. He was so mad when I told him what Tommy had said. He vowed very strongly he hadn’t told Tommy anything like that. Virginia admitted that Tommy told such tall tales they didn’t know when to believe him. I told her I only wished it were true.

J. & M. got their report cards so they should write you and give you their own reports – I gave them in previous letters but think they should write too.

There was a bulletin from the A.M.A. on socialized medicine. John read it over and is going to take it to school. I don’t know that I ever talked to him on the subject, but he was very strong in his opinion about such a thing. He thinks like the A.M.A. – it shouldn’t be.

I have put D. in his bed with toys to amuse him while I go start the washing and he is throwing things on the floor, and enjoying it.

“Love Mother”

P.S. Saw Irene after writing this so her rest cure must be over.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/20/mystery-temperature-gladys/

A Rainy Spell (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: January 20, 1944 envelope

: January 20, 1944, p. 1

: January 20, 1944, p. 2

: January 20, 1944, p. 3

: January 20, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 20, 1944

Dear Mother,

We seem to have gotten into a rainy spell but it sure is good to see it rain – The grass even now looks lots greener than it did just two days ago. One is not as comfortable during weather like this as when the bright sun is shining but it has its compensation otherwise.

This A.M. I censored a Red Cross worker’s letter and she evidently hadn’t been here long for she wrote 13 pages. All about the country and as much description as she could and not be telling. She would have been far wiser had she cut that into several smaller letters because the next time she is

[page 2] going to find it terribly difficult to get subject matter but then maybe she doesn’t write every day. I think I had included every one of here her topics but in numerous letters.

Even on a cloudy day the scenery around here is pretty nice. The shifting mist presents changing pictures as it slides along the green background of treels trees on the mountain sides. Ever so often a sea gull flies along and just seems to vanish as its body either blends with the mist or the green or both. A little farther along the entire mountain is obliterated by the mist or low hanging clouds.

[page 3] Between the mountain and the me there is a river which can be seen only in spots due to the heavy growth of trees and parallel with the river spots of the road can be seen also. From my description I know you must have a picture so clear that you can hear someone standing by saying “too right,” meaning “that is good” or some such other common New Zealand phrase.

This whole country – what I’ve seen of it is really pretty but not my kind of country. I’m willing to let the Indians have the place, possibly I should have said the Maoris for they were to New Zealand as the Indians were to us. I believe they are

[page 4] accepted into society here a little more readily than either the Indians or colored people are at home. However, marriage between a white and a Maori is not considered the best in the world as far as society is concerned.

There are not classes here as in England or at least I have heard about them. I don’t believe there are many rich people and I’m pretty sure there are no very poor. They have state medicine and the people & Drs. neither one think much of the system –

Well, I’ve rambled lots –
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/19/a-rainy-spell-roscoe/ ‎

Mixed Weather (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-20-44

Dear Daddy – No mail today but yours of Jan. 10 came yesterday. We are having a little mixed weather, a little snow, a little sunshine and a little cloudy. It stays cold enough to keep the pond frozen. Mark skated last night. He got his report card yesterday – He had, Reading B, English B, Spelling A, Arithmetic D+, Social Studies B+, Health B+, Writing A-, Music A, Art B – I talked to him about that Arith. Grade. He came home at noon saying he made A on Arith. this morning. Tommy Britton’s mother called me and said Tommy told them you had called from San Francisco and were on your way home. I told her he had the wrong person in mind. She then said he told such big ones they didn’t know when to believe him. I don’t know who heard that story, but several people have asked me if you were back in the States. I suppose that is how some rumors get started. John brought home a volume of National Geographic from the library with pages of pictures, etc., about N.Z., so we should know all the books have on it. David is taking his daily nap. As near as I can get his weight it is about 24 lbs. He has a good appetite but runs off any excess fat. He is about the busiest little boy when he is awake and running around. Never seems to run out of pep.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/18/mixed-weather-gladys/

Tall, Dark and Handsome (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: January 19, 1944 envelope

: January 19, 1944, p. 1

: January 19, 1944, p. 2

: January 19, 1944, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 19, 1944

Dear Mother,

Just back from the show – plenty rotten. “Tall Dark and Handsome.” It was only about 16 years old. I think the setting was in 1929 and had Chicago as the background. In other words, a gang picture. It helped pass about 1 ½ hrs. so maybe it wasn’t so bad.

Our rain yesterday and last night was not very plentiful. In fact hardly enough to settle the dust and today being very windy we really noticed the dust. The

[page 2] top of this table and the writing paper is all ‘sorts’ sandy.

I’m really anxious to get the pictures of D. that you have written so much about but I don’t believe the air mail stamps had anything to do with speed. The letters before and after have gotten here but that just doesn’t come, and if the Folks sent their picture for Christmas it hasn’t arrived as yet. Mother said they were sending something but so far nothing has shown up. And I believe you said Dave & Marie were sending something. I’m not disappointed. I mean I wouldn’t

[page 3] be if they hadn’t sent the things.

Lentz got some underware today and they had gotten wet and were moldy in the funniest places. I accused him of having worn them but he answered me they came thru the mail. They didn’t smell bad so I guess he was right.

Lentz got a Jan. 10 issue of Time magazine the other day and I’ve been reading it this P.M. It really brings things up to date pretty well.

Well Dear I’m not very “writey” this Eve so solong
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/17/tall-dark-and-handsome-roscoe/ ‎

John’s Report Card (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 19, 1944 envelope

: January 19, 1944, p. 1

: January 19, 1944, p. 2

: January 19, 1944, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 18 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Jan. 10 came today – Those of 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 will probably come tomorrow or soon. So glad you had rec’d mail. You should have David’s pictures by this time. It is sunny today so will try to get some more pictures today. It was so cloudy yesterday I didn’t try to take any. There was quite a strong wind so didn’t take D. out in his buggy, but took him in the car and went to town for groc. He has been full of pep today and I wanted to get things done so barred the nursery doors and kept him in there most of the morning. He didn’t seem to mind. He is now taking his nap. He is still a problem at feeding time. He won’t let me hold his hand to guide the spoon and can’t get food into his mouth by himself and doesn’t want me to feed him, but I do the feeding just the same. He wants to pick his bowl up and pour the food out. When he is holding his spoon will mess food all over his high chair if I don’t watch him. Yesterday morning he started raising a fuss when I started to give him his breakfast, so I just picked him up and spanked him – That helped. He knows what he is scolded about so I think a little “applied” psychology will help out. It worked on J. & M. so why not use it on David if he needs it?

John brought his report card yesterday. Mark didn’t get his but probably will today.

[page 2] John’s semester average on Gen Science A – English A+, History A+, Arth. A, Ag. B+, Phy.Ed. B – Band A, so totaled and averaged he should be about an A student. But that really isn’t correct because he isn’t A or A+ in subjects he doesn’t care about, such as Ag. I think he likes most of his work but that. However he works on Ag. and got an A the last period but had B+ the first two periods, hence the B+ average. I tell him he should plan to study medicine because he can absorb so much but he says he is only interested in music. He says that is the way with parents & musical children, they are always wanting them to study something else. That isn’t exactly true here. I just made the medical suggestion to see what reaction I would get. Mark says he is going to be a pilot, but John points out to him a pilot has to have math and that seems to be a weak point with Mark. He brings his arithmetic home almost every evening and gets his “homework.” He won’t do anymore than he has to. I often tell him he should work ahead on it but that doesn’t appeal to him in the least and after he finishes said homework is off on something more pleasant. He likes to build model planes if he can finish them in a hurry – but doesn’t care for the tedious kind. He received several for Christmas that require very little work to assemble and that suited him.

Lucile just came out with Jimmy. He and David play together quite well. The only thing David wants to take everything away from Jimmy and so far Jimmy lets him. In time no doubt Jimmy will correct that.

[page 3] Mr. Zell sold off their chickens and cleaned out the brooder house. He put fertilizer around their shrubbery and ours. That should help a lot. What we really need tho is several loads of black dirt around the shrubbery and in the flower beds. The soil in the bed between Statons’ yard and ours is still so full of rocks, etc., from the cement mixer it should be cleaned out and all new soil put in, but I am not planning to do all that myself. I like to work out in the yard but I think that order is too big for me to fill.

Irene is still in the hospital and suppose will be for a week or so – that is what I hear. I don’t like to ask questions. I stopped once and inquired about her and Mrs. James said they didn’t know much. The Dr. couldn’t seem to find anything.

David is getting anxious to go out for a walk so I must get this finished. He wanted to go bye-bye when Jimmy Ed left but I wasn’t ready to go the. It isn’t so windy today and he should have a good airing. It won’t do me any harm either. I think I’ll remind you when you come home about those walks you take now. You know I always did like to walk, so remember that.

Love
Mother

Just Plain Gossip (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: January 18, 1944 envelope

: January 18, 1944, p. 1

: January 18, 1944, p. 2

: January 18, 1944, p. 3

: January 18, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlener USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 18, 1944

Dear Mother,

Three v-mails from you and two air mail letters from the folks. Yours were dated Jan. 2-4-7. The air mails from home were dated Dec. 26 and Jan. 3.

The folks seem to be doing OK this winter since Mother got over her cold, flu or whatever it was.

It was a little amusing to me for you to say that you read in the paper Irene was in a hospital in Chicago. In other words, you don’t see much of them. She probably would be better off if she would work at home and skip the job because

[page 2] that type of work is a little too exciting for one of her make up, and I doubt very much if all her medical attention will correct her condition but of course this is more or less a long distant diagnosis and opinion – That darn accordion is going again and I can’t just function at writing like I should. The music wouldn’t be so bad if it was good but my diagnosis of that is correct. (I stopped for a while) and right now it is a little more on the soft order.

I’ve really had lots of fun over that financial statement. As I told you before I still can’t figure what $6.60 tax you paid and the dividends on the Hancock policies is a little out of my

[page 3] line but it’s been a good 18 mo. since I came in contact with the domestic problems. I’ve more or less forgotten because I know you would take care of things as they should be taken care of and there wasn’t much I could have done otherwise.

Just for a change we had some rain today – the first in some time – It really was good to see a little rain to settle the dust but it will take a lot to revive the grass for it is as brown as our lawn gets in the good old summer time.

Last night I did the craziest thing. Several of us sat around

[page 4] here and chewed the fat until nearly 1200 and then a fellow came into my room and we talked until almost 3 AM and the most of it was just plain gossip. I was ready for bed but he just seemed to want to continue to talk. I was a little sleepy at 0700 this AM when it came time to get up. It is nearly always 1200 before I get to bed. Seems as if there is always someone to talk to or something going on in the lounge which is next door to me, but that seems to make the time pass more rapidly.

Well Dear, I’m about reached capacity so solong
Lots of Love
Daddy

Toddler Terrors (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-18-44

Dear Daddy – Another day without mail but had two letters the 15^th. It is still warm but cloudy so we may get some cold weather in a day or two. Yesterday was like spring – Took a picture of David. He will be 16 mo. old next week so will take this roll by the 23^rd. He is so full of pep today I can hardly stand it. He wants to get into everything. I have him in the nursery now with both doors barred. He would run me ragged if I didn’t keep him in one room. He just goes around looking for something to do he shouldn’t. I put him up in his bed for a while. He threw everything out I had given him to play with then tried to tear the sheet off. He took me to the closet once and said bye-bye – I suppose I will have to take him out for a while. I have been taking him out every day, but it is a little windy today & not much sunshine so didn’t care to go out, but think I had better get him out before he breaks something. Went to see the new Hufty baby last nite. Clarice came home after a week. The hospital is crowded and she came in the ambulance and of course is still in bed. I told you before the new baby is John R. He looks like the other two. Tom Talley is home. Duff said last week they were expecting him home anytime. – I hear the neighbors’ children out playing. Bobby comes up here to play whether the other children play or not. He seems to think he has to have someone to play with. I feel sorry for him at times – he looks so lonesome. When Mark is here he will come in but would rather stay out.

Love – Mother

Slap Happy (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: January 17, 1944 envelope

: January 17, 1944, p. 1

: January 17, 1944, p. 2

: January 17, 1944, p. 3

: January 17, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 17, 1944

Dear Mother,

I’m starting early today and hope I can add a P.S. on the end saying letters have arrived – How many time now have I started with that same sentence? When I write early I always think of that the first thing – hence its always written.

Later – Had some work to do and then some mail came – four letters from you – written Dec. 29, Dec. 31, Jan. 1 & Jan. 3. The one written Dec. 29 had the pictures, I may not say too much about the pictures when I get them but you know I appreciate

[page 2] then just the same.

I’ll say the financial statement was really a complete one – I didn’t expect anything like that but it was OK. I’ll keep it for study now & then when I have nothing to do and get to thinking about things.

I sure wish the birthday present Mark mentioned would be a fact instead of a fancy. These days do seem to roll around and now it is only 22 days until that certain time comes I mean the anticipated time comes. I think I told you the other day that Bob, the Dr. who was with me on vacation, is past due now almost 2 mo. so that is why I’m thinking of the thing as not

[page 3] coming due on the exact date but one can always expect and the expectation will always be greater after the time period.

I guess I mentioned writing to Joe R. He as you know is only a short time behind me, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he got there first but that remains to be seen. Anyway don’t have Mark plan on that birthday present too strongly. I’ll send him his present in due time just like I did D. and John.

I’ve received a letter or two from Geo. Wingfield and I think I owe him one now but he is in that group who I owe letters and don’t get them written. To write letters now it seems just like starting out the old trite

[page 4] saying of “Once Upon a Time.” All I can say is I’m in the S.W. Pacific or New Zealand and the weather is fine hot & dry and the food is better – What am I doing? Repeating. Guess I’ve been talking to myself and got confused. I can talk to other people and get them confused but I thought I was pretty resistant to my own ideas. In other words I’ve built up an immunity to my own disorganization – Does the above make sense? No, alright that just pass the butter and don’t bother with the two that remain.

I’m OK. Dear I’ve just been around too many slap happy people –
Lots of Love

Daddy