Tag Archives: World War II letters

The Center of the Household (Gladys)

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1944-01-11 (GRY)Letter transcripton:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-11-44

Dear Daddy – No mail today but had three letters yesterday. It remains clear and cold but not too cold to take David out. He is taking his nap now. Gets along fine now without a thumb to go to sleep with. I was washing windows today and he tried to help – splash water. He gets such a thrill when J. & M. come home from school. They always talk to him and make a fuss over him when they come home. John says the household revolves around David – and I suppose that is natural. John says he won’t have to take any exams so won’t have to go to school the rest of this week. The grade school doesn’t have exemptions so Mark will have to go as usual, tho school will be out Fri. for grading papers. David’s picture will be in the Democrat this week. He is the only child in the group whose Daddy is in the service. I’ll send you a clipping so you can see the publicity before the whole paper gets to you. I stopped at Staton’s yesterday to see how the family was. Mrs. J. told me Irene went to another Dr. and he told her she had no thyroid trouble at all – and that they can’t find anything wrong. She is still in a hospital in Chicago having tests made. The last time I saw her she seemed to feel fine. She did have the flu but got over it better than her Mother did.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/01/the-center-of-the-household-gladys/

Auditing Board (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.
Jan. 10, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’m writing today before mail time and hope I can add a foot note saying mail has arrived. The rumors have it that there is mail at the P.O. but rumors are not always true as you know.

Just got a call that the auditing board is to meet and since I’m a member must go and put in my two bits worth, by that time we’ll know if there is any mail.

The books are audited but still no mail and it’s getting well on toward 5 P.M. so I’m beginning to think there is no mail today. Seems as if

[page 2] that whole front page was used in discussing the no mail status, so let’s let it rest.

Lentz is out playing golf this P.M. and wanted me to go along and carry his clubs but I refused in a big way. I used to do that once in a while at Norfolk but I’ve changed since then. I have walked lots since coming here but not on the golf course. There are several pretty walks around the hills and valleys and over the river which some of us take ever so often in the P.M. I like to watch the fish in the water. Haven’t fished as yet because I have no gear and don’t want to buy a license. The license is something we didn’t have

[page 3] to have before – Just another draw back of civilization.

In Faye’s letter she said Dolores thought I’d be home in 18 months but knowing fellows here who have been out a little longer than myself I’m beginning to doubt that just a little. In fact I have all along. I think there is an effort being made but one can’t come home on efforts alone. We will just have to wait and see, but we have been thru all that in numerous letters before. However, that is still a very good topic of conversation and it isn’t hard to get things started from the newest member to the oldest. I mean

[page 4] in length of time spent out of U.S.A.

We have an accordion player in our midst now and he does the squeeze very frequently. There is also a “uke” player and they sometimes get in the rumpus room next to mine and make pretty much noise but I can take it. It’s only been in the day time so far. In fact yesterday P.M. was the first but it didn’t bother much.

Well, there still isn’t any mail – so Solong
Love Daddy

P.S. Mail did come after all – Yours of Dec. 8, 17, 24, 27, 27, 28 and Oct. 15 came. The 8 & 17 were v-mail. The Oct. 15th one was the one you wrote at Lafayette when your mother passed away.

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/30/auditing-board-roscoe/ ‎

A Very Popular Place (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 10 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Dec. 28, 29 & 30th came today and the pictures. Imagine you drinking tea, but I am sure you enjoyed it. They look like very pleasant company.

It is still cold and clear. We can’t understand how we missed all the snow. It snowed quite heavily in Chicago, and other places, but no snow here. At least the skaters are glad. The pond is the scene of activity every day and night. Since Bob Schurtter has taken over the self appointed management, putting a light out there for the night skaters, the pond is a very popular place. He goes out and gets the skaters to clean the ice off so it won’t get rough from slush. Since he didn’t get an appointment in the Navy, perhaps the draft board will permit him to finish the school year before he has to go into service. They keep taking fathers from here. Of course some are new fathers but several pre-war fathers will soon have to go.

I thought I had written you that Jim had insurance to cover all funeral expenses. Burial was made in our lot.

[page 2] I thought that was the best place. Jim had an idea of going to Hutsonville, to the cemetery where so many of Mother’s family were buried, but I thought we should use our lot here. About the hospital expenses, I explained all that before but in case you didn’t get the letter, Mother had saved some, and Jim paid $100.00 so what we actually paid on hospital expenses amounted to some over $100.00. I hope you have received the detailed statement I sent covering the yr – 1943.

I went to see Joy Selene and Mother Arlene yesterday. Dr. Cole allowed them to come home a little sooner than with Donnie, but Arlene was in bed and I suppose will be a few days. Joy is quite a beautiful baby with thick black hair. That is one thing about going over time, the baby is well developed. Arlene was due the 14th and Joy was born the 27th – David having made a 3 weeks premature appearance, kept curled up in a little ball for about a month. However, you would never guess now, he arrived too soon. He is about over his thumb sucking habit. He slept thru the night last night and went right off for his nap today. He still doesn’t try to indicate when he needs the toidey, but will go to the bathroom if we ask him if he wants to toidey. He does so many cute little things every day, it’s quite impossible to put them down in ink on paper. But that smile gets us – it is very contagious.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/29/a-very-popular-place-gladys/

Decidedly More Destructive (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 9 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

One more Sunday in ’44. I took David to church this a.m. – and we were able to remain thru the service – He has been to S.S. but this was his first church service. He kept very quiet, as far as vocalizing during the sermon, but he was very “fidgety” or “squirmy,” or whatever you want to call it. John asked me if I heard anything the minister said. I followed pretty well. The Shandys were there with their boy. I imagine he will soon be leaving for Miami. John Ade was also at church. He is an air cadet (Navy).

We are trying to break the thumb sucking habit and I believe we are making progress. He went to sleep this afternoon much sooner than he did yesterday. He went to sleep last night after much crying. Sometime during the night he got his favorite (left) thumb free and I could hear him working on it. I took him up and put him in bed with me, and I didn’t get much sleep after that, but I kept the thumb out of his mouth. He wants to throw things all the time. John thinks it’s time to teach him not to throw everything to the floor but I am afraid that would require a lot of hand slapping or what it takes to teach a child not to throw things. David is decidedly more destructive with his toys than J. & M. were – He tries to tear everything up and has done a pretty good job on a lot of his toys. He has a rubber apron or bib, Mrs. Roberts gave him. It is [a] pre-war one she used for their boys. David

[page 2] has ripped it in so many places, the back side looks like it’s made of adhesive tape. Of course, it isn’t hard to tear but David has wrecked things made of heavier material.

Mark is out skating again this afternoon. The weather stays cold enough to keep the pond frozen. John as usual is listening to musicals. Miss Smith told him about some of the teachers in Chicago she studied under she wants him to go to – &7.oo a lesson. I told him when he paid that much for a lesson he would have to absorb everything the teacher said. I told him he would have to direct a symphony orchestra “or something” if he spends that much on lessons. However, I don’t believe he will take any of said lessons soon.

There was a heavy frost on this morning and the air was crisp. I don’t know just how cold it was but know it was low. The sun has been shining all day and the sky is clear. I want to take David out for a walk after his nap.

Arlene is to come home today with the new baby girl. I didn’t get to visit her in the hospital, but will see her at home.

The planes that go over here – this must be cross-roads – they go all directions. Fri. two went so low they looked like they were just above the tree tops. Pinky won’t scare us any more with his antics. I understand he has been grounded – has a desk job now. Never see anything about him in the paper. Marg. Is here helping her mother run the paper and lives in her own house again.

David is awake – I’ll have to take him up so he won’t dampen his bed.
Love Mother

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Post originally found: http://genealogylady.net/2015/09/28/decidedly-more-destructive-gladys/ ‎

This Being Saturday (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 8, 1944

Dear Mother,

This being Sat. I’ll start and wind up tomorrow because no mail goes out on Sun. as I’ve told you before so I just put them both in the same envelope. Maybe that is just being lazy or scotch or what have you?

Your letters of 14, 15 & 16 came and some Christmas greetings. One from Ralph & Faye, one from Schlegels, one from John & Inez and one from Helen Coan or whatever her name is now.

Faye wrote a note along with their greeting – Seems as

[page 2] if Faye & Ruth have to do most of the writing in their families.

I still haven’t lived up to that New Year’s resolution of writing everyone those letters but will start one of these days.

I’ll be glad when those pictures of D. arrive. It seems so many times when you are going to send pictures you write about them and the letter with the pictures are is delayed.

You also “sorta” left me in the air about the $49.00 you wrote that Brands had you charged. You didn’t say whether you got out of the thing gracefully. I believe

[page 3] you did say they couldn’t find where it came from. Anyway I guess you got thinks all squared away, I hope.

Sun. Dec. 10 [sic], 1944

Your v-mail of Dec. 29 came today. I believe it must have arrived yesterday but just wasn’t delivered because that is the first time I’ve known mail to come on Sun.

I just came back from the movie – I stayed only long enough to see the News. The news are always old but they save 3-4 for Sun. Eve and it makes about a ½ hour program. I have

[page 4] seen the main feature and it wasn’t so good the first time so I didn’t care to sit thru it again.

Sorry D. has a cold and I hope he is over it by now and also hope that you don’t catch it from him!

I don’t know as yet where you went Christmas. In this letter you wrote that D. caught the cold either from Mark or Earl so I presumed you were either at Wilmington or they were over there.

So Funks finally got a girl. I’ll bet they are both

[page 5] well pleased and I suppose Bobby will really have something to talk about now.

In these last letters I finally got the story of Virginia Zell. In the letters before you had said she was in bed due to an injury. I guess that was in yesterday’s letter but I just happened to think. I’m not being critical of your letter writing but just telling you how they come and how I’m left in the dark on some things for days until the missing letters finally arrive.

Well, I guess I’d better wind this up with
Love Daddy

New_Zealand_Cities

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Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/27/this-being-saturday-roscoe/

Another Saturday (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:
Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 8 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Another Sat. and opera on. I have been having a splitting headache the past two days and the piano and radio aren’t any help, but our John loves his opera. About this headache I think I’ll have to start taking shots again, Thelin, or something. I took a few the first of last year but haven’t had any now since about last May or June. I had my glasses changed and I think the headache isn’t from eyestrain due to occurance around the 28 day cycle, which is oftener sometimes (the cycle). The lump that was removed white you were in medical school is growing again. Dr. Cole made an examination and said we would watch it closely and if it grows too rapidly would remove it again. I haven’t been to see Dr. C. for some time but thought I would go in the near future due to the recurring pains, which seem to be more constant and severe. Now don’t worry about it, I will see the Dr. soon and he will do what should be done. However I don’t want to have anything done now, and won’t unless he think necessary. I am sure it isn’t large enough to be alarmed about at present. About the original size.

I have been trying without success to break the thumb sucking habit and I pinned sox over David’s hands, onto his sleeves this afternoon when I put him to bed for his nap. He cried and fussed around a long time but finally gave up. I told John with all his (John’s) stubbornness he was easier to train than David. I remember it wasn’t any

[page 2] trick at all to break John of his finger sucking habit. I spanked David yesterday for getting things out of the chest of drawers in his room. He knew what it was all about and cried very loudly for w while, but it took effect and he left the drawers alone. He has a very winning smile and knows how to use it. He is like Mark, never sees a stranger. I knitted a pr. of mitten to match his snow suit – He won’t leave them on, but I think most babies are like that about having their hands covered. I want to knit a spring outfit for him. I started a sweater for Romaine last night. It is white and to be plain in design so won’t be hard to do.

Mark is out playing with some boys from his room. I wanted him to stay in and work on a plane he is building but the urge for action was too strong. I haven’t had an X-ray made yet but will try to get him down one day next week. He is better again. I haven’t noticed any signs of nervousness the last few days. He made all kinds of New Year’s resolutions. John didn’t make any – guess he thinks he is good enough as is. The difference in those two – They are certainly two extremes.

Cliff Shandy & family are home. He has been assigned to Miami, but evidently to be there temporarily, because Mrs. & baby are going to remain here. I was just thinking about his former boss and how he worked to get a C.P.O. and Cliff is now an Ensign. And also I wonder why Cliff could get a commission and Newell couldn’t. I suppose Cliff must have had more college work than Newell, tho they are both grads from law schools.

Mrs. Lonce called me for your address. Her son (the one you visited on Christmas eve) wants to write to you. He is still in N.C. I am forwarding the greeting Dr. M. sent and due to lack of address was returned to us. I gave Ellsworth W. your address and he said he would write, but I am not so sure. He says you will probably get back in time to shove his off.

[page 3] More and more are going from here all the time. I told you Jack Sullivan is one of the latest. He was put in the Navy. I wonder how he will get along with his “lisp”? I think I failed to mention Lloyd Tilton’s discharge from the Army. He went A.W.O.L., then claimed to have a nervous breakdown. All the above info from D.K. However he is out and has been around town. Bus Daily got a medical discharge from the marines. His trouble was a nervous stomach.

David woke up cross. I wrapped him up and put him out in his buggy – so will have to hurry and take him for a ride. He doesn’t like getting along without his thumb but think we will make it break.

I just looked at the bank bal. and with bills pd. and Ins. that comes due this month deducted I have a bal. of $91.oo

It was has been snowing in Chicago today and looks like it will snow here. It is clouding up now. Must get along.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/26/another-saturday-gladys/

Sweater Girl (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 7, 1943

Dear Mother,

Writing in the P.M. this time and before mail time. So I hope I can add a foot note that some mail has arrived. There is a show tonite and sometimes if it’s late I don’t feel much like writing but I will tell you whether or not the show is rotten or good.

They are doing a little landscaping outside my window and the wind blows the fine dust into my room so everything seems pretty gritty in here, but what is a little dust under circumstances like these?

We have a Kelvinator in a room now just across from mine – For ice cubes and storage space for cold food & drink – mostly drink, but with nothing in particular to drink it may be a waste of refrigeration. However, we always live in hope of some liquid refreshments.

Later. In fact, very much later and there was no mail and the show was a very poor one. The title “The Sweater Girl” and for the life of me I couldn’t see why it was named that and I couldn’t tell whether it

[page 2] was supposed to be a mystery story or just a common story. Anyway I got the jitters before the show was over but had to stay until the end.

There was some mail but it was old mail and nothing for me. Only a few got letters and most of the letters were 2nd or 3rd class so I wasn’t too much disappointed.

I hope you can read my writing because after there is no mail I “sorta” fall down and leave the writing on a limb. It really takes the wind out of things and makes it hard to think. Really I think the next time I’ll write and forget when the next mail is supposed to come so that no influence will be had.

This whole letter is sorta disjointed but I mean well and hope things are OK.

Tomorrow starts our 18th month of foreign duty – I surely hope it means something –
Love Daddy

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Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/25/sweater-girl-roscoe/ ‎

Absence of Snow (Gladys)

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1944-01-07 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-7-44

Dear Daddy – Another sunny day but cold. It was 5° above this morning in Chicago. Don’t know how much it has risen during the morning but I hope enough to take David out. It doesn’t look cold out of doors – I suppose that is due to the absence of snow. Rec’d a letter from your mother. She must be feeling better – said they had butchered. Said they had a heavy snow down there last week. We didn’t get any here. I saw in the paper that Irene is in a Chicago hospital for treatments. She said she had thyroid trouble and is taking iodine treatments. I haven’t talked to any of them for more than a week. Mrs. James hasn’t been out since she came back from Ft. Wayne. She hasn’t been well this winter either. She didn’t recover very quickly from the flu – John is writing another essay this year for the American Legion. He won second last year. He wouldn’t let me read the one last year and says I can’t read this one. Mark went to Bobbie’s to work on a plane and overstayed so I went to get him. It was the first time I had seen Donnie for a long time. He is such a large child, looks almost as large as Bobby. Arlene is to come home Sunday with the new baby girl. That little girl will have to be a tomboy to hold her own with those two boys. I see the Zells are selling some chickens today. They have had a little trouble selling this time – The market is flooded with chickens.

Love – Mother

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Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/24/absence-of-snow-gladys/ ‎

Laundry (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 6, 1943 [sic]

Dear Mother,

No mail today and no show tonight so we just sat around and chewed the fat. In fact, lots of talkie talk with nothing settled and nothing elevating being told.

I played Lentz 3 games of Acey Ducey and he beat me 2 out of three but next time it will probably be reversed. It’s only a matter of pride because we don’t have anything bet unless it’s a chew of tobacco or a cigar.

Today was the first time in two weeks we were able to send any laundry. People

[page 2] here really take their holidays seriously and it’s really hard to get anything done. 2 to 3 weeks is the usual length of time for a vacation and they all seem to take them around Christmas time.

I believe I have given you the total taxable amount for the year of “43. If I didn’t here it is and if so here it is again. The total taxable amount as I figure it is $2,566.00 less of course deductions. The office may give us the exact figures but I think those are very near. I don’t believe we will have any tax to pay but possibly we do have to file anyway. You

[page 3] may do what you think best about that. We should have enough bonds to cover all the back taxes so we don’t have to worry too much about them. Right now I have very little on the books so you can’t expect any extra for a while. When I get enough I’ll send it home – but I’m going to think some of traveling money for the next month or two. Outside of laundry expenses aren’t much more here than at the last place. The food costs the same but what a difference. I still weigh about 12-13 pounds less than when I left Noumea but I was a little fat when

[page 4] there. This A.M. I weighed 151 and one time in Noumea I weighed 165. Chubby wasn’t I? I’m not complaining or feeling sorry for myself because I feel good and really don’t care to gain anymore – not that I’m on a diet but that is just the way it is. To tell the truth my appetite or I should say my choice of foods is much more limited now than previously, because we were over fed in some lines – peas for example. And we still have lots of them.

It seems I’ve written this whole letter about myself – please excuse I’ll try to do better next time.

Lots of Love
Daddy

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Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/23/laundry-roscoe/

Wedding Details (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Jan. 6 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Three letters today, including the wedding details, which were from your descriptions, simple. However, it doesn’t require an elaborate ceremony to make a lasting marriage. Does it? It is a bright sunny day. Makes a person wonder how it can be heavy and overcast one day and in a few hours so clear and bright. It was so grey and overcast yesterday it was somewhat depressing. I think I’ll take David out for a breath of fresh air after he gets up from his map. It was below freezing early this a.m. but the sun has been shining so bright all day I think the temp. will be up enough to take him out. He is over his cold, but still has a hang-on cough. Dr. M. said if he didn’t get over it he would give him a whooping cough shot. I remember you used to use that treatment for coughs that resisted treatment. However, I am holding out hoping the cough will leave. About the only time it bothers him is after he sleeps a while. The

[page 2] rascal woke me at 4 a.m. – I had to take him up, change him & get him a drink. He was wide awake and wanted to play but you know his mother well enough to know I wanted shut-eye. I put him in bed with me but soon discovered that was not the way for me to go back to sleep, so put him back in his bed and we both went back to sleep.

John had to give a report on dehydration in Ag. today and worked on it all evening. When he has something to do he goes right after it and if I may say so with pardonable pride, does a pretty good job. Having watched his father at work on M.S., M.D., etc., I can’t help but see more than a little similarity.

The account of your meeting Bud (Geo.) Mulligan is in the paper this week. I mentioned a conversation with his aunt in my letter yesterday. In looking thru the paper I see that Jack Sullivan is one of the latest fathers to be inducted. Eddie Steinbaugh was married to an Army nurse at Chanute Field, Monday this week. Jack Dye’s picture is in the paper this week. He lost a leg in action and has been discharged.

Washburn’s celebrated their golden wedding this week and Albert Thompson’s celebrate their 60th.

David is awake now and ready for some fresh air. He is playing the piano now. Maybe he will be a musician.

Mark slipped and fell down stairs last nite.

[page 3] No damage done. John said it is a good thing Mark can fall relaxed. I told them if John had fallen like that he would have broken bones until he would have to be in a cast from head to toe. Never a dull moment.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/22/wedding-details-gladys/