Tag Archives: World War II letters

Scarcity of Film (Gladys)

: August 29, 1943 envelope

: August 29, 1943, p. 1

: August 29, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 29 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Sunday afternoon – Dr. Cole was here to see other – He said he had to be back in the hospital by 5 – to do a section. I am going to take Mother back to the hospital for an x-ray – He said he would have McClelland & Baylee see her but he says he doesn’t think anything can be done. He thinks she would get an awful reaction from x-ray treatments. However we will get an x-ray to be sure about the mass in her bowels. He says he is sure it’s malignant. I told him I would bring her in some time this week. I am looking for Glenn to come any day now and hate to be gone when he comes. It’s been a week (will be tomorrow) since he started so he should be getting here any time.

Buddy Krull came out this afternoon to play with Mark and he has a terrible cold with a cough. I told Mark to keep him out in the yard away from David. Buddy probably got his cold on their trip in Wisconsin. They just got back yesterday.

[page 2] Last week was cold & cloudy and David didn’t get his usual quota of sunshine. I took him out this afternoon about an hour. He is a little rascal now, doesn’t want to take his afternoon nap. I tool some pictures of him today. Have to save the rest of the roll for his birthday Sept. 23 – so can’t send these out until I get the rest of the roll taken. Film is a scarce item now. I should have bought film ahead so I would have one roll for each month.

John is listening to his symphony programs this afternoon. Wed. school begins and then the “bigger half” of the neighborhood children will be in school again. Al is having a time getting teachers – Seems odd that only a few years ago there was a surplus of teachers and it required almost a pedigree to get a position – now the situation is reversed. Too many teachers I am afraid are in the W.A.C., W.A.V.E.S., etc. I suppose after the war the situation will be turned the other way again.

I think David has finally decided to go to sleep – Mark & Buddy have gone to Buddy’s house – I told Mark to come home in time for supper.

Love Mother

David, summer 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/09/scarcity-of-film-gladys/

No Hedy Lamarrs (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 28, 1943 envelope

: August 28, 1943, p. 1

: August 28, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 28, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

I wish I knew what I would have in this letter because just now I have no idea what to write – paron me I believe I’ve said that before. So far the word or letter “I” has appeared 6 times so you can see my ego is still present. So far fives lines have been used and nothing said.

The show last night was rather a comparison of our own conditions – “White Cargo.” Of course there was are no Heddy Lamar’s at this place so the comparison is not complete. It really is a scream to hear these enlisted men and some officers react to characters and places. A jungle scene or a tropical setting brings loud boos while an actress or a thick steak sends cheers indescribable. Even a picture of a street in Chicago, New York or San Francisco brings loud cheering. It really is a wonderful place to study character in its unadulterated form, and since one has plenty of time for study it is an escape mechanism for me to entertain myself. That whole thing sounds like I’m a psychologist or something but a train of thought will often times make hours pass as minutes and if I

[page 2] were clever and verbose I could write some of those thoughts to you but when I try to put them into words the whole thought system crumbles just as if termites or damp rot had taken the upper hand. Termites of course you have heard lots about – but damp rot is something else. The term itself is self explanatory but living back in Indiana it isn’t a reality as it is here – just a few common examples – tin if not properly painted rusts very rapidly – screen for screen doors will last only a few months. Wood unless it is hard wood seems to soften and crumble – The whole process seems as if nature is rapidly destroying so that she can rebuild and exploit her achievements, but only for a short time because it isn’t long until those flowers, coconut frauns [fronds] etc. began to die and there goes the dam[ rot again. It’s only the huge banyan trees of the jungles that are able [to] break or slow that round robin down, but again maybe nature is just using another way to show her ego when one of those trees is started.

Well, I’m sure no I in the beginning of this letter I had no idea these words would form themselves into such nonsensical arrangements. So I’ll try to finish this with a little more intelligence and the best way that I can express this is by saying

Lots of Love
Daddy

Hedy Lamarr, 1938

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/08/no-hedy-lamarrs-roscoe/

Excessive Use of Eyes (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-28-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Aug. 13-14 & 16 came today – I laughed about the comment on the piano. The main reason for getting a grand is for tone and that was is what John is interested in. It rather fills the north end of the living room. I haven’t yet tried to rearrange the room – due to having so much else to do at present. I canned 13 qts. out of the bu. Of peaches, we have eaten some and still have some left to use or can. It is sunny today but cool. Mark is keeping David out in the sunshine. John was figuring a cake to bake but is just sitting now. I rec’d a letter from Dr. Van Buskirk today – He says he believes John’s headaches & dizziness is due to excessive use of his eyes. I don’t know how to remedy that with school so close at hand – Maybe it won’t get any worse. He doesn’t have headaches all the time but he had complained enough I thought he should have another examination. Mother is about the same. She seems to stay like she is now. She still manages to go the bathroom but that is all she gets up. She has a lot of gas. Hasn’t thrown up her food recently – did Monday once but not since then. I am expecting Glen to arrive any time but haven’t had any definite word from them yet. Mark just brought David in and changed his pants. David was trying to stand on his head in bed yesterday. He pulls his shoes off – discovered his tongue this morning.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/07/excessive-use-of-eyes-gladys/

Calendars and Watches (Roscoe)

4 Replies

: August 27, 1943 envelope

: August 27, 1943, p. 1

: August 27, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 27, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 San Fran. Cal.

Dear Mother,

Your v-mail of Aug. 10 came yesterday – That was the latest but your air mail of Aug. 8 came a week or more ago. I suppose the Burgess are about the same as ever – when I remember how I used to put up with her I wonder – I guess she was OK but the world just didn’t understand. I was glad to hear what Miss said about the piano and also what she said about John. I imagine her suggestions about him being a composer will spur him on to more of it and he probably keeps the neighborhood well pianoed most of the time, but the houses are far enough apart so that the neighbors shouldn’t have to suffer too much.

Some time ago I read in the Newton Co. E. that the telephone rates were raised – How much does that affect our rate? Maybe it’s a little hard for you to tell since for you told me during your mother’s sickness and D. accident you had so many long distant call – I hope with that increase in rate the service was increased but I’ll just wager the service is just as poor and probably worse because of the help situation.

You know a calendar is a wonderful thing but after all it’s not so useful out here – this one I have

[page 2] hangs just over my bunk and of course I look at the date quite frequently – Seems to me all that one would need would just be a ’42, ’43, etc. and a watch that is something else, I haven’t worn mine in 6 months. It went on the bum in Noumea and I had a fellow fix it but the regulator spring was rusted and he couldn’t slow it down enough. It wasn’t bad if I just kept it off my arm – my speed made it run faster – Then all of a sudden one day the minute hand dropped off so it doesn’t run and I’m none the worse because there is a bell for each chow time and our ships bell sounds the bell every half hour and one can’t go far wrong under those circumstances. This climate is very hard on watches – sweat and moisture soon causes them to corrode and rust.

I’m hoping for additional mail in a few days because that one v-mail wasn’t very much. There was a considerable amount of mail but most of it was from neighboring areas – I got a letter from a fellow who had been transferred and others got letters from those areas – but mail like that doesn’t count.

Well, here’s hoping –
Lots of Love
Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/06/calendars-and-watches-roscoe/

Midnight Train (Gladys)

2 Replies

: August 27, 1943 envelope

: August 27, 1943, p. 1

: August 27, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

It has turned cloudy & very cool. I did get a washing dry during a brief clear spell and a good breeze. Have to keep the washing done – can’t let it accumulate. Took Mark to Dr. Altier today to have his hand dressed. It is healing in good shape. Should be good as ever in another week. We took Juanita to the train about midnight last night. It was late. He heard an engine coming and started to get out of the car and an engine & caboose whizzed by so fast it left us speechless for a second but when Danny saw the train going by without stopping for him he began to cry. – We had a good laugh over it & Juanita told him it would come back so he was satisfied then. I was so sleepy this morning I could hardly get up. This train goes thru Robinson and that is 7 miles from where Juanita lives. She is the only one of our relatives that can make such good connections in coming our way – and I didn’t know that until she came.

Was looking over the paper for news items – Betty Lohr & her soldier friend (now Sgt.) were married Sat. night. He is still stationed in La. She is going to remain at home with her Dad & brother.

[page 2] Dr. Altier’s office woman said Ed Barce was home last night and went to Laf. today. She thought he was being sent there but didn’t know for sure – and said Betty is working in Laf. at the Aluminum Plant. I didn’t ask her how long – Betty never stayed at any job around here very long at a time – as you know.

The Russell Schultz have another baby girl – Yes, they haven’t paid for the last delivery –

Mr. Webster the band teacher is leaving, going to Middletown (near Muncie) – I’ll bet Al is frothing trying to get a new band instructor by next Wed. – that’s when school starts – Sept. 1.

John Funk has been admitted to Dental School. Under the university’s accelerated program he will graduate in May 46.

The Tuell’s (Mamma & Boys) are back in Kent – rented Nesbitt’s apartment – They have been in Logansport – I think they had sold their house.

I seem to be overlooking something I saw in the paper I wanted to mention – Maybe I will think of it later.

I asked Link to send in a load of stone for the driveway – I asked him for a bill after Holley delivered it this afternoon – Link said it was a load left over from some street work they are doing around town & N.C. – so our driveway is ready for winter. – The way it feels this evening winter is giving us a preview.

Mother is about the same today – not much change.
Love Mother

Emma Foster and her granddaughter, Juanita

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/05/midnight-train-gladys/

Double-Crossed (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 26, 1943 envelope

: August 26, 1943, p. 1

: August 26, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Aug. 26, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yesterday the Clay City News of May 28 came – That just about adds insult to injury because there has been no good mail for some time and then that comes along – yes I read it OK, but I noticed the subscription ran out in July of ’43. I hope Mom didn’t renew it because it always comes so late and no more than half of them come. The Newton Co. E. comes a little more often and I like it a little better but it’s generally pretty old when it gets here. I probably have written all this before but it just happened to be foremost at the moment I started writing.

The show last night was Jack Benny in “The Meanest Man in Town.” I went to see Rochester and he was I thought very good.

Either I’ve missed some of your letters or I’ve been doubled-crossed – for I have given money for telephone calls and flowers to you to fellows going back to the States and so far you haven’t mentioned them and there has been plenty of time. I suppose when a fellow gets back he doesn’t usually think of other people’s wives or messages they were

[page 2] supposed to deliver. One fellow was from Marion Ind. and I gave him 5⁰⁰ to call you and if he couldn’t to send you the flowers that was around June 1^st so since you haven’t mentioned it I suppose he used the 5⁰⁰ to buy his girlfriend something for he wasn’t married. I’ve tried since but I haven’t had time to hear as yet.

We got word yesterday that Dr. Porterfield was sent to Virginia for duty – His wife was very ill with Tuberculosis. I just had a letter from him a few days ago and he knew nothing of going home then but he did tell me his wife was ill. I’d like to come home as well as anybody but I hope & pray it isn’t illness on the part of the family or myself that takes me back there.

Did I ever tell you about our rooster in Camp? He starts crowing early and keeps it up most of the day. I don’t know where he came from but he should have a mate in order to go ahead and be of value to us but the thing runs true to form having only the male species present just like the rest of us.

It seems that I’ve written about all that. I can think of and maybe some of the thing I didn’t think of anyway

Lots of Love
Daddy

Russell Islands
Image by Kelisi at Wikipedia.com (Wikipedia Commons license)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/04/double-crossed-roscoe/

Peaches (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 26, 1943 envelope

: August 26, 1943, p. 1

: August 26, 1943, p. 2

: August 26, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 27 [26] – 1943

Dear Daddy –

8 P.M. – just finished trying to seal (2 didn’t) 11 qts. peaches. There was a truck around today from somewhere with peaches and I bought a bu[shel] (4.25) believe it or not – They are 8⁰⁰ in some places. In figuring the cost they cost around the same as canned (tin) we buy in the stores but I could save pints. Peaches were 24 pts. A can or half a month’s points for one person. I put seven qts. in the oven and 4 in hot water. Mrs. Zell was canning corn and would have brought the cooker home but I told her wasn’t necessary to pressure peaches and it is for corn. I prepared 12 cans for the locker and got over there to find the place closed (Thurs. P.M.) This I figure is the last Thurs. for the summer our stores will close for the afternoon. Mark went to town and stopped at the P.O. and yours of Aug. 17 was there. If you remember you were discussing other people’s vacations and certain persons being bothered about the draft.

[page 2] I agree with you about both cases. Some people haven’t yet found out what things are all about – guess I had better change the subject – it gets pretty deep sometimes. No use spoiling our letters with stuff like that.

Mrs. R. came last night for a few minutes. She had some pictures Joe sent – they were all working in the pictures, digging, etc. I suppose you know all about such things.

I had sent Glenn a night letter telling them to come and hadn’t heard from them in over a week – I sent a tracer after the wire and word came back that Glenn had started east Aug. 23 so I am looking for them anytime. Juanita has been here since Tues. but is leaving tonight on the 12:16 train – however she is coming back to see Glen (& family if they all come). I was looking for some word from them so I could send Jim a wire. He thinks he can get time enough on a week-end leave to come for a few hours. I think he is taking a risk because he may not get flying accommodations back and he would have to fly to Indpls. & back from there. I am not going to send him any word until I get some definite word from Glen.

I took a roll of film and had some pictures of your Mother & Dad – and the negatives came back with no prints. I could see the pictures – I sent them to Laf. I had used a smaller film and sent them

[page 3] down there to have them all enlarged. I am going to send them to Hubert and see if he can print them. I couldn’t get film to fit our camera so haven’t taken pictures yet for David’s 11^th month. David is changing so much I think since his front teeth show up so good. His smile is contagious and he usually has one. We were eating supper and he was in his play chair and started to climb out onto the ironing cabinet so I slapped my hands together and said “David” rather loud – he sat down and tried to cry but couldn’t. It is so cut to see him pucker up his face in an attempt to cry –

It has been cool today but Mother seems awfully weak. The heat yesterday afternoon was so hard on her. She didn’t eat much today – never does – but seemed less today. I thought possibly Dr. Cole would be up today but no doubt he was tied up at hospitals. Mrs. Roberts says the Sr. Dr. is so busy too. He hardly has time to stop and see her and the children. I am to take Mark to Fowler tomorrow to have the clamp taken out of his hand. I think his cut is healing – but you know how he likes to pick at things – keeps wanting to put new bandages on.

I have been writing this in competition with John, Mark & Juanita.

Love – Mother

Peculiarities (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 25, 1943 envelope

: August 25, 1943, p. 1

: August 25, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Aug. 25, 1943

Dear Mother,

Not having anything in particular to write about I might describe some of the what I would call the peculiarities of people round about – of course no names will be mentioned.

To begin with we have several who laugh at the slightest bit of humor in what I would say the 15 year old girl age. That is OK but I’m just not built that way. Then there is the fellow at the table who spreads the entire slab of bread with Jam etc. and with both hand feeds his face with gruesome furry [fury]. Also the fellow at the table who takes uses finger for pushes – not just tip of finger but a good 1/3 of the distal end. And a few who lick knives. Then the fellow who sits across from me often who chews with his mouth open. I haven’t been splattered yet but I’m waiting because he is one of the fellows who laughs at little things and I’m afraid something funny will happen at the wrong time sometime. Finger “lickers” are very numerous.

There is one in particular who thinks smoking and drinking are very unbecoming of a naval officer but since he arrived here about 6 wks. ago his waist line has increased considerable because he asks for seconds on most everything and uses butter on everything. Then

[page 2] we have a few who talk of not much of anything but going home and they have been away from the USA about 7 mo. Then there is the single fellow who when he saw Lana Turner in the movie decided to see the show at all the places it was showing on the island. I don’t know if he figured it was a builder upper or a tearer downer. Then there is the fellow who in the wash room takes out his partial and stands over the one and only wash bowl and brushes and scrubs for many minutes while others line up behind.

Of course there is at least one in every group – the fellow who laughs at his own jokes and his own clever saying which if he didn’t laugh no one else would. The wild tall stories teller who to hear him is a one many army and navy all rolled up in one snug package – The stories when checked are always miniature.

This letter as you can see has no point and if some other officer wrote it he would in all probability have a different slant. The officers are a swell bunch and have probably slipped from the ways of society and maybe I’m a little critical.

There is one other fellow who receives lots of letters from his wife when the mail comes in – enjoys them very much – writes her every day – some very no good letters. He adores her very much and knows how she carries on back there while he is gone and admires her for it and thinks she is tops – I wonder who??

Love Daddy

A Little Childish (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-25-43

Dear Daddy – It cooled off and rained after the intense heat yesterday – We put some clothes in the Bendix to show Juanita how it operated. She didn’t know about that type machine. It looked like the sun was going to shine when John started the Bendix and now it is cloudy again. Can’t tell what our weather will do next. Had a letter from Jim and he is all upset about Mother – says he can’t believe such a thing could happen to her – His attitude is a little childish I think. I don’t like to think of it either but know if she has carcinoma it didn’t get there in a few days. Maybe I have been around you long enough to look for a logical answer. Of course I can’t say how it started but something caused it. – The heat yesterday was so hard on her. A week from today school starts. David is going to miss J. & M. for a few days. They are both with him in the yard encouraging him to make noises. He got somewhat spoiled while in the cast. He has always had more attention than J. & M. had at his age. He has enough toys to amuse him and a play pen, play chair, etc. – but gets tired of everything but attention. He will no doubt learn to amuse himself when left alone. No letters today but two yesterday (Aug. 9 & 12). I want to take more pictures – but haven’t any film and can’t get any here. Have to take Mark to Dr. Altier to have his hand dressed Fri.

Love – Mother

A Poem Writer (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 24, 1943 envelope

: August 24, 1943, p. 1

: August 24, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Aug. 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

You remember the letter from the Ind. State medical assoc. that you forwarded to me. I don’t know if I mentioned it or not but I got one direct from them earlier – Well in one of my off moments I decided to answer them and I am enclosing a copy of that letter – don’t think me too bold or evil for I just had to answer them.

I’ve had a hard time so far – a telephone call, gathering in yesterday’s laundry because of a sprinkle, and then a call from sick bay – some fellow sawed on a couple of fingers and needed some repair. The telephone call was relative to sanitation of which I’m the appointed or condemned one to look after the naval sanitation of the area. It’s a kind of thankless job and of course one gets in someone’s hair more than somewhat when he tells the guy he’s dirty. Maybe it isn’t so bad as all that but it could be.

The mail is a little slowed down again and I do hope it comes again in a day or two because those letters mean so much – I’ve told you that so often it’s becoming trite now anyway they really do.

I’ll stop on one page today because I want to send that other letter. You probably won’t approve of the letter but I didn’t want to keep anything from you so lots of love

Daddy

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner, USNR.
Navy 60
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
August 23, 1943.

Indiana State Medical Ass’n.
1021 Hume Mansur Building.
Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dear Medsoc:

Doctors – you may rest assured that we worry more than somewhat about you OLD medics, and we know that your ever present dangers back there even surpass our wildest imagination. Our dangers here have been covered and completely summarized by Dr. Carleton & McCullough as written in your July letter, a copy of which I recently received. It’s not dangers that we worry about, but another problem. I written a little poem to get the idea over to you – Title.

“The Tropical Heat Has Me”

I’m at a South sea Naval Base
And oh! Doctor what a H___ of a place.
You can imagine the moonlight nights
When one can step out and enjoy the sights.
But what are the sights that one usually sees?
A multitude of coconut trees.
These isles are shown in movies freely,
And you sit back there and look on gleely,
But time spent here with only men in khaki
Is enough to drive the romantic whacky.
So what we need here the moistest
Is a right good looking bunch of hostesses.
So get together you OLD birds back there
And send us each a divinely pair.
I’m not much of a poem writer as you can see
Hoping you are the same 10 derly.