Tag Archives: World War II letters

A Fine Boy (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-10-43

Dear Daddy – No mail today – but 3 up to July 31 came yesterday. In yours of July 30 you wrote about leaving a year ago and I rec’d it Aug. 9 – the day you sailed. It doesn’t seem sometimes like it can be a year then other times it seems much longer. We will just mark off each day as one day nearer to coming home. The Burgees were today. Gus is working for Kent Dairy at Gibson City and they were visiting here today. Lucile wanted to weigh the baby – she is 4 ½ mo. and weighed 13-11 with clothes on. A little smaller than David at that age. They said to tell you they thought David a fine boy. He showed off for them – as he can do so much of the time. He has another tooth thru today – that makes 4 – another is almost thru. He is taking a nap now. It is hot today and I have had him in the yard a lot. I put him down on a cover but he would crawl off on the grass. He is tired today from the trip to Laf. yesterday. Mark went to a 4-H meeting this afternoon – John had his piano lesson here – he wanted Miss Smith to see the piano. She tells John she thinks he will be a composer – she has him play his pieces for her. I listened some to his lesson and he really is in advanced music – Mother is about the same today – The heat is hard on her – but there has been a cool breeze in her room all day –

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/30/a-fine-boy-gladys/

David’s Accident (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 9, 1943 envelope

: August 9, 1943, p. 1

: August 9, 1943, p. 2

: August 9, 1943, p. 3

: August 9, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco, Calif.
Aug. 9, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letters of 24, 25 & 26 came – The one you wrote while in the Hospital with D. and the latest after you had taken him home – It’s too bad a thing like that had to happen but from what you say I can’t see but what it was an accident and no one to blame. It’s just one of those things. You remember the time Red Brewer fell – no one would call that carelessness and I can see no reason why that could be called carelessness just because an adult was not carrying him – anyone can stumble – You will not the person who criticized first was the person who probably needed the most criticism about her children – So pay no attention “by them.” No doubt it is a little hard for you to take however because of the pressure you are under from your mother being sick, the responsibility of the home and boys and then the added pressure of the accident. Don’t feel too badly because I’m sure from the

[page 2] way you described the break it really isn’t serious. The most disheartening thing of the whole business will be seeing D. in the cast but don’t feel too badly about that because kiddies get used to casts much more readily than grown ups. The worst thing I see about the thing is the extra work it will make you in keeping him bathed and in the handling you have to do for him. It will no doubt slow his walking and don’t be alarmed when the cast is taken off because you will probably be able [to] see a marked difference in the size of that leg – due to a lack of exercise, but in a few months times hat should right itself completely – as I figure it he has been in the case now a little over two weeks and by the time you get this the cast will be removed. The boys won’t be in school as yet and they will be a help thru it all. As I see the whole thing it isn’t serious and probably won’t slow D. down to any appreciable extent so the thing to do is be thankful it isn’t any more serious. I know you have taken this attitude, and I’m certain the boys have a mother capable of meeting those situations but and

[page 3] I’m just sorry I can’t share the troubles more fully with you but this war is a little bigger than families. So much for that.

You will find a m.o. enclosed – It’s made out to you but – here is the story – while Commander Frericks was here he bought beer on numerous occasions and I always helped him drink it and offered to pay my share but he never would take it – he insisted I send the money home to the boys. I had never been able to purchase a m.o. until this a.m. so that’s that. It’s to be equally divided between the boys – when they receive it I think it would be nice if they (J & M) dropped him a line thanking him – Maybe that is asking too much for possibly you will have to do the writing. I’ll send his address in a day or two and you can do as you like about having them write.

I hope I’ve made myself clear about D.’s accident – please feel that I don’t blame anyone and I know things will come out OK. I know the boys have a wonderful mother and I know now she didn’t mean she wouldn’t send anymore pictures for there was on in yesterday’s mail of her and several

[page 4] of the boys – and one of Virginia Z. Thank a lot for them and Lots of Love from Daddy

Virginia Zell holding David

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/29/davids-accident-roscoe/

Hives (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 9, 1943 envelope

: August 9, 1943, p. 1

: August 9, 1943, p. 2

: August 9, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 9 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Back from Laf. I didn’t get the letter I wrote yesterday mailed so will put this in with it. This a.m. yours of July 29 – 30 & 31 came and Mother’s too. It was very encouraging to have your letters about her. I felt so discouraged about her when I wrote yesterday – but I feel she is at least holding her own. I took D. to see Dr. Cole today & talked to him about her. He said to bring her down but I told him she couldn’t stand the trip – he said he would come up to see her Thurs. or Sun. He said to keep the cast on David two more weeks then bring him down & would cut it off – he seemed to think it would be all right – said to keep just some protection around the crack. I told him David does about everything, pulls up, stand, sits etc. He shakes his bed until the bolts fall off –

[page 2] John’s bus didn’t come in until 5:45 so Arlene & I had plenty of time to shop. She went along to see Dr. C. and help me with David & shop. She is 5 months along now and has only gained three lbs. She was so pleased about it – hopes she won’t get so large this time.

I shopped some today – bought two prs. of shoes & 1 pr house slippers – I wanted to shop for shoes while I wasn’t in a hurry and found a black pr. & brown pr. that just suited my taste and fit. So many people wait until the last day to use their coupon and then rush the stores. I was in Laf. the last day the 17 coupon was good and all the shoe stores & Depts. were full with people standing waiting. Had to get J. & M. some school pants – school start Sept. 1 – and they had to have pants. John got a new pr. of shoes before he went to Grandma’s – he outgrew two pr. so Mark took them – that means he will have enough to last him several months. I didn’t neglect David. I bought him a new suit to wear when he gets the cast off his leg – He has new suit, shoes & sox for the occasion.

[page 3] I enjoyed your letters so much today – especially the 30^th & 29^th – of course I always enjoy all of them but you answered the 7 you had rec’d from me in the 29^th & the 30^th was a resume. Please don’t worry about the picture comment – to show I didn’t mean it I sent some of myself in the last bunch I sent. I have part of a roll taken & want to take the rest tomorrow, if there’s sunshine, and I suppose there will be. There was lots today – It has been awfully hot today – We would go into the air conditioned stores, then out again – and you know what happens – just like going into an oven.

I have to write your Mother that John arrived safely, etc. – also want to send Ruthie M. a note – I can’t think of anything else – oh yes – while in Laf. I had a coke then later ice cream – due to the intense heat we felt like we needed some cooling – and I got hives – They would raise up like mushrooms & just itch – at first I didn’t know what was the matter – I said there aren’t any bugs in town to bite me – I had one welt on my hand and on observing it decided I was having hives – My system is a little on the allergic order now – so will have to watch my eating –

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/28/hives-gladys/

Anxious (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 8, 1943 envelope

: August 8, 1943, p. 1

: August 8, 1943, p. 2

: August 8, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.

Aug. 8, 1943

Dear Mother,

As you will note this is Aug. 8 and that really is some date for a few of us to remember. I wrote you a letter about 8 days ago of more or less retrospect of the year’s happenings to date – That letter could just as well have been written today but it seemed to be more appropriate at that time. In a big general way it has been a good year as far as the war is concerned. The enemy has been pushed back on all fronts in the Pacific and of course the European phase is also going good as far as news reports go. If things can just keep going during the next year

[page 2] maybe this thing won’t last too long.

Your letter of July 23 came yesterday. It was good that you could get a leave for Jim. I’m sure it will help your mother as well as anything. Jim must be pretty tired just staying in one place for over a year. Of course, he switched to Camp Peary but it has been more or less the same, I guess it hasn’t been too bad for him however, because Thelma has been near by and he was is also able to enjoy some of the benefits of modern civilization and these things are of value but maybe we don’t appreciate them until after being deprived of them for a period of time. He no doubt is anxious to get out of the country and after being out

[page 3] for a time will be just as anxious to get back. You see I can talk from experience. I was anxious to get going and I’m just as anxious to get back and swab jobs with someone else who would like to see what he can see.

Let me again remind you not to work too hard nor worry to[o] much about things because that is hard on your health and that is the biggest worry I have out here – The health of you and the boys – I’m of course concerned with your mother’s health the same as I would be of my Mother & Dad, but it’s very much different when it comes to you and the boys. Well I’ve said my say.

Love Daddy

Perhaps this is one of the photographs from Dr. Lentz's roll of film

Roscoe, summer of 1942

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/27/anxious-roscoe/

Sulfa (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 8, 1943, p. 1

: August 8, 1943, p. 2

: August 8, 1943, p. 3

: August 8, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 8 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another Sunday afternoon about gone. Seems I am about as busy as any other day. Last Sun. I didn’t get time to sit down & write. Mark has David out in the buggy now so thought I would take the opportunity to write. It is hot today but there is a cooling breeze most of the time. Mother ate a pretty good dinner but says she doesn’t want any supper. She looks so thin and pale today – Seems to me she looks worse today than usual. I will see Dr. Cole tomorrow and give him a report. If she would go I would take her back to the hospital but she says she couldn’t stand the beds & pillows. She is so thin I can understand why she wouldn’t be able to rest there. I told you a long time ago about the lab finding in her stool (strep, Staph & B-coli). She thinks the sulfa turned her against food and she doesn’t want anything to eat. Of course she can’t get better is she doesn’t eat, but she says she eats all she can.

[page 2] I am going to take David to see Dr. Cole tomorrow. He will probably reinforce the cast around the top – It certainly takes a beating – the way David gets around. I am to meet John. Your Mother & Dad are going to take him to Laf. T. H. & he will come to Laf. on the bus.

Mrs. Roberts was here last night. She said she had word from Joe and he had diahrea & last 7 lbs. She still doesn’t have any idea where he is. He sent his trunk back home and she has it now. She said it had a very musty odor. She said she couldn’t get beef in Watseka and their children wouldn’t eat pork. I had a sirloin steak – (Mark & I decided to be extravagant while John is away) and enough round steak for Mark & I today – so I gave her the sirloin. We don’t have steak very often because it’s hard to get and expensive. I have chicken to fry yet that your Mother brought up so thought I could get by without one steak.

I found last winter that I am allergic to sulfa – when I had the sinus infection – The other day I skinned my thumb on the furnace door – and by the way had been indulging in new tomatoes so had some breaking out on my fingers – and the

[page 3] place I skinned was broken out – I put sulfa powder on it and got a minor complication – the sore healed but that sulfa powder made my exczema so bed I can’t bend my thumb yet. It is better but I know now not to put sulfa powder on an irritated place again.

Eddie Ray Wilson sat down on a piece of broken glass and cut himself – It was so bad they had to give him ether to sow it up. He has had a time this summer. Margaret Kruman was here today & said Susan Clark caught her heel in the bike sprocket & injured her heel to the extent that she may not be able to walk on it. – Now I shouldn’t have written that because I didn’t have first hand information and when Ruth Parttens was injured the story was she wouldn’t walk again & Dr. M. said there was nothing to that. I didn’t mean to cast any reflection on Margaret but I don’t know where she got her information.

Dorothy keeps promising to bring their movie camera out to take some pictures of D. but so far she hasn’t shown up with it. Floyd & Ruth have taken pictures of him twice – at three & six months. They wanted to get him at 9 months but couldn’t make connections –

[page 4] I think you can almost see him grow in the pictures I have sent. I can’t weigh him until we get the cast off his leg – and that will be two weeks yet. He weighed 20 ½ at 10 months – I don’t know whether he will gain or lose by his 11^th month – I thought he might gain – but he is about as active as he was before – I think he works just as hard – Maybe harder. He is a busy little fellow most of the time.

I told you once before – Arlene is having another baby in Dec. She has Donnie off the bottle and he isn’t a yr. old yet. She says he eats more than Bobby does. Mark has been building planes for Bobby. Bobby was up here this afternoon – He is as cute and witty as ever. Arlene thinks Donnie will soon outgrow Bobby – and at the rate Donnie is going he may.

David’s two upper front teeth are so near thru I think one edge on both will make it thru today or tomorrow.

The cricket are singing all the time now – I think the old saying is “6 weeks till frost when they begin to sing” – but you can’t always depend on old sayings – as hot as it is today I can hardly think of frost.

Love Mother –

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/26/sulfa-gladys/

Climbing the Stove (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 7, 1943 envelope

: August 7, 1943, p. 1

: August 7, 1943, p. 2

: August 7, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Aug. 7, 1943

Dear Mother,

In thinking over your letters that I tried to comment upon yesterday. I remember one interesting incident I forgot to mention and that was D. ability to climb. It does seem a little odd that his mother would let him climb upon, of all things, here her stove. I thought the thing pretty cute. I’d have like to seen him myself. I sometimes wonder if he is spoiled much but I’m certain not too much wh with the mother he has – Of course she may give him a little range now and then but in the end he probably gets it in the end if he becomes too much opinionated for the best of society.

Yesterday after writing you I sent John

[page 2] a two dollar bill for his birthday. Hope he gets it in time. I must remember to send D. something in time for his birthday just the same as the other boys although he probably won’t appreciate it so much.

No need for this warning but just a little reminder about the coal situation for the winter – I think you told me you were keeping the bin full at all times.

Some of our officers who came out with us seem to be getting restless about going back to the States. Of course, I am also but not to the point where I become obnoxious about it. I just figure that when the times comes OK but I don’t know that there is a thing we can do to hurry it along only keep more or less contented and the time will pass more rapidly as I have often written before. I’d just as soon stay a little longer

[page 3] now and then have a little longer time in the USA when I do get back. There are lots of men who have been out lots longer than I so I don’t feel I have too much to complain about. What with all however I’d certainly like to be back – I hope you understand that.

Stopped for lots of conversation about the war, its course and affect and of course we have the whole plan all worked out in our own way but it might not be the way it goes nor the way other think, anyway it doesn’t bother to do some talking on our own.

Well, guess I’d better slow down and so something else
Lots of Love
Daddy

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/25/climbing-the-stove-roscoe/

To Be Married (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-7-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of July 12 – 24 & 25 came today up to the 28^th came earlier this week. The weather we have is something to write about – not then cool then hot again all in one week. It was cool last nite but is warming up this afternoon. Mark has David out in the buggy while I write. David is so full of pep – he wants action. John is to come home Mon. I am to meet him in Laf. Your mother said Tillie Z. – Earl & his bride are going to Whiting & had asked her to come this far – said she was afraid she would wear her welcome out but I am going to write her to come if she can. I suppose you know Earl is to be married Aug 15. Mark has been trying to get the lawn mowed this week but hasn’t finished it yet. John has done the lawn work this summer and Mark had the garden. John had the hardest job because he had to mow every week & Mark hasn’t worked that much in the garden. You mentioned talking to someone who had come out in June and how things have changed. When you wrote about Mark or John sending you an envelope of steak odor – we said “what steak” – that is about a memory with us – We indulge once in a while but not often – It takes one person’s entire week’s points to buy 1 lb steak. Plain round steak is 46¢ lb. Mother is about the same today – can’t see much change. The detasseling is over & camp broken up today. That project gets bigger every year. I see Mark coming with David.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/24/to-be-married-gladys/

Birthday Greetings (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 6, 1943 envelope

: August 6, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
Aug 6, 1943

Dear John,

This is one time when I’m not going to write Mark because it’s your birthday and you deserve something special – you will find a slight token of my regards to you enclosed in this letter.

I almost sent my dollar bill which entitled me to be a “Short Snorter” but that would cost me in case I were asked to produce it at some time.

When this arrives at home you will be getting ready for school and I’ll bet you will be glad.

From what Mother writes I believe you boys have really worked hard this summer and have made me proud of you.

Don’t forget the usual kiss you are supposed to give Mother for me and also tell her I still think lots of her.

Love Daddy

John holding David, summer 1943

Hard Beds (Gladys)

1 Reply

: August 6, 1943 envelope

: August 6, 1943, p. 1

: August 6, 1943, p. 2

: August 6, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 6 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of July 26 came today. Had the 27 & 28 yesterday – so that brings my mail up pretty good. It is cooler but the sun is warming things up today. It was cool enough to have the windows & doors closed yesterday – Mark has been sleeping with me since John has been gone and last night he helped keep me warm – but you know me – covers for the first cool breeze. John got to go to the picnic – I had a letter from him yesterday and he said he would try not to get sick – you remember what happened to Mark one year. I don’t know whether Mark knows John got in on the picnic or not – but I don’t believe he will care because he is so built up on the 4-H outing the 16^th to 19^th. He runs errands for Arlene and I am trying to get him to save his money as he earns it so he will have some spending money when he goes to camp but money in his pocket seems to bother him. He always fins something he thinks he has to spend it for.

[page 2] Mother had a restless night. I wanted her to take a sleeping tablet but she didn’t want to. I gave her some potatoe soup yesterday noon and she threw it right up. She has been taking strained foods like I give David and keeps them down. Dr. Cole said she has a colitis condition and her recovery would be slow. She isn’t making any progress. If it weren’t for the hard beds in the hospital I would take her back down but she says she doesn’t feel she could stand the beds there. I am going to talk to Dr. Cole about her when I take David down Monday. He wants to see his cast again Mon. He sure gives that cast a beating – the way he rolls around out on it. Mark has him out in the buggy now. He is so “wiggly” it’s hard to keep him satisfied. Dr. Cole said the cast being on 4 weeks would retard his walking but I doubt it. He pulls up and gets around his pen & bed pretty good. He certainly has been good about it. He doesn’t fuss – just seems to take it for granted –

Ellsworth brought the policy out this morning. He said to tell you the baby was in for a – of a disappointment when he sees you. He said “you write & tell him I said that.” He said something about you being toothless & bald to David – E. is all hot & bothered about having to go. He said

[page 3] how’s my wife going to live on $50 – a month. I think a little military discipline might do him some good. I imagine the Army has tamed wilder ones – don’t you?

I paid my Ins. policy loan yesterday and groc. bill. We have a bal. of $233.55 – and a few other small bills to pay yet – water 4.80 – Geo. Monroe 4.75. Geo. has come every 60 days & oiled the furnace and looked things over. I will pay Ruth & Earl 100⁰⁰ if you think I should – we have a bond a month now for this year. I have 185⁰⁰ yet to pay on the piano (as previously stated). The car Ins. is due after the 11^th and your Laf. life in Sept. I haven’t been paying any Gross this year – Agnes Molter said I shouldn’t and as I once before told you the 1942 Gross paid on Service salary is to be refunded – or so the Indpls Star stated. I am enclosing a funny I clipped out of Colliers. I you have seen it I am sorry, but I thought it might amuse you. Since you folks get a kick out of reading about local black-outs I thought this might amuse.

David is now raising a fuss to go out – I have fed him since starting this letter. He sure has a good appetite and likes potaoe. Ate a whole one today – That is I mashed one whole potatoe for him.

I must get this finished so Mark can take it to town. –
Love Mother

A Bitter Pill (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 6, 1943 envelope

: August 6, 1943, p. 1

: August 6, 1943, p. 2

: August 6, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.
Aug 6, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your air mail of July 20 and July 22 came yesterday. I don’t think you are doing wrong when you ask the Red Cross to ask for Jim to come home. Of course by the time this gets to you, you will have made the decision one way or the other but maybe this will help. Anyway I hope so. Requests for me thru the Red Cross I’m afraid would do no good even if they were gotten thru in time. I remember about one month ago when one of our officers go[t] word that his wife and baby died and he is still around with no though[t] of getting relieved. That is just the way with war and of course is a

[page 2] bitter pill to swallow. I suppose I shouldn’t have told you that but maybe it won’t make you feel too badly. However, we all felt terrible around here for a few days.

I’m sorry I can’t offer any suggestions about your mother – Has there ever been a definite diagnosis made? Is it just plain colitis, ulcerative colitis and one other possibility I hate to think of and that is carcinoma? Have you ever been informed? Or are they holding the information from you? Those are questions which you may have answered but the letters just haven’t arrived as yet from you with that information.

The treatment with this bacterial fortified medicine is new to me maybe it was developed after I left home. However, I do remember a treatment similar to that which was obsolete many

[page 3] years ago. I can’t believe that Dr. Cole would be that far behind however.

I hope you enjoyed the Rotary program but from the way you wrote it seems it must have been more of a brawl than a Rotary meeting, but I guess it isn’t out of the way to let your hair down now and then.

I wonder if Gladys K. really feels that way about John or whether it’s an outward show. Fran In knowing something of their past it’s a little hard to believe too much in that type of feeling.

I’m going to write John later today and send him his usual 1.00 for the his birthday present. I suppose it will get there in time.

Well, mother I’m hoping your mother is better and that you won’t have to worry too much about her.

Lots of love
Daddy