Tag Archives: World War II letters

Band Mother’s Dinner (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
IND –
2-16-43

Dear Daddy – Another cold day – 5 above below this a.m. This can’t last many weeks more because Feb. is over half gone. I took Mark & Zell girls to school – I wouldn’t just for the weather but Mark has a slight head cold – nothing serious but I thought the cold air wouldn’t do any good. I got the unicaps and have been taking 6 a day and it hasn’t been a week yet and I am feeling better – I think I’ll give Mark some to see if he can get over his cold. He is more susceptible than John to colds this winter. He hasn’t any temp, or I would keep him home. We went to the band dinner last night and it was much nicer this time – served buffet style and we all ate at the same time. I took a dish of baked beans. Mary Parttens took chicken & noodles and gave me what she had left over, so you can guess what’s our menu today. Just finished bathing & feeding D. He weighed 15 ½ – I got some Pabena for him – he wouldn’t take Pablum without a fuss. I am going to vary his cereal with cream of wheat etc. He is feeling extra good now with his tummy full. He feels that way most of the time – – About your blue uniform – you had better air it once in a while or it might molder in that humid climate – I have all your suits saturated in moth fumes. Plummers are going to Fla. in Mar. They got your letter and she said to tell you hello. Mrs. Tom Murphy was at the supper and said Tom wishes you were here. They are living in Kent. in Voglund’s house. Art is in a camp in Calif. Vivian is out there too. David chews on the rubber bone you got for Mark – Love – Mother

Navy 224 (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: February 15, 1943 Envelope

: February 15, 1943, p. 1

: February 15, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mon. [February 15, 1943]
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
Navy 224
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Use the above address when writing in the future.

Everything is swell. Weather still warm and most of us griping as usual. Your mail to me will be delayed a little due to the change in address but it will reach me in due time.

Don’t expect my mail to you to be as regular as it was for some time. Tell

[page 2] the boys I’ll write them later. You can also drop the folk a line and I’ll write them later.

The box I was going to send home will be stored so don’t expect it. I’ll be able to write more later so for the moment Solong.

Love Daddy

____________________________

U. S. S. John Penn – Image courtesy of Wikipedia

At this point, Roscoe was being transferred. He was detached from his post at the Advanced Naval Base at Noumea, New Caledonia. On February 12, he boarded the ship U. S. S. JOHN PENN and was transported to his new location. He was part of “The First Special Detail.” The above letter was likely written on board the U. S. S. JOHN PENN. Arriving on February 16, 1943, Roscoe and his companions disembarked as members of Advance Naval Base Cleanslate. Time will tell where Cleanslate was located.

Image from Ancestry.com

: 4th Endorsement

: 5th Endorsement

The U. S. S. JOHN PENN was torpedoed and sunk later that year near Guadalcanal. For more information on this ship: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_John_Penn_(APA-23)

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/30/navy-224-roscoe/

Point Rationing (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-14-43

Dear Daddy – Valentine Day and about 4 below. Last Sunday it was so warm we went out and took pictures but you can bet we didn’t flip around in the yard today. A little snow but not much but a cold wind. I got a box ready to send yesterday but I couldn’t send it because it’s too heavy. There is a 5 lb limit – so will have to break it down into two, so will try to get it mailed tomorrow. The band mothers are having their annual dinner for the band tomorrow night. It is a little early but they said we would have to have it before point rationing starts. I am not certain about everything that will be rationed but I know canned goods will be. I haven’t studied “point rationing,” but will before it starts. The second books will be issued next week. Have been trying to ration our meat before meat rationing starts. I don’t know how they will ration people with lockers. Glad we have one. Brands have a waiting list about a mile long. Paid for the half hog I had put in – it was $20 – also pd locker rent & processing – Mr. B. forgot to put the rent on when I paid him in Sept. – so withal pd. out about $45 for meat & locker but that will last us months. Bobby came up today to bring the boys valentines. He is cute as ever. He said David looked different than Donnie. He still runs away sometimes then has to stay in the house the rest of the day but the next day it’s the same thing again. Jimmy S. came over last nite with valentines. I asked Irene if she got the desk from the office. She said Newell wouldn’t give it up. I wrote you she asked to rent or buy it – I told her she could use it if Newell would let her take it. He says he things he will be in Service by next June but I wouldn’t hazard a guess. There has been some talk lately about who will have to go next but nothing definite. Louise Glenn is here on a visit and came up this evening. She left Johnny at home with Franklin & his mother. Johnny is as large as most 3 yr olds and is about year & half. Hope you get the bones in good time. I put in two Sunday papers. Couldn’t get any film for you.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/30/point-rationing-gladys/

Valentine’s Day (John)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

John YEGERLEHNER
E. DUNLAP ST.
KENTLAND, INDIANA
2-14-43

Dear Daddy,

Today is valentine’s day and it was about 4 below & I don’t enjoy the cold but you would probably like some of it.

At school I entered an essay contest. I’ve written mine but I haven’t gone over it and copied it.

Last Sunday we heard that shoes are rationed. Three pair per person per year. I don’t think that will affect me very much.

We kind of kid Mother about her war dinners but they’re allright. They don’t occur every day either. Just a couple or three times a week. Mother got a package ready to send out to you. We took it to the post office but they wouldn’t take it because it weighed 12 lbs. and they are supposed to weigh no more than 5 lbs. David A. weighs 15 lbs 5 oz. He looks like little stuffed pig.

Everything thing is allright at home.

Your loving son,
John

P.S. Be my VALENTINE

______________________

Shoe rationing began on February 7, 1943.

Shoe ration cards from the National WWII Museum http://www.nww2m.com/2013/02/featured-artifact-shoe-rationing/

News Audio Clips from early 1943, including February 7th. https://archive.org/details/1943RadioNews

“Shoe Rationing,” Tipton Tribune (Tipton, Indiana), 8 February 1943, p. 3, col. 3.

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/29/valentines-day-john/

More snow (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
IND
2-13-43

Dear Daddy – It is cold, the sun is shining & it’s snowing if you can feature all that. Can’t see very far away because of the white haze but once it a while the sun comes thru – Now the snow is flying all ways. I am getting a box ready to send today. Mrs. Plummer wanted to send something so gave me a dollar to get something – I will just use it to pay for what I put in. Dorothy gave me the can of chicken bones. I am leaving them in the can so they will get to you intact. Betty & Buddy are here this afternoon. M & Buddy are working on airplanes. John & Betty listening to opera. Irene asked me if they could borrow your big desk to use at the factory until they can buy one. I told her if she could get it away from Newell Lamb – but I wouldn’t sell it. David bumped his head against my glasses and broke the temple piece off, but I have them glued with Mark’s airplane glue. I think they will last a while. Sorry you have missed so many letters. Didn’t keep copies so haven’t any idea what I wrote. As I have repeated several times Agnes M talked to a Fed. Man about our 41 taxes and he advised not to pay now. She wrote in when she sent in the form for the last payment and had an answer so you needn’t worry about it. I’ll send you the info about the ’43 next week. I told you before Mrs. James hasn’t been very well this winter. Has just had the flu. She has been taking liver shots all winter but doesn’t seem to pick up much. I hope we have had all the colds we will have for this winter. All fine now.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/28/more-snow-gladys/

Sunburned (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: February 11, 1943 PM envelope

: February 11, 1943 PM, p. 1

: February 11, 1943 PM, p. 2

: February 11, 1943 PM, p. 3

: February 11, 1943 PM, p. 4

Letter transcription:

2/11/43

Dear Mother,

Probably surprised to get this letter – That is if the letter I wrote this A.M. should come first. At any rate I’ll just repeat a little. My mail to you may be a little spotty and even scarce for several days or even months – so don’t worry just keep writing to the same address.

I’ve been working in the sun practically all day and like a dunce wore that over seas cap and my face is just a little redder than usual. In a day or two I think I’ll start rubbing off because I believe the outer layer is a little more than cooked.

[page 2] The only mail that came today was Ruth Y letter of Sept. 28 telling me about David and his Mother after the arrival. Not much late news but never the less welcome.

While in town today saw several things unusual – seems as if one can see new things every time. The thing that really stuck today was a couple of natives carrying wood from a truck. Of course they were bunching it up and putting it on their heads but before doing that they placed a small square of burlap over their caps. Don’t know if it was to protect the head from pressure

[page 3] or dirt. The railroads here would make you laugh the engines are about the size of a good sized tractor – run on steam with a big smoke stack and a shrill little whistle. The tracks are narrow gauge – only about ½ as wide as ours in the states. Really I believe the boys would get a kick out of such as a play thing of course it’s a little larger than the boys electric.

You may get letters from Mrs. Porterfield thru Dr. P. which may help when you aren’t able to get letters from me. So maybe we can keep up a three way correspondence. You will probably get notes now and then as time goes along.

[page 4]I think I’ll have to get some sun burn lotion on my face before bed time so that I can sleep. Makes me feel like I have a fever of the face – Just like you had once or twice upon a time – once when we were swimming camping and once when we lived on 2^nd and Carroll street.

Well, I’ll get another letter out as soon as possible – so again don’t worry –

Lots of Love
Daddy

The Weekly Letter (Gladys)

1 Reply

: February 11, 1943 Envelope front

: February 11, 1943 Envelope back

: February 11, 1943, p. 1

: February 11, 1943, p. 2

: February 11, 1943, p. 3

: February 11, 1943, p. 4

: February 11, 1943, p. 5

: February 11, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Feb 11 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Will write my weekly “letter.” Have been using v-mail but about once a week – We were told over the radio and by other means that after Jan 15 not to send air mail letters – but use v-mail so that is the reason you are getting so many v-mail. However Tony told me to continue to use air mail – that it would get to the coast quicker even if it didn’t travel by air the rest of the way. I am sitting by the fireplace with my hair rolled up – and with the idea of getting it dry but the fire seems to be going out. Mark brought in a wet log and it won’t burn. The dryer is in our bedroom but D. is asleep and I was afraid it arouse him before time of his 10 P. M. lunch. He sleeps right thru horn & piano practicing & radio but turn the light on and bang around close to him and he sometimes wakes up – so we stay away from the bedroom after he is tucked in. I looked over your letter again to answer your three questions. The house payments are around 48.33 – sometimes the cents vary. The interest on your pol. Is 14.22 so that makes the loan around $233. Those dividends were taken off when we had the policies changed when you were home – remember?

[page 2] Since paying up the insurances and a few other bills our bank acc’t is getting a little weak. We have a bal of 330⁰⁰ now but I haven’t pd for my coat yet – isn’t due till Mar 10 – and I had more coal put in. Just had the bin filled and what I had put in in Dec. – altogether $60⁰⁰ so when I pay those two will have around 145⁰⁰ Bal. and there will be something turning up all the time. I haven’t been getting any collections in and with all the insurance we have to pay cuts in on the reserve. The house payment takes ¼ of the 200⁰⁰ and groceries are so high – milk can’t be sold for 10¢ qt now so that stepped up our milk bill – but now that the big bills are taken care of for a while maybe we can get enough ahead to buy more bonds. If your uniform money comes I’ll pay the Hancock loan off. Besides the 6 – 37⁵⁰ that took 225⁰⁰ out of the big balance we had last fall. I have the 1943 car license pd for. I had Ellsworth write a policy for D. and it is $22.57 annually. I thought that pretty high but it is a 20 yr endowment and will have a higher pd up value that the ones of J & M. – Well don’t worry about our finances – I can manage on what we get and keep all the bills paid. I am so glad we have our home

[page 3] and can keep our payments up on it. I really should have some painting done on a few places inside this spring but I doubt if I can get a painter. Now don’t be alarmed about my having things done – it is those window sills the sun & rain ruined. If I had the time and energy would give the walls some paint like you had put in the office – but I have about all I can do with David. Mother takes care of the cooking & dish washing and I don’t try to do much but keep D. fed & comfortable. I got some unicaps yesterday and thought I would follow your prescription. I do feel a little low after all that sinus trouble. Now that it is over – that was without question the worse infection I have ever had in my sinus. The drainage was the foulest I have ever had. When Dr. Ade first washed it out there seemed to be about a cup – maybe there wasn’t that much – but it seemed to be – and it was brown. Well that is all over now and I can get along with a box of Kleenex in every room. I feel a little sleepy this morning. D. was sound asleep at 10 – so I didn’t take him up – thought he would sleep through – but he began to fuss

[page 4] about 1:30 – so I got up & fed him – I would have saved myself that if I had fed him at 10 – but he has slept thru several times and I thought he had established the habit – but not last night. It is about time for the mail to come and Mother is looking for the mail man to come. I may get a letter or two myself this morning since I didn’t get any yesterday.

There is Band Mothers’ meeting this afternoon so think I’ll go – just to let them know if nothing else that I am not interested in doing any work. Let the butterflys’ do that sort of thing. I have enough to do (that I can’t get done) at home. I suppose you have heard of “them Gremlins” – in case you haven’t, they are a distant kin of youhedi – well its “them gremlins” that get blamed for everything around here – especially concerning Mark. He doused his hair with kreml last nite and I couldn’t have him near me for a while. His latest is a weighing complex – It is so funny – he gets on the scale and he will say, “I’ve gained” – and he hasn’t. John always checks on him – and you know practical John will say – “You have not” – Then John will explain to me how Mark weighs the same or even less than the last time.

[page 5] John is so logical – he wants things right and of course Mark always get correction if he is wrong about anything – (which happens often). Of course Mark can take care of himself and John doesn’t make much impression on him if Mark doesn’t want to be impressed. So much for family life. They both agree about David – that he is the – well all the adjectives you can think of to describe the perfect baby.

Mrs. Mullen called me to read me your letter. They were so pleased to get it, and thought I would like to hear it. I told her I had 5 this morning – Jan 27-28-31 & Feb 3 & 4. I had two Feb letters before the last of Jan’s. I was glad to get those stragglers because they had some news I would have missed. None of your letters have been lost – I am sure I have every one. The next time I am in Laf. I will talk to Helen. We will have lots to talk about. I see J & M coming up the driveway now – making a beeline for the door – running a race – as they usually do.

Lunch over and trying to get this ready for Mark to take back with him

[page 6] Sorry I haven’t any pictures to put in this time but I sent the Hubertz pictures last week and will have some ready to send in my regular letter next week.

Had a letter from your Mother & one from Ruthie. Your Mother said Ruth M. & Earl have had the flu. I wrote to Ruth M. this week but haven’t had time for an answer. I must write to your Mother today. I get one out to her once a week.

Just glanced at the local paper and saw an item that more winter is ahead. Well we have had winter since Thanksgiving – and are used to it so won’t mind so much if it last till Easter.

Lois Wittenkellar is in the hospital – had a ruptured blood vessel and there was a qt of blood in her abdomen. Mrs. Merrit Wood is in the hospital at Laf. recovering from an abdominal operation.

Mark is waiting so much hurry.

Love
Mother

Temporary Additional Duty (Roscoe)

6 Replies

: February 11, 1943 envelope

: February 11, 1943, p. 1

: February 11, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

2/11/43
Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner
Receiving Station
U.S. Naval Advanced Base
Noumea, New Caledonia
% Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Now it may be some time before you get mail regular from me again. I’ll write as often as possible but the outgoing mail may not be so good – Don’t be discouraged if it runs into months before you get a letter but don’t worry. I’m not writing anyone else you might write the folk and tell them the mail service is going to be slow. I just don’t have the time to write to them all at present, but will do so just as soon as established. Now please don’t worry because that won’t help and after all there is

[page 2] nothing to worry about but I can’t tell anymore than that at present.

Lots of Love
Daddy

Fair and Colder (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-11-43

Dear Daddy – It is fair and colder. Had snow flurried this a.m. but not much snow fell. I would rather have the cold now than the warm days like we had the first of the week. I am hoping we have an early warm spring. Should have good lawn this summer if the rain & snow of this winter will help. Mark is writing to you. John is talking to D. D. didn’t sleep much until after his 2 P.M. feeding then woke when Mark came home. He chewed his fingers like a tooth may be coming thru but I won’t believe it until I see one. If D. does everything J. & M. try to teach him he will be a super – quiz kid. John is trying to get him to patty cake now.—Had an accident – that is J. & M. did – Mark was using the ink and was writing on a chair with the ink on the floor & John upset it – I had to mop up so my hands are stained. Just wrote Mead’s thanking them for the 5 lb can Dextri & Pablum. Haven’t been out much this week so short on news. Papers didn’t come today (as usual). Mr. Boomershine leaves for the Navy tomorrow. He got a (j.g.) I don’t know where he is to go – except someplace in the East. Will write all the details you ask for in a registered letter but you may be slow in getting it – will try to explain things fully. Must send Jim something for his birthday – that is – sending something for Mother. I sent him a card. It is too cold to take D. out today so will go to town in the car.
Love Mother

Planting things in the yard (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: February 10, 1943 envelope

: February 10, 1943, p. 1

: February 10, 1943, p. 2

: February 10, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

2/10/43

Dear Mother,

Still the same old hot weather but the wind is blowing rather briskly so inside or in the shade we don’t notice the heat so badly.

You said the money order for the uniform had not arrived and neither has it showed up here. I wrote the Bureau of Supplies and accounts but haven’t heard from them as yet. That seems to be the place where all that kind of stuff is handled.

Now get a load of this. I’m going to take a good big warm water shower this P.M. (We now have hot water) and I’m also thinking of getting a hair cut.

[page 2] I speak of that last as if it were an event. Write me of things about the house and yard that you think necessary in the spring and I will give my judgment later on. We’ll still have time to get letters back and forth before the time to plant things in the spring. I may have some suggestions which I’ll write later when the weather is more settled here.

There was no mail this A.M. but we have hope always in the P.M. Seems as if most of it comes on the afternoon mail delivery. I’ll write more later as I might get mail and have some things to say extra.

[page 3] Just happened to think, however, I’m going to send a box of my things home like my blue suit and blue rain coat and some shells and a few other things to numerous to mention. It may take several months for that to arrive because it’s more like freight – all my white suits and white shoes are in there also. Now I’ll finish after the mail.

There was no mail so there isn’t much more to write. Really I’ll try to do better next time.

Lots of Love
Daddy