Tag Archives: World War II

Last from Lentz

Letter transcription:

May 6, 1945
Sunday

Yegie – Such a quick response deserves a prompt reply. You are doing much better – are you striking for the ½ stripe?

Not much news – but it is my weekend on duty with no one but the maintenance crew – dammit and the C.O. is not very gracious about giving us the PM or evening on Sundays when there is no work. Hell and damnation – you know the old Regular J.I. Navy. Can you imagine a Chief and 2 Ph. Mates on dates & a Med. Officer.

Only news I have is that Bob O’Donnell is now in Recruiting Duty in Jacksonville, Fla. Tues. to Sat. they leave Jax for Fort or Camp Blanning 40 miles away at 0800, back at 1600. Sat. 1300. Nothing to do until Tuesday. (Three M.D.’s & 3 corpsmen). Howard Witter is exec. after being on similar duty at Jackson, Miss. They have 1 night of duty every 5 or 6 weeks – shove patras. What do you think of that for duty.

MacClatchie is still in Brazil – John is still in USNH Phila.

[page 2] Looks like there will be a break up or a lessening of activities everywhere since the collapse in Europe. Perhaps you will be going to China with me. Looks like V-12s, etc., will not be called anymore – will there? What do you think they will do with you? Have you applied for any P.G. work or do you “wanta go ho-o-o-me!)

Met Mr. Beard – remember the transportation officer at Base 4. He is on duty at the Navy yard.

Heard from New Zealand today – all is well. The “old lady” still carrying on at B/casting.

Listen, bub, if I am encouraging you to write too often or too much, let me know or just procrastinate but don’t fail to tell me when you get orders.

May go to Wash. D.C. any day – waiting for Truman to call me. – No kidding, I mean to go soon as arrangements here can be made. We can’t get a relief so it would mean one man has to stay on all the time (26 hrs. a day).

Regards to family – don’t work too hard (Kia Ora) –
Ed.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/30/last-from-lentz/

Baby Rosenberg

1 Reply

April 23, 1945

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Yegerlehner,

Thanks a load for your kind wishes and the cute little booties – they really are fine. Little Robert is doing well and loves his “shoes.” Drop us a letter and give us all the latest scuttlebutt. Regards to the boys.

Thanks again,
Mr. & Mrs. “Rosy”

To learn more about Dr. Julius Rosenberg, click here to view his obituary.

© 2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/29/baby-rosenberg/

Death of Roosevelt

1 Reply

April 16, 1945 envelope

Letter Transcription:

April 16, 1945, p. 1

April 16, 45

Dear “Junior” – It is about time you wrote, wondered what was wrong, whether you were transferred, or had another son.

No news from anyone except I see John Willard occasionally, and talk to him about some of officer patients. He is still SOQ. He did get orders to Key West, Fla., but the C.O. went to Wash., D.C., and had them cancelled because John is the only Dr. who knows how to go gastroscopies there. Wally Reese, if you remember, our cribbage partner, is still in Phila. Naval, but doesn’t like it, too many superior Regulars. Had a letter from MacClatchie who is in Brazil – C.O. of Dispensary 150 beds. A letter from Bob O’Donnell, too, but he owes me one from way back. Has Cat Fever Ward – about 20 admissions daily, etc. On every 4^th night also.

April 16, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Haven’t heard any more from anyone. All are poor writers – but never did expect one from Ralph (Help me) Criss. No news about poor Paul Beard. Heard Buster Hyman was at Portsmouth. One [of] the Marines here was at Bonika.

Had a change of corpsmen – past 4 months, now another [?] picked for X Ray course, 5 mos., he is a chiropractor – big boy 230 lbs and I give him all my colored backaches, pounds hell out of them and they don’t come back. A couple officers – one Hebrew gets it, too. I have a good staff and that makes work more pleasant.

Just finished my ¼ San. Report, and the history of med. activities since war started – Comm. 4 Directive Na Sec Nov. Did you have to do that for your D.M.O.?

April 16, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] Soon will be a year since you reported for duty – isn’t it? Mine will be Aug. 1. I wonder where we go next. Have a good notion to go to Wash., D.C., visit my sister and get some dope about billets. Our C.O. of Colored Ordnance Batt. left today for Ad. Base (Colored Personnel) today, goes to Guam, I suppose, understand the officer pool is there instead of Pearl Harbor.

Heard from my bro-in-law – Kunming, China; and my nephew, you met him in Norfolk, has been in Burma since last July – he made paratrooper, was injured, now is in Air Cargo something.

Am happy to hear your family is getting along fine and I am sure you are very proud of them all. You know David is my favorite name, and intended to have one someday.

April 16, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] We had a little bad luck in January, otherwise there would have been one this coming June.

Have been golfing several times, the weather was unusually good. Today it is raining, foggy and miserable, have the heat turned on.

Well, a good man was buried yesterday in spite of the political differences. Comes a time for all of us to be laid away – whether king, middleman or pauper.

Let me hear from you soon, even if a short line.
Regards to Mrs. Y. and family,
Sincerely,
Ed

My Buick is going fine (32,000 miles).

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/28/death-of-roosevelt/

Leila Roberts

1 Reply

March 26, 1945, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Mar. 26, 1925 [sic 1945]

Dear Friends:

We speak of you folks often, but letter writing just seems to be one of those things we are forever putting off.

We are still in the same spot and from most reports are fortunate to have what we do for there are so many who just can’t find anything.

Our year is practically up and yours is up so I suppose we can both expect most anything but we’ll just sit tight and hope!

We drove down home last week-end and as usual spent most of our time cleaning, but we at least didn’t find any moths on this visit, but there is always plenty of dirt.

I am at our neighbors tonite staying with their baby while they are in

March 26, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Chicago shopping. We trade off once in a while for its next to impossible to hire anyone.

Joe is a “big surgeon” now – he did 40 circumcisions last month! No promotion in view until next summer according to a fairly reliable source for they no vacancies for Commanders at present.

Joe’s Mother asked me for that pair of blue knit pants I let you use for David so she could make some for Adda Mae’s baby. If you happen to have them with you and aren’t using them would you mind sending them, then I’ll return them if David can still wear them.

Commander Kennedy is still at the station.

We’d enjoy hearing from you sometime if you have a spare minute. Hope all are well.
As ever
The Roberts

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/27/leila-roberts/

Baby Book December-March

1 Reply

Sadly, the baby book has come to an end. Gladys was less diligent in the last few pages, combining multiple months onto one page. But it does give another glimpse into the family’s life in Liberty, Missouri.

Transcription:

Dec. 25, 1944 –

David’s third Christmas – we are living in Liberty, Mo. After calling on friends Christmas Eve, we came home and exchanged gifts. David was so excited and had as much fun opening his gifts as the rest of the family. He received a large Panda, Books, Wagons, blocks, puzzle, sand bucket & tools, suit and glow in the dark picture.

March 1945. David is now 2 1/2 years old. Weighs 32 lbs. 36 1/2 tall. He is talking quite a lot. Can express himself very well. When we ask him a questions he replies, “Who me, talking to me?” or “not today.” He plays out in the yard and “makes” cottage cheese, meat, pie, birthday cake, etc., in his sand box. He says his soldier doll Bobby and Panda bite him. He likes to go to Sunday School. Sherril took him to a party given for children by the Girl Scouts on Easter Sat. It was so warm today (3-31-45) he went out in the yard and undressed. He loves to take his clothes off. Can put his shoes and sox on but doesn’t lace his shoes correctly, can dress except for buttons. Usually gets his shirts on backwards. Apr. can now lace shoes. June 29 – broke out with chicken pox while visiting Krulls.

YEG1945-01 - Roscoe and family, Liberty MO

Another Birth Announcement

1 Reply

Lt. Julius Rosenberg and his wife had their spring baby as was written earlier in a letter from Julius to Roscoe.

Mrs. Glen Hoffman

2 Replies

[Editor’s note: Mrs. Glen Hofmann was born Dorothy “Dot” Salter, the daughter of Denver and and Rita (Huffman) Salter of Clay City, Indiana. Those readers familiar with the letters will know of Floyd & Ruth. Floyd was Roscoe’s youngest brother. Ruth’s maiden name was Salter, and Dot was one of her younger sisters.]

February 23, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

February 23, 1945, p. 1

Mrs. Glen Hofmann
2032 Bancroft Ave.
San Leandro, Calif.
Feb. 23, 1945

Dear Gladys and all –

Just a few lines to report to the happenings of the “Seabees.” I guess you know by now that my hubby got home on his 30 day leave. He sure did look swell! (to me anyway. Ha!)

When his time was almost up he weakin and said I could come back with him. So here I am sitting in someone’s house writing to you. When Glen first got home he said there was no place out here for me, but as the time got shorter he changed his mind. Glen and his brother Eddie and I all drove back. We have to drive day and night to get here in time. We sure were tired, but now I haven’t gotten anything to do but rest. Yesterday I did our washing and ironing, and to-day I have been working on myself. I shampoo & set

February 23, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] my hair, and gave myself “the works.”

You should feel honored. This is the second letter I have written. I wrote Mother 1 letter. The rest have all been cards – you know the same old line on every card.

What really brought this on – was the letter I received from you just a few days before Glen got home. I don’t remember whom owed who, so it was OK. I sure was glad to get those hair clamps. I am sitting here with some of them in my hair now.

Glen has not come home yet, and Eddie has been reading all afternoon so I had some extra time to spend. I guess this is as good a way to spend it as any.

Excuse the mistakes, etc. I am still going in circles. We got ready & were here in 4 days (some trip!)

Bye, Bye for now –
Dot

Thank You Card

2 Replies

Dear Gladys,

Thanks so much for the beautiful booties you sent to Vicki Diane. We surely thought they were cute.
The baby has been very ill, but she is better now. My mother & Inez are here – they came last Sunday. I am fine, only worried, of course.
We hope your family is fine and our best wishes to you.

Helen Ley

A Baby Announcement

1 Reply

[Editor’s note: John Ed Ley was the son of John P. and Inez (Kline) Ley. Readers may be familiar with the Kline family. Forrest and Gertrude Kline were residents of Lafayette, Indiana. They are mentioned somewhat frequently in the WII letters. Gertrude was one of the first visitors to the hospital after the birth of baby David in 1942. Forrest and Inez Kline were siblings, and children of Nancy Mae (McCoy) Walker Kline. Nancy and Lovina (Schiele) Yegerlehner, Roscoe’s mother, were half sisters, making Forrest and Inez first half cousins to Roscoe.]

Vicki Diane was the first child of John P. Ley and his wife Helen Gibbens.

Further News from Lentz

2 Replies

January 14, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

January 14, 1945, p. 1

Sunday Jan. 14, 1945

Dear Yeggie – Just one year ago last nite we made the rounds of the shopping district in Wellington. You took me down because you knew your way around the streets. I remember meeting Billie there and then seeing Howard Witter later – I don’t know whether you remember seeing Howard or not, do you? We stayed with George – didn’t we?

Enjoyed your letter very much and I am glad you had plenty of time to write because it has been so long since I heard from you. Your duties are not so good but there are some worse and some better. When I hear from others I feel that I am not doing so badly here in spite of being on duty every other nite. In fact, you are on call all day & every day, I wouldn’t like the idea of travelling back

January 14, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] and forth, especially supplying my own transportation. Here, I am my own boss and my – ahem! – assistant as Lt. Cdr. Arrange our hours, as long as one is on duty, daren’t leave the station exposed. I usually let him go home about 9 or 9:30 a.m. or whenever he chooses. He takes over for me on occasional evenings – we seem to be a pair as far as our domestic problems go, implying that we are in the dog houses; I never confided in you but all has not been well for a number of years. So – it could be worse.

“The Shadow” is on while I am writing, so I may get scared, if you see any incoherence then you will know why. I have one of my radios here. In fact, I practically live here – my corpsmen are well trained, the chief had 30 yrs and does all the paper work and is very conscientious. Two Ph. M. had combat duty and one had hosp. training, have 2 colored Ph. Mates or the OB Battalion

January 14, 194,5 p. 3

[page 3] All are trustworthy and I find no difficulty – we are like one happy family. We have set up a small galley and the Marines supply us with coffee, etc., so we have occasional meals every day.

Am finishing up that damned annual San. Report – had a lot of new construction, – Battalion barracks, etc., to describe. Must submit it in rough to C.O. of station – he is an old fusspot as I do the monthly reports. Can you beat that? No more monthly reports but the quarterlies will be headaches.

Heard from Frank Olrich a number of times and from Bob O’Donnell recently. He has an average of 23 admissions daily, 125 in ward, duty every 3^rd nite. Not so good – all car [?] fevers & pneumonias.

Had a H.R. from Detroit Grosse Point with signed by J.R. Delaney. So he is near home.

Frank said he is on full duty and all are slated to go again – scuttlebutts – His hearing is the same. His boy was operated on for hernia – less than 2 yrs old.

January 14, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] You know he is at Shoemaker Calif. Ted Anderson is at Parris Island S.C. I haven’t heard from tohers.

My brother is still at Charleston S.C. Asst. Dist. Med Officer – soft job, no nite work or Sundays either. My kid brother – is ferrying planes now, has been all over U.S.A. and Canada & Mexico. Is being shipped to Florida for some short intensive course on Bombers – he was a P-47 pilot 81 missions. My nephew is in Burma – you remember him visiting me when I had the typhoid chill – he was a paratrooper, was injured, fracture leg, int. injuries, etc. – but now is in “air dropping,” cargo plane work in China Burma India area. A brother-in-law, Lt. Col., is Dep. Provost Marshall of some area. Got a letter from him yesterday.

I hear from W. and [?] as good and as well as the mail service goes.
My Xmas was quiet – had a few drinks; spent New Yrs weekend on station.

Well – write when you can – Regards to all the family – Don’t work too hard-
Sincerely,
Ed

[Editor’s Note: To read more about Dr. Lentz, his brothers, and nephew from a contemporary newspaper report, click here.]