Tag Archives: World War II

Postcard #1 (Lentz)

Postmark: July 11, 1944 Great Lakes, Ill.

Addressed to:
Lt. R.S. Yegerlehner
MSUSNR
~~Naval Training Station~~
~~Great Lakes, Ill.~~
Nav. Flight Prep School
Wm Jewell College
Liberty, Mo.

Hi Ya – Write me and I’ll write you soon as I get 15 day leave or sooner. Am resting a few hours – leave at 2:30 PM. My new address is
U.S. Naval Amm Depot
Fort Mifflin, Pa.
near Phila 20 min. drive from house
Ed Lentz

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/09/postcard-1-lentz/

At Last I landed (Lentz)

1 Reply

[Editor’s Note: Dr. Edmund T. Lentz was one of Roscoe’s oldest Naval acquaintances. They both arrived together in Norfolk, Virginia, and shared a room during the early summer of 1942 at Mrs. Evans boarding house. They were shipped out to Noumea, New Caledonia, in August 1942 as part of the CUB 13 unit. During the fall of 1942, Dr. Lentz and Roscoe parted ways when Dr. Lentz was shipped to another location. They were reunited in Wellington, New Zealand, at Base Hospital #4, for a few months before Roscoe was shipped out first.]

: July 2, 1944 envelope front

: July 2, 1944 envelope back

Letter transcription:

July 2 44

Dear Roscoe – Well, at last I landed in U.S.A. – Thursday nite – an am quartered in this hut until notified of my assignment which I expect to be in a few days.

Was out to dinner with Frank Olrich last

[page 2] nite and today when I called Jim Graeser of Cub 1 Hosp. – he notified me that they are having a Cub 1 shindig or reunion tonite so I will be off to the Races in an hour or so.

Frank gave me your address – why the hell didn’t you write?

Had quite a time at the Pool les Bateaux

: July 2, 1944, p. 1

: July 2, 1944, p. 2

[page 3] then drove up from there to Auck. – in the meantime had 7 days leave, spent at Rotarua.

Hope to see you if I can – I expect to go by train, don’t like flying; flew part way up, got stuck for 12 days in N., waited for ship.

[page 4] I can wire you when I get to Chicago – how about it?

Quite a place – this country – but hell to be a stranger or a serviceman I can see that.

Well – cheers
Regards to the family
Ed

946 Duncan Ave
Yeadon, Pa.

: July 2, 1944, p. 3

: July 2, 1944, p. 4

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/08/at-last-i-landed-lentz/

David’s 21st month

2 Replies

Meanwhile, the Yegerlehner family was reunited in Liberty, Missouri, where Roscoe would be stationed for the next 14 months at the William Jewell College Naval Flight Preparatory School.

David’s Baby Book, June 23, 1944

Transcription:

June 23 – 1944 –
David’s 21st month – 27 lbs – 34 3/4 inches tall

Since David’s last month he has traveled by train from Chicago to Kansas City, Mo. – (506 miles). David has two more teeth (upper bicuspids). Now comes in and says “tie-tie” when he wants to toidey. Gets anyone’s shoes he can find and walks around (clomp, clomp). He likes the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Knows the pictures in the book and points out the different objects. David and Mark have a double deck (Navy) bed. Mark sleeps on the upper and David lower. He can climb up on his bed anytime he wants to.

Dear Yeger (Rosenberg)

1 Reply

[Editor’s note: Dr. Julius Rosenberg served with Roscoe at the Base Hospital #4 in Wellington, New Zealand. Dr. Rosenberg was one of the doctors who stayed behind after Roscoe shipped out. As evidenced in the letter, the Base Hospital closed down in the late spring of 1944. Military activities were drawing away from the far south Pacific, and maintaining a Naval hospital in the region was no longer necessary. During earlier letters written by Roscoe, he refers to Dr. Rosenberg as his friend “Rosey.”

In a very strange historical twist, Dr. Julius Rosenberg shared his name with a rather infamous Julius Rosenberg, who was executed in 1953 with his wife Ethel for espionage. Both men were New Yorkers, were about the same age, attended the same University, the City College of New York, and served during World War II. ]

: June 17, 1944 envelope front

: June 17, 1944 envelope back

Letter transcription:

June 17, 1944, p. 1

Saturday, June 17

Dear Yeger,

Well, here I am back in the promised land, although it certainly took a long time getting here.

I’ll go back to the beginning, and tell you everything since you left Silverstream. Base 4 officially closed April 1^st but we had practically no patients after the first week in Mark. We sat around doing nothing & just about went crazy. Finally the orders started to come & on April 13^th, 8 sets of orders to the States came in, including mine, Myers, Criss, Witter, Hynes, Reuckert, Schneider & Drennan. They were the only orders that came in from the time you left. We all went to Auckland & found that we had missed a fast ship by 18 hours. After waiting around for weeks we just missed that boat – The old Navy snafu. Then started another long wait – I waited at the Grand Hotel in Auckland for one month – nearly went nuts – and finally Stan Myers & I were ordered as passengers to a slow

June 17, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Liberty ship out of New Plymouth – so we had to take another train & then started a 25 day sea voyage – at 9 ½ knots – I never thought we’d get here – but we finally landed at San Pedro on June 8^th – almost 2 months since our orders arrived. We were in Pedro one week & I got just what I wanted and asked for – the course in Neuro-psychiatry at Philadelphia Naval Hospital – will report there on July 9^th. I’m now on my way to Chicago & from there to N.Y. Stan Myers is going to Sampson, N.Y., for duty. Was worried about landing at Pedro – but got a good deal there & had a good time.

Are you still at Great Lakes? – Write me all about yourself. Address is below.

Excuse the writing – I’m writing on a moving train – will mail this before I hit Chicago.

Sincerely,
Rosey

U.S. Naval Hospital
Philadelphia, Pa.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/06/dear-yeger-rosenberg/

Hello O’Shaunessy

2 Replies

[Editor’s Note: At this point in the letters, there is no more correspondence between Roscoe and Gladys for 14 months until August 1945. The intervening months can be filled in with letters from fellow officers, family members and former neighbors as well as some Naval documents and periodic entries in David’s baby book. Today’s letter was written by Robert P. O’Donnell, a doctor who served with Roscoe in Wellington, New Zealand, at the Naval Base Hospital #4. Readers may recall that Roscoe wrote of his friend Bob on several occasions, mostly pertaining to his nuptials. This letter features a brief passage written by Bob’s wife Pattie.]

June 14, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

June 14 – 1944

Hello O’Shaunessy,

Got back to San Pedro on the 23^rd of May. Killed some time in San Pedro until my orders came, and then went to S.F. I got there on June 1^st in time to go aboard ship and pick up Pat who had arrived that day by separate ship.

Pat and I were in San Francisco seeing the town until June 6^th and then came on here to Rockford where we are dry cleaning everything we own and trying to repair the wear and tear of travel.

I have Great Lakes for duty. Am supposed to report on June 18 plus travel time. I figure that that will

June 14, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] be June 21 –

Dad and Mother got a swell letter from your wife that helped to pave the way for Pat. I’ll bet you were glad to see the kids again.

Had a letter from the Mayor of Wellington – Comdr. Lentz – He has started home and I think was stuck in Noumea awaiting transportation. I hope we can all get together in Chicago.

I think we’ll stay out here until about the last minute. What is the dope on living quarters? Are we going to be able to get them? If we can’t, can we get hotel accommodations easily for a few days until we have a chance to get quarters? What’s

June 14, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] the story on gov. quarters – Do they have them?

What kind of duty do you have? Are things in general snafu

In other words – get off your duff and start giving me the word on what gives –

Pat sends her love –
Bob

Lt. R.P. O’Donnell
208 Paris Ave.
Rockford,
Illinois

If you happen to hear of an officer transferring or anything just before I arrive grab onto his apartment

June 14, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] for me –

Hallo O’Shaunessy –

Is it going to be good to see you again? Please thank your wife for her letter – and we certainly would be grateful if you can help us out on somewhere to rest our weary little heads come nightfall. Incidentally you can see that married life hasn’t improved my old man.

Till we see you in the near future Yeagey –

Pattie

I have a cousin – John E. Kelly who is in boot came at G.L. got there in last week – Look for him if you’re giving shots –

Bob

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/05/hello-oshaunessy/

Won’t Write Again (Roscoe)

1 Reply

June 12, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 12, 1944, p. 1

June 12

Dear Mother –

The pullman bag was sent out this AM via parcel post, so you should have it in plenty of time.

I hope you are able to get seats on the train OK. As I said in a letter before try to get there early and when the porter gets your bags, etc., ask him about seats and give him a tip of a buck or some such amount to have him get you a good seat or two seats rather. In case you can’t get seats on that train call me at the station so I’ll know you aren’t coming that way. You probably will check the pullman bag and the sea chest and carry the other small bags with you. If the linens and towels don’t come thru right away I can borrow.

So far as I know there is no change in the schedule here for the 16^th and it sure can’t come too soon. This has been the longest 10 days or however long it is up to now. Seems longer than the over sea time. Hope I don’t sound too bad. There just isn’t much to do around here and a hotel room

June 12, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] in a small town is about as friendly as two blonds at a bathing beauty contest. Maybe that is bad by comparison.

You sorta left me up in the air in the last paragraph of your letter today. Makes one wonder what news you are holding out.

It rained pretty hard here today and lasted for some time but it has been pretty warm.

Well, hope you are getting the things pretty well squared away there, but don’t worry too much about things because we can get things them eventually straightened out.

I probably won’t write again because a letter that I’d write tomorrow night wouldn’t go out until Wed. AM and that would arrive too late Fri.

So lots of Love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/04/wont-write-again-roscoe/

Next Sunday (Roscoe)

6 Replies

June 11, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 11, 1944, p. 1

6/11/44
USNFPS
Liberty Mo.

Dear Mother,

Sunday Eve and I’m listening to the radio. In fact that is what I’ve been doing since leaving the school at 1500 and it is now 2020. I didn’t eat an evening meal – Had a big noon day meal so just skipped supper. I’ll probably get out and have a bar of candy or some such.

The P.O. was closed today so didn’t get the bag sent out. If it’s too big for parcel post I’ll send it express. It should get there in time that way. You might have to pick it up at the Depot if it comes by express. I’ll let you know in tomorrow’s letter how I’ve sent it.

Several of the officers and families seem to have a habit of eating Sunday dinner at the school. Of course I ate there. The head of the commissary is a civilian employed by the school and he doesn’t charge the Dr. He says that is the regulation. I’ve been eating 2 meals a day there and one here at the hotel – Breakfast. Their breakfast at school is at 0600 and that is a little early. Meals cost 35₵ to those who pay.

June 11, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I’ll have plenty of typing for you to do when we get settled. I’ve almost finished the book.

One of the pharmacists told me I wouldn’t have needed any bed linens because I could borrow enough from sick bay. That might be OK but I wouldn’t want to do that unless in a pinch. That is a course that could used if necessary.

One of the pharmacist mates is a piano player and is planning on taking lessons at a conservatory in K.C. At least he is going to find out about it in the near future. They don’t have much of an Art and Music school here, but do have a voice instructor.

Well it’s been a long and dreary day and I don’t mean rainy. Hope next Sunday will be more pleasant –

Love Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/03/03/next-sunday-roscoe/

Big Push Tomorrow (Gladys)

4 Replies

June 11, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
6-11-44

Dear Daddy –

Sun. evening and the boys are in after a game of croquet with the Zell girls. David is asleep – Just went up to see bout him and he had taken off his sleepers. I want to retire early because have lots to do next week. I intend to pack dishes, etc., but the men who do Lyon’s moving will move the rest out into the attic. I told Mr. L. we couldn’t lease the house but he said he didn’t expect a lease but would like a 30 day notice. Their refrigerator won’t fit into our kitchen so that won’t have to be moved. They will use ours. I don’t know about the stove, but it they don’t use ours, I will tell them to store it in the attic.

June 11, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I gave Mr. L. a few instructions about the furnace but will tell him more before we leave.

As far as I know we will leave here on the 5 a.m. train and the 10 a.m. out of Chicago. I haven’t tried to get anyone to take us to Chicago in a car. I don’t like to ask anyone to make a trip that far unless they would be making it anyway. I haven’t seen much of Krulls. I called D. and went down to the restaurant one day but seems they were insulted because you didn’t go past and say good-bye – She wasn’t very friendly – in fact I had to make any conversation that went so I haven’t been back. I was entirely unaware of offending them but found out something was wrong and after getting the “freeze-out” decided to leave her alone until she thaws out.

I was out walking and stopped to see Arlene. She is having to rest quite a bit now. Her heart was bothering her, but she is feeling better.

June 11, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] They (Bill & Arlene) had a family picture made – It was very good. The picture man was around last Mon. but I didn’t have any take of David – Thought we would wait until he is 2 for a photographer picture.

Mark took his exams and got his report card. Got better grades on the exams than he had on his last term. When Al was out he said he told Miss W. he would go over her head and promote Mark, but I felt it wouldn’t hurt Mark to take the exams, then there wouldn’t be any questions or hard feeling on Miss W. part. Or course, I felt Al was right in the way he “put it” – He said “we graduate the Seniors who enter service, after one day of school,” so why not promote Mark, who had only one week to finish – so much for that.

June 11, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] I am tired of doing nothing all day so will turn in and get rested up for the big push tomorrow.

Love Mother

I’ve Been Thinking (Roscoe)

3 Replies

June 10, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 10, 1944, p. 1

Sat. 6/10/44

Dear Mother,

Just after your telephone call. I’ve been thinking of some of the things you should do or have done. First – I think you should have an understanding about a notice of something like 30 days in case we want the place back. Ours here is 30 days. They may want to use the Bendix since there are no facilities for laundry in the basement, but that is up to you and them. You explain to them also how Geo. Monroe took care of the furnace last winter and then call Geo. and tell him to keep that up this next winter and send us the bill. And emphasize to him that he should release the trapped air in those radiators ever so often. Much of that junk of ours could be burned. I mean things in the garage

June 10, 1944, p. 2-3

[page 2] and lots of Mark’s mess in the basement. Maybe you have already done that.

You can also explain to them that our basement is not finished neither are there sufficient screens to go around the house but we will not do any fixing now because period. If they don’t want it unless just don’t rent it because we are still paying $20 more than they in an inferior house and off the record in an inferior town, but be that is it may – – -. Maybe I’ll like the town better after you come – I don’t like to create a false impression so that you will have an opinion formulated

[page 3] before you get here.

You drop me a note again as to the time, etc. I’ll be there but just so it will be a double check. Bring that sea chest on your ticket but tie some clothes line around it because that is sometimes handled pretty rough.

I was going to get your tickets and Pullman, etc., from here so I cased a $50 check today but that is OK because the lady we rent from isn’t going to deposit the $65 check until we move in.

Just have the renter there deposit the check to our account at the bank and tell Chaffey about it and also have him notify us if same isn’t

June 10, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] done. I suppose I’ll think of dozens of other things to be done but really I hadn’t even thought of renting. The Smiths will probably think we are a fine pair. Anyway they didn’t want to pay the $45 so.

Well, I’m going to take this to the P.O. and maybe it will go out tomorrow. I found I couldn’t ship the bag tonight but could ship send a letter.

Fri. the 16^th seems a long way off – wish you were here now.
Love Daddy

P.S. Get to the train early and get a good seat. Generally those trains form about 15 min. before starting time.

Release Clause (Roscoe)

4 Replies

June 9, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 9, 1944, p. 1

June 9

Dear Mother,

Just wrote a letter to Geo. inviting him to come thru our town on his trip East. I told him we would be here after June 15 or 16.

I did all my talking with the mother of the lady who owns the house when I rented it. And today I got a call from the owner relative to a lease. The reason she wanted that was because her husband is in the Navy and in case he would come home she would want her home in 30 days – the lease is for 3 month. I’m taking it to a lawyer here at the station to see if it is OK. There is a clause in it which releases me in case orders come thru. I haven’t signed and won’t

June 9, 1944, p. 2-3

[page 2] until I get advice from this fellow tomorrow.

The piano will stay in the house and she has an ironer which she if going to leave. The boys will like this – She has had an old colored man take care of the lawn in summer and the snow in the winter and she is going to have him continue at her expense. She is afraid if she lets him go she won’t be able to get him back again.

The drain board around the sink as I recall is a composition substance and isn’t in good condition. That is about the only thing not nice and of course the color of the outside isn’t anything to shout about in fact I think

[page 3] it yells right back at you. I now know why your letters were slow. You missed Tue. because of Zell and the train schedule. You’ll let me know more definite later as to time & place.

My Free letters go just as fast as your air mail letters so I’ll just save my money.

I don’t know what to advise you about the trip. There is a train from Chicago leaving there at 7:00 PM, arriving here at 7:00 AM and the bus trip to Quincy isn’t good. That is about a 5 hour trip from here. I believe the train would be much more comfortable for all concerned.

June 9, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] I mean 5 hours each way. Of course I’ll make the trip if necessary.

I ate plenty of green onions for dinner today hope you can’t smell them from this letter. I thought I’d get all those things out of my system before you came down.

Well, Dear I hope this letter writing will soon be over –
Love Daddy