Tag Archives: World War II

Lafayette and Back (Gladys)

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: December 10, 1943 envelope

: December 10, 1943, p. 1

: December 10, 1943, p. 2

: December 10, 1943, p. 3

: December 10, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 10 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Just back from Laf. Took Lucile down to shop and purchased a few things too. John wanted records for Christmas so got him “The Nutcracker Suite.” In case you don’t know what it is, it’s from an operetta. I was going to take David and Lucile was to take Jimmy and we would leave both babies with her sister, but David still had some cold and I didn’t want to have him around Jimmy – so I got Clara to come stay with D. and also she got all the venetian blinds washed and windows while here, so I got some housework down even tho I wasn’t here. I didn’t want to take David away from home while he has any cold. He slept last night without coughing and didn’t run any temp. today but coughed quite a bit all day. He is asleep now and

[page 2] seems to be resting very good. I called Dr. M. wed. about giving him sulfadiazine and he said give him ¼ tablet every 4 hrs. I did that 36 hours then stopped. After I got back from Laf. this evening I went down and talked to him about d. He said if he continues to cough to give him sulfa again in two days. This cough seems to get so many people. I don’t know how contagious it is but know of no one being close to D. that had a cough. Ed Johnson has had it for several weeks but he hasn’t been close to David only out of doors – last Sun. he took some pictures but it was in the yard, I didn’t take D. into their house. At any rate it hasn’t made him feel bad and so far he isn’t running any temp. He is not as bad as he was yesterday, so I suppose I will just have to keep him in and keep him warm. When I came home this evening he was walking around the house having a grand time. I fed him and put him to bed, then I went

[page 3] to see the Dr. Mark said he would go along. After seeing the Dr. decided to get my supper downtown – I was hungry and didn’t like the idea of coming home and frying eggs – (meat frozen isn’t easy to work with) so Mark & I ate at Krulls – the first time I have eaten out for weeks – but eating in Laf. is quite out of the questions with us – We try to eat before we go or after we come back. Sometimes we have stopped at the Triple X on the hill and get a sandwich and drink. The Krull children were going to the ball game at Remington and asked J. & M. to go along. I come home as soon as I finished eating so John could go. I am here with David now, trying to catch up with my correspondence while it’s nice and quiet (except for the stoker).

I saw Phyllis M. downtown and Art is soon to be traveling. He is to go to some eastern port for 8 weeks, then, who knows where. The Emmet Millers have a baby boy. Born just shortly after Emmet was sent out.

[page 4] They were somewhere in the South – he was sent to N.Y. and she came home one day and had her baby the next. She made the trip part way by plane, so you can understand why. James William came 3 wks. early. She was in the hospital in Laf. but I didn’t try to see her today – I figured she would be home by now.

Mr. Z. had been in Laf. attending something at Purdue since Tues. Mrs. Z. was going down today to get him, but Virginia took a cold and Mrs. couldn’t go, so Lucile and I brought him back with us. I was going to take Alma today but she had another one of those terrible attacks last night and wasn’t able to go. She has been doctoring with Rumkorf since you are away. Jack told her to either go see him today or have him over but I haven’t talked to her this evening so don’t know whether she did either.

Yours of Dec. 3 came today – not bad, eh. Just hope you get mine as fast as you have been. If 18 months mean anything – oh well, you know the answer. Thanks again for the check. As I said before it will help a lot, as we are a little low.

Had a letter from Juanita and Ralph was going to be drafted so he joined the Navy, so you see the pre-Pearl Harbor fathers are being taken –

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/28/lafayette-and-back-gladys/

Pounds, Shillings & Sixpence (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: December 9, 1943 envelope

: December 9, 1943, p. 1

: December 9, 1943, p. 2

: December 9, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
Dec. 9, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just received your v-mail of Nov. 28 It sure seems as if v-mail is faster than air mail and eleven days isn’t bad. I hope mine are getting to you in as good time. Some day I’ll write you a v-mail to compare the time – I’ve said that before but never have – when I think of it I don’t have any forms and I can’t remember to get the forms when I’m around where they can be gotten where ever that is I haven’t found out yet.

In your letter today you again wished me a Merry Christmas. Those greetings are sure getting

[page 2] here early but better that way than not all at all.

Got my laundry back today and it was 4/6 which I think figures about 70-75 cents. That was for three shirts and a pair of Pjs. Maybe that isn’t so bad. Really back there I imagine it is higher than that now. That 4/6 is shilling & sixpence. We just don’t try to compare it with U.S. money because it’s too hard that way. It’s all in pounds, shillings & sixpence (or rather pence). I’m not too handy at the stuff yet but a little better than at first. I keep thinking a pound note is the same as a dollar bill but it amounts to about $3⁰⁰ or rather a little more than three dollars. Really

[page 3] they must have intelligent cash registers around here to figure all that business and have it come out right at the end of the day.

The pictures you wrote about haven’t arrived as yet but they should in the next few days because all the letters before and after that one came. It’s been some time since I’ve had pictures but I think you explained that films were a little hard to get back there.

Well, here is wishing you that Merry Christmas to you and –

Lots of Love
Daddy

Mail Came Today (Gladys)

1 Reply

: December 9, 1943 envelope

: December 9, 1943, p. 1

: December 9, 1943, p. 2

: December 9, 1943, p. 3

: December 9, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 9 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Dec. 1 & 2 came today. Thanks for the check. Our bank acc’t is low ($49.00) so that will boost it somewhat. When I can find the time will send you a complete financial statement for 1943. I have the checks listed under their respective distributions (to Dec. 1) but haven’t added the long columns yet. I put a few figures in a letter last week, about Ins., Bonds, etc., but those didn’t take much adding. It doesn’t seem possible I wrote checks to cover all the money I put in the bank in ’43 but I have the checks and they all were essential – with the exceptions of a piano, fur coat, etc. However a goodly amt. went into Ins., the house & bonds.

David is still coughing a little, but hasn’t any temp. I am still giving him sulfadiazine. I haven’t had him anyplace where he could get such a cold but he has one. 37 were out of school today (high). Irene, Mrs. J. & Jimmy are all down with flu. I called Link and talked to him. I told him David was under the weather.

[page 2] and I can’t leave him now but could come over after school if I could do anything to help. He said he had gotten them all fed and they were pretty well taken care of then. They had Dr. M. yesterday and today. I didn’t call the Dr. to come I just asked him about giving sulfa & he told me what dosage to give and how often. David is asleep now. Hope he takes a nice long nap. I try to keep him in his bed but he gets tired of being kept up, so have to turn him loose when he gets to dissatisfied. He takes his stuffed toys and loves then, then throws them down. He pulls the lovey stuff on me too when he wants something very much. He certainly understands things we say to him. I told him he couldn’t crawl around the floor. He got down and began to crawl. I said “do you want me to put you back in your bed,” and he quit crawling. I put him on the toidey seat just as soon as he finishes his breakfast and he usually has his first B.M. I am not always lucky enough to get the next, but if I put him on the toidey after his nap he usually saves a diaper. He tries to feed himself, but to keep from wasting Pablum I give him a spoon to work with and at the same time feed him with another spoon.

[page 3] He won’t allow me to help him guide the spoon he holds and doesn’t seem to notice I am feeding him at the same time he is trying to feed himself. He can hold his cup to drink from but is a little awkward so I usually hold the cup.

John was relating some school happenings yesterday. He sounded so much like you in his tone and mannerism I told him you couldn’t have sounded more like yourself. They had to give reports on certain animals and the Dean Davis boy in John’s class gave a report on monkeys. You recall Davises used to have a pet monkey. John doesn’t care for the D. boy and ended the discussion with this observation, I wonder if the Davises were trying to find a twin for Dwane when they got that monkey. He was so droll about it – Just like his Dad.

I see in the paper that Ira Dixon is going to engage in the practice of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1913, according to the paper. As has been the custom the Dem. comes on Thurs. and the Newton Co. usually tags in on Fri.

I told J. & M. their Christmas money would come in a day or two – I also told them they could buy themselves a fresh supply of cod liver oil out of their own money. I don’t know how they could get more benefit from spending on themselves, do you?

[page 4] Mark has been playing football all fall. He came in at noon with a bad thumb. Thought he couldn’t cut his meat and when I pointed out it was hamburger, got along with his fork. He takes the prize about so many things. I tell him he gold bricks. Sometimes he will say, “Now Mother don’t think I am trying to ‘gold brick.’” He was done all his Christmas shopping and has his gifts wrapped and under the tree. He is so full of anticipation for Christmas. It’s good to have someone in the house like that. John is rather matter-of-fact about things. I told both boys our bank acc’t is low right now, so John said, to cut down on Christmas spending (now who is that like?). Not that I was throwing money around on elaborate gifts. I have a few things I think Mark will enjoy, some toys for D. and want to get a record or two for John. He will probably get himself some records with the money you send.

Dot Salter Huffman sent me a roll of film and Lucile sold me one so now I have two rolls and can get some more snaps of D. and the rest of us. Dot works for Easley and knew I wanted film, hence the roll from her. Katie Fletcher works at the NuJoy and gets film for Lucile – You really have to be on the inside track to get film not.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/26/mail-came-today-gladys/ ‎

Finances and Flowers (Roscoe)

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: December 8, 1943 envelope

: December 8, 1943, p. 1

: December 8, 1943, p. 2

: December 8, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 8, 1943

Dear Mother,

Four letters from you today one from the Folks and a birthday greeting from The Krulls. All of the letters were old the f some early in Oct. and the others early in Nov. It’s always good to get those old ones to fill in the gaps. It seemed you had missed one of mine back in Oct. and it was a rather important one. I think it was the one I wrote the day my orders came. I guess you have all those by now. I haven’t lined up your letters lately to see how many are

[page 2] missing but I doubt if there are many which I failed to receive.

In one of your letters today you described the flowers and the letter. I still don’t understand why Palmer wrote the letter to the flower people. (I’ve forgotten their names). He had your address etc. I guess it was just the way he wanted to do it.

I expected before now to get something on the finances but it seems those letters must be missing. The last time you wrote about finances was in Oct. Possibly you are waiting to make out an annual one at the end of the year – I really don’t care just so I know you are able to get along.

I liked that little note

[page 3] or rather the last line of one of the letters where you wrote about writing letters in order to receive them. You put it in a clever way and the quotation marks around the ending of the letter – However you have used the quotation marks rather frequently and I remember what you wrote when you started that practice. That was way back many long months ago.

The time now is 10:45 PM and very nearly my bed time so for now –
Lots of Love
Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/25/finances-and-flowers-roscoe/

A Cold Today (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-8-43

Dear Daddy – Another wintry day and no mail. It has been 10 days since I last received a letter. David has a cold today. I called Dr. M. and he said to give him ¼ tablet sulfadiazine every 4 hrs. He certainly is peppy enough but coughs and has a runny nose. He did have a temp. this A.M. but none this P.M. John & Mark are both home from school. Mark is out playing with Dean M. – John is practicing on the piano. There is a lot of flue around. John said 30 were absent from school today. David seems to have what is going around. He hasn’t been around anyone with a cold but got one anyway. Mrs. Z. and Martha stayed away from us while they had theirs last week. I was going to take Lucile to Laf. today but didn’t because of David. If he gets over his cold may go Fri. or tomorrow. I haven’t much shopping to do, but usually find something to buy – want to get a record for John. Dr. Van & Dr. Limp have redecorated their office and the Sr. Dr. is ready to do business again. I heard he didn’t want to come back but of course could do nothing about an honorable discharge – guess it was a retirement. Not much news today – haven’t been away from home.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/24/a-cold-today-gladys/ ‎

A Little Spoiled (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: December 7, 1943 envelope

: December 7, 1943, p. 1

: December 7, 1943, p. 2

: December 7, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Dec. 7, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just returned from the dentist – had two teeth filled and have one or two to be worked on at a later date. Many of the persons who have been up the line complain of their teeth going bad but mine have done very well. Just need 3-4 small fillings and that is about normal for me in this period of time.

In one of your letters yesterday you told of D. being a little spoiled and that John & Mark thought he should be corrected and their saying of what Daddy would do. Sometimes I wonder, and I’m a little surprised that they think punishment is in

[page 2] order when their mother doesn’t seem to feel that way. Maybe they are a little hard on him and or could it be D.’s mother is a little more or should I say less strict now that when J. & M. were coming along. Whichever it is I’m not worried because I know D.’s mother will do right by him.

The clipping about Wymond K. was OK. I’m sure the whole family is proud of him and of course his wife must be glad he is back not to say anything about how glad he is to be back home with the family. Of course now he has to wonder to where he will be sent next.

Your v-mail dated Nov. 26 just came – you wished me a Merry Christmas – a little early but appreciated just the same. There

[page 3] was also a letter from the old camp and one from the Master of a Lodge here inviting me to their meeting tomorrow night – I’m not sure I can make it, however, tomorrow night but will try later.

I was a little late in sending the boys their Christmas money but maybe it will get there in time for them. It won’t take long for them to spend it so I guess I need not worry about that. I’m sure Mark will enjoy his possibly on something to eat or drink. Of course John will buy records or something of the kind & D. – haven’t the slightest idea.

I’ll return the Merry Christmas
Love Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/23/a-little-spoiled-roscoe/ ‎

Pearl Harbor Day (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-7-43

Dear Daddy –

Today being the second anniversary of Pearl Harbor much has been said on the subject over the radio. Today was Literary Club Christmas meeting at Mrs. Mathews. I didn’t go. Went to Music Club yesterday, and plan to go to Laf. tomorrow, so thought I had better stay home this afternoon and do a few things. David is up from a too short nap – walking around looking for something to amuse himself. He was bothering the coffee table but I got him away from there. He knows he should leave it alone but doesn’t always do that. I just cleaned the mirror door and hear him there now, and know it will be smeared again. Just so he doesn’t pound on it with something hard I allow him to play there. John wrote you a v-mail last nite. Mark wrote one several days ago but didn’t mail it – I’ll try to get it in today’s mail. It is nice and sunny out today. Yesterday it was cold and cloudy and I thought winter had started but it’s warmer today. No letters now for over a week but I keep looking. I see Jimmy and Martha chasing a little Pekineese (Poor dog).

Love – Mother

Mulligan Boy (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: December 6, 1943 envelope

: December 6, 1943, p. 1

: December 6, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Dec. 6, 1943

Dear Mother –

Several letters from you today the latest a v-mail dated Nov. 24. The others were air mail along in the 20 of Nov. and one dated Nov. 6 which you addressed only as Hospital #4 and it seemed to have time finding its way. It wasn’t because of the Navy 133 but because you had omitted the Base part. The thing which was disappointing to me was the letter didn’t come with the pictures. One of the letters explained that you had sent them but they failed to appear – guess they will come along in the next mail. I hope.

I ran into a Mulligan boy today from Kentland. He is a nephew of Jim – The one who used to be on the school board – we used to see him frequently around Nick’s & Kenney’s. I mean the uncle. I didn’t know the boy and he didn’t know me only he said he didn’t think there could be two doctors by my name. We had a long talk. He is a pharmist mate and has been in the same ward I’m in so we had a reunion. His Dad & Mother are separated and he was in

[page 2] Indianapolis so that is the reason I didn’t know him.

The $35 you collected was sure a surprise. Maybe there is hope of a few others coming thru but I doubt if one need expect too much. I received a card from the Joe Mullen family also today – a baby sitting on a chamber – “doing his part.” I’m using it as my pin up girl – you have read lots of such in various papers. This is the first time I’ve become interested – So if you see Mrs. Mullen you can tell her what I have done with her card.

It sounds as if too big or too much clinkers collected in the furnace to cause the pin to break. That happened once while I was there and that was the trouble at that time – Maybe it’s the local coal. Those radiators upstairs just need a little air removed – However Geo. M. will take care of everything so have him come out and give the whole system the regular works ever so often – It will be better in the long run.

Well dear it’s time to say goodnight.
So
Lots of Love
Daddy

Joan Manning Candy (John)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

John YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-6-43

Dear Daddy:

I haven’t written you for so long that I thought it was time I did.

This evening I accompanied Lucile Woods on her baritone at Rotary. The piano was terrible and it was sour. Helen Hoover played too. Mr. Cast said that there were no piano players in the club right now but that there was one coming on. The dinner was good (Steak) and mashed potatoes. The club gave each of us who played a bag of Joan Maning candy as a token of the appreciation. Those candies are not what they used to be. I’ve been eating some chocol – oops – I’m not supposed to eat that stuff. Mother just told me I’ve eaten enough.

I’ve been getting along fine in school. It doesn’t seem that the first semester is over 2/3 over.

David is doing so many cute things. He wrestles with his stuffed kitten.

For Christmas I am getting a Monopoly board (that is I’ve already gotten it). We got a Christmas tree yesterday. There is a tree shortage so we got ours early. Since it’s still 3 weeks to Christmas we have [not] decorated it yet.

Your son,
John

1935 newspaper advertisement (Image courtesy of Google newspapers online)

No Mail (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-6-43

Dear Daddy – No mail for a week. The last dated was Nov. 19. We are having a nip of cold weather again after yesterday’s spring like sunshine and warm wind. David didn’t get much airing today. I wrapped him up and took him with me to town in the car. He likes to go in the car or anyway – just likes to go. John and Lucile Wood played for Rotary tonight. Lucile plays a horn and John accompanied her on the piano. He isn’t home yet and it’s nearly 8: PM. He was wondering if they would be given their dinner. I am gradually getting my Christmas shopping done – picking up something here and there. I haven’t sent Jim & Thelma’s box yet and should get it mailed soon. We are urged to mail all our gifts & cards early. Hope you get yours. I haven’t even looked for cards yet. Arlene has hers ready to mail but she expects to be in the hospital before Christmas. She didn’t go to music club this afternoon – was having some discomfort and afraid to go away from home. Coke went with me – says her brother is in England. Her brother-in-law is in Great Lakes (Chief surgeon). John Ade is in Great Lakes at present. Catherine Ade is a Lt. in the Marines and is in N.C. now. John is home – brought candy.

Love Mother