Tag Archives: World War II

The Woman’s Club (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct. 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Oct. 17 came today – the 18, 19 & 20 came yesterday. You were writing about my throat. I haven’t had any actual soreness for some time but have a hoarseness all the time and keep spitting mucos & have some sinus drainage all the time. I don’t want to look for a sore throat but am a little afraid I will be inclined to have some infection there if this condition continues. Thought I would see Dr. Ade sometime soon if it doesn’t clear up. I don’t want to have a tonsillectomy if it can be avoided. Maybe with sufficient rest it will clear up.

David is on a high horse today. I think I can see two teeth (stomach) about through. He woke me up about 2 a.m. just sucking his thumb & making a little noise he often makes when going to sleep. He won’t stay covered. Try as I will to secure him under his blankets he wiggles out and I find him on top & sometimes at the other end of the bed. He has been going some tall jabbering today – sounds like “Greek er something.” I told him he was a bad boy & he jabbered right after me what sounded like “bad boy.” John said I was stretching my imagination. However when he says something that sounds like “John,” then John says he is calling him. Mark agreed with me that David said “bad boy” so that is how it stands. John is having his troubles at school. Had such a long assignment last night he was carrying on something terrible about Miss K. I told him if he didn’t quiet down I would tell her and he took me right up on it & said he wished I would. Of course I wouldn’t tell her anything, because she has taught school a good many years & I believe is better qualified as to assignments than I would be. That is all the trouble there was but if you could have heard him go on about it you would have thought he had troubles. The band teacher resigned and student directors are going to try & keep the band going. I am glad now I didn’t invest in a horn for Mark because the Jr. band can’t carry on. They were too far behind the Sr. band to combine the two. Mark hardly ever touches his trumpet anyway and I believe it would be the same with anything he would have.

[page 2] The sun was shining this a.m. and I hung some white clothes out. Was going to take David out for a bit of sunshine but it’s cloudy now. Just typical fall weather.

The Woman’s Club had Prof. Phillips from Purdue speak at the meeting last night. Mrs. Zell & I went together. He gave a very interesting talk about what we will do after the war. He reviewed the events following World War I and touched upon the crime waves that have followed all our wars. In the course of his talk he mentioned Time magazine & how it had stooped to vulgarity – It was quite a coincidence – you had mentioned about the same thing in one of the letters I had from you yesterday. In fact you whole letter had run along the same vein he had talked on. I wanted to go tell him about your letter & how it tied up with his talk, but I didn’t. There was a business meeting following his address, so I sat where I was and the visiting men talked to him after he was thru. There were quite a number of men present. Prof. Phillips talked at Rotary once – I believe that was while you were here – or was it – I remember the French woman was on the program you attended.

Dorothy was out yesterday and said Ralph Bower had been appointed Judge. Seems Newell Lamb might have been but for a member of the Committee – That is just gossip and I don’t know enough about it to be certain. At any rate Newell & Ellsworth are supposed to be next up to go the Army and being Judge would get a deferment. D. said Ellsworth was going to try & get a 6 mo. deferment because Doris is going to have another baby.

Had a letter from Jim today & there is a possibility he may be sent to Joliet – in case his rating isn’t changed to Chief Steam fitter. In that event he will be sent to a ship yard. He left his top coat here & I have to send it to him.

I cooked the chicken your mother gave me and besides having two meals from it canned 5 pts. I thought it would be handy to have for quick meals.

David is quiet for some reason. He had a long nap and wish he would take another so I could get one.
“Love Mother”

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/08/-the-womans-club-gladys/

Farewell Party (Roscoe)

1 Reply

[Editor’s note: According to Roscoe’s travel log & military papers, he left the Russell Islands on October 26, 1943 at 14:00.]

: October 26, 1943 envelope

: October 26, 1943, p. 1

: October 26, 1943, p. 2

: October 26, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Mob. Hosp. #4
Navy 132
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 26, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail yesterday and I was really anxious to get the latest for I’m afraid my mail will be slow in getting to me now for a few weeks but I guess I’ll just have to wait as we have had to in the past on various occasions.

We had a little party last night – consisting of liquid refreshments, sardines, anchovies, canned chicken,

[page 2] canned tuna fish, cashews, melba toast, bread and ended with fruit cake. Just a little jungle get up. You can understand the reason for the party I think. The boys here have all been very swell to me and I really have enjoyed being around such a group.

Maybe I’ll be able to write more interesting letters as time goes along. More topics or I might say new topics. Censorship may be a little different also.

[page 3] As far as this is concerned with respect to tour of duty it should have no affect. It’s just a break for me. I don’t mean just for me but all are being given similar breaks, however I think I have the cream for the area. At least that is what I’ve been told.

Well Dear I’ll write as often as I can during the next few days –
Lots of Love
Daddy

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

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/07/farewell-party-Roscoe/

Something Wrong with the Alarm Clock (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-26-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Oct. 18-19 & 20 came today. You evidently hadn’t rec’d any message thru the Red Cross about Mother’s death. I haven’t had any confirmation from them as to whether it was sent. You may get my letters first. – It is a typical fall day. Wind and rain, chilly, leaves falling. There was a heavy freeze predicted for last night but the temp. according to the radio this a.m. was 44. The Onargo Co. finally replaced the evergreen (a week & half ago) and I had a few more shrubs put in the back. I was going to water them but I think the rain will do it for me. We overslept this a.m. – John wondered what was wrong with our 7 a.m. alarm (David). I heard him about 6:15 & gave him dry pants & put him in bed with me & he went back to sleep. When I woke up he was about ready to get out of bed. He doesn’t like his play pen any more. I am afraid it has served its purpose here. He does stay in it a little while at a time but prefers the wide open spaces. Paul & Leanna’s baby was 4 wks. old Sun. and they took her to church. I didn’t take D. Your Mother stayed home with me. She said she didn’t know what we would do with him in church – he is so noisy & can’t sit still. The Tommy Thompson’s have a baby girl. Coke came over to solicit for the U.S.O. drive & she told me the news. I gave $1⁰⁰ to the drive. I have a chicken cooking for dinner. Your Mother gave it to me – It was a young rooster weighed over 7 lbs.
Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/06/something-wrong-with-the-alarm-clock-gladys/

Moving On (Roscoe)

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[Editor’s note: If you have been picking up on some of the subtle clues the last few weeks, you may have realized that Roscoe was about to leave the Russell Islands. The biggest clue was not from Roscoe, but actually from Gladys! All the envelopes that Gladys addressed in the past few weeks had Roscoe’s address Navy 60 crossed out. His mail was being forwarded to Base Hospital #4 or Navy 132. Since I have copies of his military orders, his transfer was approved on October 16th. It took about 9 days for Roscoe to receive the official news.]

: October 25, 1943 envelope

: October 25, 1943, p. 1

: October 25, 1943, p. 2

: October 25, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S.Yegerlehner
Mob. Hosp. #4
Navy 132
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Oct. 25, 1943

Dear Mother,

Another Monday rolls around and I find I have plenty of work to do as usual.

If you use the above address I think it will help me to get my mail much faster in the future. Just one of those things which you understand.

Yesterday your v-mail of Aug. Oct. 10 came and the one in Sept. telling of your episode with the belly bug. I guess you got over that

[page 2] OK because it wasn’t mentioned in your later letters. I’m so glad that Ruth could come and spend a few days with you.

Today is laundry day again and it doesn’t seem to be a very good day but it’s early and maybe the weather will improve as the day moves along. I’ve just simply got to get a haircut today also because I’m like a “shaggy” dog and the tropical weather doesn’t make lots of hair desirable.

I wrote Joe Roberts the other

[page 3] day but didn’t hear from him as yet. I may see some of his friends in a few days if things go as planned at present.

My mail may be a little irregular for a few days because of numerous duties coming up but I’ll write as often as possible.

I’m in a little bit of a hurry so for the present –
Lots of Love
Daddy

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

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/05/moving-on-roscoe/

Indiana Coal (Gladys)

2 Replies

: October 25, 1943 envelope

: October 25, 1943, p. 1

: October 25, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct. 25 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

About all I have done today besides get lunch is write letters. I baked a cake and John & Mark assured me I am the best cake baker. John came in & when he saw the cake & steak hugged & kissed me. I told him he was like Dagwood in the funnies. He saw what was “cooking” before he embraced me. However I appreciated the gesture anyway. Had a letter from Jim & Pauline (she writes for Glen & Co. now) this a.m. and an Ins. receipt. Also rec’d a jar of Morruguant I ordered from Massengill salesman last week. That is the best ointment, bar none, I ever saw for burns. I give “dabs” to the neighbors when they have burns & thought I had better get a new supply. I smeared it over a place on my arm I touched on the hot grill & presto! No burn. It works like magic.

It is blowing today & cloudy. I was going to take David out in the sunshine but don’t see any now. There was some around noon but he was asleep and I was busy getting lunch ready. It feels like winter is blowing its cold breath the way it comes in around even the windows & storm windows. I am going to try a stoker full of Indiana coal. Chet says he has some that is pretty good. I have had our order in since last spring & no Va. Coal has been rec’d here. Floyd said Bluffton was the same way. I saw a load of stoker coal going out at Garrison’s, Earl Pack. I called Bun Walkup about getting me some there but he said he wouldn’t have it so it must be like the kind McCartney had that time. Now I wish we had an oil burner because there seems to be plenty of oil around here. But wishful thinking won’t do any good, so will do the next best thing & try Indiana coal.

David is taking a nap. He is some tired from his visiting. He doesn’t walk alone yet, gets tired of his pen and has too many spills out in the broad open spaces, so little fellow has a hard time once in a while. He certainly has a mind of his own about what he wants to do. I just wonder if Daddy wouldn’t spank a little more than Mother does. So far he hasn’t gotten very many but I think he will get them in time.

[page 2] I have a roll of film so will get some pictures in a day or so, depending on the sunshine. I would take the whole roll & send them this week but don’t know when I can get more so will make this roll last longer.

Today was music club but hardly felt up to social gatherings. Thought I would take David for a walk & mail the letters I have written but it seems so chilly, don’t know whether to take him out or not. He is still asleep – his second nap toady – but I think he was pretty tired from all our visiting around.

J. & M. can write you about their grades. John is getting ready for stunt night. He has a part in the 8^th grade play. Mark plays football all the time. He is trying so hard to get a muscle & get heavy – by the way he is in the 5^th grade this year.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/04/indiana-coal-gladys/

Rommel’s Defeat (Roscoe)

1 Reply

#Navy

: October 24, 1943 envelope

: October 24, 1943, p. 1

: October 24, 1943, p. 2

: October 24, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just finished writing the Folk. Reversed the order for a change. I thought that perhaps while writing to them I might get an Idea or two to write you. It didn’t work so well because the idea hasn’t hit as yet.

Yesterday in the news Oct. 23 was being discussed as a date that would go down in history because of the start of Rommel’s defeat in Africa. They should have also added that was the day I learned of D. arrival. At least I think that was the day. It was near enough to that anyway to be important.

[page 2] I’ve finished my running around for this morning so far I think but have some little to do this P.M. The tropical atmosphere does give one a type of lassitude which is hard to shake off at times and one is about as comfortable while on the move as while sitting still.

I’m taking a long time to write this letter or rather a long time trying to think of something but the time as I figure isn’t wasted because while I’m thinking of something to write I’m also thing[ing] of you and there is a certain satisfaction in that. It’s a type of visit by proxy – not good but not bad under the circumstances. I often wonder what other officers write their families. I suppose it’s about

[page 3] the same with a little more “boloney” one way or another. Some probably slice it thin others thick but it’s all taken from the same chunk.

A long pause – visitors. The topic of conversation ran from sore heels to lizards – to the possibility of nurses on the Island and on & on. None of which were interesting or educational. Just a means of passing time.

I’m hoping that some mail will find its way into camp today – It has been some time now since late mail arrived.

At least we can hope.
Love
Daddy

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

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/03/rommels-defeat-roscoe/

Back in Kentland (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-24-43

Dear Daddy – Just home from C.C. about 2 hours. Four letters were here of Oct. 13-14-15-16. As soon as we got home had to feed David & put him to bed. He wouldn’t stop crying so I went up to see about him. I brought him down to let him eat some toast while we ate supper. I found the reason he wouldn’t go to sleep – he couldn’t get his thumb for his long sleeper sleeve. I took him back up & he went to sleep. We stopped to see Dave & Marie on the way home. Dave isn’t very well. Goes to the Clinic in T.H. for treatments. They found a spot on his back that was causing neuritis. He will have to write you the details. I think he doesn’t look very strong. When we got home Mr. Zell had our fire going so the house was warm. He told me we had lost three citizens since Wed. Judge Cummings, Willard Sprawl and Shorty Virgin. Floyd showed all his movies last night. The ones he took in Apr. were in Technicolor. They were fine. The colors were splendid in all of them. The pond across the road from Ralph’s house made good background for the pictures taken there. They were going to take pictures of David Sat. or Sun. but they said it wasn’t light enough Sat. & today we left before they came out and it was pouring down rain. We had dinner at Clarence’s today and left as soon as we could after dinner. I wanted to get an early start for home.

Love – Mother

© 2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/05/02/back-in-kentland-gladys/

The Only Mail (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 23, 1934 envelope

: October 23, 1943, p. 1

: October 23, 1943, p. 2

: October 23, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Oct. 23, 1943

Dear Mother,

The only mail yesterday was the C.C. news and the Newton Co. E. The C.C. news was June 11 and the Newton Co. was Aug. 26. So you see the news from home by that route is rather stale. I’m at a little loss to understand why Mark takes such an interest in 4H work. The account of their outing was in that issue of the Newton Co. E and it seemed to me the boys were older – of course I have no objections but it does seem a little queer and I was just wondering. I’m hoping that there will be some fresh mail today because it’s about time again.

[page 2] Last night we heard Jack Benny on the radio. It was pretty clear. Much of the time programs like that aren’t very clear. In last nite’s program he married a rich gal after giving her a raw deal as a new paper reporter. You probably don’t remember the episode. They generally condense a half hour program into 15 or 20 min. There is no advertising. Not a mention is made of their sponsors, and that is true of all the programs so when that is cut out the programs are much shorter.

I’ve hit one of those slumps when it seems there isn’t a thing to write and I just sit a perfect blank.

[page 3] Just thought of something. Maybe you had mentioned it before but I saw in the paper the item telling of the arrival of the Schultz baby. I just couldn’t help but think of her varicose veins – naughty naughty one might say – Maybe you don’t remember what I mean. Or do you? I spent lots of time, when I’m not thinking of the family, running thru the happenings of the past – thinking of this and that patient and the little off the record side lines that make life worthwhile.

Well, I’m what you might say exhausted as far as writing is concerned so
Lots of Love
Daddy

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

Thirteenth Month (Gladys)

2 Replies

: October 23, 1943 envelope

: October 23, 1943, p. 1

: October 23, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Clay City, Ind.
Oct. 23, 1943

Dear Daddy –

Today is David’s 13^th month. We are visiting with Esther & family today. When Leanna was ready to come Imogene, Ruthie, John, Mark, David & I went down and brought her & Linda. Linda is a very healthy looking young lady. Is on pasteurized & Karo. It seems funny for them to go to town and buy pasteurized milk since I have been here but your Dad just milks one cow and she is a Jersey and since David is sensitive to rich milk I thought it would be better to get the pasteurized. However I boil it – remember you said to boil it until the baby is old enough to boil his own. Ruth & Floyd brought their movie camera & want to take some pictures tomorrow if it’s sunny. It is raining now. Ruth took some of J. & M. & Sam’s new dog but David was taking a nap & didn’t get in that picture. They (R. & F.) are coming out tonite and show all their movies. Mom asked all the families to come tonite & see them so we will probably have a house full. After dinner Imogene showed us their wedding gifts. Her brother is in Hawaii and sent her a luncheon set from there.

– – – We have been to town, stopped at Clarence’s on the way home & now back home. J. & M. stayed to play monopoly with Dwane. Clarence’s went to T.H. today to get Wilma. She gets every week-end off so far. She likes her work. I asked her when she would get her cap and she said Feb. We are to go to Clarence’s for dinner tomorrow, then start home soon after dinner. I want to stop in Brazil on the way & see Dave & Marie. So far we have visited all the relatives (except Clarences & them tomorrow). Everyone thinks David is quite the boy. I saw several people in town – I thought I would see more but we were too early today & it was raining.

[page 2] Dot Salter Hoffman had a roll of 116 film she sold me so now I can take some more pictures of David & the rest of us. Ruthie said she would try & get me some so maybe I can manage pictures once a month now for a while.

David is in the baby bed playing with two sauce pans grandma gave him, having quite a time & jabbering like he really is saying things.

I must get this finished and get busy – Have to get David’s milk boiled for supper,
Love Mother

YEG1940 - Sam, Esther, Earl, Paul & Leanna

Samuel Yegerlehner with his wife, Esther, their sons, Earl and Paul, and Paul’s wife Leanna, circa 1940 (Photograph courtesy of Don Yegerlehner)

Letter to Jim (Roscoe)

5 Replies

[Editor’s Note: This letter to Jim Foster was included in Roscoe’s letter to Gladys of October 22, 1943. It is unique to the collection because it is likely the only letter that Roscoe wrote to someone other than Gladys and the boys that survives. Faithful readers will notice a definite change in writing style and tone. The letter’s survival is due the the fact that it was mailed to Gladys, whether intentionally or by mistake.]

: October 22, 1943, p. 1

: October 22, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Jim,

Your v-mail written Aug. 1^st arrived today so I’ll hurry and return one – The letters you wrote before took about 6 mo. to get here and I was certain you would be moved before I could return a letter to you – anyway thanks for writing me and I’m duly ashamed for not writing to you sooner.

I’m truly sorry about your mother but I’m at a loss to give her my medical service because of distance, etc. Financially I think Gladys has enough to give her the medical attention she needs – It really was fine that you could get home to see her if it was only for a few days.

I have plenty of shoulder brass so no need to send more – and anyway out here it would not make any difference. In fact I didn’t wear any for some time for I didn’t want to be a prize package. It’s quite customary in certain

[page 2] regions for all officers and men to wear the same uniform. However, we are very much civilized now that is in comparison to our first month or two.

I suppose you are interested in seeing some of the old world and are anxious to get out. I was just that over one year ago but somehow I’ve seen more than somewhat and that good old flat land around Kentland would be a sight for sore eyes. The tour of duty here has never been clearly stated so I’ve no idea how long I might be here. If it’s going to be a long time I do hope I can push forward because monotony is a slow way to pass time. I had some hope of getting home by Christmas but it begins to look doubtful. Anyway I can’t ask favors because other have been out as long as I have and they have vital interests at home the same as I.

Gladys sure has been a Dear in keeping things going and has been assuming the home responsibilities in a great big way and believe me I’m proud of her and desperately in love with her as much so as say 15 years ago – pardon the romantic side of an old salt.

Hope you get to stay in the good old USA because I know Thelma will appreciate it lots. Best wishes to Thelma and Regards.
Jake