Tag Archives: World War II

Wanting Sympathy (Roscoe)

: October 22, 1943 envelope

: October 22, 1943, p. 1

: October 22, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.
Oct. 22 – 1943

Dear Mother,

Your air mail written Sept. 27 came yesterday and as you might imagine there wasn’t much news in it because it was almost one month in getting here. However, one always appreciates letters regardless of how old.

There goes that word appreciate again – The more I thought of yesterday’s letter – the one I wrote – the dumber it seemed but I can’t see how or what I can write unless I go off on a tangent like that because vital news of each day’s happenings are not available – yes I’ve wrote that same old excuse so often it’s trite by now. I guess repeating that is a form of topics sorta pleading for sympathy. And every human at some point or another wants sympathy in one form or another. How on earth did I get started on sympathy? Must have been something in the diet.

In yesterday’s letter you said something about Reed Walker wishing I was there. I wonder what

[page 2] his trouble might be – my mind sure does roam, because you wrote in another letter saying he was going with Mrs. Jack Kindig – maybe he needs an over haul on the organs of internal combustion preparatory to an all out assault. That could be classed in the realm of smutty, nasty or catty depending upon the view point. Poor Reed, and how about that “little Devil.” I don’t mind the Devil but he could have left the little off. Once when Adm. Halsey, as the story goes, was walking along the deck of a ship heard a sailor say “There goes that old S.B. – “ where upon The Adm. Turned and said “Who says I’m old.” It’s time for the laugh now.

It seems all I’m doing now is throwing the “Bull” and someone has said that in this era of meat shortage many people would be sufficiently nourished if they swallowed their own “Bull.” Sounds good in theory but practically I’m afraid it wouldn’t stick to the ribs as most “Bull” don’t stick to anything unless its real instead of fictitious and on ad infinitum.

Please Dear excuse the crudeness of this –
Lots of Love (and that’s not Bull)
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/2015/04/28/wanting-sympathy-roscoe/

My Birthday Present (Gladys)

5 Replies

[Editor’s note: It appears that this letter was ripped when it was removed from the envelope. I have attempted to fill in the missing words.]

: October 22, 1943 envelope

: October 22, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Clay City Ind.
10-22-43

Dear Daddy –

Writing from Faye’s. She asked us to come for dinner and we just arrived & I am trying to get this written so the mail man will pick it up. Glendon’s dog is very much annoyed at all the strange people around and is carrying on so Glendon had to hold her while we came in.

We went to town yesterday afternoon and I got a suit & top coat. I had been wanting a suit and top coat to match so found just what I wanted at Robinson’s. Don’t have to do any altering to anything. Also got a pr. of pjs. They are red and think you would like the colors. The suit & coat are brown. Looks like cocoa. I told your Mother I would count that my birthday present from you – that may be stretching things a little but that gave me a good excuse. (If I needed any)

J. & M. are out playing football with Glendon. They are teaching G. & D. the mysteries of football. Mark has a new football I got for him early in the fall. He took it to school with him almost every day. John even likes to play. Everyone here has a spell over how much John is growing. He is taller than your mother & almost as tall as I am but not quite. We think he will be taller than you if he keeps growing. Now won’t that be something to come home to a son as tall or taller than you.

We are invited to Sam’s tomorrow & are to see Linda Louise. I must get this into the box.

Love – Mother

The Yegerlehner cousins in the mid 1930s. The first row of row of boys is: John, Dwayne, Glendon and Mark.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/27/my-birthday-present-gladys/

Appreciation (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 21, 1943 envelope

: October 21, 1943, p, 1

: October 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 21, 1943

Dear Mother,

I wrote John & Mark each a letter last night – not much of a letter but I thought possibly they might get a kick out of it and they probably appreciate getting a letter addressed directly to them.

And while writing of appreciation – It’s a word we often use but frequently think of what it means. We possibly never appreciate the things we have until we are removed from them. How much did we appreciate the morning paper? If it were a few hours or even minutes late we had plenty to say. What was our reaction when we couldn’t get a drink of cold water? Was that appreciated then? Understand you don’t have to answer these questions. I’m just trying to point how much we didn’t think of those things. A number of others can be enumerated – pushing the button on the radio and there is the station wanted. Want a strawberry sundae? How about a coke & a hamburger – What are those things? A good warm shower or even

[page 2] a tub bath could be had. And to be sure many varieties of foods. There is always a possibility of too much starch in the finished shirt or a few wrinkles now and then. What a button off a shirt! And yes that light over this chair is not correct and what kind of a chair were you thinking about? That mattress and those springs are a little too hard.

All those things and numerous others could be mentioned – commented upon – the necessity of each questioned and many wasted words of praise or sympathy depending upon the whether here or there, but possibly the greatest thing we didn’t appreciate was the well round society we were living in – In other words a “co-Ed” society, plus kiddes and also the old folk. And last but not least one very definite and outstanding thing – That glass of water before each meal!

The above all sounds crazy I know and I really did and still do appreciate you and your care of me –
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/2015/04/26/appreciation-roscoe/

In Clay City (Gladys)

1 Reply

: October 21, 1943 envelope

: October 21, 1943, p. 1

: October 21, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Clay City, Ind.
10-21-1943

Dear Daddy –

You will note from the heading I am in C.C. We went thru T.H. yesterday & left J. T. at Mayroses. We left Kent about 2 PM & started for C.C. about 5 – then I happened to think I wanted to see Ethel W. It was a good thing I did because Wayne was at Teachers Convention and Ethel was going to take Mark & go home today. I didn’t have time to visit long because all three boys were anxious to get going but at least I saw her a few minutes. We got almost here & had to detour past Dietz – they are oiling 59 and all the traffic has to come this way. Your mother certainly is getting the dust when the wind is from the south. She is hoping it will change so the people on the south side of the road will get part of it – or that she won’t get it all. She & Dad slept upstairs last nite. I had to sleep down because of the baby’s bed so she thought I wouldn’t rest well on the davenport. I slept pretty good until 3 a.m. then was awake off & on until time to get up. I still feel tired but I think I will for a while.

We are going to town this afternoon and do some visiting. Faye asked us down to dinner tomorrow – then the next day will be Sat. & Sun. we go back. Time soon flies. It was cloudy this a.m. early & we had a shower but it’s cleared off now and seems very pleasant out. John is with Dwane & Mark with Glendon. Glendon was going nut hunting and of course that suited Mark but not John. John got his report card yesterday. He had 3 – A+’s, 2- A’s, 1 – B+ and two S’s. S is for satisfactory and Phy. Ed & Citizenship have just two grades – satisfactory or D which is below passing. John, Angus, Ina M. Walkup

[page 2] and Evelyn Mingle in the 8^th grade were on the honor roll.

David is taking a nap. He has been having a good time this morning. I brought the Taylor Tot along & he can get around in it. The pen is too big to fit in the back of the car & is a nuisance to take along – anyway he doesn’t like to stay in it so the Taylor Tot was the best to bring, then when we go to town we can put him in it while we shop. He can’t walk along & is too heavy to carry. Besides he doesn’t like to be carried – squirms down when he takes a notion he would rather walk.

J. & T. will start back Fri. for Norfolk. He may be there for a while yet or may be sent to another shipyard if he gets changed to Chief steam fitter.

Mom is mashing potatoes, so must go help.
Love,
Mother

John and Lovina Yegerlehner in front of their farmhouse (Clay City, Indiana) in the 1910s.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/25/in-clay-city-gladys/

Yankee Doodle Dandy (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Calif.
Oct. 20, 1943

Dear John,

I’ve just finished writing Mark and I find that this was the only paper I had. So you will have to excuse it at present because it is raining and the store is closed.

The last letter I remember getting from you was the one thanking me for your birthday present. So I guess it really was my time to write.

Mother wrote the other day that you were playing foot ball – in your Ph. Ed. Class. That should really be good for you – give you some muscles and make a tough boy?

Do you ever write any compositions anymore? Our show the other nite was “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and in it the hero was always composing songs. It made me think of you. I could just see you sitting there pecking out the tunes.

Right now we have news commentators on – Raymond Gram Swing is on – It’s nice and clear – sounds just like we used to get them at home.

Love Daddy

P.S. Don’t forget that kiss to Mother.

John (January 1943)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/24/yankee-doodle-dandy-roscoe/

How About You? (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Oct. 20, 1943

Dear Mark –

It surely has been a long time since I’ve written you and about that long since I’ve received a letter from you.

Mother often writes me that you are still working on your airplanes. I just wonder how many different planes you can identify – The P-38 of course is easy – the P-40 isn’t so easy – How about the F47, F4U, F67, TB7, SBD, the B-25, B-24, B-17 & the Ventura? I think I can identify each of those types – How about you?

I hope your school work is coming along fine by now and I know your grades will be as good and probably better than last year. You can do it I know. So I’m looking forward for a good report at the end of your first grading period.

Well son I’m betting on you so don’t let me down.
Love Daddy

P.S. Don’t forget that kiss to Mother from me.

Mark (January 1943)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/23/how-about-you-roscoe/

The F Word (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 20, 1943 envelope

: October 20, 1943, p. 1

: October 20, 1943, p. 2

: October 20, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Oct. 20, 1943
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Navy 60

Dear Mother,

I seemed to have gotten the address date etc., at the heading of this letter out of the usual order – for no reason at all. Just a mental relapse for a short period of time.

Last night’s show was – “My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” a pretty good light comedy. It’s a scream to attend the show not so much for the show itself but to get the reactions of the men who are and have been from under the influence of women. The officers are a little more reserve in their comments, but when the leading actress makes here her appearance there are loud cheers & whistles which would cause most shows in the states to stop and investigate. Let the leading lady walk across the stage in a suggestive manner as they sometimes do and the same loud cheering – The thing that really brings down the house is mention of a South Sea Isle. The shows aren’t the only place where women’s influence is missing.

[page 2] The ordinary conversation of the men and some of the officers is dotted all too often with juicy bits of vulgarity which would make the hair raise of many a good man woman and/or men also. The favorite word which one hears most often is that nasty four lettered word which runs something like the f—k. You would be surprised as to the number of places where that has been used as an adjective. I’m not being vulgar in writing this – That is maybe not. In a Time Magazine of about one year ago that word was printed just as I have it written – Maybe you have read it. I shutter [shudder] to think of the influence necessary to delete that word and I have a feeling that there will be many blushing faces due to the slip of the tongue. I’m not pleading the fair haired boy but thank goodness that is one word I haven’t picked up even though possibly I have selected a few extra.

Woman’s influence on man might make a good topic and I could write from both sides since I’ve enjoyed the one side and despaired of the

[page 3] of the other and I’ll add that the woman who has had the most influence on me has been the very best – namely Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner

Love Daddy

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

New Boss (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 19, 1943 envelope

: October 19, 1943, p. 1

: October 19, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Oct. 19, 1943

Dear Mother,

Yours of Sept. 7 & 9 came yesterday – In the 7 letter you seemed to be OK, but in the 9^th you wrote of being in bed and from your letter I supposed you had a bowel upset. I can think of nothing better than Kaopectate. However by now you are all over that I hope. In one of your letters was the letter from Mead Johnson & Co. I thought it was nice of them to write and offer – of course there is nothing in their line that I want or need just not at present.

A letter came from Wayne W. and also a v-mail from Dr. Mathews. Sometime when I get ambition I’ll drop them a line – Wayne seems to be busy having school and rationing trouble. Dr. Mathews also seems to be busy and anxious for me to return – No more anxious than I however – believe me.

You mentioned Doris Green getting married – That is one on me because I don’t know who Doris Green is – possibly I do but just can[‘t] remember now. The baby crop

[page 2] seems to be picking up not gradually but by leaps & bounds. Funny how things like that keep going or is it?

I have a new boss – came yesterday and I have to go meet him in about ½ hour – since I’m the only old timer here I guess I’ll have to show him the ropes. It’s always a pleasure as well as a care because some of the fellows with lots of brass really have brass. Although most of them are pretty fine individuals.

Hicky Reinhart sent me four plugs of chewing tobacco. I didn’t know he knew I chewed the nasty stuff. I don’t very much but when I find I’m smoking too much I take on a chew and that gives me a rest. Is that good? You really won’t need to bother answering that letter question, because I know what you would say and rightly so – why use either?!

Well, Dear I hope things are OK with you and continues to be so.
Love Daddy

P.S. This is the last of this paper – hence the both sides issue.

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

New Tree (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-19-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Oct. 12 & 13 came today. I was downtown this afternoon 5 P.M. & saw Barry the Mass. Salesman. He had pictures of his twins. They really are some boys. Barry of course wanted to know when you were coming home. He saw David and thought he was growing very much. We saw Lucile & Jimmy Ed. Jim, Thelma & I walked to town for some fresh air. I have been so tired – I thought I would lie down a few minutes this afternoon and went to sleep and John woke me up when he came in from school. He, Mark & Jim have gone to the football game. They were planning on Uncle Jim buying hot dogs for them. They said what fun is a foot ball game without hot dogs. I am not used to cooking for Jim. It’s just like shoveling coal into a furnace to feed him. I don’t see how he stays so streamlined as much as he eats. Thelma told me he has to go back to school Oct. 25 if he doesn’t get his rating changed. He has applied Chief Steam fitter and if he gets that will be sent to some ship building yard – he says the quota where he is is full. The Onarga Co. finally replaced the tree & I had some more shrubs put in the back yard. I had Jim water all of them today – want him to water them before we leave tomorrow. They said that one tree was too dry. It is on a little hill but it was guaranteed so should be replaced. The new one is very nice looking. We are still having nice weather. Hope it lasts this week. It’s about time for the boys to come home.

Love Mother

More Water Torture (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 18, 1943 envelope

: October 18, 1943, p. 1

: October 18, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 18, 1943

Dear Mother,

Blue Monday or rather I should say hot & sticky Monday. I had that same old Chinese torture last night. A drop of water about every 15 min., either in the face, shoulder or tummy. I’m going to try to do something about that today because it is bothersome to have that tent top leak and have that drop of water ever so often. If it were a large stream I guess I’d get my rain coat or something but it isn’t worth while when the drops are so far apart. So much for that nonsense.

Again I’m wishing you a happy birthday and I do hope your next bunch of flowers gets there in time for your birthday. I believe this fellow is reliable and will come thru but according to his schedule it may be later than your birthday so don’t give up hope.

Here it is past the middle of Oct. and I’m

[page 2] still at the same place as in Feb. If anyone had told me then I’d be here this long I surely would have felt as if he were using the truth very careless but time has passed very rapid and I suppose I can say I’ve enjoyed myself as much as am I could have anyplace out of the U.S.A. and possibly more so than at Norfolk. It’s just the distance that makes Norfolk more desirable.

The radio is on in the skipper’s tent and the colored boy is trying to do the “jive” at the same time – trying to clean our tent and neither one is going along so well. In fact my thoughts are going to pot also. He is always asking for something and also thinks I can send him home but he is too healthy for the medical department to have much to do with his going home.

Well, I’m all done up as far as more letter in concerned.
Love Daddy