Tag Archives: World War II

Too Sleepy To Finish (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Oct. 12 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Ruth and I are ready for bed – all boys are tucked in. David spent the afternoon with Jimmy Ed. I went to Pauline Dennis to take a hat for remodeling before we started to Laf. and Lucile & J.E. were outside. Lucile wanted to know if I was going to leave David – She assured me she could easily take care of both babies so I left him.  We had him ready to take along but decided him. We had him ready to take along but decided he would be better off there. It was nap time so she put him to bed and he slept until 3 P.M. Then J.E. took his hap & David play with a catalogue while Lucile washed dishes. She has a reed stroller for J.E. so put both boys in & took them to town after naps. We returned from Laf. about 7 P.M. and David was having a good time until he saw me then he began to whine – mama baby. Ed was having fun with both babies. I told Lucile she could get an idea what twins would be like. Ed certainly enjoys J.E. He fusses around with him like an old hen with a chicken. J.E. is a nice looking baby. – Next morning – I got too sleepy to finish this last night. Our weather changed. We have a high wind & rain today. The wind blew one of the windows out of the room over the garage but didn’t break any glass. I nailed it back in. I went to Pauline Dennis’ this a.m. for a hat fitting. Lucile came over while I was there. Said Ed had written to you about David being there yesterday. I suppose the Riggs funeral is today. He died Mon. & this is Wed. I suppose Nellie is in a nervous state.

I talked to Alma W. yesterday and she is having a backache. She goes to Rumkorf all the time. She had stomach & bowel flu last week but didn’t get along as well as I did. I feel pretty good – better than I thought I would.

[page 2] I didn’t try to go to the hospital today. I went yesterday and the weather took such a turn and I was rather tired. Dr. Cole had started Mother on codine and it’s a good thing. She was suffering every minute she was awake from the sore on her hip. Ruth M. said she had never seen anyone as poor. She is so wasted there is little left. If Jim would see her now I don’t know what re-action he would have. I told him I didn’t like the idea of him getting out of the Navy to come home & help take care of Mother and Thelma isn’t in favor of it. I told him to send me more money to help on the hospital bill.

I noticed you mentioned my letters being written one day & mailed the next – I figure if I get one mailed a day that’s all that’s necessary & I often start writing at night & don’t get them ready to go out before bedtime.

I took a nap this afternoon & Ruth played with David. She baked a cake yesterday & made a pie today. I get some baking done but not enough to meet the demand of our growing boys. John is growing so fast it is noticeable. I couldn’t find shirts with sleeves long enough & the suit I got for him in the spring is almost too short now. Mark is growing but not so fast.

It’s about time for the boys to come home from school and we intend to get meat today from Sheldon. I don’t know whether they will want to go along or not. I know David will – he certainly has learned to go in the car. I hear Mark – he wants something. Wants to go to Diedam’s to play.

Love Mother

YEG1943-12 Gladys, David, Lucile and Jimmy Ed

Gladys and David with Lucile and Jimmy Ed Johnson, December 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/07/too-sleepy-to-finish-gladys/

Under Your Inspiration (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 11, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letter written Sept. 23 came yesterday. In it you described D. birthday party and all the things he received. He must be a popular boy around the home town.

I had just finished reading the Story in Reader’s Digest – “Chicken Every Sunday” when your letter came. I keep wondering why you always say I could write this or that. If you gained that impression from my letters I’m sure it’s a warped impression because I’ve never considered what I write as being interesting or

[page 2] even amusing. Maybe I’m writing under your inspiration and don’t remember what I have written. I’m sure of the latter because I often time start and then remember that I’ve written that before or have I? So if you get repeats you’ll know I just forgot. And you will remember how I used to resent the re-telling so if I’ve caused you to be the recipient of such a blunder please forgive.

I hope Glen doesn’t feel that your mother hasn’t received the best. You will remember I wrote a week or two ago saying if the truth were known your mother was sick longer than you knew and you said in yesterday’s letter that she had

[page 3] told my mother she hadn’t felt well for some time.

Certainly was fine that Jim could come thru to help you out with the finances. I’ll send all I can but must keep some on hand in case of a transfer because one can’t always be paid at every cross-road without going thru rolls of red tape.

I’m sorry the Zells felt they were financially responsible for D. accident. However, it seems D. was really the winner in the affair. The bonds the boys have will be helpful in their future school work, and since we have been reduced in salary they will probably need it, but I guess

[page 4] that isn’t anything to worry about at present but thinking ahead will do no harm.

Just had a long delay – a conflab about some trash being deposited in a certain area but I think everything is OK now and everybody happy I hope.

Well, I’ve got to make a trip so I’ll have to step and get going –
Love Daddy

YEG1943-09-23 Birthday party #1

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/06/under-your-inspiration-roscoe/

Clarence Riggs (Gladys)

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1943-10-11 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS.R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-11-43

Dear Daddy –

Monday and washing & ironing done. Ruth is here and made catsup today. We didn’t go to the hospital today but plan to go tomorrow. We have been looking at pictures this evening. It’s always fun to go thru the pictures and see how we looked then. Lucile Johnson came out with Jimmy Ed this afternoon. J.E. isn’t as tall as David but is almost as heavy. They played in the pen together but David can move around a little quicker. However J.E. has a good grasp and David couldn’t take everything away from him. We brought D’s high chair up from the basement. Have been using the play chair but he climbs out of it and it requires more room than the high chair. Ruth thinks David has a good appetite – which reminds me he needs cereal for breakfast. He always wants his breakfast as soon as we come downstairs. He has been waking up early and I have to put him in bed with me so I can get a little more sleep.

This morning Clarence Riggs died. Irene came over to tell me. Said it was a heart attack. Everyone was upset about it. He hadn’t been sick that I know of. No letters today but had several last week – up to Oct. first. I missed your Dad’s birthday so will send him a belated gift. I have some hankies to send – can’t think of anything else. Mark brought a jumping bean home and I am watching it and trying to write. Ruth said if I didn’t know what it is – would think I was seeing things. It does look a little funny.

Love Mother

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

U.S.O. Entertainers (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 10, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just back from running around so maybe I can settle down and write.

There was a U.S.O. show here last night – Three men – The outstanding one in my estimation was Felix Knight who claimed he was with the Metro Opera for some time. I wondered if John ever heard of him. He sings tenor and seemed to me to be good enough for opera. The other two weren’t so hot but I guess it’s fair entertainment for this part of the world.

We have had some other

[page 2] U.S.O. entertainers here but most of them so far are “has beens” at least I feel I wouldn’t care to pay to see shows like that at home. Maybe I’ve mentioned that before.

The world series base ball games are on now as you know. If we get up about 4:00 A.M. we can get the broadcast direct. So far I haven’t had that much ambition but our skipper gets them on his radio. He comes to breakfast with the results so why should I get up that early? We can also get a rebroadcast at 8:30 PM but I’m not much interested in that.

This being Sun. it’s the regular day for writing the Folks. I haven’t

[page 3] heard from them this week but had two letters last week.

I noticed in the Newton Co. E. that Emmit Miller was being transferred from Cal. To Tenn. He has been in the service much longer than I. Maybe I should have gotten in the Army. Have you heard anything from Jim Open? It’s a funny thing how some people manage to stay in the U.S.A. for such a long period of time. Maybe I shouldn’t feel that way, but one can wonder if he wants to. All thru the paper I see where this one and that one have been home or transferred and m any of them I treated after they were in the service. Well, let’s stop all this crying.

Oct. – at home I can see

[page 4] all the leaves turning the various colors. The early frost mornings and of course a few hot days now and then. That reminds me don’t forget the antifreeze in the car radiator. Maybe you won’t be able to get any this year but you probably have that taken care of by now.

This has been one heck of a letter but it’s the best best I can do even with plenty of time. I just don’t seem to function – Maybe it’s the heat – Maybe it’s because I haven’t received any late mail from you in a few days and my inspirations are lacking. Anyway

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/04/u-s-o-entertainers-roscoe/

Not Much Longer (Gladys)

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1943-10-10 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-10-1943

Dear Daddy –

Ruth M. is here for a few days. I called her last nite. I talked to Dr. Cole yesterday and he said Mother couldn’t last much longer. I was down yesterday & again today. She can’t keep her teeth in now and has a sore on her left side that gives her a lot of pain. She is suffering more from that than her abdomen. Earl, Romaine & Jerry brought Ruth over. She doesn’t know how long she will stay or how she will go back. She said she had her work planned so she could get away most any time. Romaine said for her not to stay too long because she (Romaine) might get hungry. I told Romaine she could live on her reserve – and she has gained enough since her appendectomy to do that. She is a good looking young lady and thinking about what college she will attend next fall. Is thinking some about Purdue, but nothing certain about it. Statons were gone today so Mrs. James & Jimmy rode to Laf. with us just for the trip. Mark & David went along and John stayed home. One of the Sisters at Earl Park rode back from Laf. with us. She held David and he slept on her lap until she got out. It’s getting late and I am sleepy so will call this a letter – Have yours up to Oct. 1. I just learned that Cracker & Gerald are divorced & she is working for Allison in Indpls. & her mother is keeping the baby. Gerald had an affair.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/03/not-much-longer-gladys/

Teacher List (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran Cal.
Oct. 9, 1943

Dear Mother,

I changed the schedule a little this A.M. Did the running around before letter writing and still have plenty of time for the mail. I had a little matter of collecting some water samples so got them early and got back.

Your v-mail of Sept. 22 came yesterday. It was about the same date as your latest air mail which arrived several days ago. A Newton Co. E. came also Aug. 19. In it the teachers for the coming year were listed. I wonder

[page 2] about some of them especially one – all the kids will probably be “wiggley” by the time the year is over. Better not let the kids know I wrote that. I think you know which one I mean. For the life of me I can figure for sure which grade Mark is in. John I know because he started on the East side of the road last year – I believe Mark is in the 5th. Is that correct?

I’ve just been informed that there was two fried chicken came into camp and I’ve been promised a piece. Things like that don’t happen

[page 3] too frequently. Hope it’s good.

I also got a call to come to sick bay so I really didn’t have as much time to write as I thought I was going to have. Seems something pops up most of the time but that always makes things interesting and makes the day pass more rapidly.

Must get going –
Love Daddy.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/02/teacher-list-roscoe/

Mark’s Junk (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Oct. 9 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 30 & Oct. 1 came today. I am able to be up today but feel rather weak. My bowels are still a little loose. I didn’t get to go to Laf. yesterday but intend to go today, so will see Dr. Cole if possible. I don’t suppose he will give me anything since I have the situation pretty well in hand. I am still taking kaeopectate (misspelled) today.

Had a wire from Glen and they had arrived home Fri. – pretty good time – left here Mon. 2 P.M. I am glad they are safely home.

Dora Diedam came out last night after I wrote you and said she went in to see Mother before coming home and she was very weak. Couldn’t take a drink by herself. I had promised her Wed. I would be back Fri. but was unable to be out of bed. Alma is taking Reed & the boys to the football game and I am going with them. We will just let them off at Purdue & go on to the hospital. Dora is going to take care of David this afternoon. She asked for the job. I could take him along but would rather leave him home.

[page 2] The sheriff & Mrs. Olson have a new son born Oct. 6. The name wasn’t announced. I intended to include that news item in yesterday’s letter.

You mentioned something about reclassification and Floyd. They are expecting him to be called anytime. I saw in the paper one day this week that the bill to take father’s had been killed. Those bills always coming up about who will be taken next keep the man power at home in a state of nerves. Mrs. Zell said she was preparing to get a job if Mr. Z. had to go, but I think Purdue will try to keep the county agents home if possible.

John has gone to take a lesson. David is asleep – (He should be – woke me at 6 am). Mark is supposed to be cleaning their room. I hear noises up there but don’t know how much he is doing about the cleaning. John said this morning their room would look nice if Mark’s junk didn’t keep it looking so mussy. Mark gets a model airplane started then leaves that & starts another so I told him this morn to put it all away. I don’t know where he is putting things but my guess in the attic.

I hear David stirring so must get busy – Have to bathe him and give him his dinner before I go. His vaccination has a nice scab on it. So far he hasn’t had the tummy ache Mark & I had.

Love
Mother

© 2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/04/01/marks-junk-gladys/

Favorite Drive (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 7, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail today and you will note the date – The same as the letter I wrote this A.M. I have some work to do early in the A.M. so I’ll write now and add a finishing touch before work tomorrow. Since there was no mail and since I’ve been wanting to describe to you what I claim my favorite drive I see no better time. I’ll try not [to] give away any military information and that may keep some of the important facts from appearing but here goes.

We will start from a certain point – first as one looks around there are the cocoanut trees. These trees are planted in rows. Somewhat like the cornfields back home. So from this point I write of I feel somewhat like I imagine a field mouse must feel in the middle of a full grown corn

[page 2] field. Now a look around on all sides – the trees – under the trees the fallen cocoanuts. These practically cover the ground on the hillsides there are fewer because as they fall they roll into the lower spots.

Now to proceed – The road between rows of trees runs straight for a distance then winds a little to miss a low spot and this continues for some distance. Then as the land becomes more uneven the road winds in and out of these rows. We are now gradually going downhill and the cocoanut trees are getting smaller and smaller. Up over a little nob and down again and no more cocoanut trees but right smack into the jungle road. The relief at leaving those even spaced

[page 3] monotonous cocoanut trees is unbelievable – now in the cool of the jungle and the sigh of relief over we proceed down a rather sharp hill and on either side huge banyan trees 10-to-15 feet in diameter and 2-3 times as tall as our own maples at home. The top branches come together above the road and with the sun excluded it is cool and shady. Huge vines are everywhere suspended from these branching trees and sight penetrates only about 5-60 feet beyond the highway – on down the hill banana plants, bread fruit trees and numerous other smaller under growth can be seen. At the very lowest point – yes you guessed it a small stream just winding out of the jungles and as suddenly winding back again

[page 4] on the other side. Up the hill and a few more S curves and what have we? – cocoanut trees – rows & rows of them and the road between a couple of rows. I like that drive because its different – nothing fancy but it’s the only one of its kind in the locality – I’ll add a line in the A.M.

Oct. 8, 1943
Today marks another month – so that is another in the back ground. We hear lots about 18 months of duty so you can figure as well as I. I mean of course the number of months left but the 18 month story might not be correct in either way. It might be longer but I doubt if it’s any shorter. Anyway I must be going now so solong until tomorrow

Love Daddy

A new runway, Russell Islands, 1943

A new runway, Russell Islands, with rows of coconut trees, 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/31/favorite-drive-roscoe/

Mark’s Bug (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Oct. 8 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but have up to Sept. 29 this week. Mark’s bug must have bit me. When I went to bed last night I couldn’t rest because of discomfort in my bowels. About 12:45 the explosions started and kept up until 4 a.m. – When I got up I was so weak I had to call John to help me and had to lie down. I began taking the white stomach medicine and didn’t eat anything ally day. Alma W. was going to Laf. with me but since I was unable to go she came out and took care of D. Got lunch for J. & M. – went home & came back after noon. She wanted to do the washing because it was such a nice day so I told her how to operate the Bendix and she took the sheets down & put in one tub. I had done a tub yesterday so there wasn’t but one to do today. She thought the Bendix pretty nice. I chilled and had fever alternately all afternoon & slept lots. She put D. to bed and went home a little past 4 then J. & M. came home & took over. Alma had the same thing – the first part of the week. I ache all over but think by tomorrow I’ll feel better. John fixed me some tea & toast and I feel better after getting something in my stomach. There is an epidemic around & several children in the grade school were sick. I just hope David doesn’t get it but he certainly has had ample opportunity. I had been having so much trouble with his bowels being lose until I changed him to pasteurized milk. I think the canned milk was too rich for him. He had just one B.M. yesterday & I thought the situation was well in hand but this afternoon he had two loose stools and I thought he was getting what I had but up to bed time

[page 2] he was feeling fine and ate a good supper. John fed him and got along pretty good. He was covered with cereal but was undressed for bed anyway so the cereal was removed with his clothes. Alma took him out for an hour this afternoon. It was so warm out today. I kept him out most of the day yesterday. I like to keep him out of doors as much as possible this warm weather because it will probably turn cool in a few days. I took up the glad bulbs yesterday – They didn’t amount to much but I thought maybe they would do better next year. I had them by the garage and that soil isn’t very good for flowers.

Hard a card from Glen & Pauline and they were in Iowa the 6th Left here the 4th so I think they are making good time so far. I’ll be glad to get word they are safely home. Pauline said James L. wasn’t so good going back. I think he learned some tricks from David while here. He was such an inactive baby but had begun doing things.

I see in the paper that Gretchen Dixon’s husband has a medical discharge from the Army & has been in a hospital several weeks. Also Bus Daily has been discharged from the Marines & is home. Arlene called me this a.m. and said they think Louise’s husband is going to be sent out – Louise is going to have a baby so can’t work for Arlene this winter. Arlene was depending some on her but said now she would look seriously for someone else. Arlene is almost 7 months now & isn’t feeling so good. This help situation gets worse & worse.

Had a letter from your Mother today and she said she would like to come up. She had a chance to come with Geo. Wolf once not long ago – He said he would be down there again soon and she could come then but I don’t know when that will be. Had a letter from Ruthie and she said a letter Floyd wrote in the spring had been returned. Must have been about the time I sent one that was returned. She said she was going to keep it as evidence that he had written. Ruthie is working & after taxes, etc., are taken out nets $20⁰⁰ wk.

I must write to your Mother yet so will call this a letter.
Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/30/marks-bug-gladys/

Scare Tactics (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 7, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your V-mail of Sept. 14, came yesterday. So you see our mail keeps gradually creeping in. Your latest however has been Sept. 23.

Today or rather this A.M. I had wart clinic – cut off four of the things. They were located on knees, arms, etc., and were always getting bumped so we saved them up and had a field day on warts.

I again find myself in one of those blank spaces as far as anything to write but possibly something will come.

I just happened to remember you said D. broke a slat in the v. blind and wonder how I would correct

[page 2] him as far as his climbing urge is concerned. I think you could pretty well imagine how I would take care of him – Remember the old washing machine stick which was more of a bluff than a hurt, but I think it worked. I suspect one would hear a lot of squeaks from J. & M. in case it looked too gruesome but they went thru the same period. There is no doubt in my mind but that D.’s mother has used some such tactics on the little fellow up to now.

Night before last I had a coke. That was the first in over 10 months. It was warm but still tasted like coke. Maybe I stretched that. I believe 3-4 month ago I had one.

You said I shouldn’t send

[page 3] anymore money for presents thru friends. Altogether I have sent word to you by four fellows. Three of whom I gave money. The first you probably won’t hear from. The second there was no money involved. The last two I gave money and I’m sure you will hear from them. It might be a little early yet but I’m sure these last two will come thru. However, I won’t do that anymore. I just wanted you to get something from friends that had gone back.

I hope by now you have the last $250⁰⁰ check I sent on Sept. 16. I’ll send more from time to time.

Some fellow got something in his finger so must go –
Love Daddy

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

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/2015/03/29/scare-tactics-roscoe/