Tag Archives: World War II

Swellest (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: October 2, 1943 envelope

: October 2, 1943, p. 1

: October 2, 1943, p. 2

: October 2, 1943, p. 3

: October 2, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Oct. 2, 1943

Dear Mother,

Just another Sat. a small rain last night helped lay the dust but makes the atmosphere a little more sticky.

Your letter dated Sept. 19 and posted Sept. 20 came yesterday. You had just gotten back from the hospital and told me your mother couldn’t seem to take what you thought was ammonium nitrate. You never have given a definite report on the x ray findings – but that probably can is in the letters from Sept. 14 to Sept. 19 which at present are missing. A letter also came from the Folks yesterday.

[page 2] they seem to be coming along pretty good. Mom used to write with a very nervous hand but anymore her writing is very steady. In this letter she again praised you in how you were carrying on. I hope you don’t get tired of me harping on the subject but it sure means a lot to me that other people can see how you are doing.

I guess the problem of putting in the storm windows was solved easily and early since Glenn so kindly put them in for you. It makes me feel good to know that the weather is cool someplace – cool enough to even think of glass for windows. I haven’t seen any glass windows

[page 3] for ages. Windshields are the only glass one ever sees. Pardon me always referring to cool weather but I hope you understand.

I’ve mentioned several times about Drs. getting orders, etc. All those fellows have spent less time in the Pacific that I and they are just being changed to more desirable locations. I seem to be in between and sometimes I wonder if my name hasn’t been lost in the rush. Of course I don’t mind for I’m enjoying this type work and am willing to stay until my tour of duty is over whenever that might be. Maybe I shouldn’t be writing this stuff all the time but it is the most interesting conversation

[page 4] we can carry on. There is a certain satisfaction in us old timers getting together and projecting ourselves into the future. You should hear what some plan and desire when they return. I’m just silent on that score because my only plans and more plans are to come back to the swellest three boys I know and “The Mother” who has carried on with these boys first and foremost. Those are the swellest plans I can think of. Maybe I’m getting too sentimental for an old crust who never was much of a romancer.

Well Dear I hope everything is OK with you – I’m still pulling for you to the Nᵗʰ degree.
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/2015/03/19/swellest-roscoe/

Getting A Little Naughty (Gladys)

4 Replies

: October 2, 1943 envelope

: October 2, 1943, p. 1

: October 2, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Oct 2 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another day in Oct. almost gone. It is sunny today but cool. Glen & P. are packing to start home Mon. They feel they have stayed as long as their finances will allow. A little longer perhaps, but Glen will go to work as soon as they get home. He isn’t very good here and should get back where the climate agrees with him.

I just looked over the bank bal. and with Ins. pd. (Laf. Life & Hancock), Groc., lights, etc. – and Mother hospital bill pd. tomorrow I’ll have a bal. of about $170⁰⁰ – that bal. includes the ck. I rec’d today & the $250⁰⁰ you sent that I deposited Mon. The Ins. to come out together amts to $133⁰⁰. These amounts we have to pay sure take the balance down, but I still have a wide enough margin and Jim is standing by to help on Mother’s expenses. He gave me a check for $100⁰⁰ when he was here. Today’s or rather tomorrow’s check to the hospital will take all of that. We didn’t go down today but thought we

[page 2] would all go tomorrow so G. & P. can see Mother before they go.

Dorothy took some movies of D. and was wondering if we could send the film to you – if you could have it shown where you are – Let me know. She still has some film left she hasn’t taken – said she was coming out & finish the roll with D.

D. is out in the sunshine right now. He is getting a little naughty at meal times. Doesn’t always want to sit up & act nice, so his Mother is deciding it’s time to do something about it. I remember one time you spanked John and how nice he acted at the table after that.

The roses had to go out today – they began to fall apart so we decided their beauty was gone. They were beautiful while they lasted.

It’s about time to begin preparing supper – That is a job, to cook for so many, twice a day. I just let everyone get breakfast as they want it. So much of the time Glen doesn’t feel like eating early in the morning & I like something to eat after I feed David.

This was in the Newton Co. E. about David’s birthday party – a few mistakes but that is to be expected –

“Love Mother”

Newton County Enterprise - 1943-09-30 David Yegerlehner 1st birthday

Newton County Enterprise (Kentland, Indiana) 30 September 1943, p. 5, col. 4

[Editor’s Note: The original newspaper clipping was not saved in this letter. I was able to obtain a copy of the article from the Indiana State Library. I can only say how grateful I am to the wonderful library technicians who work there. They are amazing!]

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/18/getting-a-little-naughty-gladys/

The First Act (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: October 1, 1943 envelope

: October 1, 1943, p. 1

: October 1, 1943, p. 2

: October 1, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
10-1-43

Dear Mother,

The first act upon arising this A.M. was to wind the calendar. One doesn’t need a watch just a calendar and it’s a great pleasure to turn the Dr. Miles addition over one leaf.

I’m waiting to use the telephone but it seems the party line is busy so I may have to wait for some time – men gossiping I suppose. I’m not eves dropping to hear what is going on.

[page 2] Another Dr. recently got orders and that is gradually leaving me here with a bunch of new comers. It keeps one guessing from day to day as to what the day might bring. Seems this letter is almost a copy of what I wrote yesterday only stating it in different words.

You can tell no doubt by what I’m writing that I’m in a hurry. It’s that old inspecting story and I’ve got to go when transportation

[page 3] is available and if I don’t get this out before then it won’t make the delivery so some day I’m going to sit down and really write again. I’ll just convey the sentiment by saying

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/2015/03/17/the-first-act-roscoe/

First of October (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
10-1-43

Dear Daddy – The first day Oct. and two letters from you of Sept. 22 & 25. It was warm today until about 4 p.m. then the wind started to blow and it has cooled off. Looked like a storm was brewing but it blew over. I was hoping we would have warm weather for a while due to the coal situation. Anne Rhudie told me that she & Helena are going to close their home & take rooms this winter due to the coal shortage. We won’t be the only ones wanting coal because no one has any yet. I do hope we get some soon and I suppose we will before we are out. J. & M. have gone to a football game. I think Glen & Pauline are going to walk over that way. Both babies are sound asleep. J. L. is getting more active all the time. I think he has been observing David. David can stand along until he discovers it, then he sits down. He gets around very good but not alone yet. Just so he has something to hold on to. I still haven’t cut his curls off yet. I gave J.L. a hair cut but his hair is very straight & needed a trim. You may think David’s needs a trim too. We didn’t go to the hospital today. I didn’t talk to Dr. C. yesterday but Mother seemed about the same except for getting bed sores. I hate to see those start. Had a letter from Jim & he said to go to the Red Cross & see if I could get him an extended leave and he would come home and help me take care of Mother. I hate to do that but he said he was thinking of my health in the matter & with the boys to look after I need help.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/16/first-of-october-gladys/

Another Behind (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 30, 1943 envelope

: September 30, 1943, p. 1

: September 30, 1943, p. 2

: September 30, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 30, 1943

Dear Mother,

This seems to be the end of the month again and that leaves another behind. In other word tomorrow will mark the beginning of the 15^th mo. Time is drawing nearer & nearer but as yet we don’t know how long it will be. We’ll just wait and see. It’s really fun on the downhill stretch because there is something to look forward to. In the beginning the only thing that could be seen was the peak ahead.

Now – 2 ½ hours later

[page 2] had some running around to do and had to go when I could get transportation. It must seem to you from the letters I write that all I do is run around and you are about right but it’s all part of the official business.

In Ruth M.’s letter she said she was sending me a birthday present – she admitted it was a little early. I’d just as soon she hadn’t sent anything because packages are usually not in good condition and why waste time and money doing a thing like that. I believe however I’ve gone into that several times. I hope you keep that in mind also. If there was

[page 3] something I needed I ask but there isn’t a thing. The food is better and my food that you would get would come from your rations so don’t. Tobacco of all kinds are plentiful and much less in price than there so that it out. Letters and pictures are the most desirable so as long as they keep coming I’ll not complain.

I head heard over the radio that they were going to reclassify some of the 4F group. I wonder if that will affect Floyd in any way. In their letter the other day it wasn’t mentioned.

Well, must get going
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/2015/03/15/another-behind-roscoe/

One Day Arlene Said (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 30, 1943 envelope

: September 30, 1943, p. 1

: September 30, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 30 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Writing from the hospital again. Glen, Pauline, J.L. & D. came along. Pauline is entertaining the babies in the car. I can hear David’s voice. J.L. is going to sleep. David takes one nap a day during the middle of the day then he is ready to go places. Goes to bed at 7 in the evening & doesn’t get up until 7 a.m. or after. J.L. has to have about three naps during the day. Mother seems about the same as when we were here Tues. Said she has been sick at her stomach. Dr. Cole said the x-ray showed a bunch of gall stones – I wonder if her nausea isn’t caused from that.

This being Jewish new year most of the stores are closed in Laf. today. The store in Kentland is closed too. The stores in Kent are going to close on Thurs. afternoon until Dec. I suppose they can sell all their stock in 5 ½ days so why keep open all week. Just like Nick & Dorothy about their restaurant. Why stay open 15 hrs when they can sell all they have in 8 hrs.

Annie Rhudie asked me if she could ride home with us today. She was going to take advantage of the holiday & come down last night & spend the day here. If she goes back with us we will have a load. Glen & P. don’t know her – they have a surprise in store.

Tues. when in Loebs, I saw Helen Heindle. She said to tell you hello – she is afraid Dan won’t get home very soon. She is still living with Forrest & Gertrude. I image that gets tiresome for both, because Judy & Larry are both so full of pep.

I saw Arlene downtown yesterday. She isn’t getting so large so far. She still doesn’t have regular help. One of the Sondergrath girls works after school. She thinks maybe Louise might come back if Dean has to leave the country but there isn’t much certainty there. Bobby was in our garage this morning & at noon he told Mark he had stolen a rope. Mark said it didn’t amount

[page 2] to much, but he told Bobby he musn’t seal – Bobby said, “Well, I did.” He has an answer for everything. One day Arlene said, “Bobby how would you like for us to have another baby?” – he didn’t answer for a while then said, “Let’s talk about something else.”

Thanks again for the roses, pictures & check. I dep. the ck. the day it was rec’d.

My throat is still bothering me but this being Thurs. I can’t see Dr. Ade today – Will have to see him the next time I come. This throat trouble seems to be very persistent, but maybe it will clear up soon.

It’s supper time here & about time for us to start back to Kent.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/03/14/one-day-arlene-said-gladys/

New Comers (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 29, 1943 envelope

: September 29, 1943, p. 1

: September 29, 1943, p. 2

: September 29, 1943, p. 3

: September 29, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 29, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letter dated Sept. 14 and mailed from Lafayette on Sept. 16 came too yesterday. You must have gotten the date wrong or it was delayed in the mailing. A letter also came from Ruth Y. Seems she has been canning also. I suppose everyone is doing that to save as many points as possible thru out the winter time.

I talked to a new comer yesterday and he informed me that things weren’t so tough back there. He said

[page 2] it was much worse here than there, but to hear some of the new comers you would think we are in clover.

The same old process that happened to our original group of Drs. a long time ago is happening here. I can’t tell you the number of Drs. we had here in the beginning but only 1/3 of the original group remain and of course I’m one of that bunch. It’s a little disheartening to see them pull out. Many of the line officers have gone but that is a little different. I figure on this moving business from

[page 3] lots of angles and still can’t come to any conclusions. Right now I’m the oldest Dr. in the area – I don’t mean age but time spent but they change and I remain. It’s either that the powers that be know a good thing when they see it or that they figure I’m not apt to harm anyone so they just keep me on. I’m not feeling sorry for myself – just trying to be funny. I think I’ll put in for a 10 day leave and go to the sea shore and bask in the sunlight and swim and camp out. That a few years ago would have seemed

[page 4] and would have been an a financial impossibility but at present it could be done just for the asking but somehow it has no appeal whatever at present.

I surely have rambled on in a disjointed way but I mean well.

Glad to hear Mark is on the ball with the 4-H work. Yes I guess we will have to do something about John but it’s a big job with lots of angles.

Hope things are getting along well at this time
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/2015/03/13/new-comers-roscoe/

Paul & Leanna’s Baby (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 29, 1943 envelope

: September 29, 1943, p. 1

: September 29, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Sept. 29 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 18 came today. Also the letter I sent you Apr. 24 came back and I am enclosing it with pictures I had enclosed with that letter. I had addressed it A.P.O. 43 the same as previous letters then but it was returned with all king of markings on it. This is a beautiful warm fall day. Both David & J.L. are out in Taylor Tots enjoying the sunshine. David just took a short nap after his dinner so I put him out as soon as he woke up. Bobby has been out there entertaining them, but got too helpful around Glen & he sent him away – Bobby pushed Martha Zell out of the trailer (they have a trailer to haul things in that stands over by our garden & the children climb around on it). When told to go home Bobby will say, “I don’t have to.” He has an answer for about anything.

Had a letter from your Mother telling about Paul & Leanna’s baby – She has to have a section done. It is a girl Linda Louise. I have three pr. of baby sox I think I’ll send to the new niece. I bought them to give to Mary McGee Arnott but didn’t get them sent out so have decided to send them to Linda instead. I have changed positions – I am sitting out in the yard with the babies. It has been so seldom this summer I have been able to sit down out here. The yard has been nice this summer but the grass isn’t so good in spots now – that crab grass seems to take the back & west side yards every fall. It doesn’t last long but looks awful while it’s here. John finally quit mowing – said he got the biggest job this summer. Mark’s garden didn’t require

[page 2] nearly as much work as the yard. The garden still has beans, tomatoes & carrots we can use. We have enough carrots to store some for winter. Mr. Zell is experimenting with a tile for their vegetables. Buried a tile and filled it with vegetables. I think I’ll just put our carrots in the basement in a jar.

Glen & I sent with Mrs. Zell to Laf. yesterday. I wrote you a v-mail about it. I called Dr. Cole & he said all he was going for Mother now was giving calcium & sedative. He stopped all other treatment because of no results. They have tried ammonium nitrate to reduce the fluid in her abdomen without any results – Insulin to stimulate her appetite – Vit. B shots for the same purpose. Dr. C. said she isn’t good – I thought she looked a little better yesterday but he said it was only temporary.

Glen & Pauline are getting ready to start home. They have been waiting because of Mother but feel they must get back. Glen feels so bad most of the time. Is all chocked up today.

I saw Dr. Ade yesterday for a throat treatment. My throat feels good today but has been bothering me quite a lot since cool weather. I suppose having strep last winter is the cause of this early attack this fall.

I saw Harold Foulkes in town Mon. afternoon and he said his brother-in-law (the Dr.) is back. He was sent South – somewhere around S. America. I heard that Dr. Flack was back from Panama too. However I have not seen anyone yet myself. Just have heard about them being back.

Thanks again for the roses – the pictures rec’d Mon. & the ck. – which I banked that day. When the roses were delivered & Miss Bergen said they were wired from San F. Mark thought you were there and was all excited about it. I told him how it was.

Love Mother

Our Poor Clothes (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 28, 1943 envelope

: September 28, 1943, p. 1

: September 28, 1943, p. 2

: September 28, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 28, 1943

Dear Mother,

You should see our poor clothes on the lines all water soaked from last night’s rain and one section was broken down by a falling coconut branch – I don’t know whose line it was but one of the other fellows fixed it up before I got up. Luckily none of the white clothes got as far as the ground and the khakis don’t show dirt.

I saw several bags of mail this A.M. – hope it is for us at least part of it. However, we can’t complain too much about our mail situation.

[page 2] Now after 1 ½ hour delay – First the chief who is head man with the food supply – Next the personal officer and last the executive officer. I think they are all pleased and happy. The executive officer had a cold – Funny to have a cold in the tropics but they do happen.

Our telephone is a party line with two others. Our ring is two longs but half the time the operator forgets to ring twice and what with the other rings and the ringing for the operator we have a bell going most of the time. I still get a little start every time the phone rings – just a carry over from the old

[page 3] days.

I guess the boys are head over heels in school work by now. Do I know many of the teachers or have they changed? You mentioned in your last letter that Al was able to get the required numbers, etc. Maybe the boys will write me of their teachers, classes, etc., one of these days.

It won’t be long now until I’ll be expecting some pictures of D. at this first year and of course the rest of the family with their Mother included. I like her pictures very much.

More tomorrow
Lots of Love
Daddy

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

Native Day (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 27, 1943 envelope

: September 27, 1943, p. 1

: September 27, 1943, p. 2

: September 27, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 27, 1943

Dear Mother,

No mail yesterday but we hardly expected any since a good bunch came Sat.

This is native day again and it’s getting near the time to go, but I’ll try to get something sensible in this. If I wait until after I’m afraid of missing the mail.

You wrote of Mrs. Dye and her husband’s return and how glad it made you feel. Well, recently I gave an officer a goodly on his return to the USA. Maybe

[page 2] you think that didn’t make me feel good. I should save this as a surprise but I won’t – He is supposed to send you some flowers in time for your birthday. That is the 4^th try so let me know if anything comes thru. I’m really testing my friends and if they don’t respond I’ll strike them off as friends. Of course they have my money and I do hope you will get some pleasure from them contacting you.

I wrote Jim yesterday P.M. in answer to the letter I

[page 3] received from him Sat. There are lots of other letters I’m going to try to answer soon. Namely Ruth M., Uncle W., Ruth Y. and others. I get behind so much anymore but I guess it doesn’t make so much difference so long as I’m able to get yours out each day. To me that is the important thing for it still gives me a lot of satisfaction to write you. That last statement isn’t very clear but I hope you understand what I mean.

I’ll promise more and better tomorrow –
Love Daddy