Tag Archives: World War II

Glenn’s First Wife (Gladys)

3 Replies

: September 18, 1943 envelope

: September 18, 1943, p. 1

: September 18, 1943, p. 2

: September 18, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 18 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Wind, Sand and Stars (1939), a memoir by French aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Yours of Aug. 28 – 31 & Sept. 8 came today – I think you will be able to write a book by the time you come back. I remember reading a book written by a French aviator or some similar rating and I didn’t think it was as interesting as your letter of Aug. 28. Yours of Aug. 31 was answering my letter telling you what Dr. Cole had said about mother’s condition. I was down to see her yesterday & Cole didn’t have much to say about her condition – that is he didn’t seem very hopeful about her recovery – Of course I know or feel that she won’t get well and we can’t do much about it now. Dr. Cole is still giving her Betalin by hypo every day but it doesn’t pick up her appetite any. If I had only known sooner and could have had surgery done – but I didn’t know and it’s too late now for that. Her abdomen is distended so much – Dr. Cole says she is full of fluid.

Glenn is washing the storm windows and the frames – Is going to take down the screens and put the storm windows up. He is going to clean the furnace too. Pauline is cleaning the upstairs. Cleaned Mother’s room and

[page 2] the boy’s room – Is working on our bathroom today. She is a worker. Her parents came from Poland & she is very strong and likes to work. She enjoys doing housework. She & Glenn haven’t much yet in the way of worldly goods – When he got a divorce from Norma he didn’t get anything but his clothes and with the baby coming, haven’t got much ahead. I told them they could have the old washing machine & rug I took out of the den. Glen is going to see about shipping the washer out by freight if it doesn’t cost too much. Glenn has been in pretty good health since living in Nevada and has had steady work but lived with the wrong woman too long to get anything saved. I believe Pauline will take better care of his money. She says she wants a home & their own furniture. I think he & Norma had their furniture but Norma got everything. Glenn doesn’t care to talk much about things but did tell me he should have left her long before he did – she ran around with other men. Pauline said she (Norma) was going with a man whose wife was an invalid, while she & Glen were still married and after Glen & Pauline were the invalid wife died so naturally everyone thought this man & Norma would be married, but after he was free to marry again he married someone else. A little complicated but maybe you can make it out. Elida has been married six times. Now is married to an Ensign in the Navy. Margaret Ann is married to a boy in the Army but Pauline says she doubts if it lasts – M.A. seems to be like her aunt & Mother – enough about such people.

[page 3] David & James L. are both taking naps. I took D. to Laf. yesterday but Dr. Cole was so busy I didn’t get him in to see the Dr. I was starting back to the car & saw Dr. Cole coming back from the Home hospital and talked to him out in the yard. David seems to have the same thing John has – an allergy – maybe Hay fever – maybe something else – One day he has it then the next day its gone – however John’s just stays. I took John to Van Buskirk for his eyes last Sat. then had him go over him for this cough & Van said John didn’t have a cold but some kind of allergy. When Jim was here he said how would John have hay fever – I said he had plenty of bla back ground for it. I have some good pictures of Jim & Glen & I with the babies – will send you one when I get more made. – Just had to stop & put the babies out in the sunshine – They are watching Glen & Mark washing windows.

John has been washing dishes and it’s time for me to do something – as if I haven’t been busy – but had to take time out to write my daily letter. Pauline wanted to know what I wrote about every day – I said just what happens around here. Haven’t had time this week to scan the paper for local news. Bob Hufty called me to invite me to Rotary Mon. eve.

Love – Mother

P.S. – Enclosing a picture of D. & me.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/17/glenns-first-wife-gladys/

Last Three Pictures (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: September 17, 1943 envelope

: September 17, 1943, p. 1

: September 17, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Sept. 17, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

I’m sending the remaining three pictures today and that is all for the present. You will note I don’t appear in any of these. I think you can tell that easily enough.

I mailed you two letters yesterday – one with the pictures and one with the check. I suppose the one with the check will be delayed and the one with the pictures will sail right through. Use the money as you see fit and you possibly have many places for it.

[page 2] The Newton Co. E. came yesterday. The issue of Aug. 5. Most of the news yu had already written, but I did see when Joe Mullens’ mother died and Chas. Molter ran a fork in his head. Both used to be good patients of mine. I often see that in the paper, however, and I just wonder what my competitor tells them and how they are treated in general. I guess as good as most people are medically treated now.

Well, with the pictures I can’t add too much in paper so I’ll promise more next time.

Love Daddy

Construction of the airstrip on the Russell Islands, 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/16/last-three-pictures-roscoe/

900 Points of Beef (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 17, 1943 envelope

: September 17, 1943, p. 1

: September 17, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 17 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

No letters today but have had up to Sept. 6 so can’t complain. I went to Laf. today to see Mother & meet Glen. He left T.H. Tues. eve. & drove thru to Williamsburg without stopping & then started back the same day he got there. If you could see him now with Mark you would never know he had missed any sleep. When we came home from Laf. Mark & John went out to the fair with Statons and after feeding Mark David, I fried some of the new steak for our supper. I went to Sheldon & got some meat this a.m. – the quarter we got was over 130 lbs. It will take over 900 points. I am going over to get the bones when it is cut up and

[page 2] cook the bones to get soup broth. I had never thought of that until someone else told me about doing it.

I saw Dr. Cole a few minutes and he couldn’t give me any encouragement about Mother. – Her abdomen is full of fluid. He is still giving her Betalin every day.

There is so much noise & talking going on around I can hardly think. I saw Sister Celerita today – She has just been put on 3d Main. She was in O.B. three years ago. She was so glad to see me & asked about you. Sisters we knew when you were here are in other hospitals. Only a few are still in St. E. Sister Amelia is now Supt. of Nurses in St. E.

Will try to do better next time.

Love, Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/15/900-points-of-beef-gladys/

Just A Note (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 16, 1943 envelope

: September 16, 1943, p. 1

: September 16, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.
Sept. 16, 1943

Dear Mother,

Two letters today. I had the other letter all mailed when I received the check so just a note with the check enclosed.

You will probably be needing it for hospital exp. The Drs. will probably not charge you but if so don’t pay until I have a chance to see them. Keep as much as you can in the bank for expenses that might come up. I don’t believe I’d try to buy any bonds because there is no point to buying in case and then have to cash them in.

This amount keeps me a little low but I still have enough and will probably draw

[page 2] more by the time I need it for traveling expenses.

You said in your Sept. 3 letter you would send me a financial report in the next letter so it probably will be coming in the next few days.

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/14/just-a-note-roscoe-2/

Better Care (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 16, 1943 envelope

: September 16, 1943, p. 1

: September 16, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Sept. 16, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.

Dear Mother,

Your air mail of Sept. 1, 2, 3 and your v-mail of Aug. 25 came yesterday Eve. It does seem a little funny that Jim should take on the way he does and I think your attitude is swell for after all its that way and nothing seemingly could have altered the situation. The latest supposition of Tuberculosis I have considered a bit also but that to me seems a little unlikely – no need for me to go into the reasons why I think so.

Now about you – your hands, etc. You have the situation solved. A little too much over indulgence in things you shouldn’t eat and also a let down after the responsibility of up & down stair etc. By all means, if possible, keep your mother in the hospital. She will get better care there and it won’t be so hard on you. The trips will not be as hard as

[page 2] taking care of her.

It sure made me feel good that the letters I write give you a lift. The compliments you know I sincerely mean and of course you know all along how I feel so anytime you feel low just consider how I feel about you. I know you like to hear those things and I like to write them because it makes me much more proud of you just for me to write them because for if I didn’t feel that way I couldn’t write that way. The above may sound considerably mixed up but I mean well.

You will find some pictures. I’m not humpbacked as that one makes me look. None of the pictures are good of me but maybe you will enjoy them some what.

Love Daddy

[Editor’s note: The pictures that Roscoe refers to do not appear to be part of the collection, although the picture below might be one of them.]

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/13/better-care-roscoe/

A Broken Slat (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter translation:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
9-14-43 [sic 9-16?]

Dear Daddy – Pauline & I went to Laf. today. We stopped to see Mother then went to shop then returned to the hospital. I called Dr. Cole. He is giving Mother Vit. B shots every day but she isn’t eating any better. She had quite a lot of distention of the bowel today. He said he couldn’t see that she is any better. Her supper came while we were there but she wouldn’t eat much. Alma came out & kept the babies. She said they weren’t any trouble. Both took naps while she was here. She was going out to the fair this evening with Jack & the boys. Mark went with Zells after school. He won third prize on baking and third on vegetables. He is home now and I just ordered him up to the bath tub. John had to do the furnace work this evening and came up sneezing. I have been letting him out of the furnace work recently because of his hay fever. Your letter of Sept. 3 came today. Glad you rec’d another picture. More are on the way and have some being developed today. David broke a slat on the venetian blind at the south den window. I moved his pen so he can’t reach it now & glued the blind slat together. He is always reaching for something he shouldn’t have & climbing out of things – I wonder what his Daddy would do about the climbing urge – Seems it is more than spankings can take care of.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/02/12/a-broken-slat-gladys/

Yaws Disease (Roscoe)

5 Replies

: September 15, 1943 envelope

: September 15, 1943, p. 1

: September 15, 1943, p. 2

: September 15, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Sept. 14, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.

Dear Mother,

I don’t know if I mentioned it before but we recently received a new doctor boos boss here and he is interested in taking care of the natives so he has deputized me to go with him one day each week or rather he has ordered me to do this and so far he has gone with me. You will note the pictures. We didn’t know the pictures were being taken except of course the group picture – There are eight pictures in all and I’ll send some each in the next few letters. They aren’t good of me or the other Dr. but some of the natives are good. I will comment some on them but not too much. You can easily see our operating table and some of our

[page 2] patients. In one you can see a dog under the table chewing on a nasty old bandage we removed after one week’s time. We rushed the dog away as soon as we saw him but the picture was taken before we knew it was there. The building back of us is the church. The picture with the light streak was the one I wanted to turn out good. I got clear over on the end and tried to get between two women but one woman is completely blocked out by another just in front of her. What do you think of the South Sea Island Glamor girls?

Many of these natives have Yaws, a disease that resembles syphilis and that is what we are treating and we seem to be getting good results. We spend about 2 hours there each week. They are not on the Island we are but on one of the neighboring group.

[page 3] You will note the date of this letter is Sept. 14. I’m writing this at night because tomorrow is inspection day of other camps and in order to finish in one day I’ll have to start early and be gone most of the day so I’ll just add a note in the morning.

Sept. 15. A.M.

Just happened to think I’m the one without the cap in case you can’t tell me from the other Dr. or the natives.

I’ll send you a check in a day or two so be on the lookout for that and more pictures.

Must get going now so
Lots of Love
Daddy

[Editor’s note: None of the photographs that Roscoe mentions appear to exist in the family papers.]

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/2015/02/11/yaws-disease-roscoe/

Another Chilly Day (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 15, 1943 envelope

: September 15, 1943, p. 1

: September 15, 1943, p. 2

: September 15, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 15 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another chilly day. The sun did shine and we got a washer of clothes dry. We have to wash every day with 2 babies in the house. James L. is so different from David. James L. will stay put any place. He can be left on the bath table, couch, bed, play chair, Taylor Tot or anywhere – David climbs out of anything but his bed & play pen and has for months. This evening Pauline was holding David and said James L. is much easier to hold. David won’t sit still – just wants to climb all over a person. I often wonder what his Daddy would do about his urge to move around all the time – Maybe just like we do – just try to keep him from getting a fall. I put a pr. of corduroy overalls on him today and J. & M. thought he looked like a boy should look. He still has long hair, but it curls up around his neck & his Mother can’t cut

[page 2] it off – she keeps saying she will give him a hair cut when he is a yr. old. I think I know what Daddy would say – “give that boys a hair cut.”

Uncle Wes & Aunt J. were here enroute to C.C. this a.m. – Uncle has lost 30 lbs. & doesn’t look so good. Has had a bronchial cough that has taken him down.

J. & M. have gone to the fair tonite with Zells. They had grand stand seats. I made them wear wraps. It is so cool they need heavy coats – but didn’t want to wear anything. It’s hard to think it is so cool this early in the fall. Mrs. Zell said today it looked like snow. Of course it didn’t snow but the clouds would look like snow clouds sometimes.

I have to meet Glenn in Laf. tomorrow & see Mother. David seems to have a little cold or it may be an allergy – I can’t tell and I want Dr. Cole to see him. Since John has his fall allergy too or it may be just a cold. This cool weather so early is a good excuse for colds.

Arlene called me today. She hasn’t any help yet and it keeps her busy doing everything. I asked her to go to Laf. with me but said

[page 3] it was so hard for her to get away now. She has to have everything prepared for meals before she leaves. I really feel sorry for the girl because she isn’t too strong and with this other baby coming has her hands full.

I havne’t had time to get John & Mark down to writing you again but will try over the week-end to get them to. John has a teacher (Band) Clements from Jasonville – He knows Floyd & says he knew of you. He and John had quite a chat one evening after school. I know only a few teachers so far – Al had to hire so many new ones this fall.

My hands are all over the “spell” they had but are tender and burn this evening from running out to the clothes line today. Pauline is cleaning house for me while they are here. She got the little bedroom cleaned today & wants to clean the boys’ room tomorrow. She is a hard worker & clean. A lot different from Norma. She wasn’t much on the work order. She says Glen will take the screens down & put on the storm windows. He wants to wait a few days to see about Mother before they start back. He is much heavier than he used to be. His asthma isn’t as bad now that is it cooler.

It’s about time for the boys to come home from the fair.

Love – Mother

Stage Door Canteen (Roscoe)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Sept. 14, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

Somehow we missed mail yesterday; the first time in several days but the service has been so good lately that we have no right to complain – only hope that is won’t be too many days before more comes in.

The show last night was “Stage Door Canteen.” There was a host of stars in it and it was a fair show. The thing that struck me funny at the show and always does is the reactions of the audience. A good musical number is received with very little attention. Not long ago an actress sang a semi-opera (I guess that is what it’s called) and the boys made so much noise in a discussed [disgusted] fashion the song couldn’t be heard, and then let some blond just walk on to the stage and the cheering really is stupendous. I guess it’s [a] distorted sense of what’s right and wrong. If the audience at home carried on at trivial things like they do out here anyone could write a play with success, but I guess it’s youth away from civilization and that is bound to be a little

[page 2] distorting.

I suppose the weather back there is really getting pleasant and frost can be expected at any time – the leaves turning brown – smokey Indian Summer days – flies crowing around the screen doors at night – The air filled with bugs at night and numerous other things characteristic of Indiana at this time of year. Can dream I guess. Missing those things 2 years in succession makes one remember wonder if he really can remember that far back. If I’m incorrect about the above correct me please. Maybe living in a land of eternal green makes one forget and maybe one living there without getting into the tropics don’t appreciate those things. I don’t believe I did, at least not to the fullest extent. Of course maybe I’m a little prejudice in my view point just now, and possibly to ye use that old Edwards saying – “What all that meat & no vegetable?”

I’ve written enough nonsense so to be more sensible I’ll say solong until tomorrow and

Love from Daddy

Family Photographs (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 14, 1943 envelope

: September 14, 1943, p. 1

: September 14, 1943, p. 2

: September 14, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Sept. 14 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but rec’d 5 yesterday and David’s birthday letter. I’ll put that $2⁰⁰ toward another bond for him. He & James L. keep things lively around here. Jim wanted his car at Norfolk but he & Thelma were afraid to risk driving it back so they are to start back this afternoon by train & Glenn is bring the car for them, and come back on the train. He is to be in Laf. Fri. This is Tues. We plan to go to see Mother tomorrow then again Fri. & meet Glenn too. Pauline wants to do some shopping tomorrow for J.L.

Alma Walker called me this afternoon to inquire about things and told me before if there is anything she can do, will be glad to, so she is going to stay here tomorrow afternoon with the babies. They are both good and not as hard to take care of as two yr. olds. Alma had Dr. Van B. work on her nose Sat. & said he tortured her. She said she still has a headache from it. John sure had hay fever – or whatever it is he has – this morning. Said he hated

[page 2] to go to school – he was sneezing so – his eyes were red and he coughed. I believe we will have to do something about his condition in another year. Last fall he had a mild case. – This year it’s more pronounced. I imagine it will get worse every year unless we can do something for him. I had picked some flowers for Glenn & Jim to take to the hospital and had some marigolds. Glenn said he could feel the pollen from them the minute I brought them into the room. Said it just seemed to go right up his nostrils. I haven’t yet found anything that bothers John but I suppose it is some kind of vegetation. Probably marigolds. Arlene said they couldn’t raise them in their garden because of Bobby’s hay fever.

We took some pictures today before Glenn & Jim left of all of us with the two babies – that is Jim, Glenn, Pauline & I. J. & M. were in school. I do hope they are good so I can send you a few. We are out of film so Boonie loaned us his Kodak with five shots left on the roll. Jim was wearing his blue uniform. He had to get has coupons from the ration board to drive the car to Va. Thelma got them at T.H. but he needed gas to get from here to T.H. so had to go to the board here. They gave him coupons for 10 gal.

[page 3] Mrs. Roberts called me last night to inquire about the family. She has kept in touch with me all summer either by phone or coming over. I have called her too but haven’t been over but once early in the spring. Of course we always talk about you & Joe & wonder when you will get to come home.

Mark has green beans, carrots, Swiss chard, onions and cake on exhibit at the Fair. He got a free pass by exhibiting for 4-H. He did the baking entirely by himself – no one was in the kitchen when he made the cake.

David is in the play pen making a little fuss & James L. is in the play chair banging things around. Yesterday morning I called to John to get David’s bottle and David said “dah, dah” right after me so we have been trying to get him to say John. Once in a while he will say “dah” after we say John. He is making a fuss now so I’ll have to see about him. He pulls everything down he can get his hands on if we don’t watch him. I was talking over the phone & he was in the Taylor-Tot and I turned around just in time to catch him – He won’t stay put in anything he can climb out of.

Love Mother