Tag Archives: World War II

This Coming Winter (Roscoe)

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: September 7, 1943 envelope

: September 7, 1943, p. 1

: September 7, 1943, p. 2

: September 7, 1943, p. 3

: September 7, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Sept. 7, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Your letter of Aug. 23 came yesterday telling of Mark’s injury. I suppose I can truthfully say never a dull moment for you. I could write words of sympathy for you but I don’t believe you wish to much of that and instead I’ll praise because I think you did the correct thing for in seeing a Dr. because in wounds of that type a tendon could easily be cut and would result in a stiff thumb but I’m sure Dr. Altier wouldn’t let anything like that pass. So I can truthfully

[page 2] say you scored again in doing what I think best.

A letter from Wayne W. came yesterday also – He was terribly worried because he hadn’t heard from me. I wrote him several weeks ago so he shouldn’t have to worry now. I think he is as “fussy” as he used to be.

I never did hear from Dr. Cole but I’m sure you are doing everything that can be done for your mother. Surgery would subject her to shock which would cause much more suffering and certainly it wouldn’t help under the circumstances. So please don’t feel that you are not doing everything that can be done.

[page 3] We still hear lots about how long our tour of duty out here will be but nothing is certain. I do believe however that our bunch will be relieved sometime this coming winter. We will probably freeze is that is the case because we have been in this hot for so long but I think I can stand a little cold. At least we are looking forward to relief but when I say winter that includes a considerably wide margin of time. We often discuss the possibilities among ourselves but that doesn’t help only it gives us something interesting to talk about.

You must have had a nice birthday party for John and I

[page 4] imagine D. will have one also. John & Mark will probably get as much kick out of it as D. I guess I should have said more kick. D. doesn’t seemed to have slowed down very much in his walking and getting around. John & Mark will probably make him all full of ego but that can be deflated if it goes too far so no need to worry on that score.

Well Dear I know you are doing the very best you know how with all your problems and I’m still all out for you so I’ll help 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/2015/01/27/this-coming-winter-roscoe/

Spiders (Gladys)

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: September 7, 1943 envelope

: September 7, 1943, p. 1

: September 7, 1943, p. 2

: September 7, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 7 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Yours of Aug. 23 came today. It has been cool today. My hands are in the pealing stage & very tender. This cooler weather makes them very rough & sensitive. However I think in a few days they will be normal again. At least I think they won’t swell again.

Funks came back yesterday. I took the birthday gifts I had for Bobby & Donnie & had a chat with Arlene. She was wearing slacks and didn’t look any larger than three weeks ago. She says she thinks it will be a girl this time because so far she isn’t as large as before. Bobby didn’t have hay fever while they were at the Lake but has a little now. He was out this morning looking for someone to play with. Donnie walks alone now but Arlene keeps him in the pen. He is so heavy (25 lbs.) he broke the bottom out of the pen. Arlene says he is learning to climb and thinks he won’t stay in much longer. I was going to the groc. store so did some shopping for Arlene. She said the lost three

[page 2] of their ration books while away. I don’t know whether they can get replacements or not. Fords were closed – saw in the paper they would be closed Sept. 6-7-8 – for what reason I don’t know – but when we went to town Arlene wanted her groc. from Bairs – and people were crowded in there, (that 5 P.M. rush you can remember) mostly around the meat counter – and for cold meats – Bairs just don’t have much any more but prepared meat. While in there I saw Ruth Dixon and she said it was the first time she had seen David. I noticed Tommy and his teeth are nearly all decayed in front – I suppose the back ones are the same. He is growing but still small. I was introduced to a Mrs. Lyons (living in Barce house). I thought I was back in Va. – when I told her you hadn’t seen David she said “ah declare.” Mrs. Lyons was with Cecil Dixon – Must be a southerner.

I didn’t go to Laf. today, but plan to go tomorrow. Mrs. Zell wants to go and said she would drive their car so ours can get a rest. – however I haven’t driven much lately – to Laf. & back last Sun. – and that was the first time down there in two weeks. I just hope the Dr. will have some definite report to give on Mother.

Jim called last night. He has plane reservations and is coming to Indpls. Sat. or Sun. He will have his tal car taken to Indpls. And will drive up to Laf. from Indpls. & we will meet him there at the hospital when he gets there. He is to call us upon arrival.

[page 3] As cool as it is I wouldn’t be surprised at an early frost and we still have beans & tomatoes in the garden. We have lots of carrots and I noticed Swiss chard that I thought wasn’t going to do anything. There will be enough for a meal or two. I haven’t had much time to go to the garden – went out to see about tomatoes yesterday but didn’t try to pick any – left that job to Mark – I was afraid to touch a tomatoe vine.

Yesterday I was sweeping the spider webs out of the windows on the outside – they had covered the kitchen, dining room & living room windows and found a large yellow spider that Mark & Virginia captured in a jar & took to school. Mark found a black & yellow one on Funk’s shrubbery today and has it penned up in a jar to take to school. I told him to get it out of sight but it is on the desk.

John is doing homework – David is in bed asleep and I feel like I could go to sleep right now. I woke up some time in the early morning – got up to see about D. He was wet so I changed him – he woke up so had to put him in bed with me to quiet him down – he didn’t cry after I put him in our bed but would jabber – so I couldn’t go to sleep until he did – then I overslept – and David was warm and he overslept. It was 8:15 when I looked at the clock – you can imagine the scramble to get J. & M. off to school – J. didn’t recover from the rush all day –

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/26/spiders-gladys/

Telephone Poles on a Fast Train (Roscoe)

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: September 6, 1943

: September 6, 1943, p. 1

: September 6, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.
Sept. 6, 1943

Dear Mother,

I missed writing yesterday because I just didn’t have the chance so must also write the folks because I missed them also but won’t be able to get to theirs until this P.M. It seems that time is one thing I don’t have a lot of these days but I like it that way because the days go by like telephone poles on a fast train. It’s been that way the past week and seems as if it will continue.

Your letter of Aug. came late Sat. P.M. and that was the third day in succession that mail came – so we are really spoiled again.

[page 2] I have a little trip to make again today and I’m in a little hurry but I’m trying to take enough time to write you a few sensible lines. Don’t get the idea I’m being overworked because I’m not and what I am doing is a pleasure.

Today is laundry day and it looks as if it will be a good day – at home it’s Labor day but we don’t seem to pay any attention to that.

I promise to do better tomorrow –
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/2015/01/25/telephone-poles-on-a-fast-train-roscoe/

Labor Day 1943 (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
9-6-43

Dear Daddy – Yours of Aug. 22 came today – This being Labor Day there was no delivery but Mark went to the P.O. to mail some things & got the mail. You mentioned in your letter about when you were 13 and Armistice Day you got out of school and had to shuck corn. John said he had to do so much today it reminded him of your holiday. We washed and John had to mow the lawn. The lawn is hard to work on now – the back yard is full of crab grass. Mark picked enough tomatoes to can several qts. I was looking for rubber gloves to work in them. My hands being tender from the recent attack I am about over & I am afraid to put them in tomatoes. I did intend to go to Laf. tomorrow but may wait until Wed. Dr. Cole said he would call me when they get a report. They were to give Mother barium again this a.m. by mouth to try and get an X-Ray. I am afraid the way her abdomen looked Sun. she has a bowel obstruction. That is what Dr. Cole & Baylee both say. I saw Mrs. Dye today and her husband is back in the States and is getting to come home for ten days. He has been in Hawaii all the time. To hear of anyone else coming back gives me hope of your early return. Gail was so happy – it made me feel good to see her so elated. David is tucked in bed for the night – John & Mark are washing dishes. I have some ironing to do – J. & M. go back to school tomorrow for a few days before County Fair interrupts.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/24/labor-day-1943-gladys/

New Meat Locker (Gladys)

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: September 5, 1943 envelope

: September 5, 1943, p. 1

: September 5, 1943, p. 2

: September 5, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 5 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Went to the hospital today. I stopped on the way in to see Dr. Cole at his house because I wanted to talk to him directly. He said they tried to give Mother an enema for X-ray & she couldn’t retain it long enough to get a picture. He said they had ordered the barium given by mouth and when I got there she had had it and thrown it right up. I noticed her abdomen looked distended – Dr. Cole had Baylee & McC. See her. Baylee says she has a bowel obstruction – I believe she has from the looks of things. I called Cole when I left the hospital to come home and told him about the throwing up. He said he would order no breakfast & see if she could keep it down without food. The other [order] was given shortly after her dinner today. I intend to go back again Tues. Marie Steinbaugh has to go for her X-ray treatment at the clinic & she may go along with me. If you missed my letter about her – she had one breast removed (cancer) and has to take treatment regularily now.

I saw Mary McGee Arnott in the hospital this afternoon – She has a baby girl – her husband was shipped out

[page 2] and she didn’t know where – when the baby was born and doesn’t know yet for sure but is guessing on England. She was permitted to send a cable however – more than we could do. – so maybe he will know he has a daughter and not the son he wanted, before you knew about our David. I believe you got the word about D. Oct. 20 & he was a month old Oct. 23.

I was going to take the family along this afternoon but Dorothy asked to keep David then Mark said he would stay too so John & I went to Laf. and D. & M. stayed at Krulls. When we got back Nick & D. had their dinner ready & invited us to eat with them so we had dinner at the restaurant – They are closed all day Sun. They had just had their breakfast when we left for Laf. this afternoon. They had a pork roast, mashed potatoes, cauliflower, baked squash, gravy, bread & butter. They told me Tom Spencer has bought the Shell Station. He was running the Crown Dairy – but evidently not too good. Cochrans are closing down now & Spencers are reopening Sept. 14. This restaurant business around Kentland isn’t what it used to be. You can’t drop in any place, any time, any more and get a meal. It is almost to the point of getting to eat by appointment. Maybe not that bad but not what it used to be.

[page 3] It doesn’t bother us any because we eat at home. Which is a problem I will have to work on next week with Glens, Juanita & possibly Jim coming. I am going to turn in my meat coupons for the beef I am getting so will have to collect meat tickets from the guests. It puts me in a spot – I have to turn in the meat stamps before I can use any of the meat but I think we will get along. There is a locker to be put either in Kentland or Brook. I have signed up & pd. $10⁰⁰. If it isn’t built here we get our money back & continue with Sheldon. The Government is allowing just so many to be guilt & I think there can’t be one here & at Brook so the town that hurries the fastest will get the locker. There has to be 300 signers.

I slipped up on your Mother’s birthday gift but am sending her a towel, wash cloth & hankie. She will get it a day or two late but she will know we thought about her. I was getting the package ready at the store and the P.O. closed before I got it finished. Then too Mon. being Labor Day there won’t e any mail delivery so guess it will get to her just as soon mailed tonight.

I sent you some pictures in yesterday’s letter. Your latest was Aug. 21. Rec’d Fri last. It is getting late and I want Mark to take this to the P.O. tonight so it will go out early in the morning. My hands are much better. Guess the H.C.L. still works. I am beginning to peal off – still some places yet to dry up but it doesn’t bother me.

Love – Mother

Gladys (January 1943)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/23/new-meat-locker-gladys/

Going Native (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 4, 1943 envelope

: September 4, 1943, p. 1

: September 4, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Sept. 4, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran. Cal.

Dear Mother,

Your air mail written Aug. 17 and v-mail written Aug. 18 came yesterday – Those were a day behind the letter received yesterday. We seem to be in one of those periods when mail comes in very regular and I’ve gotten my fingers crossed about the next few days but maybe it won’t be so bad – we hope.

Yesterday I had occasion to see and go thru a native village. I had been to one before but not as thorough as yesterday. Before they were more sky and it was only when leaving did any of the women show up but they in the village we visited yesterday went on about their affairs. The amusing thing to me was the humaness of these people. Little boys about 5-10 years old – running around laughing just like any other kids – and girls in their early teens giggling just like in the U.S.A. All men & women of course clothed only to

[page 2] the waist line but a perfect indifference relative to breasts. The only inhibition I saw was in a woman was her quick removal of her pipe from her mouth when the chief of the tribe asked her to show her baby to us. This she inserted dagger like between her skin and the belt of her skirt. Life in that village seems simple and free. Those people are free from worry but I have a feeling that only half of them are there. I mean the death rate is probably very high and only the fittest survive. Their 24 hours seems to be divided into two parts dark & daylight. Fruits growing wild, wild sweet potatoes, fish and a meager garden are their industries. They don’t like to work and will not unless forced to do so and they aren’t forced at present. A few of the most enterprising make grass skirts and mats to sell to gullible service men – So far I haven’t bought any because too much uncleaniless to suit me and dust collectors later on – or would you like to wear a grass skirt?

It seems I went native today
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/2015/01/22/going-native-roscoe/

Moving the Furniture (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 4, 1943 envelope

: September 4, 1943, p. 1

: September 4, 1943, p. 2

: September 4, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Sept. 4 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

This is a typical Sept. day. It is raining – not hard but has been raining most all day. The humidifier shows “high” (60). It isn’t cold, but just pleasant. I am feeling better than when I wrote yesterday. My hands are going down – due partly to H.C.L. and rest. I didn’t do much yesterday. This being Sat. J. & M. are home and we have been doing some furniture re-arranging – The grand piano caused that change – otherwise I wouldn’t be moving things. I think they look right one way and don’t care to keep shifting. The piano is in front of the French doors, davenport at other end of room. The two slip covered chairs where the davenport used to sit with the gateleg table between with magazines for reading. The blue barrel chair is on the north of the fireplace with footstool in front. The radio sits on other side of fireplace. John says he doesn’t like the new

[page 2] arrangement, but I felt crowded with davenport next to the piano. The desk is now in dining room where antique table was sitting – antique table now sits in n.w. corner of living room. John wanted to place the radio where it is so we had to move your smoking stand away – That bothered him so I placed it by the wing chair – which sits next to the piano now. A lot of “lady stuff,” John would say.

I am enclosing pictures taken for David’s 11^th month and John’s 13^th birthday. He had jarred the camera several times taking my picture so when we saw his this time he said, “Now who jarred the camera?” You can see Glenn’s baby along with David. As I told you David is taller. James L. will sit where he is put (8 mo. old Sept. 11) and can be put on the bath table and left – we couldn’t leave David on the bath table unguarded from the time he could turn over. Can’t leave him anyplace now except in bed or pen without watching him. He wants to reach or climb all the time. His hair curls up on rainy days – however the curls don’t show up in any pictures. I wish I could get a good picture of the back of his head so you could see how curley it is. It’s a gold brown color now. Doesn’t look like it will turn as

[page 3] bond as John & Mark’s did at this age. He just awakened from a nap and seems to be a little unhappy about something. He loves to get out of his pen and walk around things – note the picture of him by the lawn chair – does he love to be turned out in the yard to walk around the chairs.

I started writing cks. today – haven’t pd. The groc. bills yet but pd. my ins., auto ins. & a few other little items. Have a bal. of 213⁰⁰ but still have to pay your Laf. pol. (Oct. 7) and the groc. Bills so that bal. will be taken down some. I just opened the bill from Loebs and it’s 50⁰⁰ but I had to get the boys some school clothes and got myself two pr. of shoes at once because I found two pr. that would fit. I am not going to try & pay Ruth & Earl anything yet – but will keep buying bonds and maybe we will have enough bonds to pay them off some day – so far we have 21 – 18⁷⁵ and 6 – 37⁵⁰ – John has 2 – 18⁷⁵ David has 2 – 18⁷⁵ & Mark almost has two. He has one and enough stamps for another. It looks like the sun is coming out but afraid it’s too late in the day to dry clothes.

Had a letter from Ruthie and they think Floyd will be up for examination again. So many men around here are feeling the breath of the draft bd. on their necks. Well this is war so we can expect to see them go.

Love Mother

John on his 13th birthday, August 1943

4 Striper (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: September 3, 1943 envelope

: September 3, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Sept. 3, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

Yours of Aug. 18 came yesterday. You mentioned my mother being there and that you were going to Lafayette to have the cast removed from D.’s leg. I’ll bet that is a relief for you as well as for him.

The picture you sent I thought was very good of you but not so good of D. It wasn’t bad of him – He was in a cute pose.

I’m in a pretty big hurry again this morn. So probably won’t be able to write any lengthy or verbose letter because I’m holding up a 4 striper again and that doesn’t go over so big especially from his direction.

So will promise my to do much better next time
Love Daddy

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

A Real Old Fashion Dose (Gladys)

1 Reply

: September 3, 1943 envelope

: September 3, 1943, p. 1

: September 3, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Sept. 3 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Aug. 18 – 20 & 21 came today – The one of the 18^th was the best – you were complimenting me all thru it and of course I always feel better when I get such compliments, especially from you. In rereading – the one of Aug. 21 was pretty good too. Don’t worry about tiring me with such letters when you feel like writing that way.

I haven’t done much today due to my hands – Yes I have a real old fashion dose of it this time – I had been eating peaches and then made lemonade a few times and now I just have to sit and not so much – I am taking H.C.L. acid each meal. The food was partly to blame but usually this condition is the culmination of something else. I was more or less worried about Mother and taking care of her along with David’s care and having company – it’s all adds up. Well Mother is in the hospital now, the company is gone for a week, J. & M. are in school and

[page 2] David & I can take things easier. I have rested twice today – that is lying down. After lunch I took him out in the yard and we enjoyed the sunshine about an hour and a half. I think a few days like today will clear things up. Fortunately I didn’t have on the ring I have had cut off before. Dorothy came out a while to see David. They still close from 11 to 3 – so she doesn’t have to be there during that time. They haven’t any help so Nick cooks & she serves. Bob said yesterday the Shell is going to close – I suppose due to help shortage. The bakery put on a new front about are ready to open for business again. They closed during their remodeling.

Chet Hall is painting Link’s house and if I am any judge of paint jobs it’s not as good as some I have seen. Can’t be too critical I suppose with the man power shortage.

I’ll give you the financial figures in next letter – haven’t the bank statement yet.

David is out in the yard with Mark & Zell girls entertaining him. John went to play for the Newton Co. Home Ec. Club at Mrs. John Simons after school. He didn’t relish the idea but consented – Said he didn’t want to play for a bunch of women.

Love – Mother

Collection of Pictures (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: September 2, 1943 envelope

: September 2, 1943, p. 1

: September 2, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Sept. 2, 1943
Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

I believe summer is returning for it seems the weather is more continuously hot than previously – maybe it’s just my imagination.

A few days ago I received a letter from Red & Ruby Brewer – It was the second one. I answered the first and in it I said I was surprised that they remembered me. And she said there was never a day passed but what my name was mentioned because Charles in his prayers each night asked my protection and she said it was a mouth full but he got it out. She is going to send a picture of him. I’ll really have a collection of pictures, Funks, Walkups, the Warrick grandson. I can remember that name – you know out north of town – Seems so darn funny but those names get away so easy but then I forget it’s been well over 1½ years since I’ve seen many of those people or about 1½ years I guess.

[page 2] Took dinner out last evening – Their food wasn’t any better than ours but it was a change. It was a group of medical men only – I almost felt out of place since most of my dealings have been with line officers. At least we have no medical arguments when only line officers are present.

There has been some U.S.O. men with us the past few days. Ray Whitley a singer of cowboy sons as well as a movie actor in the same class is with them. They are good if you like that kind of entertainment and the men sure go for it in a big way and I suppose that justifies the program. Men only are sent – I’m sure if women were on the program it would take more guards than somewhat to keep the crowd from overrunning the entertainers because these kids are as a rule pretty women crazy and some of the officers like to brag as to what might happen when once back to civilization which I think only makes more dissatisfaction.

Love Daddy