Tag Archives: World War II

Back From St. E. (Gladys)

: September 2, 1943 envelope

: September 2, 1943, p. 1

: September 2, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Sept. 2 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Just back from St. E. We took Mother down in the ambulance. She stood the trip very well. Bob has a rubber sponge mattress on the cot & put a feather bed on top of that. We left the feather bed at the hospital. I asked the sister at the desk if we could put it on Mother’s bed & she consented. Also took her pillows along. She seemed very comfortable when I left. Dr. Cole came & ordered her some glucose. She was getting it when I left. He is having Baylee & McClelland see her tomorrow. I will let you know the report when I get it Sunday.

Glenn & Pauline & James L. went on to Penna. Today. I didn’t want to take Mother to the hospital while they were here. She says she wants to be back home by the time they come back thru on their way home but I told Dr. Cole to discourage her in that

[page 2] if he thinks she should stay longer. Will see what X-ray shows & what the other Drs. think. Dr. Cole said she had fluid in her bowels this evening when he examined her and it might mean T.B. of the bowel but he wouldn’t say anything definite without X-ray.

Alma W. called me today & said they had tomatoes she couldn’t can so gave me almost a bu. With all the Victory Gardens there still seems to be not enough tomatoes. I canned 9 qt. before going to the hospital. Will get at least 6 qt. tomorrow. I think Alma appreciates you more every day – your absence and other Dr. fees make her appreciate how generous you were. I imagine she things about the many treatments you threw in extra when she give me grapes, tomatoes, etc. She has a cold now & is almost down with it.

I want to go to bed early – last night & the night before I didn’t get enough rest. The boys go to school for a full day tomorrow. It will seem quiet around here with only D. & I. He won’t know what to do with everyone one but me gone. I think we will get along – don’t you?

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/17/back-from-st-e-gladys/

A New Policy (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: September 1, 1943 envelope

: September 1, 1943, p. 1

: September 1, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Sept. 1, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 60 San. Fran. Cal.

Dear Mother,

I’m not under so much pressure this A.M. so maybe I won’t write so erratic. Yesterday I received a letter from Mom and one from Ruby & Red Brewer. Mom told all about Earl’s wedding and also said she was planning on coming up your way again. I hope she can be helpful to you while she is there.

This being the month of Sept. it will start to be cool again at least you will have some cool spells which should be of some help to you. It at least makes us feel good to think that the weather may be cool again some place.

I don’t believe I mentioned it but I had a letter from Dolores 2 days ago – she had to work on a Sun. just more or less be there so she wrote a real nice long letter. She still seems to like her work real well. Said her boyfriend had been away about 1 year in Cuba and she sure wished he could get a furlough – who else would like something like that? I believe there is going to be a policy adopted relative to

[page 2] tour of duty out here and I’m very tickled that I got out as early as I did, but don’t build too high hopes for too soon a return, this I believe is true. That I can expect to spend as much time in the USA as out here so that is something to look forward to.

As soon as I’m able I’ll send you all the excess money I can – always keeping on hand enough for travel – but I think on the next pay day I’ll be able to send some of course that will not be until about the middle of this month. If you need money you can cash in a few bonds or let bills run until I can send extra money home – don’t let it worry you because they can’t be too tough if we can’t meet expenses right on the dot.

I guess by now D. is out of the cast and as active as ever and that probably is a relief for you.

Well, I’ve written about all I can think of for the moment and I’ve also exhausted the space so
Lots of Love –
Daddy

Earl and Imogene Yegerlehner, 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/16/a-new-policy-roscoe/

First Day of School (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
9-1-43

Dear Daddy –

First day of school. Mark sold his books and bought new books this year. Said he wanted new clean books – said those old books last year was the cause of his low grades – Is that a new one? John is using his from last year plus a new one or two. Al finally got new teachers he needed. No school tomorrow due to institute, but school Fri. Glen & family are going on to Penna. Tomorrow & coming back here next week. Mother doesn’t want to go back to the hospital but if I can get an air mattress for her think she will be willing to go. It is awfully hot again and makes her feel so bad. Have been so busy so far today haven’t been up to see how she feels – the rest of the family have done the running up and down today. I’ll go up now and see what she wants if anything. Glen has washed & polished his car & now going to give ours the works. He & Mark are working together. David is looking on from the taylor tot. James L. is asleep in the buggy. Yours of Aug. 19 came yesterday. Alma Walker brought me some grapes. Made juice to can for jelly later. Haven’t gotten any other canning done this week. Not much to can now but tomatoes.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/15/first-day-of-school-gladys/

Don’t Blame Yourself (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 31, 1943 envelope

: August 31, 1943, p. 1

: August 31, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 31, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.P.

Dear Mother,

Your letter of Aug. 16 came today and in it you stated what Dr. Cole had said about your Mother. As I told you before that was my first thought from the case as you wrote about it. Don’t blame yourself because there was no operation etc. – because that would have been more rapid and much more suffering from the dressing stand point etc. It’s just one of those things and nothing would have changed the course of the thing. I wish it were possible for you to get help but I suppose that is out of the question – so for goodness sake don’t worry and fume too much. Get a graduate nurse if you can. You know from experience what and how the termination will be so that will prepare you. It seems a shame I can’t be there to help you but as I said before this war is bigger than families and we just have to make the best of it. You know I’m back of you 100% but I also realize

[page 2] that I’m sitting out here writing and telling you what to do but Dear Dear you know I’m thinking of you and if thoughts will help your problems won’t be so hard.

Call Ruth M. if you need help for she has told me that in case you need help to let her know. Good old Ruth we can always depend on her.

This letter is a little jumbled up because it’s hard for me to say what I really feel in a case of this kind and there is also some pressure here for a3 striper is waiting on me and a two striper can’t do that too long – but when I get out of this uniform I sure can.

Well Dear I’ll try to get collected before tomorrow –
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/2015/01/14/dont-blame-yourself-roscoe/

Glenn (Gladys)

3 Replies

: August 31, 1943 envelope

: August 31, 1943, p. 1

: August 31, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug. 31 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another typical hot Aug. day. Glen, Pauline & James L. arrived here yesterday afternoon. Glenn is so stopped up he can hardly breathe but says he thinks he can stand it until they get back to Nevada. Of course this is the worst time during the year for them to be here. James L. is a big fat boy – weighs more than David but David isn’t a weakling by any means – David is more streamlined than James L. Pauline feeds him by the “book” – he gets canned milk too. They are going on to Penn. Thurs. and come back next week. I wrote Jim so maybe he can get leave and be here while Glen is here. Mother wants them to be here together. Juanita is planning to come too. I certainly have had company this summer. Since I couldn’t go anyplace it has been nice having our relatives here. I am trying to write in competition with the rest of the family and seem not to be making much progress. Dora Diedam was here this afternoon and I was talking to her about getting an air mattress fixed up for Mother at the hospital. Dora is to go back to the hospital Monday in OB. She went to Indpls. Last week and took the Sister Kinney course for treatment of Polio. She is all enthused about it.

[page 2] We washed today – Pauline had so much to do. They were very enthusiastic about the Bendix. Pauline told Glen that was what she needed. They aren’t on the market now. Foulkes wanted to buy one & couldn’t.

Yours of Aug. 19 came today – also J. & M.’s came. They will do their own answering. I have all I can take care of myself.

Chet Hall is painting Staton’s house. The paint Sandy put on last year pealed off in spots. Link said he had paint left over from when they first painted the house that he had Sandy use last year & learned that was the wrong thing to do. I thought Chet was working in a defense plant but evidently not. Our house is in good shape but looks a little dirty. The yard & shrubbery & flowers are looking a little dry but it has been dry now for some time. I think I told you before – I had another load of limestone put on the driveway.

J. & M. are collecting their books getting ready for school tomorrow. They will have to have new ones. Mark sold Deanie Musselman $1.05 worth of books this afternoon. Glen has silver dollars & Mark traded him 50¢ & 2 – 25¢ for one – he is going to use it in buying books – not that it’s worth any more than the fifty cents & two quarters he had. Your letters to the boys came almost on the nose about school starting.

Love Mother

Glenn E. Foster, date unknown (Photograph courtesy of Gerry McCarroll)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/13/glenn-gladys/

Highest Praise (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: August 30, 1943 envelope

: August 30, 1943, p. 1

: August 30, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 30, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

Some further comments on the last mail, I did get a kick out of John’s subtitle remark about “Uncle Roscoe.” More so because I’ve probably been called that more in the last year than any other period in my life – why I do not know?? It seems they find from the official list what my first handle is and then they keep it up. It doesn’t do any good to protest and since our last name is so butchered I don’t mind – used to it.

I’m glad Miss Smith thought the piano was OK for I feel that you didn’t get laced if she put the OK and John also seemed to think it had good sound qualities and I believe his judgment in such thing can be pretty well depended upon. You said he was practicing on the oboe – That was the first mention of that in some time. I didn’t know he was still interested in that. I believe it is good training for him because it brings him in contact with more people in a musical way. In other words Kenny Wood was right so long as the oboe remains secondary.

[page 2] Still another comment and that saying you appreciated one or two of my letters in particular, That made me feel real good because it sure is difficult to get things written that would be of the slightest interest to you. Your letters to me are different because everything you write is of concern to both. The only trouble with yours is they don’t come often enough. In other words it’s too long between deliveries.

The first reference you made about what I said about your picture was stated I thought a little short and I just didn’t know if you took it in the spirit in which it was intended – I felt better when I received the picture of you and still better when I read that you had seen the joke and had not been offended. Of course from the beginning I felt that you were not offended but even the slightest doubt gave me a little uneasy feeling for I’d rather do anything else than offend you because the mother of those three boys back there doesn’t deserve anything but the highest praise and least of all no she doesn’t deserve any offense from anyone more especially from me.

Love Daddy

P.S. I reread and I didn’t mean your judgment on the piano wasn’t good but I think that is out of your as well as my line and we could easily be taken in –

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

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Originally posted: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/12/highest-praise-roscoe/

Company From Nevada (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
8-30-43

Dear Daddy – Our company arrived from Nevada today – Glenn is all stopped up from the Indiana air – says you couldn’t give him this country – Pauline’s home is in Pa. so they are going on over there then come back after a few days rest. Jim is going to try and come on a week-end leave. Dr. Cole came yesterday and wants me to take Mother back to the hospital. I think I’ll take her back tomorrow evening. I’ll have Bob take her in the ambulance. Dr. Cole says he doesn’t think x-ray treatment advisable because of the reaction so many people get form it. Glenn’s baby is heavier than David but D. is taller – Will take pictures of them together tomorrow. I can understand how Jimmy would be larger – he has an enormous appetite – and eating has always been a nuisance to David. The[y] drove thru in a Ford coupe – stopping at nights at tourist camps were on the way a week. We are going to get a quarter of beef from Parttens next week. Have to turn in 800 points which will be 2 ½ or 3 months ahead. Am going to have to put David on pasteurized milk after I turn in our meat stamps but I think he will be ready to change in another month. I will have to chase the boys to bed – They want to talk all nite to Glenn.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/01/11/company-from-nevada-gladys/

Brand of Perfume (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: August 29, 1943 envelope

: August 29, 1943, p. 1

: August 29, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 29, 1943
Lt. R.S.Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

Now I can start writing because I have finished reading your letters or rather rereading. Those of Aug. 3, 8 & 9, 11 Aug. 13 came as well as three v-mails of Aug. 7, 12 & 14. And John’s letter with Mark’s of Apr. The v-mails did not arrive until this morn. The P.O. always separates them last. You can see how each travels so I’d suggest you keep writing just like you have been in about the same ratio I mean. There is one thing you can’t put in a v-mail that was in two or three of the others. What brand of perfume are you using now? I said steak smell but you explained why that could not be done so I understand. That perfume did bring back some of civilization because it wa is something very much omitted at a place like this. So Thanks.

Shall I repeat, after you again told me, how good looking D. is that he must and does take after his mother – I know. I can see by his pictures that he is a good looker and also that he is growing. The last pictures I have had are those taken just before his accident and I believe that is the last you sent.

In one of your letters you gave a short financial report but In a letter I received earlier you had given me a more detailed report but

[page 2] I don’t mind the letters coming later because there is always something that wasn’t in the others. I’m surprised that your mother hadn’t been taking Vitamin B shots long ago as well as liver. I do believe they will help her lots. She I believe is doing as well as can be expect and as I told you before her recovery will be slow. I hope she didn’t take offense at the suggestion I made that she had been drinking too much bad beer. She knew of course I knew that wasn’t the cause.

I like the coy way in which you informed me of the coming blackout and you may rest assured I didn’t tell anyone. They all got a big kick out of that part of your letter. I’m not one of the birds who says “listen to this” and then expects you to sit and listen to his wife’s letter but occasionally I do read or tell some of the things.

I’m glad the boys were able to get a short vacation and I’d like very much for you to be able to do the same and maybe you will if plans work as you stated about Juanita. I think a little relaxation would be a great help to you. And something else you wrote – “I will keep from eating tomatoes if I can” my my and in a later letter you again wrote that you had eaten them again. They are good, aren’t they? How would I know because it’s been well over a year since I’ve tasted anything like that.

I do hope you are getting along with the allergy and also keeping your health in general –
Love Daddy

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

Scarcity of Film (Gladys)

3 Replies

: August 29, 1943 envelope

: August 29, 1943, p. 1

: August 29, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug. 29 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Sunday afternoon – Dr. Cole was here to see other – He said he had to be back in the hospital by 5 – to do a section. I am going to take Mother back to the hospital for an x-ray – He said he would have McClelland & Baylee see her but he says he doesn’t think anything can be done. He thinks she would get an awful reaction from x-ray treatments. However we will get an x-ray to be sure about the mass in her bowels. He says he is sure it’s malignant. I told him I would bring her in some time this week. I am looking for Glenn to come any day now and hate to be gone when he comes. It’s been a week (will be tomorrow) since he started so he should be getting here any time.

Buddy Krull came out this afternoon to play with Mark and he has a terrible cold with a cough. I told Mark to keep him out in the yard away from David. Buddy probably got his cold on their trip in Wisconsin. They just got back yesterday.

[page 2] Last week was cold & cloudy and David didn’t get his usual quota of sunshine. I took him out this afternoon about an hour. He is a little rascal now, doesn’t want to take his afternoon nap. I tool some pictures of him today. Have to save the rest of the roll for his birthday Sept. 23 – so can’t send these out until I get the rest of the roll taken. Film is a scarce item now. I should have bought film ahead so I would have one roll for each month.

John is listening to his symphony programs this afternoon. Wed. school begins and then the “bigger half” of the neighborhood children will be in school again. Al is having a time getting teachers – Seems odd that only a few years ago there was a surplus of teachers and it required almost a pedigree to get a position – now the situation is reversed. Too many teachers I am afraid are in the W.A.C., W.A.V.E.S., etc. I suppose after the war the situation will be turned the other way again.

I think David has finally decided to go to sleep – Mark & Buddy have gone to Buddy’s house – I told Mark to come home in time for supper.

Love Mother

David, summer 1943

No Hedy Lamarrs (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: August 28, 1943 envelope

: August 28, 1943, p. 1

: August 28, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Aug. 28, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.

Dear Mother,

I wish I knew what I would have in this letter because just now I have no idea what to write – paron me I believe I’ve said that before. So far the word or letter “I” has appeared 6 times so you can see my ego is still present. So far fives lines have been used and nothing said.

The show last night was rather a comparison of our own conditions – “White Cargo.” Of course there was are no Heddy Lamar’s at this place so the comparison is not complete. It really is a scream to hear these enlisted men and some officers react to characters and places. A jungle scene or a tropical setting brings loud boos while an actress or a thick steak sends cheers indescribable. Even a picture of a street in Chicago, New York or San Francisco brings loud cheering. It really is a wonderful place to study character in its unadulterated form, and since one has plenty of time for study it is an escape mechanism for me to entertain myself. That whole thing sounds like I’m a psychologist or something but a train of thought will often times make hours pass as minutes and if I

[page 2] were clever and verbose I could write some of those thoughts to you but when I try to put them into words the whole thought system crumbles just as if termites or damp rot had taken the upper hand. Termites of course you have heard lots about – but damp rot is something else. The term itself is self explanatory but living back in Indiana it isn’t a reality as it is here – just a few common examples – tin if not properly painted rusts very rapidly – screen for screen doors will last only a few months. Wood unless it is hard wood seems to soften and crumble – The whole process seems as if nature is rapidly destroying so that she can rebuild and exploit her achievements, but only for a short time because it isn’t long until those flowers, coconut frauns [fronds] etc. began to die and there goes the dam[ rot again. It’s only the huge banyan trees of the jungles that are able [to] break or slow that round robin down, but again maybe nature is just using another way to show her ego when one of those trees is started.

Well, I’m sure no I in the beginning of this letter I had no idea these words would form themselves into such nonsensical arrangements. So I’ll try to finish this with a little more intelligence and the best way that I can express this is by saying

Lots of Love
Daddy