Tag Archives: World War II

A Little Thought Provoking (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Mother,

NO mail today so far but the day is still young. So again that makes writing a little difficult but I’ll probably think of something.

Censoring mail is a job hated and despised by one and all I’m no exception but it is a little thought provoking because here I sit reading some fellows personal thoughts to the one and only which under normal times would be a crime not to mention the underhandedness of the thing.
Then one wonders what the

[page 2] fellow looks like and also what the girlfriend or wife to whom it is going looks like. From the content of those letters one would think every gal in the State was a Miss Indiana a super duper prize winner in looks and a purified angel in actions. I like to think of what their relations will be say 10 years from now.

Then there is always another thing that I like to wonder about and that is the answers that come back to the boys. I mean the returns obtained from what is sent out but that would be mean to even think of. The above of course is pointless but

[page 3] it makes a distasteful job a little more pleasant and that can be applied to many of our present obligations the various and sundry of which are not too well liked. This last sentence almost got me down – didn’t know exactly how to get it stopped so I just pulled back on the lines said “whom” and hurriedly stamped out a period. That is another thing I’m getting low on is periods. Maybe you had better send another 2 dozen. (I’m all right). Now to be a little more serious.

Image from All Posters

In the May 15 issue of the Sat. Evening Post there is an article – “So We Don’t Know There is a War.” It’s about Spencer Indiana down in Owen County

[page 4] and it seems they are carrying on in keeping with every other county. Some of the names and places I remember very well.

Saw a fellow last night that had left the states in June ’43 and he even had starch in his collars and cuffs. We questioned him pretty carefully or rather greedily about conditions there just like we do of a person coming from a foreign land.

Believe it or not I’ve been writing on this letter for about two hours. Some of the time used in thought some for conversation and some just sitting – Hoping you are the same –

Love Daddy

1943-06-29 (RSY) C.C. article

Article from Clay City News mentioned in previous letter regarding attack procedures

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/08/a-little-thought-provoking-roscoe/

Canning Swiss Chard (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
June 29 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

It’s late afternoon and I have the last batch or rather two, of swiss chard on cooking. That makes 18 pts. Ruthie and I canned today. Floyd had to go into Chicago in a truck so  left Ruth off here to stay until he comes back sometime today. Mrs. Zell told me to cut off the swiss chard & can it as they are going away tomorrow for a week and she wouldn’t have time – so you can

[page 2] imagine the size of the pile of raw chard to make 18 pts. At that we cut off the stems and if I feel equal to the job will can them in qts. tomorrow.

Floyd has to take a scale to Brazil from Chi[cago] – pick up one at Brazil and take back to Bluffton so he brought Ruth along and she is going on to C.C. from Brazil and he is going down for the 4th. Ruth suggested taking David along with her but I am afraid that it’s a little too soon for him to take a visit – He is taking a nap now. Dorothy

[page 3] came out this afternoon to see him and between she & Ruth I am afraid he got a lot of spoiling – Virginia Zell wanted to take him out in the buggy but he wasn’t satisfied so I put him to bed for a nap.

David broke my glasses a long time ago and I mend them with Mark’s airplane glue but they keep coming apart and I am holding them on now. Mother keeps telling me I should get them fixed. She isn’t feeling any better but is taking a sulfa medicine and it may be reacting on her. I rec’d yours of June 16 today but the 13th – 14th & 15th haven’t come yet, but they will probably

[page 4] come in a day or two. Mrs. Roberts was over yesterday a few minutes. She was taking Earl’s children to their grandparents. She is hoping Joe will get home by Christmas. I am just hoping, without setting any date.

My head feels like I need sleep. Ruth & I talked too late last nite and of course David gets up early for his first bottle. John & Mark are at Ruth’s this week having a vacation. The way Mother feels I don’t know whether I’ll get a vacation for a while. Maybe she will feel better after she gets thru taking Sulfasuxadine. It’s time to get this in the mail.

Love Mother

YEG1943-06 Dunlop Street house

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/07/canning-swiss-chard-gladys/

A Little Flavor to the Water (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

June 28, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif.

Dear Mother

All I got from that mail yesterday was a bunch of Medical supplies and the Newton Co. E. After reading the C.C. news over I found their air raid warning system and I sending it back to you with a few comments. I passed the thing around at chow yesterday evening and it was the best laugh of the day – maybe people back there can’t get the joke but we did. I can’t explain any further.

Last night while two of us were alone – the other fellow broke down and told me his family troubles – it is a pathetic case and I’m afraid I wasn’t much of a Dorthea Dix, however, he is also a doctor so he should know as well as I some of the answers – Not that I know the answers but he should know them as well as I. Really I don’t think he expected me to solve his problem but just wanted to tell somebody his troubles. Strange but he has no desire to go back said he has had peace and quiet since coming here – That must be a queer sensation. There is of course no point in my writing you this but just wanted something to fill up sape space and you might say what a space filler upper.

[page 2] Another Colliers and a Post came to one of my tent mates so we have some late reading matter some time in one of the May issues. Maybe those papers give us the pulse – so to speak of the country back home. I haven’t seem a Reader’s Digest for some time now. Some of these days some of the late issues will probably come rolling along.

Just stopped a moment because the water stinks in the shower house. Probably a lizard crawled into the tank and drowned and is giving a little flavor to the water – Something like that rat smell we had when we lived at Clay City in Grandma K. house, remember?

I see it’s nearing the end of the month and I hope you will remember about the financial statement I asked for. The last one you gave me was May 1st. You If you have said anything about it since the letters just haven’t come thru. Repeating I have your letters stating you got the $150 & the 32⁶⁰ checks but the $100 hadn’t arrived and I gave you the check number etc.

Well the space is about all used up and I am hot and sticky – Hoping you are the same (or do I).

Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/06/a-little-flavor-to-the-water-roacoe/

Mother Isn’t Well Enough (Gladys)

2 Replies

1943-06-28Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
6-28-43

Dear Daddy – I missed writing yesterday (Sunday) but took John & Mark to Wilmington to spend the week. Mother isn’t well enough to travel so Mrs. Zell & their girls went with us so I would have company coming back. I took Mother to Dr. M. and he is having her take sulfasuxadine and continue with Bepron. He is giving sulfa for her bowels. You know her condition and now it’s worse, with pain when she has a B.M. Your Mother would like for us to come down but I can’t plan to go visiting while Mother isn’t well. David is trying to go to sleep. We took him yesterday and he is tired from the trip – Sat. P.M. we had a windstorm that took more branches down and a part of one of Statons’ trees. Yesterday when we passed Bert McCartney’s place we saw one of those large trees in their front yard had been torn apart. I think it was the largest tree. I sent you a picture of David by Air Mail Saturday. Sent your Mother one and one to Dave & Marie. Haven’t had any mail for several days but had up to June 12 last week. I had to get a new battery for the car. Cost $12.95. With the ins. that has to be paid in July and counting July 1 check I should have a balance of about $150.00 (counting all bills pd including house payment) so maybe I can squeeze out a bond again, but would rather pay off the Ins. loan on my policy. Will let you know what I do.

Love Mother

YEG1943-06 Dunlop Street house

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/05/mother-isnt-well-enough-gladys/

Real Potatoes (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

June 26, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 – F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

After re-reading your letters yesterday it seemed your mail is a little slow but I believe it will pick up and by this time you should be getting them almost as soon as you did while I was in Noumea.

I saw some potatoes and onions this A.M. real potatoes. Of course we have had lots of onions in an off-color manner and one or two meals of potatoes but it sure looks as if things are picking up in the food line but when it picks up I suppose I’ll be changed because

[page 2] that is the way it has been and I won’t be a bit mad if it changed in the right direction – are you thinking the same as I?! I’m not building any hopes as to an early return – then if its longer I won’t feel so badly. You know how that is.

This is the dope on that check that hasn’t arrived as yet – No 115,268, Issued Jan 13. Issued by J.E. LeCours – sent to you May 13 – Symbol number 59-658. However, I wouldn’t do anything about it for another month or six weeks. I’ll talk to someone around here and then write you when I think you should proceed with the reclaiming – I

[page 3] hope by this time you have it and the whole matter can be dropped.

A fellow that left here stopped and had a look at my clothes and he wrote back that they were being taken care of and were nice and dry etc. So if the moths keep out everything should be OK. There were some moth balls in them and there were no moth when I left. So I’m hoping there will be no chance for any to get into them for operation.

The letter you wrote on June 6 was postmarked June 9. Either it got lost in the P.O. or one of the boys forgot to mail it. It wasn’t

[page 4] mailed on the train like some are that you get in late at night. So there was a slight mix up some place along the line.

I’m having to struggle more than somewhat to think of things to write today – its just one of those days when Cerebration seems to be at a low ebb.

I’m wondering if you appreciate the endings I’ve been using on my letters or are they “lousy” –  hoping you are the same

Love Daddy

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

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/04/real-potatoes-roscoe/

Neighborhood News (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
June 26 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another hot sultry day. It looks like rain and once in a while there is a breeze but days like this makes Mother awfully weak. I stopped in to see Dr. M. and asked him about her and he said Bepron was a fine tonic and for her to keep on taking it. While I was there he asked me if I wanted to see the X-Ray of Ruthie Parttens – He showed it to me and was he mad – Mary wanted a bone specialist to see her a few days after Dr. M. had taken care

[page 2] of her and that insulted him but he told them to get someone else – they had Berkhiser from Chicago and he said everything had been done that could be – Dr. M. said he got so sick and tired of people spending their money on specialists. At any rate he says Ruthie is getting along first rate and the rumor that she wouldn’t walk again was rumor there was nothing to it. She is so lively they can hardly keep her in bed. I want to go over and see her but the car is in the garage today. Couldn’t start it yesterday so we pushed it and got it started and stopped at Sondergrath.

[page 3] Will report later on the trouble.

Had a letter from Ruth M. and she wants me to send J. & M. over for a week or so and then the rest of us come for the 4th but Mother doesn’t feel well enough to go any place now and as hot as it is I really would rather stay home with David. Zell’s are going away Wed. for a week and they want J. & M. to mow the lawn while they are gone. However if they want to go to Ruth’s I won’t keep them home. Ruth & Floyd are going to C.C. for the 4th & wanted us to got too so they could take some more movies of David, but I don’t want to go on such a long trip when it’s so hot, and I can’t plan to go

[page 4] any place while Mother doesn’t feel so well. She said for us to go ahead & go but I wouldn’t want to leave her alone.

Glenn called us yesterday. He talked and his wife talked – he talked to all of us. Had the baby by the phone and we could hear him. I wrote and told him Mother didn’t feel so well and I think he was pretty worried about her. He wanted your address; you may hear from them. His wife’s name is Pauline. The picture enclosed is I think good of David but John says David is better looking than the picture. However I think you can get a good idea what he is like because he laughs so much. After his bath he

[page 5] has curls but after a while they fall down. There are two teeth in front but one show plainer than the other. He is in his bed now singing a song. It is time for him to take a nap so he is in the nursery alone.

Parr’s were in town yesterday. Harlan is having a vacation but has to be back in Tuscola July 4 for work. He is very tan and so is Carolyn, more so than Dorothy & Nancy. They thought David was a pretty fine boy. Harlan still wants a boy. Dorothy said she thinks she has all she can do to take care of two girls.

[page 6] Dorothy Krull said yesterday that Bill Funk wants them to go on a vacation trip together. Dorothy said they would have to close the restaurant and she doesn’t know whether they will or not. I told her if they go to be sure Bill knows where he is taking them.

Had to stop and take baby clothes off the line – a storm was brewing and what a storm – this one took a good portion of the tree by Statons driveway – They have gone to Indpls. And will have to get the tree off their driveway before they can get in when they come back.

[page 7] Mrs. James & Jimmy went along and Bobby was sent home from Zells for misdemeanor so before the storm the neighborhood was rather quiet. It vibrates at times when things get going good.

After the rain started Mark put on his bathing trunks but he didn’t stay out long. It is cooler now since the rain – something we all appreciate. If this summer continues like this we have a lot of hot weather to look forward to. I had to repot a cactus plant – It was on the window sill and the strong wind blew it over and knocked the cactus out of the pot.

[page 8] The storm has let up and the Zell girls & J. & M. are out playing hide & seek. There is still a lot of thunder so maybe it will rain more.

Your mention of the shells makes me think of the box you sent from Noumea that didn’t come. The one that had the necklace you thought prettier than the one I rec’d. I doubt if it ever comes now – it has been so long.

I must get this ready to mail, so John can do to the P.O.

Love Mother

YEG1943-06 Dunlop Street house

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/03/neighborhood-news-gladys/

Mail Received (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. San Fran Calif
June 2, 1943

Dear Mother,

Your letters of June 8, 9, 10 & 11 came today so there is lots to write about and as I said in yesterday’s letter the mail is always a good & welcome topic to write about. So far I’ve just read them once but will reread again later. In one of those letters you mentioned that you had received the travel check so that won’t have to be written of in any future letters. The $100 letter will probably be coming along later. I’ll send you the number, date of issue, etc. if it doesn’t come thru and we can get another. I think it is a good idea for John to drop his band during the summer (swing band) because too much is too much. I’m

[page 2] writing this on my knee out in the yard as the boy is giving the tent the usual morning cleaning.

Was that a battle Raymond Bower had been in or several? He left the states just about the same time I went to Norfolk. It also looks like Jim might be getting ready to do something from the way you wrote of his activity. I’ve received several notes from Joe R. and at present he is I think about 60 miles from me in an Easterly direction. That is only a supposition however and I believe Hicky is in that neighborhood also. I think I’ve probably written all that before.

A three page news bulletin came

[page 3] from the Home hospital. It came in the form of 3 v-mails. They were dated June 1. So you see v-mail is still slower by several days.

That business of Grandma carrying D. downstairs sorta gave me a little scare – There is no banister there and it might be a little dangerous. Maybe you could have one put in if the pocket book is sufficiently padded. That’s just an idea – Maybe D. will be able to walk up and down by himself and the problem will be solved and a banister would also help him. Do what you think best –

It would be trite for me to say I enjoy your letters because they are chucked full of things I like to hear – So when I write of my own being poor I don’t want

[page 4] you to get the idea I’m casting any reflections.

I saw by that Home Hospital news bulletin that Dr. Combs was still at Greencastle Indiana – That must be very rugged duty and to think he has had to suffer for nearly a year if my recollection is correct. I did notice that several of the Drs. had % addresses so they are scattered somewhat.

Took a trip this A.M. before breakfast – Just a sight seeing trip and was there a beautiful sun peeping up out of the sea! That made breakfast late and then your mail came and that made me late in getting this written – Hoping you are the same

Love Daddy

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

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/02/mail-received-roscoe/

Summer Vacation (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
June 25 1943

Dear Daddy –

Another hot day – No mail today but have had several letters this week latest being June 12, We are doing our weekly wash – have half out on the line – It’s is nearly time to fix lunch – Mark has gone to Baking class – They are having a farewell party for Rupp. She is getting married. So many new teachers next fall – John just discovered he would have a man math teacher.

[page 2]I think he prefers women teachers. I don’t know why. Maybe they favor him – however he wouldn’t like to hear that.

David has been asleep and sounds like he is waking up – I hope not because he hasn’t slept long enough & it’s so hot today I know the afternoon will be hard for him if he hasn’t slept long enough. He is good up to a certain point but there are so many around him all the time he doesn’t play alone as well as J. & M. did – but that isn’t his fault. He is getting pretty handy with getting around his pen – Mother

[page 3] thinks he will soon walk alone but John did like he does and didn’t walk alone so soon.

Mother is still feeling not so good – She was feeling better with a few cooler days but it is so hot again and seems to take all her pep. She has taken nearly all the Bepron I got for her. I thought it was helping her but she doesn’t seem much better now.

Parr’s are coming to Funk’s for dinner this evening. I don’t know whether they are just on vacation or if he is being transferred again. They have been in Fla since Jan. I suppose I will see them while they are in town.

[page 4] When people around here complain about the weather I remind them you have to take it all the time and we do get relief now & then. Statons are going to Monticello for a week’s vacation – I think I’ll just stay home with David & let the boys go vacationing if they want to. Mark is planning to go to 4-H camp. He wants to go to Earl’s & fish sometime. Ruth wants us to come over for a week but the way Mother feels I am not going to plan anything.

John is begging me to get lunch so will stop this which doesn’t seem to be much today –

Love Mother

YEG1943-06 Dunlop Street house

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/01/summer-vacation-gladys/

Military Humor II (Roscoe)

5 Replies

Letter transcription:

Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.
June 24, 1943

Dear Mother,

Received your June 3 letter yesterday (the one mailed in Lafayette) and one from the folks dated June 7. So much for mail.

I’ve been thinking a lot about why I couldn’t make or rather write a better letter so I decided to make an analysis of the situation. Starting first with the beginnings and endings. There I had a wide variety of subject from which to select since because one always notices that when censoring the mail. Some are on the light and funny side; others seem to convey the idea that the writer is signing his last will.

[page 2] So after running thru them ad infinitum none were quite correct. Then I thought again of the ones we use and for our purpose I don’t believe there is any better. Perhaps it’s the hidden meaning conveyed by the Simple words “Mother” & “Daddy.” So I’ll just continue unless you can send a better one??

Then the body of the letter – news – that’s out as you well know – description – not too minute – actions – none – weather not too exact – but in a general way I have exhausted that subject often because one word, two words, I should say does the trick – hot and damp. You have the advantage there thanks to the seasons, and

[page 3] cold and chilly can be added – health (mines good) can’t say about the camp in general for that is considered military information – Friends and fellow officers – I’ve probably caused you to chew your nails along that score already – you don’t give a hoot about them for they are unknown to you. When you write of the boys it’s OK – means a lot to me – Coconuts bla-bla. The commander and I had a bet yesterday 1000 to one. I was betting the 1,000 – he said that was a lot of bucks – I said, “Who says buck? I mean coconuts.” He didn’t want to win the bet because nothing could make him more unhappy than have 1,000 coconuts piled on his lawn in Cleveland, Ohio. Back to the original subject lizards – that’s been over stressed – Laundry – that’s been twisted dry. Food – a

[page 4] very delicate subject and more can be added. That is we hope new varieties can be written of as time goes along – Say-y-y – the mail – hope that can also be extended and elaborated – onion and sardine parties – all has been said and it “stinks.” The garden a total flop up to now – but the onions, carrots and lettuce may save the day – radishes [?] top heavy too much has been written – places I’ve seen not interesting anymore – Our four legged friends the cows that’s a good and everlasting subject because they might wander into cuttin’ meat as chow time – that was mentioned under the heading of food – (bottom of page 3) – shells and other sea and marine life a dead and smelly subject – I’m about run dry – hoping you are the same

Love Daddy

P.S. If dry get a drink. OVER

[page 5]

Don’t mind me I’m just trying to write a letter that you could enjoy (I hope)

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

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/08/31/military-humor-ii-roscoe/

Military Humor (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60 F.P.O. S.F.C.
June 23, 1943

Dear Mother,

I started and got this far some time ago but things bothered me. Had some kid in and then a telephone call to make. Really I wonder what I would have written had not the interruptions taken place. However that is in the same class with the “ifs” and that is about as easy to settle. I suppose this (as the one I would have started ½ hr. ago) would will have nothing in it so why wonder and if.

No need of me writing the

[page 2] next but we are able to get some news now and then over the radio and it seems the axis are being put on the pan. The loss to Japan of those 77 airplanes over the Solomon Islands must have terrific. Of course maybe the radio or the news analyists were a little “stretchy” in their figures but when something like that is given out we always hope the figures are correct.

Another pause – a commander came in with the backache and

[page 3] when a commander comes around a Lieut always has to listen and try to do something to keep them from being irritated. It might be better in the end – which end! Your guess is as good as mine. Anyway I’m supposed to outline and help construct a heat lamp for the purpose of administering some heat – Make it warm not for the commander.

Well, I’d better get going and try to do my boy scout deed for the day – hoping you are the same –

Love Daddy

P.S. I was trying to be funny – How’d I do?

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

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/08/30/military-humor-roscoe/