Tag Archives: World War II

Suez to Singapore (Roscoe)

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: May 14, 1943 envelope

: May 14, 1943, p. 1

: May 14, 1943, p. 2

: May 14, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

May 14, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Just finished my morning chores and about to start reading my latest – Cecil Brown’s “Suez to Singapore.” It’s a very interesting story and I can understand some of the physical and mental reactions he went thru while away from home in various travels. It’s a rather long book but worth anyone’s time if interested.

You will notice that I’ve switches paper again.

[page 2] some how I like this better maybe it’s because I don’t have to write so much, but I believe I write just as much. The air mail paper is so flimsy and hard to handle.

I’ve sent both the uniform check home – The 150⁰⁰ on May 7 [written on top of a 6] and the 100⁰⁰ on May 13 so you can let me know when and if they arrive.

Got a letter from Boonie yesterday and he seems to be guessing again but his guess this time was wrong. I imagine that people can guess now. However, they still have no business of

[page 3] knowing.

We had cuttin meat last night for chow – roast beef. If we just had some chewin vegetables now everything would be on the up and up. We still have lots of spagiti and dehydrated potatoes all of which aren’t any better than powdered eggs but other people seem to like some of those things.

Well, I’m run down and myst must get on with my reading

Love Daddy

[Editor’s note: Here is a link to a 1943 review of Suez to Singapore published in Foreign Affairs magazine. The book is still in print today.]

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/2014/06/10/suez-to-singapore-roscoe/

School’s Out! (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
5-14-43

Dear Daddy – No letters today but hardly expected any – having rec’d 3 yesterday. (Apr 28-29 & 30). Today the boys went to school & got their cards. John grades were A and Mark’s C & B & maybe an A. I told him he would have to work harder next year. Mrs. Zell & girls, J, M, David & I went to Shelton this a.m. After school was out to get meat and take Betty to Miss Smith. The recital is to be the 28^th of this month. Two Zell girls take lessons. I ordered another quarter of beef put in our locker. Mrs. B. said they will take ration tickets to cover the weight of beef I get. As it is I am not using our coupons because of the meat we already have. The price meat is in the stores I am glad we have our locker. Meat isn’t the only thing – I paid .75¢ for ½ peck potatoes this week and could only buy ½ pk. Some of the stores were out. The sun is shining today and we are washing. I am going to take David out for a sunning this afternoon – the first time in over a week. He got his second shot yesterday and is just a little touchy today. The first shot didn’t bother him at all. He says da-da all the time, besides a lot of other things we can’t interpret. Mark has changed into play clothes & got out. He can’t stay in on a day like this.

Love – Mother

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/09/school-out-gladys/

Rat Trap (Roscoe)

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: May 13, 1943, envelope

: May 13, 1943, p. 1

: May 13, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

May 13, 1943
Lietu R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

It seems as if my mail is what the little boy shot at. I have a feeling it’s the v-mail and regardless of what the radio campaigns say write air mail – all the other fellows are getting air mail and all I get is the Newton Co. E. Issues back in Feb. Maybe I’ll get some later today but it seems most of the mail has been delivered – Yesterday it was the same way but none got v-mail and I feel certain that is where mine is – being printed some place along the line. So much for that.

Geo. decided to make a rat trap a few days ago to catch the critters in our tent and he had the thing secretly built and was going to put it under my bunk and when the rat entered a big noise would be made and I of course was to be excited – well when the carpenter brought it Geo was out and I was in on the whole thing. So we put the trap in our mess hall and this A.M. we had a big rat – Sill still alive – so the question was how to kill Mr. rat – when I left for sick Bay they were in the process of Drowning him but

[page 2] as yet the results haven’t been released.

Had a bad taste in my mouth and just started a cake of Gum. Some of that you sent for Christmas. That was one thing brought along from Noumea.

One of the fellows got a clipping thru the mail that to the affect that the naval uniform was to be changed from khakis to slate blue. I think by the time I get back I’ll need new ones especially pants. My coats are in Noumea I hope, most of them as good as new.

As I said in several leters – The 150⁰⁰ check is one the way and I’ll enclose the 100⁰⁰ in this letter so hope you repeat several times in your letters whether or not they arrive.

My last letter from home is now one month old and it’s about time since more arrived – I’m not writing as many letters now as before – hope the people understand but it just isn’t possible to do so now. I’ll try to get one out now and then to others –

Well, here’s hopin’ – I get some mail some of these days –

Love Daddy

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally owned: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/08/rat-trap-roscoe/

Hospital Day Part II (Gladys)

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: May 13, 1943 envelope

: May 13 1943, p. 1

: May 13, 1943, p. 2

: May 13, 1943, p. 3

: May 13, 1943, p. 4

: May 13, 1943, p. 5

: May 13, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
5-13-43.

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Apr 28-29 & 30 came today – That brings letters pretty well to date – Yesterday I went to Laf. and was crowded for time when I got back so dashed off a v-mail – but will try today to go into detail about events. Hospital day ceremony was to begin at 12 o’clock. We left here, (John Arlene & I) about 10 a.m. when we got as far as Dr. Cole’s home we stopped – I wanted to see if Mrs. Cole was going – and if so go with her – also I called Dr. Ade from there to get an appointment for John – the day before I called his office and the girl said she couldn’t give us an appointment for an eye exam until May 21 – but when I talked to Dr. Ade he said to bring him right in so we hurried over to town and went directly up to Ade’s office. He was busy but

[page 2] gave John the once over – He said he couldn’t possibly do a refraction on him but looked at his nose & throat and sprayed –(if you could call it that) – his nose & throat, but frankly he didn’t get too close – and I need not explain why – I said to Dr. Ade “There is at least one in every family “ – so he prescribed sufadiazine treatment to clear up any possible infection. We have an appointment for a refraction next week. John hasn’t been doing any reading the least three days and hasn’t had headaches. He didn’t have to go to school after Mon. because he was exempted from all examd. John doesn’t seem to have any cold and feels fine, but Dr. Ade said his throat was red. He is taking sulfa today and going to take it tomorrow.

As soon as Dr. Ade finished with us I dashed out to St. E. – There ceremony was in progress but I located Mrs. Ash and sat by her & Mrs. Rommel. After the ceremony I saw Mrs. Cole then Dr. Cole

[page 3] joined us and we went into the college auditorium for a lunch that was prepared for invited guests. I met several doctors, but can’t remember their names, met Mrs. McKinney – her husband is across but can’t remember just where. Dr. Rommel is in Calif. Mrs. Ash seemed worried when I told her you had been sent away from New Caledonia. I think she is afraid Dr. A. may be sent on too. Dr. Holliday spoke at the ceremony – The comments you wrote about him seem to be the general opinion around Lafayette. Mrs. Peyton also spoke. Dr. P. is in N. Africa and was with Gen. McNair when he was wounded. They gave a list of all the Doctors from St. E. in service and their locations but I can’t remember all of them. Mrs. Ash said Dr. Loop is back in Laf. on leave. She wanted to know if I had seen him – of course I hadn’t – didn’t know he was back. After the luncheon Mrs. Rommel & I went back to town. I had some shopping

[page 4] to do and meet John & Arlene. It has been raining so much but it was such a grand day yesterday – just made to order for the ceremony to be held on the campus, but about 4:30 it began clouding up and today the sun isn’t shining and it has sprinkled some.

I took David down for his second shot this morning. He didn’t take it as good as the first one but didn’t cry long. Dr. Matthews got such an electric shock yesterday it knocked him out. He touched something when he had his head band on and out he went. D. had to work with him to bring him around. He said this morning he was just beginning to limber up.

We haven’t been keeping a scrap book, due to the fact I have had so much to do I hardly see the paper some days, but decided we had better – so I saved back over a week’s supply of newspapers & John went through

[page 5] them today for items and pictures. Any items or pictures about activities in the South West Pacific of course are our chief concern and in May 8^th paper was a picture showing supplies being landed on Russel Island. Another picture of three soldiers at a Pacific base and their gun “Dorothy.” I should show that picture to D. K. There are several other pictures but from other areas. I found a picture the other day of some men on Guadacanal having some fresh fish they had caught – They were frying it camp style – over an open fire. I will try now to clip any pictures out about the S. W. Pacific and might find one some time you can identify. I keep watching pictures hoping to see you in one sometime. Valley Wright declares she saw you in a news reel. Said she stayed thru two shows to be sure it was you. Do you remember a movie camera being around any time when you were working? Said news reel was seen in Hammond. Valley is

[page 6] in Kentland now, working at the factory – living with Wrights. Gob is in the Army.

David is cross this afternoon but I think it is due to his shot this a.m. Mark has to go to the library so is going to mail this. John has been baking – made a white cake – Mark was helping him but quit & went outside – when Mark came back in I asked him why he left – he said, “all I got to do was sift flour.” I told them if they wanted to bake to go ahead but I wasn’t going to help any – I didn’t do much but help clear up the mess a little. John got his prize last night at commencement for the essay he wrote (1.50) – I didn’t go – I was too tired and didn’t want to leave the baby after being away most of the day. I have about run out of things to write about and feel like I have had a go session so better quit and rest a while. I am knitting a suit for D. and want to get a few stitches put on it. You mentioned sardines & shrimp – There is another box on its way to you with several cans of sardines & crackers.

Love – Mother –

[Editor’s Note: This is an undated clipping so it may or may not be referring to the actual events in May 1943.]

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/07/hospital-day-part-ii-gladys/

Let Us Not Forget

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Today is the 70th anniversary of D-Day. There are lots of great archival films and speeches available to watch online, as well as the ceremonies currently taking place in Normandy. Here is Eisenhower’s speech to the troops:

Sunrise (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: May 12, 1943 envelope

: May 12, 1943, p. 1

: May 12, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

May 12, 1943.
Lieut RS Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

I’m a little disappointed about the mail situation because many of the fellows got mail and I did not. I think it’s because of the changeover from V-mail at least I hope you are writing some air mail rather than v-mail.

The way my bunk is located the sun shines right into my face each A.M. and of course wakes me but I often awaken before it is up and the various stages are a sight to see. The first knowledge I had this morn of the sunrise was a sort of a brownish color just as it was getting light – That then changed to a lighter color and finally just before the sun appears the whole area was a blood red color. (That is the way it looks every morn) The sun drives that color away when it begans to appear – after that it looks just like it does in Indiana.

A letter came yesterday from Bob H. but it was written way back in Mar. He seemed to think Dr. Openshaw was pretty much settled somewhere in Penn. – seems like some people have all the tough luck – who would want to be stationed in a place like that with all the trains, autos and cold weather are apt to be hard on one’s health – I’m telling you it’s dangerous to have those handicaps. Take the above as you wish.

Imagine me wearing shoes now for the past

[page 2] several months. Really my ankles will probably be so weak I won’t be able to wear slippers again and another thing – lately I haven’t been wearing any underware and since I have no P.J. you know how that means I sleep at night. That will also be a hard habit to break when back in the States.

I saw in the Newton Co. E. that John had won $2.50. Of course I showed it around and most of the boys asked if I had sent for the $2.50 or if I would let him keep it. My answer was varied. Of course, you had told me of the whole thing in letters but I just happened to find it in the paper. Two issues of the paper came yesterday Mar 11 & 18. In the Mar 18 issue there is a synopsis of the article – “They Were Expendable.” I’d almost forgotten about that and it has so much more meaning now than when I read it before.

I don’t know if I told you or not but our Chaplin left Japan in June of 1942. Yes the date is correct – he has some pretty good experiences to tell.

Well, I’ve beaten my gums enough for the time being –
So solong until Tomorrow
Love Daddy.

P.S. Sent 150⁰⁰ of the uniform money home – The 100⁰⁰ will follow in a few days – Just a repeat.

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/2014/06/06/sunrise-roscoe/

Hospital Day (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA

5-12-43

Dear Daddy – Two letters came this a.m. Posted Apr. 18 & 19. Took John to see Dr. Ade then went out to St. E. to Hospital day ceremony. Dr. Holliday was there and gave a talk – Mrs. Ash sat by me and said he was discharged because of nervous instability. Mrs. Payton talked – Dr. P. is in N. Africa. I saw Dr. & Mrs. Cole. Mrs. C. was having a club meeting at home and left so Dr. C. & I ate lunch along with Mrs. Ash & Mrs. Rommel – Lunch was served in the auditorium at the college. Dr. Cole is going to see Don – Don is in the air corps, stationed in Oklahoma & Dr. C. has plane reservations – if they aren’t cancelled when he gets ready to go – Dr Ade looked John over and gave him a little spraying – said his throat looked a little red – I am to take him back next week for refraction – I am to give him sulfadiozine, two days – said his headaches may be from his cold condition – I think it’s his eyes – because his cold is hardly noticeable and when he reads he gets headache. We’ll find out next week. I hope. This was Mark’s last day in school – Clara M. came and stayed with David, got dinner & ironed, so I feel like I accomplished a lot even tho I was gone most of the day. Mother is coming Sunday so next week won’t have to get anyone to keep David. Clara said he was the “best” baby. Said he didn’t cry all day. He is good most of the time.

Love Mother –

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/06/05/hospital-day-gladys/

African Front (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: May 11, 1943 envelope

: May 11, 1943, p. 1

: May 11, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

May 11, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR.
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran

Dear Mother,

I’ve been up or rather awake for some time because our roommate had to get up early to hold services and his moving around awakened me and I was unable to go back to sleep but that doesn’t matter because we are getting plenty of sleep so I was able to watch the sun rise.

I was able to listen to a radio last night and got some more news on the Africian front and that sure sounds good – hope it can be kept going right on up thru the European countries. We don’t hear much over the radio about our own situation but I guess we can learn about that first hand.

There are rumors of mail around but as yet none has arrived so we just set and wait and that sorta seems the way yours comes because you told me once that you received 12 letters in one day.

We were talking about Florescent lights last night and I just happened to think. I believe you asked me about the one in the office – Why don’t you have it placed in the kitchen at home? Of course it may be

[page 2] worn out by now. If you want to put it there I think it would be swell or even in the basement around the laundry. It probably would be of as much value there as far as lights go as the big ones you have, but do as you please.

Our laundry seems to be drying rather rapidly and I’m going to watch for sprinkles so that it won’t be like last week. I noticed one of my sheets had some mold, but that isn’t unusual. Even ones tobacco molds very rapidly and all leather goods have a constant film of mold.

I finished another story yesterday – another mystery – “Death at Bratton Grange” just another story written in a different manner but something to occupy the leisure time.

Well, I’ve run down so
Solong
Love Daddy.

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

A Rat In Our Tent (Roscoe)

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: May 10, 1943 envelope

: May 10, 1943, p. 1

: May 10, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

May 10, 1943
Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Today is wash day as any good household would have it but instead of doing it ourselves we have a laundry now and all we have to do is take the wet wash and hang it up to dry. Last week it was a little hard to get dry but today there shouldn’t be much trouble. I had an unusual big wash because I had just changed sheets last week when my bunk got saturated so I had two extra sheets. So much for the good old housekeeping difficulties.

We were able to have a movie in camp last night but I didn’t go due to the fact that I had seen it before so I’m not interested the second time. Commander Fredricks and I just sat and shot the breeze for the duration of the show.

We had “cutting” meat twice yesterday. Roast beef for dinner and liver for supper. The meat is a little tough we get here but it has a good flavor and it gives something to chew on. Spam and all its derivities [derivatives] are not cuttable – just plain gumming food.

Geo. said he saw a rat in our tent the other night but I’ve been unable to find any but we are planning on a trap to see if we can

[page 2] trap the critter – I don’t like rats for tent mates although we call each other that once in a while. That is all but the chaplin, and he probably thinks we are all rats and he might be correct.

I’ve been trying to figure some way in which I can make a pillow – so far all I’ve been able to use is an extra blanket folded but it gets pretty hard during the night. In an area like this it’s pretty hard to manufacture anything suitable. Of course our bunks for that matter are not too good – Just plain cots with a mattress about 2 inches thick and after a few months in certain places the canvass has bulges at the places of most stress so at night one has to get into the grove in order to be comfortable.

Our news here the past few days has been very good – I mean what little news we are able to pick up over the radio. We do have a one page mimeographed news paper that keeps us informed to a slight degree.

Well guess I’m at the bottom of the well,

So solong
Love Daddy.

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

Raining Again (Gladys)

1 Reply

: May 10, 1943 envelope

: May 10, 1943, p. 1

: May 10, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
May 10 – 1943

Dear Daddy – Yours of Apr. 21 & 22 came today – I looked thru the letters and there are none missing. Wish you could get all of mine. Not that I have so much of importance to say every day but there might be something you would want to know. I wrote a letter yesterday and mailing both in one envelope and hope you get it.

It is raining again this morning. Isn’t cold but very wet. John was unable to get the lawn mowed last week and it is going to be a big job now. I can see our garden from the kitchen window and things are up enough to be seen from here. Mark hoed it and used Zell’s garden plow just before this rainy weather set in and it’s a good thing he did because I am afraid the weeds are going to be plentiful before he can work in it again.

[page 2] David is in his buggy going things. He doesn’t stay put – turns over and gets in some awful shapes, but has a good time so why not. He has been rather noisy this morning singing di-di- and scolding. I weighed him today and he weighs 18 ½ lbs – (7 ½ mo). He isn’t gaining so fast now but he is large enough and has a good apetite. He takes so much exercise he can’t gain like he did a few months ago. I see John running toward the house. Mrs. Zell is going to the grade school to pick up her girls & Mark – – – We have had lunch since I started to write. John said he was exempted from English this morning. He should be exempted from all and I suppose he will be – with an a average. He plays with the band Wed. evening for Commencement so will have to have his blue pants & long sleeve white shirt ready for him. That’s the band uniform in winter & all white in summer. He has grown so much this year – he is about half a head shorter than I am. Mark is taller too but not as noticeably so as John.

It’s about time for Mark to go to school & he is my letter carrier.

Love – Mother