Tag Archives: World War II

You could be starving (Roscoe)

: April 13, 1943 envelope

: April 13, 1943, p. 1

: April 13, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 13, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% F. P. M.
San Fran. Calif.

Dear Mother,

Nothing much to write and so on and so on, but must keep up the daily schedule and as I said yesterday I know our my mail to you will be “bunchy” and I’m afraid you will worry. And this letter won’t be there to tell you not to worry but it will save you that in the future. What I mean is this. The mail won’t be regular but don’t worry it just doesn’t get going. That is I think that is the case.

I’m still very much in the midst of censoring and many of the boys are sending home money

[page 2] orders but for the present I’ll just let mine pile up on the books unless you need it. Of course by the time you get this and back again to me you could be starving but sending money out of here I think is a little to [too] uncertain.

I’m washing again today trying to get the rust stain out of my clothes – used bleach and everything but it’s so hot I can’t get much worked up.

I guess I’m a little late but hope you have a pleasant Easter
Love Daddy

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/2014/04/12/you-could-be-starving-roscoe/

Diphtheria Shots (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-12-43

Dear Daddy – I wrote one letter today telling you I had your of Mar 16-17-22 – Uncle W & Aunt J stopped at noon a while. Ralph is better so evidently the adjustment helped his back – or something did because he was working again. John played 2 numbers at Music Club this afternoon and got a lot of compliments – however he insists he didn’t play well. Arlene had a good picture of she & Bill & boys and is sending you one. Donnie now weighs over 21 and D. is about 18 – so considering their starts D. is going all right. Rosemary has gone to Laf. to stay with her mother until time for her to go to the hospital. Jimmy Funk fell off the bed and broke his shoulder – but is getting along very good. I heard today Nick has joined the Army but I didn’t get the information from D. She wasn’t at Music Club today. He has been talking about it for some time. John is in Fla. at present and Gladys has gone down there for a visit. Sure looks funny to see Kent Café boarded up and all the filling stations closed at night. The filling St. men can catch up on their home life now – or make victory gardens. Mrs. Williams asked me today if you gave Darlene (the little girl you & Dr. Cole operated on when 6 wks old) Diphtheria shots. They thought that was what she had – but has a bad throat now and didn’t know if it could be diphtheria or strep. They were to bring her back for whooping cough shots then for smallpox so I told her it must have been diphtheria shots.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/11/diphtheria-shots-gladys/

Give Him Potatoes (Gladys)

5 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA

4-12-1943

Dear Daddy – Yours of Mar 16-17-& 22 came today – However I had rec’d the one written Mar 23 more than a week ago – to be exact (Apr 2). It takes twice as long for them to come now and longer sometimes but I can’t tell whether they come by air or not – they have all been stamped the same. Uncle W & Aunt J. are to stop here on their way home today – hope they came before I go to club. John is to play so I must go. I went to see Mrs. Roberts yesterday and Joe’s Dad came while I was there. He saw the baby and pronounced him 100% perfect – then added “plus.” I told him D. doesn’t like cereal so he said give him potatoes. Mrs. R. hasn’t heard from Joe for some time so thinks he is traveling. She gave me several nice things for D. her boys have outgrown. I think she has about fitted him out for next winter. It is a little cool & windy this a.m. but the sun is out and I have clothes in the Bendix to hand out soon. I may go see Dr. Ade this week – have been having some headache that feels like my eyes are the cause. I haven’t read or knitted much this week but still I have it. I hate to go down because I’ll have to make at least two trips and if the weather stays nice I want to work in the yard and garden. Clara Molter is giving Mrs. Zell & I a basket of iris – and they are a little prettier in color than what we have. The Bendix has stopped so I must get those baby pants out in the sunshine & fresh air. Jimmy & Bobby are out playing this morning.

Love – Mother

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

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/10/give-him-potatoes-gladys/

Filet Mignon Steak (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: April 12, 1943 envelope

: April 12, 1943, p. 1

: April 12, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 12, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner
Navy 224
% Postmaster (Fleet)
San Francisco, Calif.

Dear Mother,

Just finished my morning chores and I believe by writing early I’ll catch an earlier mail, but of course this won’t help only I know that your mail will be “bunchy.” So I hope you don’t worry about not getting letters for a few days. It’s just the way things happen.

Death_in_the_Clouds_US_First_Edition_cover_1935

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

I’ve been amusing myself at off times reading Agatha Christie’s book “Murder in The Air.” It’s a pretty good murder story but my reading time is cut in small pieces.

Yesterday being Sunday we put on a good spread. Had Fillet Mignon

[page 2] Steak – apple with ice cream – corn mashed potatoes, green beans and I almost forgot soup to begin and raisin bread. The bread wasn’t very necessary for me however. Yes I’m in my right mind that is exactly what we had and yes Iced tea with a shot of fresh limes. We do not have things like this every day but we appreciate it when it comes along you can bet.

There has been some delay due to a little argument about things in general and it’s still is going on but I’m turning a deaf ear to things.

Well, I’ll have to start doing something so solong

Love Daddy

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/2014/04/09/filet-mignon-steak-roscoe/

Garden Progress (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-11-43

Dear Daddy – Sunday and J. & M. are in Church. Mother is in T.H. for a visit so D. & I are alone. I just finished bathing & feeding D. and he is having a good kick in his bed. He has a play pen now (Mrs. Shirk loaned it to me). and likes to roll around in it. You wouldn’t recognize the den – (now nursery) – what with all the baby furnishings. I am glad we have that room where it is. It is ideal for a nursery – with all the sunlite it gets. I took David with us (Mark & I) to the garden yesterday and he took a nap in the sunshine. We put out some onion set – sowed carrot seed, spinach & some lettuce – We now have all those & peas. We are going to plant about 30 lbs of potatoes in our garden & several rows of beans. Potatoes are .75 pack & up now. It is a grand day and this afternoon I want to take David for a nice long walk. After all the shut in this winter I can’t be outside too much to suit me. I was so tired when we came in last nite but feel fine today. John stayed in and listened to the Opera yesterday but it will soon be over for the summer. He is to play for Music Club tomorrow. He has been working very hard on the pieces he is playing. I saw two news items I thought might interest you – Datzman’s have a new baby boy. Betty Beaver had a baby boy premature but it died. I haven’t heard from your Mother this week so don’t know how Ralph’s back is – They had Shorer give him an adjustment last Sat but we left Sun so don’t know the results (if any). I thought the adjustment business would interest you. Your Mother will give the details when she writes.Three letters this week.

Love – Mother

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

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/08/garden-progress-gladys/

Discussions about censorship (Roscoe)

9 Replies

: April 10, 1943 envelope

: April 10, 1943, p. 1

: April 10, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcriptions:

Apr. 10, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet Postmaster
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

We’ve had several discussions about censorship and I’m almost afraid to write for fear I’ll over step but after all is said and done I really believe we are bowing over backwards because I’m sure the enemy knows more than we give them credit for.

I’ve been running hither and yon today and really not composed enough to write but I’ll still try to get a line out in order to keep up the daily record. I’ll be very much interested to know how my mail is coming to you but our mail has been absent for several days. Right now supper chow bell has sounded so will finish later – Later. In fact much later (Apr 11) so

[page 2] in counting the letter you will have only one for Apr 10 + 11.

Was able to get a little news over the radio last night and that always helps – seems to be a connecting link between out here and the States.

This is my regular day to write the Folk so sometime during the day I’ll have to scratch my head to figure out what to say.

Many of the fellows are getting regular mail so I wish you would write a few more of those and not so many v-mail.

I’ll try to get back on my regular daily writing schedule again tomorrow

Love Daddy

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/2014/04/07/discussions-about-censorship-roscoe/

Listening to the radio (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: April 9, 1943 envelope

: April 9, 1943, p. 1

: April 9, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

4/9/43
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet Postmaster
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

I’m wondering how the weather is at home along about now. It should be wet and rainy with April showers grass green birds singing etc. To be honest I’ve had my share of the blessed hot weather – continued summer now for a year – Mr. Berg a fellow from Missouri said this noon he wanted to go home when it’s cold so I guess we all feel the affects of the glorious summer.

We have been eating from china dishes and with real silver wear again. In fact we made better progress here than at the last place. Things are getting much more livable here so I’m beginning to wonder if maybe a move isn’t in order. Hope if it is it’s your way rather

[page 2] than the other direction? Hope. I hope. I hope.

Heard a little of Kay Kayser last night and news form the USA and from Japan. One of the fellows has a radio and we can go listen when we feel like doing so, but lately it has been so dark one can hardly feel the way home. I believe it’s darker here than at home and I also believe the moon is brighter when it is moonlight – Guess I’ve said all that stuff before.

I’ve been trying to do some washing again today – to get out the rusty color I added a few days ago. I’ve trying to soak the whole thing – dirt etc out over night.

Well, guess I’ll do something else for a change –

Love Daddy.

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

Report Cards (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-9-43

Dear Daddy – No letter today but have rec’d three this week (Tues). The boys got report cards and they can write you their grades. We can’t work in the yard this eve so they will have time. We raked and tried to clean the back yard but didn’t have time to do it all last evening so will just have to wait now. Had quite a hard rain this morning. Had clothes ready to hang out but they are still in the basket. Everything is beginning to grow and the yard it beginning to recover from the “beating” it took from the weather. The ground was frozen so hard for so long the lawn is bumpy but couldn’t get it tolled at the proper time – Maybe it will smooth out this summer. David is beside me in his high chair trying to turn around and raise a fuss in general. He has one bootee off trying to eat it. I gave him prune juice this a.m. and he kept it down – and he drank it from a cup. It is still rainy looking so won’t get to take him for his afternoon stroll. Had a letter from Jim and he said he might be shipped out any time. Sent me a little memento for our Wedding Anniversary – Floyd Hoover is in charge of the Loan Co. Tommy Thompson did run. Tommy has gone to his father’s farm to help put in crops. The war bond quota for this county is $290,000. Each child is asked to buy three times as many stamps as they had been buying. I have filed a mortgage exemption. It didn’t have to be filed till May 1 but I thought I wouldn’t wait until last minute. D. is beginning to sound a hungry signal so will have to feed him.

Love – Mother

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

Air Battle (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 8, 1943 envelope

: April 8, 1943, p. 1

: April 8, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 8, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet Postmaster
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Today is another special day since it makes another month in this here foreign duty – eight months ago today we left the U.S.A. Some long and some short months. Anyway it’s that many behind.

In censoring the mail I ran across several accounts of the boys writing home about an air battle we were able to witness. The news of this has been released so we let the letters pass. I might say in passing the real things has it all over the movies. Even to the thrills given the audience. There is more to the story but I’ll have to stop for obvious reasons.

[page 2] Now if the boys are saving news paper clippings I might be able to recall some of the incidents if there was some little item to help. We of course can’t keep diaries anymore and it’s easy to forget things. News items that have been released to the public can be written although at time those items are incorrect and we just sorta laugh at the incorrectness of the newspapers.

We’ve been shooting the bull this P.M. over a few bottles of beer – got a little beer into camp and after all that helps raise the moral a little. That might sound funny but it’s true. Of course no one gets drunk but just enough to help the appetite, and by the way we had fresh meat for noon chow – got some native cows – a little tough but tasted good.

Well it’s about time for evening chow so solong until tomorrow

Love Daddy

____________________________________

Japs Tell of Air Fight Over Russell Islands

(By the Associated Press)

A Berlin broadcast of an imperial Japanese headquarters communique said today that 47 “enemy chaser planes” were shot down in an air battle over the Russell Islands in the Solomons last Thursday.

The Japanese admitted the loss of nine of their own planes in an action which obviously was the same as that described yesterday by a U.S. navy communique.

The navy said 16 Japanese Zeros were shot down out of a formation of 30 or 40 near Guadalcanal. The Russell islands are about 50 miles north of Guadalcanal. The navy said six United States planes were lost.

“Japs Tell of Air Fight Over Russell Islands,” Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune (Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin), 3 April 1943, p. 1, col. 2; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 30 March 2014).

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

A Grand Spring Day (Gladys)

6 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-8-43

Dear Daddy – No letter today but had three Tues. It is such a grand spring day – just the kind for poets to write about. I think we will work in the yard this evening and if the ground isn’t too wet plant more peas, etc. I took David for a long walk yesterday. He was feeling good and showed off when people talked to him. He seemed to know he was being admired. He took cream of wheat this a.m. without the usual fuss. I gave him some prune juice but he threw it up. He can’t seem to handle fruits of any kind. Ed Johnson asked for your address. He was on his way home to take care of Jimmy Ed so Lucile could finish her ironing. It is about time for J. & M. to come for lunch. They come in with such a bang. I sometimes have to brace myself. The stores are closing now Thurs. afternoons. I thought maybe they wouldn’t do that now but they started last week. The coil factory is working nights to keep up production. If you got my letter mentioning the Stork to visit Bart’s – I think that was just a rumor. The local papers didn’t come today so haven’t any news to add. I saw Ruby Clark and she said Geo (being 38 now) was given his choice of discharge to work in defense work or stay in and he chose the defense work. Is with Allison Indpls. Saw Irene yesterday and she said she would write you. The Dr. at Mayo told her to quit work – but she said that wouldn’t pay the mortgage. It is time for Mark to go to school and take this. We are all fine – John hasn’t had measles and hope he doesn’t.

Love Mother