Tag Archives: World War II

Red instead of white (Roscoe)

: April 7, 1943 envelope

: April 7, 1943, p. 1

: April 7, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 6, 1943 [Apr. 7, 1943]
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Postmaster San Fran

Dear Mother,

Had some tough luck today – did my washing and the water I rinsed them in was rusty so now my towels etc are red instead of white. Hope the next deal is better.

I’ve been digging in our fox hole today – making it deep and livable just in case. I think we’ll put in a hot dog stand and a beer Keg. Wish we could.

At chow last night, when I told you I was going out – we had spaghetti and meat balls and a peanut butter dessert.

[page 2] We also had scotch & soda in the beginning which was the best part of the whole deal. It is rumored that we will have beer for evening chow but we don’t know for sure.

We are in a dry spell now hasn’t rained for two days.

News are as scarce as the dickens but I’ll try better next time.

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/2014/04/02/red-instead-of-white-roscoe

The Garden (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-7-43

Dear Daddy – No letters today but had 3 yesterday & John & Mark each rec’d one with the souvieners. They will thank you. It is still cool and windy. Had some rain last night. Mark and I started our garden yesterday – got peas, spinach & radishes planted. We sowed some grass seed last week and I want to put out more garden this week yet. Lucile came out with Jimmy Ed yesterday. He has allergy so bad his skin is rough and he has the hair worn off the back of his head and his skin is dry & scaly where he hasn’t any hair. He is growing but not any faster than David. I had a struggle again this morning to get his cereal down but when I finished with him he was able to laugh so it doesn’t upset him too much. He certainly has strong tendencies for a 6 mo. old. He has to have cereal or he is hungry so I suppose I’ll just have to keep on struggling to get it down. The gross return came today but I am going to inquire about whether it has to be paid this yr. We are to be refunded for last year’s payments. Let me know the amt taxable with your increase if it has to be filed. I haven’t received all the letters you have sent but maybe they will come in time. Bart told me Clem has been discharged from service. He had some kind of pleurisy. I would hesitate to say whether he is lucky or not. David is awake and is now sitting up in his buggy – can sit alone now. It is about time for J & M to come for lunch. Mark got quite a thrill out of making garden. He is in 4 – H and this garden is his project. I hear Bobby & Jimmy fighting. They certainly can make lots of noise together when they get mad about something.

Love – Mother

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

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/01/the-garden-gladys/

Not in a “writey” mood (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 6, 1943 envelope

: April 6, 1943, p. 1

: April 6, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

4/6/43
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet Postmaster San Fran

Dear Mother

Your letters of 2-23, 2-26, 3-11 and 3-12 came today and also John’s of 2-25. You didn’t say how often my mail was getting there and how long it took. Maybe you said but after all your letters have been very spotty.

Sorry Mark had the measles but the latest letter told of his improvement. Guess by this time you have given D. the Immune Globlin as I noted you suggested in your

[page 2] last letter and by this time you know my feeling on the matter because I suggested it a few days ago.

Maybe I told you before but just in case – Dr. Porterfield wrote me that all my things are stored so don’t expect them at present.

I’m invited out to Lun Dinner this Eve – Yes to another navy camp – won’t that be thrilling – maybe they do have the spam cooked in a different way. Who knows – it may taste like chicken!

Well, I’m not very “writey” today – So solong until tomorrow

Love Daddy

The Banika airfield under construction in March 1943 on the Russell islands (Image via http://www.ibibilio.org)

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/31/not-in-a-writey-mood/

Your Dad was so pleased (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA

4-6-43

Dear Daddy – Three letters today but I think some are still missing. J. & M. got theirs today with the gifts. They will write and thank you. Uncle Wes & Aunt J. stopped this a.m. enroute to C. C. We have about recovered from our trip. We were all tired Mon. but went to bed early and this morning all felt better. Mark and I are going to work in the garden when he comes home from school. Want to plant some peas & onions etc. It isn’t warm enough yet to put out everything. Our garden is directly north over by the corn field. Dr. M. called me today to tell me he had a letter form you about receiving the box. He sent that out early in Jan. Got an announcement from Wilma for her graduation. Will send her something. She is going to enter nurses training. Her boy friend has to go to the army this week. The last box of shells you mentioned with the necklace hasn’t come yet – Neither has the uniform or travel money. It is about time to feed D. his vegetables & milk. He still cries every time I feed him cereal but is hungry if he doesn’t get it and it digests good – so what should I do. I still give him Vit C – he can’t retain orange juice. He was so cute while we were visiting. He is just beginning to imitate. Everyone (almost) agreed he looks like you. Your Dad was so pleased about his name being the same as his grandfather’s. Will send more pictures later. Can’t get film so easily now. Mrs. Roberts called and thinks Joe is being moved. He had written for his other blue uniform then she got a cable not to send it.

Love – Mother

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

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/25/your-dad-was-so-pleased-gladys/

Shrubbery Business (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: April 5, 1943 envelope

: April 5, 1943, p. 1

: April 5, 1943, p. 2

: April 5, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Apr. 5, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 224
% Fleet P.O. San Fran Calif.

Dear Mother,

Just in case you didn’t or won’t get yesterday’s letter I’ll repeat – Use the above address entirely for I believe it will be better. As I stated yesterday our mail has been rather regular. Today a letter came form Dr. Porterfield and all my clothes etc – have been stored at the last station so don’t expect them home at least for the time being. However, I’ve heard that the storage place there is being moved and the stuff might be sent anyway.

[page 2] We had to put our home address on also. So if the storage place is being moved it might be sent home.

I’ll also repeat what you asked about the shrubbery but since I’ve been away some time my suggestions might not be so good but as we previously planned – real uniform small shrubbery especially like Lloyd’s in scattered locations and not directly set in front of the house would be idea but you use your own Judgment because things are different than when I left.

You can let me know how

[page 3] you make out on that shrubbery business and after it is in take a picture and send it.

If at any time, I should write you information please keep it to yourself because too much talk isn’t good but I’ll not write anything unless it’s a slip.

I don’t believe I ever did say definitely but the promotion is definitely right but I still don’t have two bars to wear. In fact I haven’t worn any insignia for some time.

Well, hope mail mail is getting thru to you and I see no reason why it shouldn’t

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/2014/03/28/shrubbery-business-roscoe/ ‎

Home Again (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-5-43

Dear Daddy – Monday and home again. We stopped in Brazil on the way home to see Dave & Marie. It was a grand day – we were home about 6:30. We can’t drive so fast now so can’t make it in 2 hrs. Ruth & Romaine stayed here last night then took a bus into Chi [Chicago] this a.m. Romaine wanted to shop in the Loop today. They can get a train out of Chi this evening. We had a very nice visit but no family dinner. Faye having just come home from the hospital and then Fri Ralph had a back injury and was unable to be up so we just visited with everyone and dispensed with the usual dinner. Ruth & Floyd were down for the week-end and they were with us for Sunday dinner, but none of the rest. We went into Town. Sat and saw several people. Everyone was anxious to see David and he had a nap just before we started out and was at his best. He stood the trip fine and seems none the worse for the long ride today. So far John hasn’t taken measles so will hope he won’t. Was afraid he would take them before we could go to C.C. or while there. Mr. Zell told us when we came home we missed a show – a troop of colored soldiers camped Sat. nite in the pasture across the road – I said I was glad I was away but I know Mark would have enjoyed seeing them. It is very sunny today but windy. Mother is going to visit in T. H. a while then come back to stay. We got to see Dolores while home. She goes back Thurs this week. No mail from you today.

Love – Mother

2 letters came Fri.

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

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/24/home-again-gladys/

To Begin With (Roscoe)

6 Replies

: April 4, 1943 envelope

: April 4, 1943, p. 1

: April 4, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 4, 1943

Dear Mother,

To begin with address my mail to Navy 224 % Fleet Postmaster for really I believe that will be better and as you might say – make up your mind. This has been a damp, hot Sunday with work going on at all times and no Sunday let down. In fact while everybody else was working I built a small end table to keep my pipe tobacco etc. We are gradually getting squared away and living conditions will really be on the up and up.

In your letter of sometime ago you asked me about the lawn subbery [shrubbery] and as I see it and as previously planned – Really uniform small shrubbery especially like Lloyd’s In scattered locations and not directly set in front of the house should be most desirable but you can use your own judgment since

[page 2] things might look different since I left and the shrubbery we have planted may influence the arrangement of the new, anyway use your own judgment.

As usual I’ve written the Folk today their usual Sunday letter and now it is getting just a little dark and raining slightly. In fact I’ve stopped once to fill a canteen from the tent roof because the water tastes better than otherwise.

Don’t forget the address and don’t forget to send the radish, lettuce and carrot seed. One package in each letter. I also told Mom to send some so maybe one or the other will get here. Right now would be as I see it a very opportune time but I suppose it will be July before the seeds get here.

Well, the space is all gone and so is the daylight so solong,

Love Daddy

[Editor’s note: This is the second time Roscoe has used the family “code” to let Gladys know his location. Can you find it?]

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

Mold and mildew (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: April 3, 1943 envelope

: April 3, 1943, p. 1

: April 3, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Apr. 3, 1943
Lieut R S Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Received a letter from Mark thanking me for the birthday present and a V-mail letter from you dated Feb. 10 so neither of them were very newsy but very welcome even at that. I’m afraid I’ll be spoiled for mail has been coming rather regular again. We got some news on regulations about mail and the maine one was to the affect that only V-mail in areas where it was available and I don’t know if it’s available here or not so you might try air mail more often again.

We are fairly well set in our new home but you

[page 2] know how moving etc is. I know when I get back I’ll have to buy everything new because my shirts pants etc are all mold covered. I aired my mattress cover yesterday and it smelled fine. Even had the mattress out for a while but today it’s the same old smell. I looked at my billfold today – The first time in ages and it was all moldy – even the money. So much for mold.

As usual there isn’t any tellable news so if I can find a stamp that will stick and an envelope that will unstick I’ll get this going.

Love Daddy

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

Clay City (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-3-43

Dear Daddy – Writing from your old home town. We are getting ready to go to town – Ruth, Romaine & I. The two grandma’s are going to stay with David. We stopped in Brazil yesterday & saw Marie but David was down at his mother’s farm working so I intend to go back past their place tomorrow so they can see David A. Ralph hurt his back yesterday and is down in bed, unable to move. Faye is just getting over her operation, but Dolores is home and that is a help. Haven’t seen all the family yet but intend to before we go back. Clarence & Duane came last night – Wilma & Clara came today – Wilma had to attend the high school banquet last night. The boys are with Duane today. Your Mother had Carolyn’s baby bed set up for David. We brought one along but didn’t have to set it up. Floyd & Ruth are here this week-end too. They showed the pictures they took of us in Jan. The baby took [?] are good. They are going to take more tomorrow. By the way the uniform Mark had on is supposed to be a Navy uniform – so if it doesn’t look like it I can’t help it. I must get this finished so we can go to town.

Love – Mother

Modern aerial view of the Yegerlehner farm (Image courtesy of Google earth)

Moving Day (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: April 2, 1943 envelope

: April 2, 1943, p. 1

: April 2, 1943, p. 2

: April 2, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Apr 2, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

The postman told me he thought there was some mail but due to our changing our camp slightly he has been unable to sort out the mail so maybe tomorrow there will be letters we hope – V-mail is all that has been coming but some of the other fellows are getting mail – air mail some as late as Mar 10. And I wish you would address a few to Navy 224 again. Every other letter address Navy 224 % Fleet P.O. San Fran and the other A.P.O. 43. So maybe

[page 2] one or the other will get here. My latest letter from you was Mar 3 but you still used the address I used at the last station so you hadn’t gotten my new address as yet.

Our new tent has a deck and is all screened in – really it is as nice or nicer than at the last station. Maybe that’s a bad sign for as soon as things begin to be fixed up I move. There has been no indications of that but I’m a little suspicious.

You told me in the last letter

[page 3] to air my blues once in a while. Well I’m miles from them now and I’m not sure that Drs P & W sent them. I wrote them and asked them to store them rather than send them home and they wrote they would take care of them but didn’t say in what way so don’t worry if they don’t arrive because they may be stored there.

This is a little mixed up but you know how it is on moving day so solong.

Love Daddy