Tag Archives: World War II

Sorry to hear of the measles (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

Apr 1, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster, San Fran

Dear Mother,

Got more mail today – 6 v-mail letters from you one from Sykes, one from Schlegels and one from Mark. The last date was yours of Mar 3. Sorry to hear of the measles but guess one can’t escape those things always. The blood idea of Dr. M. is good and under the circumstances I think the thing to do. I would have however given Immune serum a preparation put out by Sharp & Dome I think but the blood idea is not bad

[page 2] and there isn’t any doubt in my mind that the boys probably all three have by now had the measles because they are very contagious. Hope they will get along swell with them.

On valentine day you told of it being so cold – I was on board a ship that day and was it hot I remember very well.

The tax figure of 200 sounds a little high and but of course that file has already been filed so that is the amount but I can’t be too certain because I did not have any figures. I mean deductible figures. Anyway

[page 3] we will have enough to pay them OK. And next year we won’t have to worry because the total taxable figure will be a little less than $2600⁰⁰ because as you know taxes are figured only on base pay and not what I sent to you. Except the victory tax which I don’t know much about yet. Anyway don’t worry about what I think because really at present I have other things to think of.

Well we are having a little April shower today which is the way Apr. should come in –

Lots of Love

Daddy

RussellIskandsmap

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/2014/03/21/sorry-to-hear-…measles-roscoe/

News from Noumea (Dr. Porterfield)

R.S. USA PB
Noumea NC
7 PM San Fra Cal.
3.31.43 –

Dear Mrs “Yege”

Thanks for the letter. Sorry your family are having the measles. The pictures did not arrive until after he left. His mail is being forwarded from – here – I had word direct from him yesterday by messenger and he is ok. Conveniences are not as good there as here. But will improve very soon.

[page 2] We miss him very much and felt that we would be left together but one never knows out here what the next move is. One of my boys is out here someplace but I haven’t seen him. Hope the boys are over measles by now – I remember when mine had them. Oh – Boy –

[page 3] Everything is running along very smoothly here and we are really living very comfortable under circumstances. But there still remains the longing to see our families, which we hope will not be too long over the year we have sorta set our hearts on.

Sincerely the Country Doctor
M. H. Porterfield

New_Caledonia-CIA_WFB_Map

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/20/news-from-noum…dr-porterfield/

April Fool’s Day (Gladys)

1943-04-01Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-1-43

Dear Daddy – The first day of Apr and Mark has been busy all morning before going to school trying to get everyone fooled – However he didn’t really fool us much. I told him to run out and kill a snake by the garage and he fell for it. It rained last week but the sun is shining bright this morning. After school yesterday we raked the front yard and I sowed some grass seed. Couldn’t get any vigaro to put on – there just isn’t any this year. There is a Victory Garden fertilizer but it is not to be used on lawns – so that is that. I got the seed on just in time for the rain. I am going to Wilmington to get Ruth M. this afternoon or would work in the yard this P.M. – but the boys can do the raking after school. – Mail just came but no letters from you today – Maybe one tomorrow – Had a letter from your Mother and she had yours of Mar 14. Kenneth is in camp in Ark. – is in the band. He will get along where ever he goes. I hear David – just took a nap before his bath time. He sat in the buggy and watched up work in the yeard. He likes to be out of doors – So do I since such a long winter. I hope it stays warm for our trip. I am tiried of wearing heavy clothes. Mother is going to stay in T. H. a short while and then she is coming back here to live. She wants to do some visiting before she comes to stay. Jim wrote that Thelma has the mumps. He is getting more time off now and sees her quite often – but has to cross the bay every time he goes to see her. He is trying to find work for her in Richmond. He is in Camp Perry near Williamsburg now. Ed Barce is still stationed in Kokomo. I left the car at Sondergrath’s for a going over before making our trip.

Love – Mother

E. Dunlop Street, Kentland

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

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found:

A little trip in a jeep (Roscoe)

Wed Mar 31, 1943

Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

Just got back from a little trip in a jeep and those are always tiresome because of the rough riding but In time I guess we’ll get used to the beating and bumping.

We now have a table and I’m writing on it – the first in some time maybe you can tell the difference but I doubt it very much. I think in a few days we’ll have our quarters fixed

[page 2] so that they will be half way livable. For one thing we will have only 4 and that will be a relief as five is pretty crowded.

We are having another damp spell. In fact it’s wet but we are pretty well used to that also.

Well, there isn’t another thing that I can think of which is writable so solong

Lots of Love

Daddy

P.S. In yesterday’s letter I asked for lettuce & radish seed. Include also a package of carrot seed

RussellIskandsmap

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/2014/03/20/a-little-trip-in-a-jeep-roscoe/

Last Day of March (Gladys)

1943-03-31Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-31-43

Dear Daddy – The last day of March – windy but warm. No letter today but one yesterday. I am planning to go to Wilmington tomorrow and get Ruth & Romaine then to C.C. Fri afternoon. I have to take the car to a service Sta. and have it checked before we start traveling. It is about time for David’s vegetables and milk and he is singing a song and sounds like it may get louder. I am trying to get a sweater knitted for him to wear to C.C. but may not get it finished. I took him out for a long walk yesterday and want to get him out again today. It is so warm and sunny. I am afraid I won’t be able to get any more Vit C tablets so must get him in the sun when possible. The Dr. at Mayo Clinic told Irene she needed to rest and wanted her to stay there but she came back and is to be under Dr. Cole’s care. She is still working and I don’t know whether she is going to continue or not. I would bet she doesn’t quit work. Had a tip on where I may be able to collect some money due us, but won’t count on it till I get it (Russell Schultz). Mark wrote you about his bike – well maybe I shouldn’t have, but he wanted it so much and I think I can get him to work enough in the garden this summer to earn it. He is going to rake the yard this evening. I think it should be cleaned off now and a little grass seed put where the weeds were the worst last summer. I want John to help but he is playing in a band concert tomorrow night and he says he has to practice but I think he will work in the yard first. I think from what I hear several married men with children will be taken in the draft this summer. I hear the Beaver’s are going to get another baby. Also the Schultz’s and the Donahue’s. So much for Stork news – that is all I know of now. We are all well- So far John hasn’t taken the measles so hope he doesn’t.

Love Mother

E. Dunlop Street, Kentland

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

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/13/last-day-of-march-gladys/

One Year Ago Today (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

Mar. 30, 1943
Lieut RS Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster San Fran.

Dear Mother,

I remember well one year ago today when I steamed so quietly into Chicago to take my physical exam for this man’s navy – much has happened since then and as Deloris said in her letter I covered a lot of water since then. That is just in the way of retrospect.

This P.M. went swimming – went out where the big breakers roll in and almost got tossed several times but didn’t – Mr. Howell who was with me got his finger

[page 2] cut on a sharp piece of coral. Maybe my balance was better. Only things my feet are tender from the rough stuff.

I put a P.S. on yesterday’s letter and it seems to me I forgot to finish it. At present I really don’t remember what was it was I was saying but I really didn’t mean to be rude by stopping in the middle of the thing.

I wish you would send me a package of lettuce seed and a package of radish seed. Just drop them in an envelope and send them. I believe we could do pretty well if we had the seed. Surely things would grow in a hurry.

Well, I’ve exhausted myself for today – so solong

Love Daddy

RussellIskandsmap

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/2014/03/13/one-year-ago-today-roscoe/

Wisdom Teeth (Gladys)

1943-03-30Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-30-43

Dear Daddy – had yours of Mar 14 today – Glad you can write to your folks again. Last week the day Paul Y. was here John was home from school with a headache and we thought he was taking measles but weren’t sure but Paul went back and told them John had measles and your mother sent him a get well card and wrote him a letter telling him to be careful. We had a good laugh over it but so far John hasn’t measles. We are planning to go to Ruth M’s and get Ruth & Romaine Thurs then go to C.C. Fri if John doesn’t get sick by then. It is warm and windy today. I have some dresses on the line airing and they are really getting aired. I want to take David out it is so nice and warm. He is learning to make different tones and that of course thrills all of us when he does something new. He is a naughty boy – doesn’t like cereal & vegetables but I poke them down just the same. He still can’t take orange juice so I am still giving him Vit C. He reminds me so much of John when he was that age, but John could sit alone at 4 mo and David doesn’t quite do that…He is very active and has a good straight back but isn’t quite ready to sit alone. Mark sent you an air mail today. John didn’t write last night – he was studying and didn’t get thru in time. I went to Laf. with Dorothy yesterday. Dr. Donahue extracted an upper wisdom tooth and when that heals she has to go back and have a lower pulled. She didn’t have to go the hospital to have it doe as she thought she would have to do. There is Club this afternoon so I suppose I will go. That is about all the social life I have – not that I care much about social life but I think I need to get away from home a little. Lucile Burgee has a baby girl.

Love – Mother

E. Dunlop Street, Kentland

Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, Indiana, c1943

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/12/wisdom-teeth-gladys/

Finished my laundry (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

Mon Mar 29, 1943
Lieut RS Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster – San Fran.

Dear Mother,

Finished my laundry this A.M. but it being a cloudy damp day there isn’t any drying going on. My towels, underware etc are getting very smuggy looking and even boiling them for about one hour didn’t help – guess I should have some bleach but after all is said and done just so the smell is out of the things. I’ll have to buy lots of things when I get back to civilization. It sure will be funny to have lights at night and have running water and a few of the other things we always seem to take for granted. Other than a match

[page 2] I haven’t seen a light for about 1 ½ months. All that just shows you how sorry I’m feeling for myself.

You said the floor in the den was sloping toward the piano – where did you put it in the living room? And what will keep it from doing the same thing. Have Link take a look – and maybe he could put in some sort of a brace or post to keep the same from happening there – I don’t mean he would put it in but he could make suggestions and you could have someone else to do the work.

I have no complaints to make in the least about your clothes for I feel that

[page 3] you were due some and anyway I sent you enough money for your own use but I guess you bought bonds too much. What the heck just so you have enough money to keep everything going. Since Feb 12, I’ve spent about $12.00 – $5.40 for mess bill while – aboard ship and $3.60 for a case of pineapple juice. And the rest for cigarettes, tobacco and stamps and some stationary. So you see I have really been economizing. Wasn’t anything else to be bought. Just started to rain so must get the buckets out.

1943-02-15 Mess receipt from U.S.S. John Penn

Mess receipt from the U.S.S. John Penn, February 15, 1943

Later – caught about 15 gal of pure rain water so can now take good bath etc.

The executive officer and I are about ready to mix a drink

[page 4] good and strong – lime juice and water – rain water. He is from Texas. He is a full commander. We seem to be pretty much alone so thought we would pass the time away but he has been called to the telephone and I’m writing while he has gone. Maybe it sounds funny that I should say telephone but we do have them.

Well, it’s about time we went ahead with our P.M. drink so – solong until tomorrow.

Love Daddy

P.S. I’d like to see the red outfit.

RussellIskandsmap

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/2014/03/12/finished-my-laundry-roscoe/

Bad teeth and new shoes (Gladys)

1943-03-28Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-28-43

Dear Daddy – Sun. evening and Mark is doing his week-end homework – He won’t do much. He is too tired and can’t make much progress. It is sunny today with a little sharp wind. Took the baby out for an airing. Mark went over to Buddy’s to play so I walked over when it was time for him to come home. Nick said you might run into Eddie Dieter. He has his A.P.O. but I don’t remember it – it is four figures. Mrs. Washburn said they think Dr. Bill is in North Africa. Tommy Britton told Mark his Daddy has been discharged from the Army and is to do some kind of special work but I haven’t the details. Haven’t talked to Virginia lately. She was afraid for Davie to have measles because he has asthma so badly, so they gave He & Tommy Immune Globulin. Tommy was exposed at school but didn’t have them. Jack Byrnes children have scarlet fever. That is so strange. He said they hadn’t had them anyplace. Mrs. James & Jimmy came home today. She hated to leave Mary. She isn’t very well. I don’t know when her baby is due. Dorothy K. has two impacted wisdom teeth she has to have taken out. She is going to Laf. tomorrow to Dr. Donahue for a treatment. She will have to go to the hospital for the extraction later. I am planning to go along. Need a new pr of shoes – so do J. & M. & D. Our first shoe ticket is good till June 1. The point values on canned goods are being changed, also the ration has been taken off dried fruits – people weren’t buying and much fruit was spoiling. John has decided to practice on the piano and I am going to bed.

Love Mother

© 2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/11/bad-teeth-and-new-shoes-gladys/

Hot sultry and rain (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

Mar 27, 1943
Lieut RS Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Francisco Calif.

Dear Mother,

This is one of those afternoons when one struggles to keep from doing anything – Hot sultry and rain seems in the making. Seems as if I write about that same thing every day.

Yesterday I wrote Statons a letter in answer to theirs I received last Sunday. I told them to let you know when it arrived just checking to see how mail might go thru.

I haven’t been hearing the usual broadcast the past new nights so don’t

[page 2] [know] what stars were on. Nor have I heard any news for a few days. Just the local grapevine stuff – Here it doesn’t seem very important but at home if the papers and radio could put it out it would make pretty good reading.

Had a fresh orange today and those are much better than those at home but the outside instead of being nice orange color is very green. They lack the artificial coloring used in the States.

I hope this new address gets thru to you and back again for I believe it will help our mail, but it will never be good because almost all mail

[page 3] has to go thru the last station I was and I know how slow the whole affair was there.

It doesn’t seem that Apr. 1 is just around the corner but it won’t be long and with it your weather will be better I hope – Ours should get cooler by but in our location I can’t see that winter or summer makes much difference.

Well hope tomorrow will repeat in the way of mail that last Sun. did any we hope,
Love Daddy

RussellIskandsmap

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/2014/03/13/hot-sultry-and-rain-roscoe/