Tag Archives: World War II

Gardening & children (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-27-43

Dear Daddy – No letter today but so far this week I have 16. I sent a regular air mail yesterday (3-26) so let me know when you get it. I put in several pictures of us and hope it doesn’t get lost. I was going to reg. it but they told me it wouldn’t do any good so just sent it regular. Sat. and John has gone to take a lesson. Mark is dusting. David is going to sleep. Has been playing since his bath & 10 a.m. meal . It is cooler today but could hang out clothes. The boys had that job today. Mark is going to help Mr. Zell this afternoon. He is giving the ground plowed and we are going to have a little space for garden. Instead of rank growth between Zells & the corn patch that will all be in garden. (I mean corn field) Lucile came out with Jimmy Ed yesterday and we walked with our young sons. Jimmy is very fat – will soon be three mo. old. He has a very sensitive skin and has a rash much of the time. Ed is very fond of the baby. Lucile says he plays with him on the bed every evening – in fact I think Ed has spoiled him much more than Lucile would. She would have him better regulated. I had a letter from Helen. She had heard from Dan and he told her you had departed for parts unknown. I want to see her the next time I go to Laf. – you know why. I can’t tell her in a letter. We heard Anthony Eden last night. He is in this country on a mission – I suppose you get some news. Wish I could send you the papers regularly. I have been watching the papers for pictures and listening to news broadcasts. Bobby Funk is out in garage begging admittance but his Mother doesn’t want him to come in. He hasn’t anyone to play with this morning and has been wandering around our yard. His Mother just called so he has to go home.

Love – Mother

Helen with her brothers, Forrest (aka Bud) and Charles, 1942 (Photograph courtesy of Judith Bowen)

Robert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon Image from Wikipedia ( Wikipedia Commons)

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

In the Jungles Part II (Roscoe)

3 Replies

: March 26, 1943 envelope

: March 26, 1943, p. 1

: March 26, 1943, p. 2

: March 26, 1943, p. 3

: March 26, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Mar 26, 1943
Lieut RS Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Fran Calif.

Dear Mother

We’ve had rain and clear spells today and you know that means a hot humid atmosphere. The humidity is with us all time so we are getting used to that. Each night about 3 A.M. there is a steady drip, drip from the trees on to the tent. That is one clear nights on rain nights it’s a run run.

The moisture in the jungles is most depressing – You have seen pictures of jungles but I’ll give you my impressions. As we entered – First there was a barbed wire fence. That I wasn’t sure whether it was

[page 2] intended to keep the animals out or in. At any rate on the jungle side there was pretty much of a wall of growth. I had a small had [hand] ax one of the others had a regular ax and the other fellow had a large corn knife like knife only it was a good three feet long. This was the best of all for he could swing it in both directions cutting vines and all vegetation as he came to them. Of course spiders, misquitoes toads flies and lizards were very much in evidence and the pay off was the large lizard about 3 feet long. The thing was had four legs which appeared to be a good 8 in. in length and

[page 3] about half of him was tail, the body being almost as big around as my wrist. The head was a miniature alligators. IT ran up a tree ahead of me and I was pretty glad at that.

Those long vines that Tarzan swings on aren’t fiction either. Some of them were as big around as an inch rope and also as plyable. We swung on one just to see if it would hold. It did. We were only in the jungles about one hour and during that time chopped some tall straight trees for tent poles but we were dripping with sweat and all petered out because of the hot and the high humidity. The ground with the leaves was very soft and

[page 4] even hard to walk in. There may have been fruits back in there but we only went in about as far as from our house to Foulkes. To [too] much work to get a road way, and I don’t mean for a car.

Some way some how some one butchered a cow last night and we got about 10 T bone steaks. We just picked them up with our fingers and ate them in a most primitive manner. They were very good. I can’t compare them with ours at home because its been to [too] long ago to make a comparison but they were indeed very good.

Well, I about exhausted the supply of paper and subject matter 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/2014/03/09/in-the-jungles-part-ii-roscoe/

In the Jungles (Roscoe)

4 Replies

: March 25, 1943 envelope

: March 25, 1943, p. 1

: March 25, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar 25, 1943
Lieut RS Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Fran

Dear Mother,

This again will have to be rapid due to another mess of fish and approaching darkness. This P.M. we were in the jungles getting native lumber (small trees) to build a better house to live in so that is why I didn’t get to this sooner. Sometime I’ll tell you more of the jungles but for the time being I’ll just say that I saw a lizard about 2 feet long – Looked just like an alligator but run along in the jungles and

[page 2] finally crawled a big tree. After the dirt and sweat of the jungle we had a swim in the Pacific – water nice and warm but the beach was rough.

Maybe I’ll be able to write more and better tomorrow after the fish dinner. So Solong
Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/08/in-the-jungles-roscoe/

Worthy Matron (Gladys)

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-26-43 [3-25-43?]

Dear Daddy – No letters today but having rec’d 14 this week can’t complain. It is warmer today, a little cloudy. Having the south septic tank worked on. Don’t know what the trouble is but Mr. Monroe said he couldn’t plunge it out so must be from the tank. Went to Chapter meeting last night. Clarice was installed Worthy Matron. There was quite a large crowd in attendance. Newell Lamb said he has been to see about enlisting in the Navy. Said he could get a j.g.’s rank. John was sent home from school with a headache – He has no temp and after staying in bed a while I told him to get up. He says he feels good but of course the first thing we thought of was measles. Paul Y. was here today. Said he was hunting a manure spreader. Was told there was one for sale in Benton Co. but after driving up here didn’t find one – I am getting 12 chickens (hens) to put in the locker. C. Molter is coming Monday to help us dress them. Meat rationing starts Apr. 1 There hasn’t been anything said about lockers yet so don’t know what will be done. 16 points a person a week is the ration on meat and it takes 8 points to buy a lb of steak – so you know not much steak will be eaten. Dried beef takes 12 points a pound and hamburger 5 points a lb. Dorothy & Nick went to Indpls today to get her eyes examined. She went to an optical co. last fall and got new glass (didn’t go back to Dr. A) – evidently they didn’t do much good. The pipe line to the tank was stopped – Our front yard is certainly a mess but it won’t take long to get new grass started where they had to dig. Glad this didn’t happen during cold weather or when the ground was very soft, was just right.

Love Mother

Canned Goods Will Suffer (Roscoe)

6 Replies

: March 24, 1943 envelope

: March 24, 1943, p. 1

: March 24, 1943, p. 2

: March 24, 1943, p. 3

: March 24, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Mar 24, 1943
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif.

Dear Mother,

Plenty of sunshine today after the wet rainy spell of yesterday. Just the way it should be plenty of water yesterday and a good day for laundry today. I put my clothes to soak and soap yesterday A.M. and later in the day put them in freshly caught rinse water and this morn put them out in the bright sunlight and believe it or not they came out nice and white. Three of my tent mates had the same idea this A.M. but they didn’t soak their clothes as I did and

[page 2] hush! They had tattle tail gray. I think you’d get a kick out of laundry day on the ——- ——-. The blanks are for the missing location. Some day I’ll let you know where the blanks refer to but at present it can’t be done for obvious reasons.

Instead of having tea this P.M. we had lime juice and pineapple juice. The only thing lacking was the tinkle of the ice cubes and don’t let me miss lead you. The pineapple juice was canned. However there are a few around here in the natural state.

The moon at present is about as bright as one will ever see – I mean at night – really

[page 3] I think I could write at night. Last night we had fish again and they weren’t brought in in time to prepare before dark so we ate them in moon light and they were sure swell. Fried in deep butter. That is one of the most pleasant experiences after eating spam, corned beef and canned hash. Really I believe the spam companies will go out of business after the war and I’m not so sure but what all canned goods will suffer. Maybe I’m in one of weak moments just now.

Our mail of course is slow as usual but when some does come we are spoiled and keep looking every day for a few days

[page 4] ant then when all hope is abou abandoned here comes a big bunch. I surely hope mine is getting to you with some regularity.

There is a huge cocoanut just outside our tent door which fell with a resounding thump. It’s about one foot in diameter. That is with the outer covering over the nut. That outer covering is the nuts to get off. It resists cutting prying and sawing but after tedious hours of stabbing one gets a foothold and then the whole outer shell peals off rather easily. However I haven’t seen anyone eat any of the meat for days. It very easy to get filled and stay filled with the stuff.

Well, I feel like I’ve been very extravagant with paper today and said very little so solong
Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/07/canned-goods-w…-suffer-roscoe/

Had to call the fire engine (Gladys)

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-24-43

Dear Daddy – 12 letters Mon & 2 Tues. so didn’t expect any today. This was the first day we could hang out clothes since Nov. 29-’42. It is a little cool but nice. The ground is beginning to dry so won’t be long till we can get the yard cleaned up. We are still having measles – Bill Taylor has them – was feeling bad so he went to Lucy and got a treatment. Thought after that he was taking pneumonia – has been pretty sick with them. The seventh grade is getting them now so I suppose John will take them but I don’t dread them so now that Mark has had them and got thru O.K. I went to a church meeting this afternoon – had to give the lesson at W.S.C.S. When I got to town to mail this I think I’ll spend the rest of our ration coupons (26). I used most of them the first of the month. I think I mentioned a freeze put on butter, fats, etc. Monday. That came as a surprise like shoe rationing. The butter etc. will be one sale again next week. So far rationing hasn’t bothered us but I hear it is hard to get meat, butter, eggs and quite a lot of things in the cities. There was a little excitement yesterday at Zells – Foulks cleaning woman burned some papers and there was quite a wind – the fired caught the dry grass and burned over almost to Zells’ chicken house & garage – Had to call the fire engine. We have an air Raid Warden – Bob Shurtter for this block – and are to have black-outs – They said they didn’t think it would be necessary but we have to keep in step with the times so we would know what to do ‘in case.’ I am sending a letter registered with some more pictures. Some taken at 5 & some 6 mo. of David. He is a little rascal today – but cute enough to get away with it. Taking a nap now. Everyone fine.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/05/had-to-call-th…-engine-gladys/

Just so much to write about (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: March 23, 1943 envelope

: March 23, 1943, p. 1

: March 23, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar 23, 1943
Lieut R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Fran.

Dear Mother,

A swell rainy P.M. and I’m reading a book. “A bullet thru a cap.” A very exciting drama but thought I’d better stop before darkness came on and get this letter written. Really though I can’t see that I do any better even if I am rushed because there is just so much to write about and the subjects are quickly exhausted.

Our trip yesterday was the most extensive I had taken on land and was quite interesting but there again I’m stopped because

[page 2] no description allowed. We did see a lot of cocoanuts trees and a lot of water and the water was fine swimming but shells are almost absent. We did see a small amphibious fish along the bank that when it was frightened it would scamper on land and run along then jump back into the water. Tropical fish are really a sight to behold. Almost all colors imaginable.

The rain is almost stopped and all our buckets are full of nice rain water so I can rinse those clothes I put to soak this A.M.

Well I’ll go back to my book for a while now.
Love Daddy

6 months old (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-23-43

Dear Daddy – Two letters today – that makes 14 this week – The two today were earlier than some of yesterdays but I am always glad to get them. Today David is 6 mo – old (17 lbs) and quite an active little fellow. He doesn’t sit alone yet but has a good straight back and holds erect very good. He sits up good in his high chair and buggy. I must say he is a little more spoiled than either J. or M. but not bad. IT is nice out today so think I’ll get him out for a walk in the sunshine. He hasn’t shown any signs of measles but maybe he won’t having had Immune Globulin. The 7^th grade is dropping out pretty fast now so I suppose John will get them now tho he didn’t take them from Mark. I am afraid he will get them about the time we want to go to C. C. Apr 2. I thought the epidemic was about over but there are new cases every day. I wrote to Uncle Wess and to Jewell & Bill today. I have told several people around town the reason you aren’t writing. After writing you about filing separate tax returns Agnes discovered she was wrong about that. Hope we get a rebate on the Gross. I saw in the paper all gross 1942 pd on salary rec’d in Service will be refunded. – Mary McGee (worked for Funks) went to Ari and was married last fall. Her husband was transferred to some place in the east. She is back working for Funks and staying with Bill & Arlene. She is going to have a baby but is going to work as long as she can. I have the picture of you you sent from N. C. on the desk – would like to have a new one in your new brief uniform you mentioned – or would I? We have had so much cold weather I will be glad to get into some lighter clothes. Had a card from Mrs. P. They are in St. P. Fla now. – Those flower pictures look good. I think she will write you from there. Dr. M. got a letter from Joe R. He had rec’d the box Dr. M. sent.

Love Mother

Yegerlehner, David with Mark - 1943-03-23

Mark holding David, March 1943

Getting Dark Rapidly (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: March 22, 1943 envelope

: March 22, 1943, p. 1

: March 22, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar 22
Lieut R. S. Yegerlehner US MCNR
A.P.O. 43
% P.M. San Fran

Dear Mother,

This will have to be rather short and rapid – since I’ve been out a little late and it’s raining and getting dark rapidly. While we were out – went swimming gathered some limes and saw some orange trees but no luck in getting oranges. The rain has made the roads very muddy and it makes a jeep sort puff to come thru but we haven’t been stuck yet.

Fibber McGee and Molly, 1937 (Image via Wikipedia Commons)

We were able to get Fibber & Molly last night. It was the first time I had heard them. The program was the inspection of the

[page 2] milk supply – I just wonder if you heard that one. We also got the news and some scuttle butt from Japan. We like their tall tales.

I’ve been told lately that our mail no longer goes by air and I wonder if that is true – if so no use to spend the extra but I’ll keep writing air mail as long as I have stamps and until I hear from you on the subject.

Well, It’s almost dark so must say –
Solong
Love Daddy.

Dropping the j.g. (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-22-43

Dear Daddy – this was a 12 letter day – yours from Feb. 27 to Mar 11 came today. Glad you had some letters, even tho they were old – Hope you get the pictures I sent in Feb of all of us. Will write your Mother & Ruth M. today. Ruth called last night about going to C.C. with us. If the measles don’t overtake John & D. we plan to go Apr 2 and take Ruth & Romaine with us. I have been giving Mark unicaps & taking them myself. Since Mark had measles I thought unicaps would be as good as anything – if a little expensive – Don’t worry about taxes I have everything under control. I read in the paper that gross would be refunded on pay received in the Service in 1942 – so should get a check some time for yours. So glad you could drop the (j.g.) I know you were glad too. I took some pictures of D. and J. & M. yesterday for his 6^th month – which will be Wed. I will send another registered better with several pictures as soon as I get those developed. Those people around town did all their guessing on their own before. Dorothy thought I might talk while under ether or coming out when D. was born but I didn’t. Of course there is a lot of speculation now. I am glad you shaved. You might have to use something heavier than a razor if you let it go too long. I didn’t know you had any grey in your beard – tho a few whit ones were showing in your hair. I have a noticeable “few” now myself, but somehow I don’t even care. Link & Irene are back from Mayo Clinic. They haven’t said anything but both have gone back to work and from all appearances aren’t ill. D. is raising a fuss and his grandma is trying to get him quieted. He gets into some awful shapes sometimes and needs a little help. He gets cross ways on his bed and pushes and he is too long to do that and not hurt his head. Weighs 17 lbs.

Love Mother