Tag Archives: World War II

A new milk program (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-5-43

Dear Daddy – Another day without any mail from you but everyday I look for a letter just the same. Our weather has calmed down a little but it is clouding up like we might get some snow. Clarice asked me if I would help solicit in the Red Cross campaign so I had to attend a meeting last night at the court house to get the material. I am to solicit east of 41. They had divided the township & town among so many that no has so much to do. We are to start Monday and I hope to finish same day. So many in this neighborhood don’t have to be solicited because of business connections. The fewer the better. Coco Foulkes is having Cosmopolitan Club this afternoon. I think I’ll go and “show off” our David. He is certainly getting showy. The boys talk to him so much he likes attention. It has been so cold this week I haven’t had him out of the house but I think it is warm enough today to take in that far. – The schools are trying to introduce a milk program in the grade school. Each child to get 1 pt a day for 1 cent. I signed up. Mark has milk with his meals but I thought the extra might do him some good. I see in the paper tha John Cassidy has gone to Arizona for his health. I also see in the court news that Velda Dye got the divorce on a cross complaint – also $5⁰⁰ a week for the support of Linda and 600⁰⁰ alimony – Geo sued and she filed a cross complaint. The boys are home and eating their lunch. John says the boys in his class are learning to knit – Miss Kitsmiller is teaching them. Mark is so full of pep he doesn’t act like he could take the measles and I hope he doesn’t. If he does he will be over them I suppose by the time you will know.

Love Mother

Kent High School yearbook 1948 teachers, including Miss Kitsmiller

©2014 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/28/a-new-milk-program-gladys/

Marine Life (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: March 4, 1943 envelope

: March 4, 1943, p. 1

: March 4, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar 4, 1943
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Fran. Calif.

Dear Mother,

It has now been 3 days since rain and we feel as if it a terrible dry spell. Even at that the ground is still wet and soggy under the foliage.

The Commanding officer and I went swimming this P.M. Just to get away for a short time. The bottom wasn’t sandy so we just left our shoes on. He had some under water glasses and by using those and swimming under water one could see the most beautiful sights. And fish of all

[page 2] color size and description. I made a quick estimate once and I believe there were at least 50 good sized fish in the near vicinity. Various colored coral on the bottom made the whole thing look like a fairy book dream land area. Marine life in the tropics is certainly beautiful to the Nth degree. In fact I don’t believe it but I’ve seen it so must be convinced.

Hope my letters are coming thru to you because I know how it is not to get mail. I’ve been writing every day now for about one week.

Well – lots of love
Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/27/marine-life-roscoe/

Coconuts (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: March 3, 1943 envelope

: March 3, 1943, p. 1

: March 3, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Mar. 3
Lt (jg) Yegerlehner
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Francisco Calif

Dear Mother,

To begin with I think I got the wrong address date of yesterday’s letter. Anyway this one is 24 hours behind the other dated Mar 3.

Maybe you have noticed a difference in my writing. I found a board to place across my knees – before I was just writing on paper. Anyway it’s more comfortable writing this way only the flies are very bad what with so much of me exposed to them. Yesterday all day long I had on nothing but my trunks. I tell you you’re going to have to watch me when I get home or I’m apt to walk right off to town clad only in trunks. Remember how I used to ask you to buy a coconut. Well, no need now. Our tent is pitched with the four corners to coconut trees and it isn’t too safe to walk too near those trees – One night not long ago one

[page 2] fell right smack into a water bucket beside the tent and what a noise.

A few days ago our commanding officer was & I were out from camp on some business and before getting back got very thirsty. So we thought we would try some cocoanut juice. I threw and knocked one down and he hacked it open with his hunting knife and we drank the juice about one pint. Then we ate some of the meat. Nothing happened until about 10 P.M. All at once I felt very nauseated and had to get going and I spread shredded cocoanut all over the hillside. While resting on an old log I heard someone down the hill heaving just as I had shortly before. I came back down and there was the commanding officer spreading more stuff on the hillside. We both had a good laugh – went back to bed and that was the end of that. Vomited plenty but not sick. Anyway I don’t care much for cocoanuts only I have eaten some of the meat several times since.

Maybe as time goes along other things can be told but now writing subjects are very scarce.

So Solong Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/26/coconuts-roscoe/

News from the neighborhood (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Daddy – A windy March day & cold. Mrs. Zell took the children to school this a.m. and I am going to get them at noon. I wouldn’t be so particular but Mark has been exposed to the measles and I want to keep him from getting a cold if possible. It must have been below zero again this morning. By Mark having the flu in Jan he hasn’t too much resistance and I am trying to keep him from any undue exposure. I will certainly be glad for warm weather so he can get out in the open. He is planning big on his garden this summer. I think he and I can manage one. John isn’t a bit enthused about taking care of the yard – that is to be his job this summer and Mark is to care for our garden. Now don’t laugh up your sleeve – we are very serious about our garden. I think we can get enough space back of Zells by Link & Bill’s gardens. I saw Irene in the restaurant yesterday. She said her mother is better – she has had a bad cold. Dorothy & Nick have only two waitresses now so they have to work nearly all day. Lois W. had an operation and won’t be able to work for a while. Nick bought Floyd’s tools for Buddy. Mark couldn’t understand why Uncle Floyd didn’t give him those tools. I told him it was just a little matter of $50⁰⁰. Dorothy is going to take the dining room furniture we have stored in the basement. They are putting a bathroom where their pantry is and she needs space to store her dishes. Jim writes that Camp B is being moved to Camp Perry and they are trying to find a place for Thelma to live in Richmond. However he thinks he may be sent out. He may get a leave this month and if so will come home. We are planning to go to C.C. while Dolores is home in April. She will get to be home on her birthday. I think Ruth M. will go with us. I hope we have mild weather then. We are all well and hope we can escape the measles –

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/25/news-from-the-…borhood-gladys/

Guessing is out (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: March 3, 1943 envleope

: March 3, 1943, p. 1

: March 3, 1943, p. 2

Mar 3, 1943

Lt (jg) Yegerlehner (MC) USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Francisco, Calif

Dear Mother,

Probably I have done a foolish thing for I have written the folk and Sis and it sure cuts down on the stationery supplies – we did get a chance to buy some stamps but writing paper and envelopes aren’t as easily obtained. So if other people mention that I haven’t written – there is a reason. If you have time you might drop a line to Uncle Wess giving him my address and a few others but I just don’t feel like using the supplies and then won’t be able to write you.

This place is different in many respects than where I was located before and has more of the South Sea atmosphere than New Caledonia. Guessing as to the location is out

[page 2] because of necessity and you can also see that description of places and things is also prohibited. All I can say is listen to the radio and watch the newspapers.

We have had plenty to eat (out of cans) and we get plenty of sleep (from the beginning of darkness to daylight) if you get what I mean.

My last mail from you was Jan 25 and I have no idea how long it will be before more catches up – probably not so long. I hope.

Really I think I like it better here than at the last location but can’t tell you why. I sorta feel sorry for Dr. P. & W all by themselves with all their modern conveniences of life. Maybe that is sadistic – well can’t use any more paper this time –

Lots of Love
Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/24/guessing-is-out-roscoe/

More on meat rationing (Gladys)

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

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

Dear Daddy – Just had a session with D. He had been asleep but woke up & cried. I went up and got him quieted again. I think his gums bother him some. Doesn’t bother his appetite which is very good. I gave him Gerbers cereal today and he took it better than he takes Pablum or Pabena. We have started to train him for his B. M.’s and if I can be in the room or hear him I usually get him up and save a diaper. I repainted the wheels & frame work on the buggy I bought. It is like the one we had for Mark. It is too cold now to take him out so I am getting the buggy ready for spring weather. I just figured a little on our financial status and have a bal. now of 172⁰⁰ – all bills paid except two (amt. $20⁰⁰) that includes my Mar first check. When I got all the first of the yr bills paid it cut our bal. down. However we have 14 – $25⁰⁰ & 6 – 50⁰⁰ bonds. If the uniform & travel money ever comes will pay off pol. Loan. All the boys Ins is paid for the year and June will end one of the premiums on yours. I am trying to hold expenses down and haven’t done any lavish spending but there are those monthly rent, light, water, telephone, Groc. – and the last is high. Meat is very high in the stores – hamburger .35 lb & steak .48 – I am glad we have our locker. Molters (Sam) are going to sell some hens and I think I’ll buy a dozen & put in the locker. The drawer is about half full now. Meat is to be rationed Apr 1 and probably butter & other shortenings. Have all the lard from the last pork I bought – Since Tom Murphy had his last severe attack they have decided to go to Fla & live. They had bought Vivian’s house but have it up for sale. Ellsworth had been trying to sell that place to Zell’s so Catty can buy Zell’s place but I hardly think Zell’s will sell. They want a larger house but the Murphy place isn’t any larger than this. – Parr’s are in Fla. at present & Ken Wood’s are in Calif. It has been too cold to get out much so haven’t any late news if there is any. We are all fine and hope we can keep from getting the measles.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/23/more-on-meat-rationing-gladys/

One can’t win (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: March 2, 1943 envelope

: March 2, 1943, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Mar 2, 1943

Dear Mother,

I missed writing yesterday due to the fact I was out most of the time – later I will write of some of the happenings of the day. And it hasn’t rained for 24 hours so things have dried but they are wet again with sweat. So one can’t win.

This will have to be short due to work conditions so will try to do better next time

Love Daddy

Lt. (jg) Yegerlehner MC USNR
A.P.O 43
% Postmaster
San Francisco Calif.

Measles (Gladys)

4 Replies

Letter Transcription:

MRS. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
3-2-43

Dear Daddy – It is very cold today. It was about 10° above but felt more like 10° below. I told you in another letter about the measles in school. Dr. M. has been giving children who haven’t had measles 10 c.c. of blood (in the hip) from their parents that is if the parent has had measles – He says he did that several years ago when there was an epidemic and in cases where they took the disease they had it very light. He thought I shouldn’t give any since I am taking vitamins to build up myself – but since the blood is given in the muscle instead of the vein he said it didn’t have to be typed so Bud Hufty gave M. 10 c.c. – You might know John didn’t like the idea. I didn’t press the matter with him and there aren’t any of his class out yet. Mark was all in favor of having it done and couldn’t wait to have it done, so I am hoping it will help some. Several have had this done. I hope it helps check things. Needless to say I want to keep D. from taking anything contagious. I stopped to pay a coal bill and Bun Walkup came in. He wanted to know David’s weight. I said 16 lbs. He said their girl weighed 16 – ¾. I reminded him their girl weighed about 2 lbs more at birth. He said we must be giving D. dynamite. You know the two were born the same day, and at first their baby was quite ahead of D. Every time Bun would see me he would ask me D’s weight & then tell me now much more his girl weighed. Mark is having a little struggle with his arithmetic this evening. I have been trying to help him. John is studying the courtship of Myles Standish now. He says it’s interesting. I haven’t done anything more about a piano. The one I wrote about I decided wasn’t what we need for J. I am trying to figure out a garden – for this summer. Have to get some vegetables canned.

Love – Mother

©copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/21/measles-gladys/

Point rationing begins (Gladys)

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
IND
3-1-43

Dear Daddy – We have passed thru Jan & Feb with a lot of cold weather, snow, wind, blizzards etc. and today is Mar. one and still the same kind of weather. I was going to write a long letter yesterday but Floyd and Ruth were here and after they left Clarice & Bob came and I didn’t get around to writing so will try and write two today. We are allowed 3 V-mail daily. Ruth M. wants to go to C.C. with us if we get to go so may over and get her. Earl can’t get enough gas only for driving to work. The ration board over there checks on the mileage, but in an area like that I suppose they have to be pretty strict. Floyd & Ruth are to be in Blufton the first of this week. They don’t know yet about Georgia. They have never found out why he was rejected. Today we can start buying on point rationing. 48 points per person for March and we have 5 persons to buy for so I think we can manage. We were allowed 25 cans when we got our books – I didn’t have quite that many but have at least 15. Canned fruits, juices, vegetables and dried and dehydrated are the rationed foods so far. We are going to have a garden I think we can get a plot by Links. You know he had a place by Bill’s garden. Mark is to take care of the garden and John is to take care of the lawn. I think that will be a fair division of the work. If we have as much rain as last summer I know John will have plenty to do. They could hardly keep the grass cut with both working on it. With a little help I think we can get a garden planted and with a little supervision I think Mark can take care of it. I didn’t get a bond for Jan & Feb so will have to double up for Mar & Apr. Haven’t seen any of Statons to talk to them for some time but see them go to work every day. Mrs. James isn’t very well. Has a cold and coughs some. David is asleep since his bath & feeding. Ruth thought he had grown a lot. Weighs just about 16 lbs now.

Love – Mother

Secret location (Roscoe)

2 Replies

: February 28, 1943 envelope

: February 28, 1943, p. 1

: February 28, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Feb. 28, 1943
Lt (jg) R. S. Yegerlehner MC USNR
A.P.O. 43
% Postmaster
San Francisco Calif

Dear Mother,

When writing use the above address until further notice. The Navy 224 would be OK but this may be a little faster. I’ve been able to write almost every day this past week but before that several days there just wasn’t a chance.

Our location is very much a secret so we will just try to keep it that way. I still have the job of helping to censor the mail and we are more particular than before.

My pay accounts were left at the

[page 2] old place so no money will be drawn to be sent home by check or money order as before so pay day is just another day and most of the days are rainy days with sunshine in between.

This location will keep the guessers busy for some time – seems at first they had fun guessing so they can start all over again. When things do open up that was more can be told I can write more interesting letters but for the time being it’s just words to let you know we are able to write each day.

Hope these letters are getting thru OK
Lot of Love
Daddy

______________________________

History of APO 43

I had a little difficulty tracking down APO numbers but eventually I found them! APOs were traditionally the postal numbers used by the Army. If you need to find a World War II APO, here is a good place to find one:
http://www.7tharmddiv.org/docrep/Location%20of%20APOs%201942-1947.pdf

And thank you to the 7th Armored Division for posting this 1947 pamphlet from the Army Postal Service.