Tag Archives: World War II

A Heck of a Long Summer (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Jan 19, 1943

Dear Mother,

About the middle of the P.M. and the weather a little cooler – we have had a few clouds and the wind is blowing so that helps, but it sure was hot before that. I’ve just been thinking that this has been a heck of a long summer. When I reported in at Norfolk in May it was very hot and here it is 8 or 9 months later and still hot of course we have had some warm cool weather but mostly hot. Really I don’t think I’d like to live like this all time – I mean the warm weather – a change to the cold winds and frosting mornings is most desirable.

[page 2] In other words buckets of snow would be good or maybe acess to snow would be better. Several years ago in Indianapolis along about this time it was so cold – The heating plant in Elmer D. house froze up when you were up to see me and all those troubles – Remember. Well skip all those things.

Even our mail censoring job has fallen off. Just too hot for fellows to write. I thought I’d write others yesterday – but yours is the only one I’m able to get out each day. Sweat just pours out and gets the paper wet and the old thinking apparatus don’t work. It’s Thundering now. The second time I’ve heard that

[page 3] since leaving Norfolk. The other time is rained for 6 days straight – Hope it doesn’t do that this time.

I’ve taken five pictures all together. Fred and Dr. P. don’t know it but I’m taking candid pictures of them. Just started today and it’s a little hard to get one that the other don’t know it. I’m just trying to surprise them. Oh Yes. I’ll get some of myself on one or two to send you also. Those that I take of them are something of camp life.

I feel like working on some shells or something so I’ll finish later after the P.M. mail time – You notice I didn’t say after the P.M. mail.

Yes the mail has arrived. One letter for me from Wayne W. dated Dec. 14, so while it wasn’t a complete black out it wasn’t exactly what was expected. Of course I wouldn’t

[page 4] tell that to Wayne – but I’d much rather hear from you. So far we aren’t sure about a show tonite because it’s trying to rain and this is before the show so it may not be started. It is now 7:15 and the show generally starts at 7:45. Even with all the thundering etc. It didn’t rain much this P.M.  just sprinkled now and then.

There is one thing I forgot to tell you and that is to file to mortgage exemption. I’ve forgotten what time of year to do that. It may be too late now. Ask Link or Ira or Boonie. Funny how one forgets those things but it sure happens that way. Guess it’s the continuous summer time.

Well, I’m thru for today except for lots of Love –

Daddy

P.S. went to the show after all. It rained but rain coats were in order.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/07/a-heck-of-a-long-summer-roscoe/

Another Blizzard (Gladys)

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1943-01-19Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-19-43

Dear Daddy – Another blizzard and no school today – Probably hard for you to believe we are having such weather. If you get all my letters maybe you will get a fair idea what it is like here. I wish you could see the way the snow is drifted across the front yard today – It looks like rock formation. The boys are playing pick-up stick this A.M. David is asleep. Just had both pablum & milk. Weighted 13-6 this morning. He is holding things now. John calls him the “personality babe” Had a wire from Glen that they have a baby boy named him James L. – They are living in Winnemucca Nev. now. Had one letter this A.M. – Yours of Jan 11 – I am anxious to see the new necklace – The lace box you mentioned hasn’t come yet – Neither has the uniform money. I am taking sulfadiozine for my sinus infection. Have been taking treatments but the thing won’t clear up with spraying & irrigation. Never had such a time with it. The baby’s cold hangs on too and I think it’s because of my condition. However he hasn’t felt bad – and I do hope he doesn’t. Mother is knitting him a pr of bootees. Oh for spring and warm weather again.

Love Mother

Homes - 508 E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, Indiana, 1942-12-20

The house after a previous snowstorm

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/06/another-blizzard-gladys/

Tried to get new overshoes today (Gladys)

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1943-01-18Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
Kentland
INDIANA
1-18-43

Dear Daddy – Monday and more snow. There is a thick coating of ice under the snow so it makes walking as bad as driving. I took Mark to school so he wouldn’t get snow all over him – being sick last week from exposure I am going to keep him in pretty close for a while. – Have been to Music Club since writing the first – It was at the M. Church. The first time I have been any place (socially) since in Dec. I still am having sinus trouble but I thought it would lift my morale to go out again. Have 5 letters today – Jan 5 to 9 – The uniform money has not come yet. I will try this week to get some tax figures made. I am going to see Agnes and she will help me. I sent you the figures you asked for in three previous letters. Maybe you will get them some day. I haven’t bought the new dresses yet, but will wait now until spring – since I have a new coat & hat. I tried to get Mark some new overshoes today but couldn’t. He is wearing rubbers but we are having too much snow for low cuts. He wore a hole in the high ones he had. John is wearing your old zippers. All this snow should be good for the grass etc. Will try and write a real letter tonight.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/04/tried-to-get-n…s-today-gladys/

A word from Mark (Mark)

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1943-01-18 #2 (Mark)Letter transcription:

MARK YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND, IND
Jan. 18, 1943

Dear Daddy, everything is just fine. But we have all been sick. Today I was playing with Davie and he hit me in the nose, as hard as he could. It was so funny that I laid down on the floor and laughed till I cried. In my grades at school I made A+ In spelling, A+ A+ A+ I band C+ in Arithmetic, b+ in English. That is all I can think of

Mark

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/02/a-word-from-mark-mark/

A tussle with civilization (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Jan 17, 1942 [1943]

Dear Mother,

This is one of those hot windy days that come in July or Aug at home when the wind blows and the leaves on the trees and the corn leaves wilt and one feels very worthless and no matter where it’s still hot. A good cold drink of water would sure be fine but ice is so scarce that cold water is out of the question.

There was no mail this morning and I don’t look for any this P.M. only a box of candy came from Boonie. You said something about cigarettes. Those have been cut off our ration so we have to buy our own and in case someone asks tell them it is OK. If anyone wants to send – Those peanuts in sealed cans are about as welcome as anything, but there really isn’t much we want besides the states and there isn’t anyone going to send them.

Today I had my first real tussel with civilization. I now have and have a had a table with drawers in

[page 2] one drawer and it got so full I couldn’t get it open. You know how that is – just keep putting stuff in and then when the drawer is pulled out the things catch. That and having a deck rather than the ground floor is another thing for a floor always requires a broom and there is work attached to an implement of that type – Just the curses of civilization but I could stand more curses.

Just wrote to the folk – Their weekly weakly letter. I don’t know how often they write but I don’t get letters from them very often but their mail is probably like yours doing a double shuffle some place along the line –

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Our show last night was The Pied Piper. It The story was given in short in the Readers Digest sometime ago. The picture followed the story a great deal as I remember it. Don’t know what is on tonite but it will be after Church. We

[page 3] always hurry from Church to get a good seat, and sometimes don’t fare so good, but that only happens once each week. (I’m going to take a bath).

Both over – mail over Church over and Show over – got two letters – one from Mom and one from Ed. Johnson. I just wonder about them and their encounter. I suppose as you said I’ll know about theirs just a few days after it happens. His letter was dated Dec. 14 but the folks was Dec. 28. It wouldn’t be bad if we would get mail say every 2 wks if it were regular. Maybe now that Christmas is over things will be better. Mom said you didn’t come down Christmas so that is one thing I learned from her I didn’t from you because you didn’t know. Your letters weren’t coming thru. We

We happened – I mean Fred happened to

[page 4] have a can of deviled ham and he opened that and with some crackers we are having a snack after the show. So if there are grease spots there is where they came from.

You will have to give the furniture etc into the assessor this year so cut it down I can’t give you any advice on that. The car has a certain set value as well as the radio washer etc. but try to keep it down. He will be around in Mar. I think but don’t know how this mail is going.

Dr. Porterfield has a daily verse bible like things which he puts down the number of days and it is now 180 days since leaving Norfolk. He was in the hospital there. Practically ½ year. Does it seem longer? Yes to me – Must finish Mom’s letter so lots of love –

Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/02/a-tussle-with-…ization-roscoe/

Our street was a sheet of ice (Gladys)

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1943-01-17Letter transcription:

MRS RS YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-17-43

Dear Daddy – Sunday evening and the family in bed except me and waiting for D. to take his 10 PM before I turn in. Mayrose’s brought Mother up today. The weather was fair for the trip and it is snowing some this evening and when the boys came home from Youth Fellowship said was so slick they couldn’t stay on their feet. I noticed cars going very slow. Our street was a sheet of ice yesterday. The ice is so thick some children skate on it going to and from the pond. I hope it is better by morning as I need to go to town and I don’t want to walk. Since having this sinus trouble I try not to go out in the cold air any more than necessary. It is better this evening. Should clear up soon now. I hope it doesn’t continue indefinitely. John and Mark are both up and going again but John still has a little stiff neck. He was able to take care of the furnace today. Mark is as lively as ever. They have the electric train hooked up in our bedroom and have been playing with it this week-end. I suppose they will leave it there until I get tired walking around it. Mark has been trying to think up some of the things David will get into when he begins to get around. John says he isn’t going to worry about such things. Thanks for the letter about your trip and I might add, you do a good job telling things.

Love
Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/01/our-street-was…-of-ice-gladys/

Wholesome and American (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

1/16/43
Dear Mother,

Almost evening chow time and though possibly I’d better get started before it became too late. It’s been too hot today to do much but I’ve been destringing shells and sitting around on time off. I’ll have a bunch of shells and things ready to send in a few days or weeks. I’ll send things in smaller bunches like I have been so if they get lost they won’t all be lost at once.

Fred and I went to the shore and picked up a few shells this A.M. He at last is started on a neclace but where I bore two holes he is using a type where he just uses one hole – of course I think mine is best and he thinks his is – so that’s the way things stand. It’s a pretty good attitude – wholesome and American. We got some shells that

[page 2] still have stuff inside and the smell in warm weather and of course they draw flies also – guess something will have to be done about this. I put some in acid this A.M. to eat out the inside but it ate the whole shell in some instances for I forgot and left them too long and the acid was stronger than I thought. It must seem to you that all we do is play but since I can’t write about the work all I can write about is play. Hence you hear about that.

Just finished taking a bath and changing clothes and it sure makes one feel different – we have a little shower up on the hillside- just big enough for one person at a time and head and shoulders stick out when inside. So truly one can say an open air job – and with the wind blowing

[page 3] one hardly needs use a towel because of the drying affect of the sun & wind combination.

Bonds build Ships. Buy More Bonds, 1943 Artist: George Picken Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Bonds build Ships. Buy More Bonds, 1943
Artist: George Picken
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Some hours later- The mail came and there were three letters and a Christmas greeting – Two letters from you dated Dec. 30 & 31 and one from Boonie dated Dec. 9 and the greeting from Dr. M. and Dorothy. Of course you had no way of knowing that those 2 would come thru and no more. In them you told me the amount of money for the year and that you had bought the Bonds. Your judgment was very good I think and in a letter or two ago I suggested something to that affect. Was very sorry to hear you had a cold and do take care of yourself. Evidently you have heard nothing from the uniform money yet or was that the money you used for the bonds? Also I didn’t get anything about your Christmas since you

[page 4] didn’t know those other letters didn’t make it. You will just have to repeat in a few letters, and write a few V-mail letters also.

The  I’m not sure if I got all the packages. There was so much confusion. I got candy & chewing gum in the box with the mess. The camera and peanuts in another. Was it a box of chewing gum? If so I haven’t received it. It’s been some time and I got boxes from Boonie, Ruth M., Ruth & Floyd (birthday), one from Mom. So I’m not sure now I just thought everything came and so dismissed the whole thing. Possibly they all came – The coke in one – The flash light in the other and the camera in the other – Was that all of them?

Since you didn’t say anything about Christmas I don’t know if all yours arrived or not. Then was three items – Finger nail set. Comb & brush & Flowers. You mentioned two of them but nothing about the third I mean I haven’t letters to that affect. Possibly the other letters will arrive in due time. I hope.

[page 5] I wrote you about the finances debts etc. So do what you wish about what is left, and if things hold up buy a bond each month either 18 or 37 – depending on the cash you have – and get that safety deposit box if it isn’t too expensive.

And remember what I said about the liver shots – have a Dr. give them to you after a period of time without them.

Well, I always feel better after mail and always have more to write about and really feel more like writing.

The grand total as I have it figured for the year for taxes less deductions is 1985.52 but from that deductions can be made. I really don’t know what is given for dependents etc. so do what you think best about them. If not much pay it because the greater amount was made before I joined the Navy. So that will have to be paid even if the other should be canceled. However, you might pay only on the 3667.73 less deductions and play like that was the whole amount until after the duration. Well, dear it’s really good to hear from you and so long lots of love

Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/31/wholesome-and-american-roscoe/

Hot as the duce (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

1/15/43

Dear Mother,

Jan 15 and hot as the duce except we have a gentle breeze and the shady spots are cool. I’ve said that dozens of time before but it’s just another way of getting started. And since there isn’t much to write about something has to be said. I should think you would be able to read my letters by just holding them and reciting the things I say from day to day. Just like John used to do in reading the his stories from the pictures, but with all I’ll continue to write each day in the hope that these will keep you informed somewhat of what’s “cookin’.” I’ve been trying to say it’s difficult to write of things when the same thing goes on day after day. I guess the same thing is true as far as you are concerned also because things are more or less the same each day

[page 2] for you. Although I always enjoy your letters very much but maybe it’s because they don’t come so often. Anyway they are most welcome when and if they do arrive.

I haven’t done much with shells today because the thing I bore holes with slipped and nicked a little skin off my finger. Did[n’t]cut thru but just made it thin where I hold on to the shell.

Dr. Loop was here this A.M. and left a Lafayette paper – dated late in Nov. There wasn’t any news of Kentland in it. There was of other towns – saw where Vic at Brookston had been to some sort of a supper. I guess life goes on as per usual around most places especially in the smaller towns and other than a few ration cards one doesn’t think of war and all its horrors and hurrying. Guess I should have stayed

[page 3] in the school teaching racket – but I’m not sorry yet for things won’t always be this way.

Just happened to think you said you had a little surplus money. You might – this is just an idea – pay some on the insurance to John Hancock. The old policy on which we borrowed the money that would be about the best interest we could get because after all we pay 6% on that and the best we could anyplace is 2.9 on those bonds. Do what you think best. I’m not talking about your money maybe that is what you meant by surplus, but if the 250 uniform money ever gets there that would pretty well clear up that Ins. policy and save up us something like 15-16 dollars interest. I’m not so much interested in paying off the loan on yours but that too is costing us and I really don’t know how much either of them amount to – but again do as you think best. But I really do think a few debts paid off would be better

[page 4] than having it there and letting the bank get the interest. If nothing else by buy more bonds. You can always cash them if if necessary – those that you have had 6 mo. Just keep enough money in the bank to keep the rent etc paid up. Your expenses should be fairly stable now so you can figure about how much you will need – Maybe. I don’t mean your ability to figure I know that’s OK but I mean the insurance is always the same rest  the same – except Nov. & Dec. Well I shouldn’t be butting in to affairs when I can’t remember all of them but I’m just trying to help. So cut the bank balance down, preferably for bonds rather than building & loan. That is if you think best.

The above is a matter of high finance but just thought you might want some suggestions.  I believe you asked, but I do know this that your expenses around the end of the years are heavy and the surplus might be a deficit unless the uniform

[page 5] money comes.

A fellow just came in with 2 bottles of cold beer and is it good. That’s the first we’ve had for a ling time and this is cold. Don’t know where it came from but it’s good.

I’m going to save the rest of the space for later-

After the show and it was a pretty good one for here funny and lubby dubby stuff – of course the lubby dubby didn’t just exactly fit the surrounds but we can still dream.

It’s about as hot here tonight as it has been. In fact it was a little warm for a windbreaker at the show.

Well, SoLong Love
Daddy

Lt (jg) Yegerlehner MC USNR
Receiving Station
U.S.N.A.B.
Noumea, New Caledonia
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at:https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/30/hot-as-the-duce-roscoe/

Last day for regular air mail (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
1-15-43

Dear Daddy –

Today is the last day for regular air mail to men overseas, so after this I will probably use mostly V-mail. However at the rate you have received my letters I don’t believe they went by air. I will write a few regular & the rest V-mail. Will have to use regular for pictures. It was announced over the radio that the restriction to send boxes out is for Army & does not apply to Navy or Marine.

We are having more “weather.” It began to snow then sleeted a while now it is clear but we have more snow to shovel.

Mark went back to school today but John is still lying around with stiff neck. He has missed two days of school. He seems to feel well otherwise.

[page 2]Dorothy White called this morning and wanted to know if Dr. M. could borrow your microscope. She came out and got it. Dr. M. is buying a new one and has turned his old one in and is temporarily out of one. She said Dr. sent you a box and was wondering if you would get it. I told her now that the Christmas mail is delivered I thought you would get it.

Dorothy wanted me to ask you what it was you used to give Nick when he had the pain in his elbows, etc. You told him it was caused from going out in the cold from the hot kitchen. It was a white tablet. If you can remember let me know and I’ll tell them. So far the Johnson baby has been doing some night crying. Of course coming home in a week doesn’t help matters.

[page 3] I suppose they will get the little fellow regulated after a while. They are a little late with their child experience. We had ours before we had time to settle into a “groove.” Of course David has been good and staying in the hospital 2 weeks I think helped. He seemed to know when to sleep. I see Link is driving their car around with Irene & Jimmy on a sled in back. Bobby Funk has his sled out too. We have had plenty of sledding & skating weather. We just get rid of one snow when another one comes along. I suppose this kind of weather will last till spring since it started at Thanksgiving. I think Thanksgiving was the last time I hung clothes out in the yard. Probably will be some time before I do again.

It is about time for D. to have a bottle & the rest of us to eat too.

Love
Mother

P.S. These letters the boys wrote somehow didn’t get mailed when written.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/29/last-day-for-r…ir-mail-gladys/

Betty Davis Eyes (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Jan. 14, 1943

Dear Mother,

I’m writing again just after noon day chow. We are going to have some repair work done and I’ve been appointed to supervise while Fred & Dr. P. work otherwise but so far no one else has appeared so I’ll make use of the time. Our mail this A.M. wasn’t and I’ll say no more along that line, only maybe save some space at the end for late comment.

It’s been some time since I’ve written the boys and I’m gradually working up to that pitch and probably will in a few days but right now there are eight letters to be answered. Those were mostly Christmas greetings and one to Hickey and Barry the drug salesman. There really isn’t much need to hurry about those but with the show every night our writing time is cut short.

We had ice cream today. It seems some ice cream mix showed up and a hand freezer so our mess cooks mixed up a batch

[page 2] and it wasn’t bad either. Very smooth. Tasted like the kind Boonie used to make, so it really had a homey touch. It wasn’t frozen very hard but that is just the way I like it. It really went pretty good on a hot dry summer day.

It really is a shame I can’t be there when all this winter weather is going to waster because you know I always like winter weather best. And you like the good ole summer. You’d enjoy this climate swell but just happened to think I’ve seen several cases of eczema just like yours so it happens in warm climates just the same as cold. One fellow was sensitive to menthiolate and when his feet were painted for athlete’s feet he sure had a pair of hoofs on him. And incidentally he is from Marshall Ill. There is also a boy here from Fort Wayne Ind, but I don’t see any I know from around home only the Lontz boy in the army and I’ve only seen him once.

The working party has been here and

[page 3] gone so now our home is remodeled again. You’d be surprised to see the evolution of the housing situation or I should say tent situation has gone thru.

Up to now this letter has been in three hitches for I stopped to take a shower and then fixed clean clothing and then decided to work on shells. Just trying a new idea. So far it isn’t so hot but I still think the idea good. We always have some little time in the P.M. for nonsense so that is about the only way we have of spending it. Fred & Dr. P. don’t do any work on shells – They gather a few. Dr. P. has sent some home but Fred hasn’t as yet.

It’s almost time for P.M. mail so I’ll see if I can add a line when and if any comes. No mail period. The show was pretty good “The Great Lie” starring Betty Davis and Geo. Brent. There was lots of true to

[page 4] life narrative in the thing, but a little to sad and a little to true to life for out here. The theme song was “Tonight We Love” and I believe I’ve heard John play it or something similar. Dr. P. says his daughter plays it quite often. I can’t say that Betty Davis is the best acress in the world but she was pretty good in this it seemed to fit her moody temperament but I don’t like her popeyes – Looks too much like a hyper thyroid.

Well,
Lots of Love –
Daddy

LT (jg) Yegerlehner MC USNR
Receiving Station
U.S. N.A.B.
Noumea New Caledonia
c/o Fleet P.O.
San Francisco Calif.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/28/betty-davis-eyes-roscoe/