Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert
Steingart
U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O.
San Francisco
Monday 1 January 1945,
7:35 PM
Dearest Eleanor,
And so begins
a new year. First, I want to tell you a little more of the celebration
aboard. After I finished my letter
I intended to turn in, but no chance. The
men had gotten hold of pots, pans, garbage can tops and the band's drums and
were parading all over the ship making a most ungodly racket. Most of the officers were fairly well oiled. We all went up to the Captain's quarters to
serenade him and wish him a happy new year.
We probably awoke him so I doubt if he appreciated it. Then we returned to the wardroom for a snack
and finally I turned in.
Worked all
morning on the mess statement. It cost
me $25 last month to eat and that was really cheap.
After lunch
today a few of us went ashore. Two
bottles of beer was all I drank. I just
didn't feel like it. Instead I hunted
for more shells. I have quite a
collection now.
The boat we were
using was a Higgins Landing Craft. She ran
aground over some coral and we had a hell of a time trying to get someone to
pull us off. We finally got someone to
do it and returned safely. Of course
there was no danger because we were close to the shore and there were many
boats around. Besides it wasn't deep or
we wouldn't have run aground in the first place.
The movie
tonight is "Should Strangers Marry" and the cast are all unknown to
me. I'll tell you more about it
tomorrow.
I also
brought a coconut back. I'm going to
polish it up and make a souvenir paper weight out of it.
Nothing new
today except more confirmation on the previous scuttlebutt. We may be moving out of here even sooner than
the three months I figured on at first.
Here's hoping.
No mail again
today. I'll probably get a whole sack
full when I do get some.
Darling, do
you remember New Years Day of previous years?
Just lounging around because we were too sleepy and tired to go
anyplace. I'd listen to the football
game and maybe doze off before it was all over.
Well, Sweet next year we'll stay home together and rest and listen to
the ball game in-between (?)
Good night
Sweetheart, the movie is about due to begin.
Love,
Gil
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