Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert
Steingart
U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O.
San Francisco
Thursday 15 March
1945, 6:45 PM
Dearest Eleanor,
Hello darling
here I am once more. Began today as
usual with work but I knocked off about 10:30 because I'm having a new style
surgical basin (sink) installed in my office.
I'm there now. From the progress
they've made, there won't be much dentistry done on the Ocelot tomorrow either.
I got another
shot in the arm today and it feels quite sore at present. By tomorrow night I hope to be rid of all its
effects.
So, I had
time to read my five letters before lunch today. There was one from Linda, one from Ethyl and
three from my favorite wife. This
afternoon I just loafed and took it easy.
Read a little, talked a little but accomplished nothing.
Now to your
letters. I don't want our ship to go
back for repairs. Ships that need such
extensive repairs as to go back to the states must have seen some heavy action
and many of the crew probably were casualties.
I'll get back in due time and safe and sound. Who wants to be a hero? Not me!
You ask what else can you send me? Well nothing at present. At dinner tonight we were talking about pickles
and kosher dills were brought up. It was
suggested that "dills" packed in waxed paper containers with
additional wax sealing the cover would come on safe and sound. They tell me even whiskey has been sent out
that way. How about getting a couple of
quart cylinder containers and sending some on (no, not whisky, pickles).
When I get my
promotion I'll arrange to have your allotment increased and have the checks
sent to the Santa Monica Bank. Then you
can close out the San Diego account and have it all in one bank. You should have plenty of reserve so that
there won't be any charge for writing checks even minus an additional
$1,000. You can buy those bonds in $500
ones if you like. I still say buy some
more.
I wrote Dr.
Ivie the other day. As a matter of fact
I'm all caught up now and owe no one any letters.
About the
Sadie A. incident. All I can say is that women are cats and very petty ones
indeed. Further no one will stick her
neck out if she can avoid it. I'd forget
the incident and tell the whole kit and caboodle to do their own dirty work
from now on.
I know my
daily letters mean much to you because I know how much they mean to me. We have been lucky too that there hasn't been
much of a break in frequency of mail so far.
However darling please realize that his can't go on forever and sooner
or later there may be a break of days or maybe weeks without mail. Please don't worry though because I'll always
be safe and then one day you'll get a great big stack all at once.
By the first
of April I'll have over $450 due me on the books. I'm going to send you $100 then and I want
you to buy Linda a bond and use the $25 balance to get her something more
tangible.
Well darling
I'm all worked up for tonight. The move
is an oldie "Intermezzo" with Leslie Howard. Goodnight my Sweet I'll see you in my dreams,
Love,
Gil
P.S. The ban is off on discussing Hawaii. Ask any questions you like now and if I can
remember the facts I'll answer them fully.
Gil
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