Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert
Steingart
U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San
Francisco
Thursday 24 May 1945,
7:15 PM
At Sea
Dearest Eleanor,
Hello Sweetheart,
I really hit the jackpot his morning. I
got eight letters from you and one each your mother and Uncle Mike. However, I was busy with patients all morning
so it was 11:30 before I got a chance to read my mail.
After lunch I
read a little from the book "Pastoral" and took care of another
patient. Then I went up on deck and
enjoyed a nice refreshing breeze. Gee
what a difference it makes. My room, which always was the coolest one in the
ship, is even cooler now. Bet that
tonight, I have to use a sheet and maybe the spread too.
At 5:15 I
showered and changed for dinner and after chow went up on the fo'castle and watched another beautiful
sunset. A full moon was out and you
could follow its silvery path on the sea clear out to the horizon. Pretty and comfortable as it was I left for
our little daily visit. The four officers who were with me wondered what I
could possible write every night.
However I do try to say something interesting.
Now your
mail. The letters were written Saturday.
Sunday and Monday 12, 13, and 14. I'm
tickled to hear that Norma got along so well with her illness. You do seem to be kept fairly occupied and
that is well. The place
"Tropics" brings back many happy memories to me too. When I get the novelties that I'm making for
you and the kids finished, I'm going to
make one for Ethyl. The Leavys have
really been nice to you. As for your
darling (?) sister Ruth I shall make no comments.
You recall my
prognostication of the Japanese war and now you are reading that others, who
should know, say more or less the same thing.
Let's keep our fingers crossed and pray.
Jack Taylor's
experience as a German prisoner is horrible.
However I wasn't too surprised because I had read in an April issue (I
don't remember which one) of Time a recount of the different German prison
camps. I understand movies were taken and
are horrible and gruesome. I wouldn't recommend that you see them.
Who does
Linda take after? You're no artist and
neither am I. I'm just as proud of her
as she is herself. I've been neglectful
of my letters to the kids. I'll write one tomorrow and try to write regularly
after that.
Don't know
why you had to give our mothers gifts after I told you I had sent
something. Something small from the kids
would have been sufficient. One place
you can cut down on--gifts.
Just keep on
planning Sweet. Every plan we ever made
was carried out and those you make now will be sure to materialize after this
war is over.
I know
Mothers Day was not a happy day for you but on the other hand we shouldn't
complain. After all the whole family is
well and the men who are away from home are all safe. And by the way, don't you worry about
me. I've got a soft touch here. As far
as fighting the war goes, I'm pretty safe all the time.
Now Honey,
don't you chastise me for not writing a real love letter. You should know your old man by now. I'm just saving up all my love for you for
the time when I come home. If you recall
I never even had a line when I was single. I always did think that action spoke
louder than words. Of course I miss you
Sweet but I feel better not pouring "salt on wounds." In another few days it'll be ten months (it
really is seems like ten years) since the day we said good-bye. So--be a good teach and when I get back you
can keep me after school and give me some extra coaching.
So now I
can't even dance with any of the women on Harry's side of the family. OK but I won't take the divorce threat
seriously.
Yes I get the
B'nai B'rith Bulletin. As a matter of
fact I got that and a Southern California State Dental Bulletin yesterday.
Of course you
can have a new fur coat. However as I've
said before, I'd rather you waited until I got back before you got one. OK?
Darling, I've
been scribbling now for forty-five minutes and my writing is progressively
getting more illegible so I'd better sign off.
Goodnight my
Sweet until tomorrow
Yours alone,
Gil
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