Went to Hospital Ship

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Sunday 10 June 1945, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling here I am again.  I began the day by examining members of the crew from 8:30 to 9:30.  Then I got a boat and went over to the hospital ship to visit Jim Lyons.  He is the officer who fell through an open hatch.  He was in the operating room. After waiting for thirty minutes I was told that it would be another hour before he was out.  In as much as I had a boat lying off and waiting, I decided to leave and come back again in a day or so.  Got back just in time for lunch.

          After chow I came down to my office and found nine letters.  There were six from you, one of "I" Bergman and one each from our mothers.  I spent this afternoon getting my wardroom statement for May completed.  Then I read for awhile.

          Now to your letters.  Didn't I comment about my wife when I wrote about the snaps?  How does she look?  Lady you'll never know how good those snaps looked to me and how many times I bring out my album and thumb through the pages and dream of days to come.  You look swell and not too fat.  Or were you holding your tummy in?

          I'd like our kids to have skates.  If we get them slow pairs to learn on, they should never exhibit anything more than a few black and blue marks.

          Naturally when I get orders, I'll try to get a ship headed for San Pedro but that is just a matter of luck.

          See you got a couple more days of teaching.  Guess there won't be many more since summer vacation will be here.

          You mention Norma's eye and hand being swollen but said nothing definite.  I do hope it was just an insect bite and she's over it.  She's had enough for awhile and so have you.

          Nothing yet about my promotion and frankly I'm not looking for it this month anymore.  However an ALNAV may come out and surprise me so we'll just have to wait and see.

          I like you idea about celebrating all the holiday and occasions that I missed.  Just think--Xmas 44, New Years, my birthday, Linda's birthday and Norma's too, 4th of July, our anniversary.  I shan't go any further.  Maybe we'll be lucky to celebrate the remaining holidays of the year on time.

          We have another old movie tonight but like "Old Faithful" I never miss.  This time it's "The Song of the Bernadette."

          Well Darling that is thirty for tonight.  Goodnight my Sweet.  I hope you're over your gas and bilious attacks soon and for good.

Loving you always,

Gil

V-mail Is Slower Than Air Mail

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Saturday 28 April 1945, 8:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, here is that man again.  Today was a nice easy day.  I really didn't do too much work.  I had five appointments scheduled for men from another ship and they were cancelled the last minute.  However I had five drop in patients so I managed to fill the morning OK.

          I saw one patient this afternoon and then I went to work on those bracelets I'm making for the kids.  Linda's is finished and all I had to do on Norma's is put on the chain.  I hope the sizes are right.  I'll make them large enough so that a couple of links can be taken out if they are too big.

          I got two letters today, one from you (an old one of the 13th) and one from Libby.  She is using air mail again.  I guess she figured V-mail would be faster but when I told her it took twice as long she switched back. V-mail from Europe makes the trip out to here in two weeks, so I guess V-mail is better in some cases.

          I wrote letters to Libby and Ruth today.  I'm getting behind again.  I must write your mother, Ethyl, Herman and "I" Bergman.  Then I'll be all caught up until more comes.

          Do I remember my own phone number?  Silly girl--how could I forget?  By the way one of our barbers went back to the states and I gave him our address and phone number.  He will arrive at San Pedro so I'm sure he'll get in touch with you.  He is a very nice chap and his name is Trubey.

          No more for now dear so I guess I'll sign off.  Good night Darling and pleasant dreams.  Sleep tight.

Love,

Gil

Fillings, Extractions, Gingivitis and Examinations

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco

Friday 27 April 1945, 7:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling, here I am again.  The morning was another one of those days.  Between 8:30 and 11:30 I filled twelve teeth, extracted four, treated two gingivitis cases and examined two men.  I was really glad that today was Friday, "field day," and no appointments for the afternoon.

          After lunch seven of us officers went ashore for a few beers and relaxation.  At 5:00 PM our boat picked us up and we returned to the ship.  We had just enough time to shower and change before dinner.  After eating we stood up on deck and watched the sun set in a glorious blaze of red fire and a great big yellow, tropical, moon rise in the heavens.

          I really hit the jackpot today.  I got six letters from you and one each from "I" Bergman, Herman Stein and Ethyl and the Arrowhead card from you.  So-o-o- here goes.

          Don't do a thing about income taxes until I get home.  It'll be perfectly OK. There is no reason to worry.  
          The old set of golf clubs contains several of my original clubs. They are worth $3 or $4 each so don't give them away.  However the old irons with the wooden shafts can be passed on to Dick if you like.

          Sounds like you have lots of flowers around the house.  Wish I were there to cut and arranged them you around the house.

          Don't worry. When I get back, wherever I go we'll be together, all four of us.  That is a promise.

          The snaps of Linda and my mother are swell but where are my other two girls?  Yes, I know you looked terrible (or so you say) so you didn't send them on.  You'd look good to me anyway and don't you forget it.

          I see you got a couple more days of teaching.  Swell--that makes two days less to have to fill up some way."Winged Victory" was good but I didn't enjoy the Durbin movie, "I Want to Sing" or something like that.  Did you like it?

          Don't worry about "babies."  I'll take care of everything when I get back and that's a promise.

          Ruth is no different than she always was.  It's Ruth first, last, and always.  No there wasn't anything in the letter I wrote her.

          Where is Sol's address--is it a military secret?  Get it and sent it along.

          Darling, I'm worried about you again.  You accept any and all invites.  Don't worry about how cordial they are.  The chances are they do want you but you are just too sensitive about the whole deal.  Ethyl wrote me, evidently right after you called her, but she never mentioned your crying.  Guess she didn't want to worry me but still you do.  Snap out of it gal and maybe soon this will all seem like a bad dream.

          Well, there is no more for now.  Good night Sweet and pleasant dreams.

Love

Gil

P.S.    Can you tell by my handwriting--am I tight or not?

G.

Snaps of Gil's mother (Lena Steingart) and Linda