No Place to Go Except the Officers' Club

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Monday 13 November 1944, 6:20 PM

My Dearest,

          I feel swell now.  I got eleven letters from you and one each from your mother and mine and one from Edith.  I'll send Edith's on to you so you can read firsthand about the wristwatch you want.

          Sure sounds like you've had a siege with household appliances.  Oh well, who cares!  As long as they can be fixed, why worry? I didn't draw my last paycheck and won't draw my next either.  There is no place to go and spend money except for a few drinks at the Officers' Club.

          I did buy four suits of khakis (shirts and trousers) and I believe I'll buy more and lay away my greys.  That way I'll have grey uniforms complete when I return.  Otherwise the pants and shirts would be worn out and the blouses new.  Anyway khakis are all you see out here and some of the higher ups dislike greys and have said as much.

          Glad to hear everyone is prospering.  Just means there'll be more money to spend when I return to civilian life.

          The name of the magazine we sent Sol was "Our Navy."  I can't give you the address of the publisher but Harry B. has it.

          I read an interesting book by James Cain.  It is really three separate books under the title "Three of a Kind."  Two of the stories, one entitled "The Embezzler" and the other "Double Indemnity" were made into movies.  I don't quite recall the name of the third but all three are worth reading.  Now I am reading a Charlie Chan mystery, "Keeper of the Keys."

          Glad that you liked the like the gifts I sent.  I didn't know gum was so difficult.  I'll see what can be done.  Sorry I look fat in the picture.  I am no heavier than when I left the states.  As a matter of fact I think I'm a little lighter.  I'm going to check as soon as I finish this letter.

          Bill Spivak is wrong and if you'll read what I told you about Leon you'll have the real answer.

          Well Honey, I've run out of question and answers so I'm going to sign off.  But first, do you remember how we enjoyed the moonlight in a speed boat up at Arrowhead.  Do you remember what came next? Well I do too. Will repeat at my earliest opportunity.

          Good night Sweet.  I love you and miss you more than I can say.

Lovingly

Gil

Captain Samuels Ordered Back to States. The Exec Hartfield Will Take His Place.

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Monday 13 November 1944, 8:35 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Good morning, Sweet, how is my darling this morning?  Saturday night after writing I saw the movie aboard, "The Rhythm of the Island," and although it was amusing I haven't seen any of the dusty beauties in their native costumes running around loose.  Anyway I was amused and after the picture I turned in.  This hot weather really tires one out. By 9:30 or 10:00 PM. I'm really ready to hit the sack.

          Yesterday was Sunday but unless you looked at a calendar it was just like any other day of the week.  Eat and sweat, work and sweat, rest and sweat, and that goes for everyday.  Then around 7:00 PM we had a real cloud burst.  The rain came down in buckets so we stood under the awnings and just watched.  It did seem like there would be no movie, but at 7:45 it stopped raining and the many, many twinkling stairs lit up the heavens once more.  The movie was "Charter Pilot" with Lynn Bari and Lloyd Nolan.  Just another picture is all I can say.

          After the movie I was tired so I read in bed until ten o'clock when all lights must go out at this place.

          Our skipper got his orders to go back to the states and our executive officer will be captain in his place.  The shaver has not arrived as yet so I'm selling the captain the one I have now and will keep the new one when it arrives.

          I awoke this morning and it was raining again and it is still.  But who cares!  As long as it rains, the sun won't shine and that makes everything much cooler and tenable.

          Although we have been here now for several days, no mail has been received.  I guess when it does come I'll get a sack full all for myself (I hope so).  Anyway dear, don't worry if my mail doesn't come regularly.  It's simple--a problem of transportation and distribution.  I'm really well and safe.

          Goodbye for now.  Love and kisses and a great big hug to you my darling and my two sweet girls.

Devotedly

Gil