Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert
Steingart
U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O.
San FranciscoWednesday 20 September 1944
Dearest Eleanor,
Just got back
from liberty and found two letters from you.
Got one from you this morning and also one from Linda. About gifts.
I've purchased three books for Linda, a woven bag and coin purse for you
and a charm bracelet. There are several
reasons for my not buying a lot of gifts.
First, they are mostly made in the U.S. and terribly overpriced even at
ship service. Second the amount of money
I draw won't go very far and I can't cash a check because I'm on a ship. I don't know what a fruit salad pin is but I'll
find out. Jimmy is too far away to get
together with and his liberty days and mine never seem to fall on the same
day. Send me a $100 money order and I'll
go to town. I'll select items and send
them in one package and you can distribute same to members of family as you see
fit. I bought some hankies. They as well as several items can't be sent
by me until we leave here. I'll see what
I can arrange. I still haven't heard
from you about a watch for your birthday.
Regarding the
bank statement I can make two suggestions.
Either a phone call or a letter sent by the local branch of the Bank of
America under Mr. Lamb's signature might speed things up. The present balance is approximately
$2750.00. It may be that the August statement
has been forwarded to me since I wasn't in San Diego to receive it. It should catch up to me soon if that is the
case.
I got a New
Year greeting from Manny and Etta and dropped them a note. I haven't heard from Deb and Dave in some
time and answered Dave's last letter.
You'd better check with Dave about filing a form to delay paying any
income tax until I get back to the states.
Go ahead and get your coat fixed.
Of course I don't mind. I just
wish I could say go ahead and buy a new one.
We have the money but we'll be able to spend it and get more pleasure and
satisfaction later when we are together.
Go on a shopping spree, dear, and have as much fun as you can. Watch out for those hats though; you know me.
Sweetheart as
much as I don't like to say it Xmas will be a very lonesome day for me. I'm depending on you, though, to see the kids
don't miss out.
Nothing much
to tell about my liberty today and we returned to the ship in time for supper. The movie tonight was "Falcon in
Mexico." Not too good but still not
at all bad as far as entertainment goes.
Darling do
you remember the picnics we went on in Ojai Valley. After the war you and I and our girls, too,
are going there to enjoy a quiet day together.
I wish I knew what to send for Norma.
Can you make a suggestion?
Good night my
Sweet. I'll see you in my dreams.
Love,
Gil
P.S. Saw the proofs
of my photos today and was greatly disappointed. So I only ordered three. Am going to try one of the quickie joints. I might be lucky and get a good one.
Gil
