The Rats Never Answered my Letters

Thursday 7 September 1944, 3:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just got back from

               censored 

Had some things to take care of as welfare officer for the ship.  I found the letter I had written you yesterday had been held up because of certain items. From now on I shall confine myself to strictly personal affairs and will not mention anything about where I go or do related to my duties.

          Do you remember Andy Wise, a patient of mine? Well I recently ran into him in my meandering about.  We had quite a talk.  It sure felt good to see an old face.  Jackson was also up to see me several days ago but I was not around.

          The movie I saw aboard Tuesday night was "Chatterbox" with Joe E Brown and Judy Canova and it was "lousy."  The mail is sporadic.  One day nothing and then I hit the jackpot.  Nothing to do about it I guess but just put up with it.

          I haven't written Marty, Sam, etc. because the way I feel now I don't care if I never hear from them.  The rats never answered when I wrote from Diego and if I write now they'd probably take a long time answering.  As long as I hear from you I'm content, Dear.  So who care about the rest of them? No word from Leon either.  I now owe letters to your mother and mine, Deb and Dave, Ruth plus all those I should drop notes to, so I've plenty to do.

          Guess under the circumstances you'll have to put up with my short, rambling letters.  I love you darling and will make it up to you when I return.  We'll do all the things we're missing now and then some.  Kisses and hugs to all my girls and regards to the clan.

Your lonely

Gil

Lt (j.g.) G. Steingart

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

 

On Liberty Bought Nothing But Beer

Thursday 7 September 1944, 7:50 AM

Good Morning Sweetheart,

          How are you this morning?  How about a great big kiss?  Thank you dear!  Yesterday, I stayed on the ship until after lunch.  Then Ambie and I went on liberty.  We walked and window shopped most of the afternoon but bought nothing except a few beers.  That's the way liberty is.

          Got 6 letters yesterday, 5 from you and one from Mother.  I wish there were some answers to you questions but there aren't.  Probably, you'll be getting mail from me regularly for some time.  No use expecting me back in the States for a while but then no one can tell.  I can't say more even though I'd like to.

          At this place I wear my greys exclusively, minus the blouse.  The pants and shirt with black tie are the uniform of the day for work and play.  Occasionally you see a white dress uniform but they are only worn at formal affairs.

          I'm making a mental note about the novelty jewelry you mention.  I'll see what I can find the next time I go on liberty.

          Now dear, there is no use fussing about the length of my letters.  I can't repeat "I love you" for three or four pages without seeming silly.  My activity is limited in its scope and then there is very little I may write about.  As for writing in the morning that seems to be the best time because then the letter leaves the same day.  I wrote Linda recently and will write again soon.  I really must settle down and write to Deb and Dave, Ruth, and Libby, besides all the friends (?) we have.  So you see I've got lots of writing to do.

          Well, my Sweet, that's all for now.  We'll have to make the best of a bad situation and hope that conditions will change soon.

Loving you as ever

Gil

PS I'm enclosing a memo regarding household effects.

Gil

Lt. (jg) G. Steingart

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