Hotter Than Hades

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday, 21 June 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling, how was our baby's birthday yesterday?  I'm missing so much now that it'll take years of catching and making up for it all.

          I had my usual busy morning and early afternoon.  I found out just where Simmie is and will look him up in a couple of days.

          There is really nothing new or different to talk about.  I haven't been ashore lately because the clubs have been so mobbed that there really isn't much fun in going over.  In a few days things should quiet down a little and then I'll make up for last time.

          The mail brought me six pieces today.  A letter marked the 14th, the Outlook which you sent and letters from my mother, Libby, Charlie Blume and Dave.

          My cold only lasted two days which is amazing because you remember how my sinuses would drain for days after a cold.  It must be the climate but I'd still give it back to the Indians or Japs or anyone who really wants it. In the past few days, there has been no rain or overcast skies. It's been hotter than Hades.  I sure miss the refreshing breeze we used to get at our last station.

          Last night's movie "The Great Mike" was a stinkeroo of the first order.  Tonight we had an oldie but a good one, "Dixie" with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour.

          Graves was only out of the states for a year and he has gone back, so I'm still optimistic about being home in the fall.

          No more for now so I'll sign off with love and kisses to you and out sweet girls.

Devotedly,

Gil

Today's Landing on Iwo Jima

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 19 February 1945, 7:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just another day on the Ocelot.  Saw a few patients this morning and then the mail brought three letters.  Two were from you.  Another was the announcement about the Community Center Banquet at the Deauville with two short lines from Marty.  Some day I'm really going to tell that guy off.

          Both of your letters are of the 9th so there is still a break in the continuity.  I've even had a letter written later.  I got a kick out of the two snaps you enclosed.  I noticed that all three of you are showing off the gifts I sent you.  But Dave was the photographer.  Who else could take pictures underexposed and out of focus.  Oh well, better luck next time.

          I hope you aren't going to let Mary and her troubles bother you.  After all, they left you alone with yours for quite soon time after I left so the h--- with them

          I'm glad you're going ahead with vacation plans.  It'll all work out for the best.  Yes the war news continues to be good and today's landing on Iwo Jima was long looked forward to by us.  Maybe the Japs will give up a lot sooner than the experts think.  A few more sustained blastings of Tokyo may wake those yellow skinned monkeys up.  Anyway I'm sure that Japan will be hanging on the ropes and ready to throw in the towel within a very few months.

          I, too, am wondering what became of some of those packages you sent.  The only possibility is that they weren't securely wrapped and may have fallen apart in handling and the address lost.  Then again they may show up most any time.

          The movie tonight is a repeat, "Going My Way" with Bing Crosby.  For lack of anything else to do I'll see it again.  We've sure been seeing oldies lately.  I do hope we get some new ones soon.

          Nothing more for now Sweet, so I'll close with love, kisses and hugs for my three girls.

Missing you all,

Gil

Article from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin regarding the invasion of Iwo Jima. Commodore Carter, commander of Squadron 10, was the flag aboard the U.S.S. Ocelot.

Coca Cola Is Dirt Cheap

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco

Wednesday 24 January 1945, 9:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello darling, how are you tonight?.  I'm swell but I miss you terribly and there is nothing either of us can do about it.

          Today began as usual with work.    And after sweating all morning I decided it was time for a little recreation so I joined a few of the officers who were going ashore.  We had a few beers and spent most of the afternoon hunting shells.  My collection has many variety, sizes, shapes and colors of shells.  We returned to the ship at 5:00 PM.

          Our new engineering officer reported aboard this afternoon and seems to be a nice chap.  He got a tough break though.  His last duty was about 150 miles from here.  However he flew from there back to Pearl and then back here.  Flying about 3600 miles just to cover 150 miles is going some isn't it?

          We just closed a deal to buy 350 cases of coca cola for the officers mess and will pick them up tomorrow.  Including cases and bottles they'll cost us .053 cents per bottle and that is dirt cheap.

          The mail man only brought me a birthday card from my mother this morning but when I got back from the island I found a most welcome letter from you.  It was dated the 14th but from what you say I guess there are ones from the 13th and 14th still due.  You see the last letter of the 13th mentioned a package you received from me but didn't open because you wanted to get the kids to bed.  No further mention is made in today's letter so there must be one or two in between. I'll receive them one of these days.

          The movie tonight consisted of 5 shorts and a Bing Crosby picture entitled "My Girl Like Music" but it was just fair.

          Now to your letter.  You seem to be seeing movies the same time we are.  Just the other night we had "Bowery to Broadway" just the other night. A funny thing I remarked at the end of the show that what was lacking was color.  All great (?) minds run in the same channels.

          So Ruth broke down and called you.  Well I guess she took to heart the letter I wrote her before she went East.  Well, we'll see later if she really meant it.

          It didn't take Mary and Willie to get over their spat.  After all these years, she should be used to her trouble.

          I know you miss me Sweet because I know how I feel.  Just the same I tickled pink that you are all dated up.  I do hope you get lots of pleasure out of your outings.

          Darling, do you remember the night you kissed me for the first time?  We were parked in the alley and you gave me a peck and ran like h---.  Bet you were afraid I'd rape you.  Well you'll never be able to run fast enough when I get back.

          No more for now honey so good night and dream about me.  I'm going to do the same about you.

Love

Gil

Nine Fillings, Examined Eight Men

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 18 January 1945, 6:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another day. Another dollar.  Began today with my usual morning routine.  Put in nine fillings, examined eight men and appointed them for work.

           Then mail call. Got a letter from Mike, a short note and the baby announcement from Bob.  Then there were a couple of Xmas cards from patients and some Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery literature.  Then I went up to my room and found the book "Fountainhead" you had sent and also the book Libby had sent.  By the way if you send me any more books be sure they are properly wrapped for mailing.  The binding was slightly warped, probably got wet.

          After lunch I read some until the afternoon mail came.  I got a letter from your mother and one from you written on the back of the Yearbook circular letter.  Yes dear, I'll enjoy the "Yearbook" a lot.

          There really isn't anything new to write about.  Three of the officers are still awaiting orders back to the states but so far no soap.  We are five officers over complemented so orders should come through most any day.

          Today has been unusually hot and now that the sun is down we'll all cool off a little.

          The movie tonight is a 4.0 picture, "Going My Way" with Bing Crosby.  I think I've seen it but I enjoy a good musical the second time just as much as the first showing.

          Darling do you remember when the Navy sent you a check for transportation for you and the kids from Santa Monica to San Diego?  Did they send you my original orders to report for active duty?  If you have it please send it on.  It should be in my personal file and I don't seem to have it.

          Well Sweet I'm just about run out.  Do you remember when you went to Philly and I wrote to you?  Am I putting more down in writing now than then or am I still keeping "under cover?"  Well, when I get home to hell with the cover.  I can hardly wait for those happy days.

          Good night Honey, I'm going to sign off now.  Love and kisses to you and ours.

Love,

Gil