Filled Thirteen Teeth, Extracted One, Treated Two Gum Infections

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 15 April 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Honey.  Even though it was Sunday I had a whole slew of appointments and by noon I had filled thirteen teeth, extracted one and treated two gum infection cases.

          After lunch I went up on the poop deck and got forty-five minutes of sunshine.  Then I went to my room undressed, censored mail and read until 4:30 P.M.  Almost like a Sunday afternoon at home except that my three sweethearts weren't with me.

          After showering, I dressed for dinner and enjoyed a delicious turkey feast with all the trimmings.  Honestly dieting is a real problem but the only thing fattening that I've eaten all day was one scoop of ice cream.

          The mail today brought a letter from Bob Jaffe and a card from my mother.

          The movie tonight was shown aboard at Pearl but I don't remember it.  It is "Greenwich Village" with Don Ameche and Carmen Miranda.  It supposed to be good. I'll be there with bells on.

          I wrote some more letters last night--to Leon, Dave, Ethyl, and Mrs. Mumma.  I'm having a little difficulty keeping up now that I have a few others besides my own special correspondent.  I'll probably write some more tonight.

          There is still no news worth talking about.  Of course the war is moving right along and it's hard to understand what Germany can possibly gain by continuing to fight, but they are doing that.  Okinawa may well be a decisive campaign in the Pacific theater.  By the time the Japs are liquidated there, the Nips will have lost practically all of her fleet and power of production for waging war in Japan proper (listen to "Mr. Kaltenborn!" Tsk, tsk).

          No more for now darling so I'll sign off with love and kisses to you and our darlings.

Yours alone,

Gil

Disagree With U.S. News Magazine

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 9 March 1945, 7:10 PM

My Dearest,

          Hello Sweet, how are you tonight?  Today has been an easy one for a change.  Saw a few patients in the morning and had some broken appointments, so I wrote letters to Bob and Uncle Mike.  Tomorrow I'll write Willie and several others that I owe letters to.  By Sunday I should be all caught up.

          After lunch I got the sun for forty-five minutes and had just gotten comfortable in my room to censor some mail when I was called down to my office.  I had three emergency patients from another ship and had to take care of them.

          When I was through I sat in on some more of the court marshal and because of its interesting matter I stayed on until the final verdict was given.  Then I returned to my room finished my censoring, showered and read the Post until 5:30 when I dressed and went up for chow.

          After eating we stood up on deck and enjoyed the gentle ocean breeze and pretty sunset and here I am.

          The movie tonight is "Winged Victory" and is rated as very good, guess I'll go.

          The mail brought two letters from you and a card from my mother.  We haven't had much rain lately but I see you have.  Enjoyed the publicity clipping you sent.  I thought you said your picture was to be run with it or is that something else?

          I'm glad you are getting the suit you wanted.  You sounded so disappointed in your last letter.

          In Pearl Harbor, I began "Earth and High Heaven" in the Collier's magazine.  It was run serially and I never did get past the first installment although I did try to get the following issues.  No luck!  Maybe I'll get hold of the book because I did want to read it.

          You and Nina are carrying on a regular correspondence.  Well she was nice to us and I think you enjoy writing to her so go to it.

          All the appendectomies have been successful though some of them weren't very simple.  Outside of minor stuff that is all the surgery that is attempted. Other types are usually not emergent and are referred back to a base hospital or hospital ship.

          The heat rash is all gone so forget about it.  I knew I shouldn't have mentioned it but I was just making conversation.

          Who am I to disagree with U.S. News? Yet I don't believe the Japs will fight to the bitter end like the Germans are.  The Nazis have nothing to lose.  The Japs, on the other hand, could give up all the conquered land and still have their home industries and cities intact.  Surrendering their fleet would be giving up something they haven't much of anymore.  Peace terms keeping them down to a fourth rate power wouldn't have to be so harsh as with the Germans.  Anyway that's my opinion and I'm stuck with it until we see what really happens.

          I'm very happy to hear all is quiet and serene on the home front.  Keep the home fires burning honey and don't let things get you down.

Loving you always,

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

Tell The Navy to Let You Come Home

 

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday, 9 January 1945, 7:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Well the mail man broke down today and brought me a few letters.  I got two which you wrote on the 29th of December, a letter from Ethyl, one from your mother and two from patients.  One (a Mrs. Wirz) writes, "Tell the Navy to let you come home--I need you greatly--I never did like false teeth."  I'd like to come home too but for another reason.

          Evidently the kids are over their indispositions and I'm glad.  Guess the letter to Uncle Mike hit just at the right time.  I was inquiring if Bob could be congratulated yet and there was the baby awaiting my letter.  I'm glad your mother feels better too.  That makes a full house (of well people).

          I don't know if I have all my Xmas gifts yet.  There was nothing from you, Libby or your mother.  I know something is on the way.  However, if they get here for my birthday, I'll be even more pleased than if they got here for Xmas.

          As usual today began with work.  By 11:00 AM I had placed twelve fillings and examined three officers for promotion.  I had lunch and after that went ashore with a couple of officers.  Had a few beers and a whiskey and water.  But not enough to upset my sobriety.  At the Officers' Club I met that Dr. Arnerich I mentioned meeting once before.  We got back at 6:20 PM just in time to have dinner.

          The movie tonight is Gene Tierney in "Laura," supposedly a 4.0 picture.  I do hope so; the Abbott and Costello movie last night was disappointing.

          So I haven't told you I love you lately, eh? Well silly girl, I do and if repeating will make you happier, here goes.  I love you Eleanor, my Sweet.  I always have and always will.

          Guess you haven't changed any after all.  Do you remember how you always chided me for not telling you how much I loved you?  And you still are.  Well when I get back I'll convince you by various and devious methods.

          Until then darling, take it easy.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

 

 

Gil at Officers' Club

 

 

Liberty in Honolulu

Wednesday 23 August 1944, 11:00 PM

My Darling,

          Went on liberty yesterday.  Joined the Officers Club for $1.00 and got a ration of whiskey.  Had lunch there and ran into Barney Silver, Leon's friend.  Bummed around downtown, had a few drinks, did some window shopping and returned to the ship. We really got pie-eyed, played the accordion, sang and raised hell until I literally poured myself into my bunk.  Today I have what is known as a hang-over, but a good one.  However I'm not sorry. I felt like it and I got it out of my system now--yep even the alcohol.

          Worked all morning on some men from another ship and saw three patients this afternoon as well.

censored

Will tell you all about it tomorrow.  Got three more letters yesterday and three today.  You say I sound homesick--well why not with you and the kids so many miles away.  I have some gifts in mind for you and the kids but may not be able to send them until we leave this place--censorship! Wish I could say we are returning soon--so far we are waiting.  As I wrote you before, several weeks may elapse before anything happens and then where we go is still too remote to even hazard a guess although it looks like we'll be heading west.

          Gosh honey, as I sat out on deck and looked at the millions of stars in the sky and felt the cool breeze blowing in from the hills, I went back to past years when we enjoyed beautiful spots together.  Dear, when this is over we'll enjoy many, many such things together.  I wish I could just pour out of these pages the love I have for you in my heart but you know me--all I can say is I love you! Repeat many more times.  Not enough room.

          No darling there is nothing I need that I can't buy here.  There are many large department stores and a large Sears.  Sell the Plymouth for whatever Bob gives you. Within reason, of course.  Heard the war news this evening and things are really popping.  Maybe this will be over even sooner than we dared to hope and I'll come home to stay.  Anyway, there's going to be a hot time in the Steingart domicile when I return.  Wish I could save all your letters but room is something there isn't much of.  You save mine and I'll use it as a refresher when I return and tell you all about things and such.

          Good night my Sweet.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Your loving husband,

Gil

P.S. Had to cut out where I was going on liberty.  You might know where I am as if you didn't.

Gil