Okinawa Mud

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Tuesday, 16 October 1945

Dearest Eleanor,

          The end of another busy day.  Why I was busy I don't know but the day went just the same.  I began this morning. by taking a patient over to the CB dental office and extracting an abscessed tooth.  Then I returned to my quarters and did my own laundry.  After lunch another officer and I took the jeep and went over to the ship.  I went through my room and found some gear to bring back with me.  I expect to be out altogether in the next few months, so with what I have here and at home I shouldn't have to replace anything.

          I had a talk with the captain.  He thinks we'll be out of here sometime around November 1.  Hope is right, but I wouldn't bank on it.

          It rained on and off all afternoon and the roads were real muddy.  By the time we got back to our camp I was really dirty, so I took a cold shower to wash off some of that "Okinawa mud."

          After dinner we all went to the movies and saw "Junior Miss."  I enjoyed the picture enormously and could just see our girls ten years from now and us as well.

          Played a little poker, won three dollars and now here I am just ready to go to sleep.

          That is thirty for tonight Darling, so goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Newspapers

Mention of the explosion at the receiving station (Kuba Saki) on Owinawa

The blast must have been on Friday October 12

Points for release

Photo Album -- part of the gear brought back from ship

Movie

173 Miles Per Hour

AMERICAN RED CROSS

15 October 1945, 9:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just got in from the movies.  The picture was "Top Hat" with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The movie is a mere ten years old but enjoyable just the same.

          The Navy released some dope about the typhoon but isn't announcing loss of ships or personnel.  Anyway the wind velocity was recorded at 173 miles per hour here.  That is a little more than just a gentle breeze.  Losses have been minimized but I bet they run into the hundreds of millions with plenty of loss of life.

          The only thing new today is that Dr. Bushyager's relief took over.  Bushy is leaving in the morning.  We all just had a drink wishing him bon voyage and hoping that we'll be following him real soon.

          I visited the dentist at the adjoining CB camp.  Any of our men who need treatment will be cared for by men in his office.  I have one man whom I'll take over in the morning.

          That is the limit of the news for tonight.  Goodnight Sweet and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Newspaper clipping describing damage to USS Ocelot the ship Gil served on

Points

Ten Year Old Movie

Shipwrecked

AMERICAN RED CROSS

11 October 1945

Dearest Eleanor,

          Now your husband is a real shipwrecked sailor.  Another typhoon hit this area two days ago (I think).  I've lost all track of time. Because we were not fixed up for sea we ran into trouble again.  This time we hit a reef and had to abandon ship.  I left the ship, down a line and onto a raft and hit the beach.  Outside of a couple of scratches on my legs I'm okay, so don't worry about me.  Most installations on Okinawa were wrecked so we are all living in makeshift quarters.  The first night I slept on the floor of a galley, but last night I did manage a camp cot. 

          All the clothes and gear I have is what I had on and some greens that I got ashore.  We've made arrangements to take a few of us back aboard to salvage a few essentials.  Everything else is gone either through pilferage or due to the storm.  We had three serious casualties that were flown to Guam.  A few had minor injuries. All are out of sick bay now.  The food consists of C or K rations and I can't say I care for it.  If I have to subsist on this food long I'm sure to lose weight.

          No one knows how long it'll be before we are evacuated.  I think I'll be home before I would have otherwise.

          Here are a few things you should know.  Don't worry if my mail isn't regular.  I'll write as often as possible.  Don't write me any more unless you get a new address from me.  All my mail will be held up.  Even the post office here is gone.

          I've got to close now because I want this letter to get off as CB (Seabee) mail.  Don't worry darling.  I'll try to write again tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

Ocelot survivors the "morning after"

Newspaper article