The Salami Was Mashed Up

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco

Monday 21 May 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, here is that guy again.  I've been worrying about Norma ever since I heard yesterday that she had the chicken pox.  However today's mail brought me the news that her case is a light one.  Now I'm hoping that Linda doesn't get it and you forget about the whole deal in just a few days.  The mail came this morning and brought me four letters all from you.

          I was busy with patients all morning and after lunch I censored a batch of mail.  Then I joined a group going ashore and played volley ball all afternoon.  Wow, am I tired.  Bet I sleep well tonight. 

          No cribbage game tonight so I came down to my office and found a package that came this afternoon.  I guess you didn't take me seriously when I said pack everything well.  The box was coming apart and the salami was all mashed up and the casing on it broken.  It looks and smells OK but I'll not eat it until the doctor OKs it.  Lord alone knows how long the casing was broken.  However the cans that came with it are swell and are just what I wanted.

          The movie tonight is "None but the Lonely Heart" and should be 4.0. 

          Now to your mail. I see you've been teaching again.  You must be OK or you wouldn't get all the calls that you're getting.

          I'm glad you enjoyed the evening at Ruth's and met some interesting people.  So Ruth was expecting you to help her along on a gift for your mother. "Ain't" that too bad.  I didn't realize that I was getting such a good buy on the perfume.  I paid $9.00 for your bottle and $4.50 for both mothers' gifts.  Don't tell anyone because I don't want to be bothered buying stuff for anyone else.

          Talking about wallets, see if you can pick me up a book of celluloid containers for cards and snaps to fit into my wallet.  The one I got in San Diego is shot.

          I'm not surprised about the new incident at the Corsos.  Bet Willie and Wallie are working (or should I say playing) together especially if Wallie has an apartment.  I guess you were right and I wrong.  Stay away from that outfit as much as you can.

          Well Honey, no more for now. It is time to go to the movies.  Good night Darling, I'll see you in my dreams.

Yours alone

Gil

Couldn't Ask for Better Duty

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 4 May 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today was just another one of those days.  I was busy as a bee all morning and was surely glad when 11:45 rolled around.  This being "field day" I secured for the day and after lunch joined a group of officers going ashore for some recreation and beer--mostly beer.

          Our boat picked us up and got us back to the ship at 5:15 PM in time to shower and change for dinner.  Then it began to rain and though I don't know right now I hope it still is coming down.  I decided to come down to my office early and write you an extra long letter. Low and behold I found six letters from you and one each from Deb and your mother.  Now I really have something to write about and here goes.

          Linda's birthday party sounds like it was a real success, and she really bagged a lot of nice gifts.  Wish I could have be there to help and to enjoy the party with you.

          So you're teaching once more.  I'm glad you like your assignment.  Doing something one likes is so much easier.

          Talking about bonds, I'll send a $100 money order for Norma's birthday just as I did for Linda.  Buy her a bond and use the $25 any way you like.  Don't worry about me being short.  I'll get by.

          Sorry the Officers Wives' Club was so uninteresting.  I had hoped you'd make some new acquaintances.

          I don't know why you hesitate eating an occasional meal at the Corsos.  They don't worry about sponging on you or your good nature, so kill an evening once in awhile that way.  By the way take any good stuff out of the cellarette.  No use letting those buzzards guzzle it all up.  Send me Sam Kahn's address.  I'd like to drop him a note.

          I sent Leon a note to Treasure Island.  I hope he gets it.  Sounds like he doesn't like San Bruno at all but he'll like where he is going even less.  I'd trade with him anytime. Really for duty outside the continental limits one couldn't ask for better than I have.

          Now the blarney about Dick going up for Officer Candidate School.  Without a college education he hasn't got a chance but let them find out for themselves.  Don't tell them.

          I can see you never kept very good track of my weight.  Before I went on a diet I was close to 185 pounds and cut down to 182.  When I reported for active duty I was 170 and that is where I am now.

          No we never saw "Greenwich Village" but it is a good movie.

          Curry's letter was a surprise.  Not because she is infanticipating but because he is going into the Armed Forces.  After all he was working in defense and married.  Guess they're still nabbing plenty of unsuspecting papas.

          Considering the amount of beer I drank today I really have written a fairly sensible letter.

          Tonight's movie is "Night Club Girl" with a lot of unknowns, but I'll go anyway.

          So Sweetheart again I come to an end all out of breath.  Wish I was winded for other reasons.  I can hardly wait till that time when we can turn out the light and go to "sleep."  I never saw people sleep like that before.

          Until that time keep those panties on and your hopes up.  Love and kisses to all my girls at 714 Euclid.

Yours forever,

Gil

Kamakaze Buzzed the Ocelot and Bombed the Carrier Rudolph

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 13 March 1945, 7:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          How are you tonight darling?  Swell.  So am I.  I miss you and the girls just as you miss me.

          Today was just another day.  Worked all morning and part of the afternoon and secured (quit) at 2:45.  There were some doctors from other ships aboard who coaxed me to go ashore with them, but it would have been past 3:30 before we got there and that is too late to get started.  I like to be back aboard by 5:30 so I said, "no."

          Instead I went up on the poop deck for thirty-five minutes of sunshine.  Then I retired to my room.  I censored a stack of mail and then read until 5:15 when I showered and changed for dinner.

          After chow we were standing on deck enjoying the breeze and sunset when a rain squall came along and drove us to cover.  However it only lasted a few minutes and we all came back to finish our regular evening routine.  Now here I am.

          I got three letters today, four from you and one from your mother.  Talking about letters I wrote eight besides yours in the past two days.  Soon I'll be all caught up.

          You never did send Sol's address to me.  There is a good chance of my seeing him if I know what ship he is on.  If you haven't done so be sure to include it in your next letter.

          I'm surprised at the Lindenbaums.  I'd never expected them to call on you after so long.  On rereading you letter I see you met him at dancing school.  Well he always was friendly or should I say "smooth."  That probably is more the word for him.

          Dick may never be sent to Europe but may come out this way.  By the time his training is over, Germany should be licked and all army will be coming out to the Pacific theater.  Don't you worry none about him, army life and discipline will do him good.

          When I get back I'm spending my time with my special girl.  The Corsos don't have a chance and even the family will wait until we come up for air so to speak.

          So Ruby is still complaining?  Well if Marty didn't expend so much energy in other places he might be able to do her some good.

          Traveling long distances for vacations certainly doesn't sound very patriotic.  I'm afraid if some of our 100% Americans and patriots could hear some of the opinions and ideas of both officers and men about their actions at home, their ears would burn plenty.  Maybe they'd spend a few wakeful nights thinking.  Oh well nuff said on that subject.

          There is another appendectomy coming up which I'm going to be on so I'll have to hurry because they're about ready to begin.  Good night my Sweet, until tomorrow.

Yours always,

Gil