Still Waiting for Xmas Packages in April

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 24 April 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Here I am again Sweet and not quite as tired as I was last night.  I was quite busy this morning and part of the afternoon as well.  However I secured at 3:00 PM and went up on the poop deck for an hour of sun.  Then I went to the barber for a hair cut and returned to my quarters at 4:30.  Undressed, showered and censored mail until 5:15 when I got dressed and went out on deck.  After dinner three of us went back on the poop deck to enjoy the cool evening breeze and enjoy the sunset.  Now here I am.

          No mail again today.  Lots of packages have come aboard lately so I've completely given up on the two Xmas packages that I never received.

          The movie tonight should be very good.  It is "The Suspect" with Charles Laughton.  Las night's Abbott and Costello feature was lousy so I'll enjoy a good picture for a change.

          Nothing new or different out this way.  However, the more I talk with officers from other ships (combatant) the more I realize how fortunate I am.  The Iwo Jima and the present Okinawa campaigns were plenty tough and here I am in comparative safety with all the comforts of home except for my wife, kids and home being thousands of miles away.  That doesn't make sense but you know what I mean.  Anyway, some men really are going through hell.

          And so dear another of our visits must come to an end.  Until tomorrow and will be seeing you in my dreams.  In the meantime, goodnight.

Love,

Gil

Using Dental X-Ray Machine for War Casualties

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 23 April 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, here I am again after another busy day.  This probably has been the busiest day I've had since I've been aboard.  Except for an hour at noon I've worked steadily from 8:30 until 4:30 P.M.  In addition to my regular appointments I had six emergency patients and believe me I did hustle.  I'm really not complaining because I had several surgical cases, all difficult, but interesting with good results.

          In addition to my work we've been using the dental x-ray machine for x-raying several ambulatory war casualties that came aboard today.  Now the operating room is being prepared for the second appendectomy of the day.  Our sick bay has been really busy.

          The mail today brought the package of booklets you sent me--you know--puzzles, games, jokes, etc.  Looks like there should be several hours of amusement there.  Gee thanks!  Besides that I got an American Dental Association Bulletin but no letters.  Oh well, I can't complain, I've been getting my share.

          The movie tonight is Abbott and Costello in "Here Come the Co-eds" and should be be good for a laugh.

          Gee honey, I'm too tired to say any more even if there was something new or different to tell you, which there isn't.  So-o-I'll sign off.

          Good night darling, till we meet again tomorrow.

Your lover,

Gil

No Movie Because Amplifier Burned Out

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 1 February 1945, 9:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello darling, this has been a "bitch" of a day, but all is well that ends well.  I began this day with my regular appointments and was busy all morning.  After lunch I continued my regular work routine.  At 2:00 PM I began to examine some fifteen odd men who hadn't reported in for examinations when they were supposed to.

          After that I went to work on the wardroom statement.  First I was $40 short, then I was $65 ahead.  At 4:00 PM I gave up in disgust still some $60 ahead.  As I came on deck I ran into a few officers on their way ashore for a few drinks, so I grabbed my cap and became one of the party.

          We went ashore and spent the most pleasant couple of hours since we have been at this place and then we returned to the ship.

          The stewards fixed us a late snack and we even had some ice cream for dessert.  Someone brought it aboard to eat after the movies and we just got into it.

          By then it was movie time so we went up on deck.  But the amplifier had burned out. After waiting an hour it began to rain so we gave the whole thing up.

          Got one letter from you postmarked the 21st.  It is the one with Anne C's letter.  Sounds like she'll be glad when she gets back to Santa Monica.

          Now to your letter. "Meet Me in St. Louis" sounds OK. I hope we get it soon.  Hope you get to the Victory Ball though I'll bet you don't get in, in spite of Dave's uniform.

          Looks like the old feud of Marty versus Ben and Jerry goes merrily on.  I bet Marty wins.

          I'll look for "Immortal Wife" but I haven't heard anyone comment on that book.

          Mary and Willie will go right on.  Mary knew what the score was long ago.  No matter what she says now, she'll just have to make the best of a bad bargain.

          As you probably gathered by now, I'm a little high but really I don't care.  I feel much better than I did at 4:00 PM.

          Sweetheart, do you remember when for lack of anything better to do Saturday nights we'd get together with another couple and go to the Band Box for a sandwich and the "naughty" entertainment of Pete and Billy Snyder et al? Do Abbott and Costello still run that joint or did they give that up as a bad venture? Do you ever see the Posners?  Just wondering?

          Well darling I really should close and turn in.  Good night Honey with loads of love,

Your lonely,

Gil

Blackout

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday, 13 January 1945, 7:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today was a little different.  This morning we moved alongside another ship to take on additional personnel and supplies.  The ship, a large tender, has five dental officers aboard, three chairs and a prosthetic lab.  A dentist who I met last week at the Officers' Club showed me around. There isn't much more I can tell you.  Oh yes, one of our men broke a tooth on his bridge, so I bummed one from the tender and will fix our man up in the morning.

          Because of a blackout last night we didn't have any movies, but I'm sure we'll have on tonight.  The movie is Abbott and Costello in "In Society." I do hope it is better than "Lost in a Harem."

          We have an appendectomy tonight that I'll probably attend after the movie.

          There was no mail again today so I am practically out of things to say.  So I'll say "I love you, Sweetheart."  I'm sure that that can bear repeating.  After dinner tonight, a few of us got to shooting the bull about home and family.  Gee I felt homesick.  Just to see you and hold you in my arms for a few minutes would be such bliss.  And to have Linda and Norma climb over me and get lint all over my "blues" would be such fun.  Oh well, guess I'll just have to wait a while longer.  Do you remember when I'd come home and shoo the kids away because of the afore mentioned lint?  I'll never be like that again.

          Well darling, there isn't much more for me to say so--goodnight my love until tomorrow.

Devotedly,

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

 

 

Perspiring Profusely

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 8 January 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,       

        Well it was fair and "warmer" today.  For my money, it can rain all the time.  I've been perspiring profusely all day whether I was working or just sitting or writing as I am at this moment.   My day began as usual with my dental appointments.  At eleven I was through and I retired to my room to do a little reading.  I finished Bromfield's "Until the Day Break" and will choose another book tonight.

       After lunch I discussed ways and means for future welfare activities with the skipper.  Then I went to work on the other necklace.  They are both finished now and wrapped, ready for mailing.  I'm going to try to send them airmail if I can.  When you send additional chains try and get the real fine ones.  I do think they look better that way.  That repair job I did on the faulty chain isn't too good so I'd suggest that you have a jeweler put a good link in the clasp otherwise the kids will lose it.  I'd suggest the heavier chain for Norma.

        Last night's movie was lousy.  Tonight we have Abbott and Costello in "Lost in a Harem." That should be good for a couple of laughs.

        Darling do you remember when I would insist on your going to movies you didn't care to see?  Well after this I'll be satisfied to stay home with you and play house with no arguments.

        No mail again today so there is little more I can add.

        Good night sweetheart, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Hot Appendectomy

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco
              Saturday 9 December 1944, 10:10

My Dearest

          Got three letters today--two from you and one from Libby acknowledging my letter.  However I didn't like the tone of your letters.  Sounded like you were getting down in the dumps again.  Buck up honey, you've got to.  Besides who knows what might happen out here and send me back to you.  I heard some talk today that may change things around here but I can't discuss it now.

          This morning I saw three patients and then made an inspection of the ship.  Then I found out that Ambie had turned in with an acute appendix and they were getting the surgery ready to operate so--I joined in with the festivities.  It was a tough one and lasted 1 hour and 20 min. and was it hot!  It was so hot that two of the corpsmen almost passed out with the heat and had to leave the surgery.  When it was over the doctor and all the rest of us were washed up.  However, a little air and some cold fruit juice (plus two hours in the sack) and we were in top shape again.

          Am organizing a choral group for Sunday services and Xmas.  Also planning a party for the men but so far my plans are wild ideas.  I'll talk to the skipper tomorrow and see what's what.

          Read a little more of "Prodigal Women."  It's a long book and I don't seem to be able to find much time to read.  I'll finish it someday and then I'll read "Strange Fruit."

          Am having a book shelf put in my room.  Little by little it's getting quite comfy.  Yes, I do have one room mate, Cox whom I've mentioned before.

          As far as Ruth and Harry are concerned, I really think it is all Ruth.  After all she is your sister and when Deb was alone it was the same story.  Harry never left his sister Goldie out in the cold and it should be Ruth's place to see that you are not alone either.  Ah, well, we've gone over that so many times that it is disgusting.  What I should do is write and tell them off in no uncertain words and leave it at that.  Well, we'll see.

          So you're moving to Long Beach?  Well!  If I get stationed there you'll stay in Santa Monica and I'll commute.  Haven't you learned yet?

          Yes dear air mail takes 7 to 10 days but regular mail takes better than three weeks.  I hope the cards get here soon so I can get them off.

          Honey, I'm completely run down now.  Oh yes, the movie tonight was Abbott and Costello in "It Ain't Hay." They always give me a laugh even the second viewing.        Sweet, do you remember the open house we had when I remodeled my office?  My wasn't I proud of my office and my first lady.  Well wait until you see my new office.  After this war Dr. Steingart will really show them how.

          One of the magazines I got recently was the Southern California State Journal.  It seems that both UCLA and USC are planning post-grad courses for service dentists. I could take them and practice at the same time.  The $75 a month should come in handy and I ought to be able to make expenses out of my work in my office. 

          Such plans, guess we'll just have to wait and see what develops.

          Good night, Sweetheart, till we meet tomorrow.  I love you so-o-o-o much

Impatiently,

Gil