Lt (j.g.) Gilbert
Steingart
SS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Saturday 30 September
1944, 9:30 PM
Dearest Sweetheart,
What a busy
day! Saw a couple of patients in the morning and then chased down to the
Welfare and Recreation Office on the base.
When I came back I found a couple of letters from you and one from
Libby. I no sooner got started reading and
Jim arrived and so I postponed that pleasure and showed him around the
ship. He really was surprised at the
size and facilities of the Ocelot.
Jim had lunch
aboard with me and we had an amusing incident.
The Mess Caterer is an elective job that no one wants particularly. The Captain announced ahead of time that I
was to be the next caterer. However all
the officers got together and voted for another officer who wasn't expecting
any such duty and boom he is now Mess Caterer. The Captain was a little
provoked but couldn't do much about it.
However he did dig up something else for me to do, Mess treasurer. That is that.
Jim came over
in a jeep. So after lunch, Hansen joined
us and we all drove over to a
censored
and
I ran into Alvin Klein. We had a little
chat and plan to get together later. We
than returned to the base and Ambie who used to be a
censored
n main took us through a large
censored
You can't possibly imagine how compactly built a
censored
is. Every inch of space is taken care of and
really was an interesting experience.
Then we returned to the ship and Jim had to shove off. We still had an hour before dinner so we
walked over to the Officers Club and had a drink or two. They have scads of slot machines and having three
quarters in my pockets I took a shot at it.
Got $4 out, put $1.50 back so I'm $7.50 ahead. Then we returned to the ship for dinner. I found another letter and the money order
waiting for me.
After dinner
we sat on deck and listened to a recorded radio program until movie time. Tonight we had "Crime at Night" and
it was enjoyment, a murder mystery with a lot of humor. And so here I am.
Now for the
"Eversharp program." Keep my
driver's license. I won't need one until
I get back. I can't tell how soon I'll
be back, anything can happen. Dinner out
runs from $1.50 to $3.00. Most places
just serve a la carte! Haven't eaten any
tropical fish, but have tasted papaya. I
didn't like it in the states and still think it's too sweet. When I go on liberty I usually don't get back
until past 7:45 when the movie goes on.
That's why I miss the movie rather frequently on liberty days. I've got you a locket, bracelet and earrings
to match but they aren't of the charm variety.
Keep you panties on till they get there.
You have the San Diego deposit book.
Look in my records file.
Whew! Do I get the $64?
I still think
you should go to meetings and to h... with what people say. I'm not worried about it so why should you
care. I'll write Ethel and Doc and the
Vaneteks as soon as I close here. Good
night, darling, my Sweet. I love you. I
do!
Sunday 1 October 1944,
10:00 AM
Good morning,
darling. Sleep well? Sunday is just another day in the Navy. Just injected my third patient and while I'm
waiting for the shot to take effect I'll finish off here. Nothing new since last night. Have several first of the month reports to
make and also a survey of the oral condition of the whole crew and expect to be
through by tonight. Sounds like I'm
optimistic but I think I can do it!
Do you
remember when we would go out for breakfast on Sunday morning just for a change? Well sweetheart, after the war we'll always
have breakfast together and wherever you wish.
Now for our
daily quiz program. Your
censored
After the war wherever we go our girls go and
that includes Chicago. Frequently a
couple of days will go by with no mail and then bingo! The jack-pot! Five or six all at one time. Sweet I don't care whether you write or
type. Just hearing from you and knowing
all is well is all I ask for. Bye
darling. I'm getting to be just like Jim
except he has been away 18 months instead of the 9 weeks. I'm a man with
censored
Figure it out for
yourself.
Love,
Gil
