Too Many Requests for Dental Treatment

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Thursday 30 August 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, here I am again.  It was close to morning when we got back from the beach last night.  I was fairly sober and after a good night's sleep I feel swell.

          This morning was the usual busy one with more requests for dental treatment than I could possibly handle.  I take as many as I can and refer the others to nearby ships.  This afternoon we had a series of drills: fire, abandon ship, and general quarters.  Then back to my room I went. "Sodom by the Sea" is quite an interesting history of Coney Island and I'm enjoying reading it.  At 5:00 PM I showered and dressed for dinner. After a delicious chicken dinner here I am.

          I got one letter from you today and it is postmarked the 18th, two days prior to the ones I received two days ago.  I'm sorry you don't like the set up there.  You sound sorry you went but I'm sure after a few days you'll get used to it and enjoy your stay.  I figured you'd be nervous making the move by yourself which was why I suggested, when your plans got fouled up, that you stay home.  Anyway by now you should be over your nerves and with a little company I'm sure everything will work out okay. Cedar Glenn is where we rented the Rausch House.  Yes I do remember that vacation.  A wonderful weekend, that is all it really was.

          The location opposite the Board of Education on 6th Street sounds okay but I bet the property is high.  You can investigate it when you get home but don't do anything in a hurry.

          Tonight's movie is a real oldie, "Hurricane" with Dorothy Lamour and Jon Hall.  Remember it?

          No more for now Darling. So good night and pleasant vacation.

Love

Gil

Hotter Than Hades

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday, 21 June 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling, how was our baby's birthday yesterday?  I'm missing so much now that it'll take years of catching and making up for it all.

          I had my usual busy morning and early afternoon.  I found out just where Simmie is and will look him up in a couple of days.

          There is really nothing new or different to talk about.  I haven't been ashore lately because the clubs have been so mobbed that there really isn't much fun in going over.  In a few days things should quiet down a little and then I'll make up for last time.

          The mail brought me six pieces today.  A letter marked the 14th, the Outlook which you sent and letters from my mother, Libby, Charlie Blume and Dave.

          My cold only lasted two days which is amazing because you remember how my sinuses would drain for days after a cold.  It must be the climate but I'd still give it back to the Indians or Japs or anyone who really wants it. In the past few days, there has been no rain or overcast skies. It's been hotter than Hades.  I sure miss the refreshing breeze we used to get at our last station.

          Last night's movie "The Great Mike" was a stinkeroo of the first order.  Tonight we had an oldie but a good one, "Dixie" with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour.

          Graves was only out of the states for a year and he has gone back, so I'm still optimistic about being home in the fall.

          No more for now so I'll sign off with love and kisses to you and out sweet girls.

Devotedly,

Gil

Fourteen Fillings and Three Extractions

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 6 March 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          I really worked this morning.  I only saw five patients but the count for the morning was fourteen fillings and three extractions.  Besides that there were a couple examinations and a denture adjustments thrown in.

          I hit the jackpot this morning.  I got nine letters and a card from you, a card from Linda, and a letter from Ruth.  I also got a snapshot album from the Goodfriends and a can of almond butter crunch from Deb and Dave.  The album is very nice and covered with tan leather.  The candy is delicious and is practically gone.  Everyone enjoyed it.

          This afternoon I attended to my Mother's Day shopping.  Saw two more patients and then got forty-five minutes of sun.  After that I had my hair cut, returned to my room and censored some mail.  By then it was 5:15 so I showered and dressed for dinner.  After chow we enjoyed the cool breezes and the usual pretty sunset and here I am.

          Honey, I know you are busy and if you don't get a letter off right on time don't let it worry you.  I still have the sweetest, truest, most loving wife of any man aboard and I will understand.

          I'm glad you enjoyed the ballet and it's a date for next season--just you and I.                   

          It is swell about Deb and Dave.  Whether it's an accident or intentional I know they'll be happier for it in years to come.  Yes dear it is their show and none of your business anymore than it was theirs when you were infanticipating. 

          Honey your outlook on life bothers me.  You hate to see anyone happy or making money and seem to delight when upsetting things happen to others.  I know they say "misery loves company," but you never were that way.  When I come back I want you to be as I knew you, a lovely gal with a great big heart.  Please understand Dear that what I'm saying is not a reproval but rather that you were so much happier with your previous attitude.  I won't say anymore about it, but please snap out of it.

          Unless he is very careful about the care of his feet, Dick's athlete's foot business will be recurring as long as he's in the Army.  We have it aboard and it's a "bitch" to cure.

          I'm placing the bag and bracelets on my list.  Hope we get to somewhere that I may be able to buy some more novelties.

          The donations to the center fund are very heartwarming.  It is an important project and will do our community more good than any temple ever did or will.  I'm just sorry that some of the diehards won't quit and continue to block any attempt to accomplish anything worthwhile.

          The movie tonight is "The Angels Sing," with McMurray, Dorothy Lamour and Betty Hutton.  It's 4.0.

          I'm all run out for now so I'll sign off.  Goodnight Sweetheart and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Friday the 13th--Treated 13 Men

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
              Friday 13 October 1944, 9:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          This has been another busy day for me.  This is Friday the 13th.  I examined and treated 13 men.  If only I were superstitious I could begin worrying right now!

          This afternoon's mail brought a letter from you, one from Ethel and a card from my Mother.  Mary was all wet and in more ways than one.  They seem to be a sore spot with you so I'll not mention them anymore.

          Now for the quiz program. The Mess Treasurer collects the monthly mess charges from officers, pays for all food and supplies drawn from the ships commissary and submits a statement monthly of the status of the officer's mess.  What a mess! Just couldn't resist the pun.  No I didn't run in Al accidentally.  Yes darling I now have plenty of music.  In addition to what you've sent I chiseled a couple of song books from the local welfare and recreation office and also purchased a book in a music store.  Regarding John York: If you just turned the account over to them call them and tell them the account has been paid and to forget about it.  However, I believe they have had the account  for some time and you may have to pay them 25% for collection.  However, when I left they still owed me some money so you won't need to send them any payment.  What you wrote about Jules is typical of the Army.  They need dentists and yet the dentists they have do everything but dentistry.  However as for Germany fighting on to the bitter end, did you read where Lloyds of London is giving 4 to 1 odds that the European war will be over by November 1?

          I'm certainly not surprised about Dick.  Keeping the hours he's been keeping and the things he is doing certainly doesn't do much to keeping a fellow fit.  Yet I venture to say that Ruth and Harry will probably not do much about it and after a couple of weeks Dick will drift slowly back to his old routine.  I hope I'm wrong but that is my guess.

          Well honey, I've just about run out now.  One more item.  The movie tonight was "Rainbow Island," with Dorothy Lamour and Eddie Bracken and very enjoyable.

          Sweetheart, do you remember the El Dorado and our singing in bed before turning over?  Bet the neighbors thought we were drunk.  Maybe we were drunk with happiness.  After this war we must try that routine again if we can without waking the kids and the maid.

          Good night my darling.  I'm going to close this letter tonight because I have lots to do tomorrow morning.  I love you.

Devotedly

Gil