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

Work on Ship Moving Right Along

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

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Saturday 6 October 1945, 10:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Well I did a little work today but instead of having a few week's work I'll have only a couple of days.  I guess I worked too hard at it before.  Now there is nothing to do.

          Dr. Bushyager's relief came aboard today, so Bushy should be leaving in a couple of days.   He got air transportation authorized in his orders, so he'll be back in the United States inside of ten days.

          Although we haven't received anything official, we heard over the radio that officers only need 45 points now.  Just as I figured I'll have enough points by March 1 or sooner if there are any more reductions.  However don't plan on my being out when I get back.  I'll be lacking a few points.  Being a dentist I can work for a month or more in the United States without having to learn a new job as line officers would.

          Work on the ship is moving right along.  If the weather stays nice, repairs should be complete long before the 22nd and then we'll be on our way.

          Today, the mail brought me two letters from you and a card from Ethyl.  Your letters were marked the 24th. Those letters were slow in coming.  I've received letters through the 29th.  Catalina sounds good to me.  I know we'll enjoy our vacation there next year.  It's a date.

          Tonight's movie was "Those Endearing Young Charms" with Robert Young and Lorraine Day.  It was amusing, in fact good for a few laughs. We also had a community sing film.  We all sang lustily.

          Five of us are planning to go ashore tomorrow.  Every time we plan to go something happens.  Hope tomorrow will be different.

          Goodnight darling.  I love you.

Your faraway husband,

Gil

Medical officers

Gil (left) and Bushy (right)

My Sweet Loves Me and I Love Her

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

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Saturday 29 September 1945, 10:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Here I am my darling, still sitting and waiting for the word to get the "h" out of here.  I saw a few patients this morning. Most of the days just drag along now.  The latest dope is that we'll be out of here in about ten days.  Still you'd better not look for me much before December 1.  I pray that I'm not raising you hopes falsely again, but it looks like the real thing this time.

          This afternoon I wrote letters to Uncles Mike and Bill and one to Libby as well.  Then I began a mystery story called "Fast Company."  After dinner we talked until movie time.  The feature was "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town."  I enjoyed it as much as I did nine years ago.  After the movie Dr. Bushyager and I played ping pong for about 45 minutes and now here I am.

          Something very unusual happened today. Mail came aboard, but there was none for me.  All the officers kidded me about it because I had my hand out when the mail orderly came in.  I was so sure.  Oh well, I know my Sweet loves me and I love her. I'll get twice as much mail next time.

          Darling, there is not another darn thing to write about.  So goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Underway to Okinawa

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

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Sunday, 9 September 1945, 8:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling here is that guy again.  We got underway at 7:00 AM this morning.  The Philippines is another place I never want to see again.  We've had a brisk, fresh breeze all day and most of us spent most of our time on deck enjoying its cooling effect.

          Now that the war is over we don't have to black out, so sailing at night is quite pleasant.  You can see where you are going and the lights of the other ships (forty-one in all) make it feel a lot safer than before.

          We had movies tonight even though we are underway.  The picture was "Smith of Minnesota," a football story with Bruce Smith, All American, as the star.

          I really hit the jackpot in the mail this morning.  Our mail was picked up at 6:00 AM.  I got the Santa Monica Evening Outlook of August 1 and five letters from my own sweet wife.  There was one letter of the 23rd and the rest were marked 28, 29 and 30.

          It does sound like your vacation didn't turn out so well.  That's another thing I'll make up to you when I get back.

          It just began to blow and rain.  I had to dash to my room and close the ports.  Did I get wet going out on deck! Anyway here I am again.

          There isn't much more to write about so I'll sign off till tomorrow.  Goodnight darling and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Monday, 10 September 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest,

          As long as we're underway the letters I write will go in one envelope.  Today has been a very uneventful day.  I did put in a day's work.  I saw five patients in the morning and two in the afternoon.  As a result the day went very fast.

          We got cholera shots this morning and my arm is sore--I'm toxic.  Hope I feel better in the morning.

          We just heard about the additional points for sea duty.  Including September I have forty-two.  The next step will be additional points for children and I'll be out.  I don't think it'll be long.

          Tonight's movie is "Dancing Over Manhattan," a repeat on our ship.  Sea movies, that is movies shown while the ship is underway, are always old.  We won't see anything new until Friday or Saturday.

          Just think Sweet by June I'll be a civilian even if they don't make any more changes in the point system.  The way things look now, I may even be out before my previous guess of March.  I hope so.

          Dr. Bushyager got orders back to the United States and will leave as soon as relieved.  His relief is flying out and may see us when we arrive in Okinawa.  That'll leave Kuhn and Aspinwall as the only officers aboard the Mighty "O" longer than I.  Even if we don't head home soon I should be back in the United States before many weeks.

          That is thirty for tonight Darling.  Goodnight and keep smiling.  Happy days will soon be here again.

Love,

Gil

Mighty "O"

USS Orvetta and the USS Ocelot in the background

Tuesday 11 September 1945, 8:00 PM

Hello Dearest,

          I awoke this morning feeling 4.0.  That shot didn't knock me out for long.  At 10:00 A.M. I let Dr. Law take a look at my "tochas."  What I thought were "piles" turned out to be a small fistula.  He cauterized it for me and I've been miserable ever since.  I can't sit, stand or lie down comfortably.  I took some codeine at 11:00 AM and dozed until 4:00 PM--even missed lunch.  I did go down to see the movie but gave up.  I'm going to take something and turn in.

          Excuse the short note, but I don't feel up to any more now.  Goodnight Darling until tomorrow.

Yours forever,

Gil

Thursday, 13 September 1945, 6:35 PM

My Dearest,

          Here is the guy with the sore "tochas" again.  I hope you'll forgive me but I was so miserable yesterday that although I did sit down to write, I gave up before I even got started.  Instead I went to my room took a sedative and dozed all afternoon and evening.  I did get up for chow but hit the sack in a hurry soon thereafter.  Today I feel much better and have been up and around practically all day.  It hurts like blazes when I go "toidie" but I get relief with a bautzen ointment.  I inject it immediately following the bowel movement.  Anyway there was no bleeding.  This evening the doctor looked and said it's healing fine so I'm glad that I over with.

          We are now anchored in Buckner Bay, Okinawa.  We had a nice, smooth and uneventful voyage.  I hope we don't stay here long.  In a few days, we'll probably move on to Japan where Admiral Smith should get his new flagship.  Then I hope the Ocelot will be homeward bound.  What a happy day that'll be.

          We sent a boat off for mail and movies, but so far they haven't returned.  I suppose I'll get a bagful in the morning if not tonight.

          By the time you get this letter I'll have had just about fourteen months on the Ocelot.  I do hope that my remaining days aboard can be counted in a very few weeks.  However you and I can only hope and pray that the wheels of fate grind out the future as I say (quite poetic, eh? Phooey).

          Well Sweet I've little more to say except those three little words, "I love you."  Goodbye now and until tomorrow.

Your lover,

Gil

Tacloban is the Capital

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 7 June 1945, 11:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, here I am a little late but still, I made it.  This morning was the usual deal of working on patients.  At 11:30 I took charge of the liberty party and we shoved off.  Dr. Bushyager and the exec came along.  On the way to the recreation area, we all had lunch with Joe Goldfarb on his ship.  I brought along the lox and gefilte fish, and the doctor brought some liver paste.  That was our appetizer.  We made the beach at 1:15. I logged in the recreation party and passed out the beer.  Then my time was my own until 4:30.

          I went back aboard the LCI and we ran over to the town across the bay.  This town happens to be the capital of the island and boasts several larger buildings badly in need of paint.  The town itself would compare as second best to the place in Mexico where the Weinstein's uncle and aunt lived.  Remember?  No paved streets and no sewers. Just deep ditches on both sides of the road.  The houses are old and run down and look dirty.  Yet the natives looked surprisingly clean.  The men and women wore a good deal of white and their clothes looked fresh and really white.  I'm going to find out how they launder their stuff because soaps and bleaches are at a premium out here.  We tramped around for over two hours, looking and shopping but bought nothing.  I'm getting a line up on values and the next time we go over I'll probably buy some things for my three sweethearts at home.

          We got back to the beach and picked up the recreation party and arrived at our ship at 6:00 PM.  After dinner until the movies, I played cribbage with the skipper and two officers.  The picture tonight was an oldie but enjoyable "Hail the Conquering Hero."

          After the movie we all went up to the wardroom for little farewell get together for Dan Graves who is leaving in a couple of days.  We had a great big cake and enough ice cream. I made a pig of myself as did most of the others.  Now here I am.

          There was no mail today so I'm just about run out of words.  Oh yes, you asked about our chaplain. Well we are ready for him but the lord alone knows where he is or if we'll even get one.  It has been recommended and approved but so far nothing has materialized.

          No more for now my love so I'll just say "nite-nite."  Loving you as always.

Your sleepy husband,

Gil

Tacloban the capital

The nightly movie

Aboard Ship A Quart of Whiskey Sold for $36.00

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 25 December 1944, 9:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          After the movie last night, "Kismet" with Ronald Colman and Marlene Dietrich I went to my room and finished "Strange Fruit."  There were several parties on board but with you so far away I really had nothing to celebrate.  So I went to bed early and awoke without a headache which is more than most of the officers did.

          Just had juice and coffee for breakfast.  This being Xmas I didn't keep any office hours.  By various and devious methods I got two quarts of grain alcohol and spiked the egg nog for dinner.  The drink was so good that no one knew anything was in it until afterwards.  The captain and the exec had one each and still don't know it was spiked.  Further, just before dinner, I called all the corpsmen and a few officers.  I gave each a shot. I bought the stuff in Pearl. Is it valuable!  Right on our ship a quart of whiskey sold for $36.00.  I was tempted to sell the three pints I had. However I preferred using a quart as I did today and save the rest for New Year's Eve.  What is money anyway?  I'm enclosing the menu and it was really good.  All the food was set out buffet style, and we ate all we could hold.

          Spent the afternoon resting, reading and weaving.  I'm going to make identical bracelets for you and our girls.  At least I started something but I won't know until I'm further along.  Anyway, we'll see.

          For supper tonight we just had cold cuts of turkey and ham left over with the necessary trimmings, but who could eat? 

          After eating we had a good, old fashioned song fest.  And when movie time came they just wouldn't stop singing until the captain came down to see the picture.  The movie was a riot.  It was the "Dough Girls" with Ann Sheridan, Alexis Smith and Jane Wynn.  It is one of the most hilarious pictures we've seen and was just the thing to cap Xmas for men away from home. 

          No mail today so I have little more to add.  Dear, do you remember how in past Xmas nights, the whole family came over for a drink, to view of our tree and to see our two darlings.  Next year business as usual for the Steingarts.

          Dr. Bushyager got a recording from home and I can hear him playing it now.  His wife and little girl (five or six) both send him love.  I don't know why you had trouble sending me recordings.  A package with odds and ends can be sent and no one knows the difference.  One thing, pack everything well, you should see how the packages look when they arrive.  Most of them are marked and many have the contents falling out.

          Good night darling, how I would love to hold you in my arms and just kiss you once.  Once?  Well that would be a good place to start, wouldn't it?

Impatiently

Gil

                                                Xmas Dinner Menu

 

 Autographs on Back of Menu

 

Picked Up Enough Shells to Make Necklaces for Linda and Norma

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 19 December 1944, 7:15 P.M.

 

Dearest Eleanor,

          Got several pieces of mail.  But only one that mattered, a letter from you postmarked November 30 and yesterday it was the 18th.  Well that's the mail service out here.

          Finally got the correspondence course, a post card from Ethyl, dated October 18.  And surprise--a letter from holier than thou, Leon. "Write soon," he says "and I'll answer promptly."

          Dear I'm all confused about the bank balances.  Send me the balances at both banks as soon after January 1 when you get the statements.

          There is nothing else in your letter that needs any comment.  I know from later letters that the kids are both well and that you're still Xmas shopping.

          I just picked up enough shells to make two matched necklaces for Linda and Norma.  However there is one obstacle.  I cannot find any small fine chains.  How about buying a couple inexpensive ones and sending them on along with you letter via air mail.  Then I may get it before I get ordered back to the states.  Still awaiting the Xmas cards. Bet I get them along with my Xmas packages.

          Not much doing today.  I worked on some men from another ship this morning. After lunch I finished "Imperial City."  A medical officer came over to see Dr. Bushyager who had gone ashore, so I showed him around.  He is on a repair ship and has invited me over to show me around.  I'm planning to do that in the next day or so.

          Sweetheart, do you remember how busy we always were before Xmas shopping and wrapping gifts?  Now it's more than two months since I shopped and you have to wrap all by your lonesome.  Next year we'll do it together again.  Is it a date?  OK

          I got some crayolas so here is a copy of my "art."

 Good night darling.  I love you always

Your loving,

Gil

Concert by Ship's Band

UNITED STATES NAVY

        

Saturday, August 12, 1944, At Sea

Dear Eleanor,

 

         Just another day at sea.  Up as usual at seven, showered, dressed and had breakfast.  Worked for a couple of hours, visited on the bridge and looked at ships looming up of the horizon guessing their identity, or trying to, before they got close enough to really tell.  We've had company all day, another ship on the same course and evidently due at the same place and time as we are.

         After dinner of spaghetti and meat balls with salad, iced tea, and chocolate cream pie, we had a concert by the ship's band.  They really sounded pretty good although they don't have much time to practice.

          Upon conclusion of the concert I returned to my office for more work.  When he was in civilian life, one of my patients was a patient of Dr. Frankel.  Small world isn't it? After that Dr. Bushyager, the medical officer, Mr. Hansen, the chief engineer, and I retired to the "chief's" quarters and with the accordion indulged in another hour or so of music (?).  Then a fried chicken supper and another visit on the bridge.  It has been plenty warm today and it is a little cooler up there than in most parts of the ship.

          Well for a guy who had nothing much to say I did all right.  I'm sure looking forward to our next port and to the letters from you my Sweet and I'll bet I get several from Linda too.  By till tomorrow.

Love,

Gil