10,000 Miles from Home

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

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Friday 5 October 1945

Dearest Eleanor,

          Now I'm out looking for work.  I ordered all the men with forty or more points to report for examinations and found a week's work to do.  It'll be nice to be busy for a change.

          Today was field day. After the corpsmen were supposed to be ready for inspection, I went through sick bay compartments and found several spaces that hadn't even been touched.  I sure raised hell. That is my job as division officer. Anyway they turned to and cleaned the place up.

          This afternoon brought a stack of mail.  I got nine letters, all from you ranging from September 22 to 29. Also an Esquire and Temple Tattler.  The temple seems to have me on their mailing list so don't bother sending me any more yourself.  I had already read the one I received today.

          Now to your letters.  You don't have to write to anyone about courses.  The Dental Association will have all the information for me when I want it.  Also don't waste time or money looking for office space for me.  I could be released when I get back, but unless the points are reduced by then I'll still have months to go.  If I know the Navy, I'll get my leave and then have to report back for duty.

          I never said I'd be home in a month.  You don't seem to realize that I'm about 10,000 miles from the United States which means twenty to thirty days by sea depending on the speed of the ship.  In our case we could make it in twenty-five days, not counting stops.  Sometime in the early part of December is still my guess.

          Take it easy gal; I'll get an assignment close to home.  Terminal Island and Los Angeles both have demobilization centers and that is where I'll probably get duty.  If not I will be at the hospital.  Anyway without going to Washington, I'll have plenty of time to get my orders changed if I don't get what I want.

          You sure jump to conclusions.  I didn't say Tokyo for repairs, but only mentioned that as a possibility.  Of course by now you know that Tokyo is out.  We'll go first to Guam and then home.  That's the way it looks now.

          Don't do anything about a car. We'll need money for other things.  It isn't any economy to buy a car when the Buick can be fixed up for $200.  Remember there is a sales tax, luxury tax and higher prices now than later.  Between fur coats and automobiles plus a trip to Mexico it looks like we'll be fresh out of money when we'll need it the most.  Come to earth Sweet and be reasonable for a change.

          If Leon is going overseas now we'll never meet unless he flies out.  We'll be out of Okinawa before he can possibly get here by sea.  But who know, I could bump into him at Guam or Pearl.

          I hope that by now you've seen Dr. Lewis and found that all is well.  You've had enough worries in the past twenty-one months without any female trouble. When I get back, I'm sure you'll snap out of it.  Anyway see Dr. Lewis and don't just talk about it.

          You've mentioned quite a bit about Ruth and Dick in your letters.  Frankly I'm disgusted with both of them.  It is only to keep peace in the family that I write Ruth an occasional letter.  Probably when I get back I'll tell her off. She can get into one's hair.

          Tonight's movie was an oldie, "Stagecoach" with John Wayne and Claire Trevor.  Very good just the same, so who cares if it's old or new?

          That is thirty for tonight Darling.  As hard as it'll be for the next few weeks, please be patient and don't do anything you'd be sorry for later.

Love,

Gil

Almost Brought The Overhead Down

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 24 Aug 1945, 12:15 AM

Dearest Darling,

          Here is your busy hubby at last.  I've been on the go since I woke this morning and I'll sure sleep tonight.  To begin with I had a full morning booked and had to move right along to be able to take care of three emergencies that dropped in.  After lunch, just as I was getting comfortable in my bunk, I was called to my office again to care for another emergency.  However it being Friday and field day I didn't have any work planned for the afternoon so I was through right after the emergency.  At three o'clock we (two officers and myself) shoved off to pick up the USO show. It was 5:15 before we were back on the Ocelot.  After dinner we got everything squared away and the show went on at 7:30.  The name of the show was "Comedy Caravan" and consisted of a male master of ceremonies, a magician, and accordionist.  Then there were three women, two young and one about forty.  The show was excellent and the men almost brought the overhead (ceiling to a lubber) down over their heads.  I was really pleased at the success of the show because the commodore doesn't favor having women aboard. After seeing the morale lifting effect of such entertainment I know he won't object anymore.  After the show I brought the entertainers up to the wardroom for coffee and sandwiches. At 10:30 we headed back to the beach.  It had been raining but had just cleared up and a nice moon was shining.  We really made time.  The round trip only took a one and a half hours.

          As for mail I really hit the jackpot today.  I got five letters and a Parent Magazine from you plus a letter from your mother.  Yes the war is over but VJ Day is still a few days away.  Until that day and until we actually occupy Japan we are still in a state of war and all wartime restrictions and precautions exist.  So----censorship is still in effect and will be until the Navy Dept says otherwise.

          Don't worry about me and office space.  I'll be in the states and in still in the Navy before I'm finally released. I'll have time to look around.  I'll also want to take some refresher courses before I start practice and so there is really no hurry.  Of course it would be nice to get tied up with some men of Dr. Lewis' reputation but if nothing works out don't worry.

          Deb certainly has had her troubles.  I hope that by now she is over her arm infection and stays well for a change.  As for Ruth, she always was a selfish person and I hope I won't have to remind you when we are back together again and living our own lives of how she acted towards you.  Just to make you feel better dentists are not on the exception list. As soon as the point system is liberalized, which won't be too long, I'll be eligible for release.

          The snaps are a wee bit fuzzy but I enjoyed them just the same.  I like your new bathing suit or is it a sun-suit?  Anyway it looks OK.

          Glad you finally heard from the Siegers and hope you and the kids have a swell rest and change.  Have a good time. Just think next year we'll be together again doing all those things we enjoy.

          I'm not surprised that there were deaths in Los Angeles as a result of the celebration.  I wrote you about the celebration out here.  I've learned that several men were killed and many were injured on the roads around her.

          Yes, I'd be interested in a medical building set up.  Find out what you can and let me know.  However remember that we can't go in too deep.

          My what a long letter.  I'm really sleepy.  It is ten minutes to one and I'm ready to turn in.

          Goodnight Sweet and do have a nice vacation.  Until tomorrow with love and kisses to my three sweethearts.

Yours alone

Gil

P.S.    I missed a good move tonight because I had to take the show back to the beach.  We had "Rhapsody in Blue" the story of George Gershwin.  Darn.

Gil

Bathing Suit or Sun-suit?

Types

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday, 11 April 1945, 7:15 PM

My Dearest,

          How are you today Sweet?  I'm just the same.  Fat, sassy, and working all the time.  Had my usual busy morning but was through by 11:15.  Then I received nine letters, seven from you, one from Marty and one from your mother.  It was lunch time before I was through reading them.

          Gee the maps are swell.  When you send me some more art corners I'll be able to place them in my album.

          This afternoon was spent on my paper work and it was 4:30 before I was through.  I still have several afternoons of book work before my records and reports will be all up to date.

          Now back to my mail.  So many questions.  Alexander types my courses for me.  He is my corpsman.  No don't send the snaps back.  I don't have the negatives so I wouldn't want to lose them.  Besides I'll always be able to fill in the names for you at a later date.

          It's funny but you and I are both thinking the same about my office down to the shells, fish and furnishings.  I have quite an assortment of shells and I'm adding to my collection all the time.

          Thanks for telling me all about Easter.  I enjoyed every word of it though it did make me feel a little homesick to think of what I'm missing.  Sounds like a lot of changes in Santa Monica.  Suppose they're all making money too fast to spend it.

          Leon wrote and told me about the move to Treasure Isle.  I must answer in a day or two.

          Sounds like you're going through a pile of dough.  Take it easy gal.  The fur coat can wait until fall now that winter is over.  $700 worth of fixing on the house sounds like a hell of a lot of dough.  However as usual I'll close by saying use your own judgment.

          Didn't we see the Dunham Dancers once? They sure sound familiar.

          No, the Dental Corps is not separate from the Medical Corps.  It's just that we do our own administrative work rather than have the Medical Corps handle it.  Just a lot of extra work with no more independence than before.

          I didn't get any clipping about the new dental clinic.  Dr. Webster applied to the Navy when I did, but didn't pass physically.  He is a pretty nice guy and used to be a school dentist.

          The car is certainly costing now, but then again you haven't had to spend much on it since I shipped out.

          Sorry the Arrowhead deal fell through.  Maybe you'll have a much pleasanter holiday in the late summer or early fall.  Keep your fingers crossed.

          There is no use my talking to the doctor here.  See Lewis if you're not feeling well.  However you did consult a doctor at the hospital in Diego didn't you? However if anything is bothering you you'd be better off getting some professional advice.  Go ahead and see him.  You don't need my permission.

          This morning I began to shave and my shaver broke.  Well I got some screw drivers, took the damn thing apart, soldered a broken spring and it's as good as new.  I could use a new head for my Schick.  Get one from Marty and send it on.

          The movie tonight is Rosalind Russell in "Roughly Speaking" and is rated very good.

          I must dash now as it's almost that time.  Good night Honey, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love and kisses,

Gil

Lots of snaps ("maps")--Eleanor,Eleanor and Deb,and Dave 

Star Was Dennis Day

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday, 26 March 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          This has been one busy day. Believe it or not this is the first free time I've had since I got up this morning.

          I worked all morning and at 12:30 I took a liberty part of eighty-eight men ashore for a little recreation.  It rained most of the afternoon and by the time we got back to the ship at 5:15 we were all thoroughly soaked.

          I peeled off my wet clothes and after a hot shower dressed for dinner.  Just as I finished eating the exec informed me that Claude Thornhill and his show had been obtained for us for tonight and to get ready.

          The first lieutenant got his carpenters together and a small platform stage was rigged. I got the electricians busy on lighting and got our PA system hooked up.  For a backdrop we hung a number of colorful signal flags.  We were all ready at 7:45 and that was really making time.

          I met the entertainers on the quarterdeck and took them below.  As I wrote before Jackie Cooper, Bobby Riggs (Mary Lou imitator of the radio) and several others are in the show.  Claude Thornhill was an arranger for Castellanez (?spelling) as well as a band leader in his own right.  His musicians are taken from many well known bands such as Goodman, Weeks, and others.  The star attraction was Dennis Day and he really is good.  He is an ensign. After the show he came up to the wardroom and we sat around and talked until his boat came for him.  By the way, after the show we served ice cream to all hands.  Now here I am.

          I hit the jackpot today.  This morning, I got eight letters from you and one from your mother. When I came down to my office to write to you a few minutes ago I found two V-mails that came this afternoon, one from Libby and the other from Edward Rubin of the B'nai B'rith.

          Linda is getting to be quite the young lady.  Movies on Saturday, dancing school and soon the piano.  Well I'm hoping to be there when she starts in the fall.

          You mention Sophie and Fay several times.  Are they the two service wives you recently met?  Anyway I'm glad you've found some new congenial acquaintances.

          Such dreams!  I have only one girl friend and you know who she is.  No matter where I go when I get back my three girls are all going there with me.

          What about my girls' Mommy?  Well gee whiz can't you wait and be surprised?  If you can't you'll have to anyway.

          So Jerry and Marty are still feudin'.  Well it's a small world with many "small" people.

          "The Angels Sing" and "A Song to Remember" are both very enjoyable and I'm glad you got to see them.

          I didn't know Dr. Lewis was back.  Guess one of your letters telling me more about it will bounce in one of these days.

          I can't tell you what kind of shots we got but it really doesn't matter now, does it?

          I really didn't enjoy the American Weeklies much.  Really, I have plenty of reading matter so please don't send any more unless there are some novelty books or magazines you think I'd enjoy.

          The Coast Guard pharmacist you mentioned--does he know the Ocelot or is he just speaking generally?  Don't let it get you down dear.  He could be wrong.

          Well this has been a long winded letter.  I hope I didn't tire you out.  I'll sign off now as it's 11:20 and I should turn in.

          Good night Sweetheart and the next time dream about us being together.

Loving you always,

Gil