Spirits

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 8 July 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, I hope you are still feeling well and keeping real busy.  Simmie had seen last night's movie and didn't wish to see it again. But he insisted I go while he took a nap.  After the movie we went up to the wardroom, had cokes, and sat and talked until 11:00 PM and then turned in.

          This morning I ate a regular breakfast to keep Simmie company, and besides, I always had breakfast at home on Sunday.  Then I saw a few patients while Simmie read some magazines.  Then mail came. I got an Esquire, two letters from you, one from your mother and one from Mary Regan.  We read and loafed around until lunch time. After eating I saw Simmie off on the ferry to the beach.

          Now to your mail.  I'm worried about Norma's bilious attacks. Does she take after her mother?  I wish you'd take her over to Sieger's office and have him check her over.

          You are entirely too sensitive.  The Steins were seldom guests at our home.  Their interests and ours were always different.  They are still as good friends as we have in Santa Monica.

          I don't know why you wish to make yourself miserable losing weight.  You look OK to me in those snaps you sent. You could stand a smile on your face, but I'll attend to that later, personally.

          Trying to have a boy long distance is impossible anyway so I won't discuss it now.  You'll have to wait until I come home.

          We have a good movie (I hope) tonight.  It is "Colonel Blimp" and is 18 reels.  Hope it doesn't drag.

          So ends another week.  One week less for us to be apart.  Sweetheart I sure do miss you and hope we'll be together again soon.

          No more for now so I'll sign off.  Goodnight Darling.  Try to be in good spirits.

I love you as always

Gil

           

Cribbage Game Interrupted By Aching Tooth

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 12 May 1945, 10:00 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,

          This morning, I got four letters from you and one from my mother.  However I was so busy that I didn't have time to read any of it until noon.

          After lunch I had a three day stack of mail to censor and it took me better than an hour to get the letters all read.  Then I cleaned up some more of the shells and also did a little more work on the little surprise I'm making for you.

          At 5:15 I had my usual shower and changed for dinner, following which we went up to the captain's cabin for our nightly game of cribbage.  However, in the middle of the game I was called away to extract a badly aching tooth and though I did get back we didn't play long because we had to quit for the movies.

          The movie consisted of two shorts and the feature, "She's A Sweetheart," which was lousy.  One of the shorts was in color and all about California.  It was entitled "California Here We Are." They had good shots of the Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Boulevard, Catalina Island, Lake Arrowhead and many other places we know.  So you see I did enjoy some of the show.

          I finally got the name of Sol's ship from Deb and was very provoked to find that he had been here just before the Okinawa Invasion.  His ship is now headed back to Frisco--sure wish I was on it.

          Now to your mail.  The name Rothwell sounds familiar, but I can't say that I remember them.

          I haven't read or heard anything about psychosomatic medicine.  However magazines take more time getting out here and I'll keep a weather eye out for those items.

          I see my school marm got another day at Samohi.  Do you get more pay for high school than junior high or has that changed?

          We haven't had "Tonight and Every Night" yet.  I suppose it'll show up one of these days.  I've heard and read about it and have been wanting to see it.

          I do hope you can work something out with the Siegers about a house at Lake Arrowhead.  Estelle would be good company and you and the kids could stand a change of scenery.

          Talking about food.  The mention of cucumbers and fresh corn does sound good.  However we really get swell food.  The only things I miss are fresh milk and tomatoes.  We have plenty of oranges, apples, fresh frozen peaches, apricots and several vegetables.  We get steak, turkey, chicken and roast beef at least once a week.  Now who is drooling?

          No more for now my Darling so I'll sign off.  Good night Honey with a great big hug and kiss for all three of my girls.

Love,

Gil

Cooled Down to 80 Degrees

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 13 December 1944, 7:10 P.M.

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello dear.  While Alexander (my corpsman) was cleaning my teeth I got twelve pieces of mail.  I could hardly wait for him to finish.  I got a letter from your mother a letter and a card from my mother , a Xmas card from Sam Green (surprised?), a letter from Ethel, one from Deb, the B'nai B'rith Magazine you sent and five letters from you ranging from November 29 to December 5.  Am I behind now!  I'll have to take a day off to catch up.

          Gee, I'm sorry you didn't get the corsage I ordered for your birthday.  I checked with the ship service officer and he thought that possible it got mixed up with the Xmas orders and that you'd probably get it for Xmas.  However if delivery is not made, a check for the full amount will be forwarded to you.  The same holds good for the dolls so we'll just have to wait and see.

          Nothing much doing today.  I had my teeth cleaned in the morning and rehearsed our Glee Club in the afternoon.  It has been raining more or less constantly all day long and it's cooled down to 80 degrees.  Isn't that wonderful.  Going to the second movie rain or not.  The picture is "The Conspirators" with Hedy Lamarr, Peter Lore, Sidney Greenstreet and Paul Henroid (spelling?) and it has a 3.9 rating.

          Now to you letters.  It seems like the kids are conspiring to make things tough.  Cold and more colds!  Don't let it get you down.  Talking about the kids and illness, Dr. Sieger never did answer my letter.  Wonder if he even got it.  I'll drop him a Xmas greeting if and when they arrive.

          That bond show sounds swell, wish I could have sat there with you and held your hand.  And be careful you drunkee you never had two drinks with me around.  My how times have changed.  Seriously though I'm glad you're getting out and taking a more active interest in B'nai B'rith work.  Time will pass so much faster.  A couple of your letters around Thanksgiving sounded so depressing but now you seem to have snapped out of it (thank God).

          No got Nescafe.  And I'm not in the South Pacific even though many men on board make the same mistake.  However the rest of the description of the island is 4.0 or should I say islands.  I bet they don't even show on your maps although the atlas I have does show them as several fly specks which is more than some of the large wall maps we have around.  As a matter of fact very little was known about these islands even as recently as the time I came aboard this ship.

          I wish I knew how long we'll stay here.  It all depends on the progress of the war.  We most certainly won't be here for two more months.  We could be ordered on most any time (and it can't be too soon for me).

          As I wrote you some time ago, Captain Hartfield is our exec.  Our Xmas Menu is going to be very interesting and I'll send you a copy.  I am working on some details for it now.

          I can't tell you much of the geography of these islands without disclosing our whereabouts.

          Darling my plans for the future keep changing all the time.  As a matter of fact all I really think about and want is to be back with you and kiddies.  The rest won't matter.  Courses of study will be available in many places and I'll choose only after very careful consideration. Honey, do you remember how we were always making plans?  Well I'm still planning for the future, how to make up to you for all the unhappiness and lonesomeness that this war has brought to us.

          Good night my darling.  Love and kisses to you and my, or I should say our, darlings

Devotedly

Gil

Glad the Party Was Pleasant

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
          Saturday 23 September 1944, 9:50 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Came out of the movie a few moments ago and here we are together for a few moments anyway.  The picture was Phil Baker in "Take It or Leave It."  Very little story to it but very good entertainment value.  See it and it'll give you a lift.

          Sweet, you must face it.  I won't be home for a long while but really I'll be quite safe.  I can't tell you what our ship is going to do but believe me we'll be as safe as we have been up to now.

          I wrote to Sieger and White several days ago but haven't written to the Vaneteks because I've been hoping to see Al and then I plan to write.

          I'm worried about Norma.  I do wish you would call the doctor immediately when the kids get sick instead of waiting to see.  You know how nice Harry is and I'm sure he'll be glad to do what he can.

          Glad to hear the party was at least a little pleasant for you.  I know how much you dreaded going and I'm really glad it was at it was.  Just goes to show you must go wherever there are people.  Honey, if you stay at home and wait for a call everyone will forget about you.  That is the way people are. "Out of sight out of mind" (all except you and I).  Talking about the food you had reminds me.  I've been watching my diet and have lost about eight pounds.  Am trying to lose eight more and with this hot weather we are having it should be easy--no appetite.

          As long as you've been having trouble with your periods again why don't you consult Harry about that too.  I hope you are not neglecting yourself.  I remember when you were plenty thin and I also remember that you didn't feel as well as you did as when you were around 128 pounds.  I don't like my women thin and you know it so young lady don't lose too much.

          I wrote about Rosh Hashanah Eve.  The next day I was getting ready to go to the service and had couple of emergency extractions.  By the time I was through it was too late so I just skipped it.

          I don't know whether the Captain will go to the Yom Kippur service, but the executive officer and I have already made plans to go to Kol Nidre.

          My new quarters will probably not be as roomy as they were but I think they'll be cooler and believe me out here that is important.  As for Jim Frug, don't think he'll be home so soon.  I bet it'll be another six months before he is transferred back to the states.  At least that seems to be his opinion and he ought to know.

          I am worried about Norma and am looking for tomorrow's letter with anxiety.  And please dear again I say take care of yourself.  I don't like the tone of you letters.  Sound that you are just letting go and you mustn't for your sake and our girls.  Please reassure me in your next letter.

          Do you remember how upset you were when we had to leave the El Dorado and you thought we couldn't find another apartment?  Well everything tuned out OK didn't it?  After the war when I am settled in private practice we'll be planning our new home with all the things we've always wanted.  As usual we won't listen to anyone and we won't be sorry.

          It's 10:20 PM now and it's time I turned in.  Good night my Sweetheart, please take better care of yourself and don't worry about me.  I'll be OK. I love you dear.

Your anxious

Gil

                    

 Picture from Party Eleanor Attended

Our Ship Won't Arrive Anyplace Until It's Safe

Tuesday 19 September 1944, 8:25 AM

Good Morning Sweetheart,

          I never believed in mental telepathy but I do now.  Either Sunday or yesterday I recalled our visit with Belle and Charlie.  In the letter that I received from you yesterday you did the same.  On my liberty yesterday I went to a bookstore looking for something suitable for Linda and saw those books you mentioned in the same letter.  However I hadn't seen the letter until I returned.  There must be something to this telepathy.

          Worked all morning yesterday.  Had lunch aboard and then went on liberty.  Stopped at the Chaplain's Office to locate Wally and Al.  Wally is nowheres near here.  Al is at a station some distance from the base but I'll arrange to see him soon.  Then I went and had some pictures taken.  Will see the proofs on Wednesday (tomorrow) and then will wait a week for the finished photo.  Then I did the shopping I mentioned.  By that time I was pretty warm so I went to the beach and had a cold drink.  As I walked into one of the hotels another familiar face greeted me.  You may remember the name, but I've forgotten.  But you must remember the officer who lived around the corner at Diego with whom I tried to get together and share rides to the base when my schedule was changed.  Well he just arrived on the 14th and was on his first liberty.  He will be based here and seemed quite lonesome and lost.

          I hope Linda's stomach is completely settled now.  If she has another spell take her to Harry Sieger's and have him check her over.  Dear, don't worry about Leon's ideas.  Though we are going places alright, our ship won't arrive until it is quite safe.  I can't tell you why but believe me I know.

          Have to go to work now.  Will write again this evening after the movie.  By the way, saw Henry Aldrich in "Henry's Little Secret" last night.  Very funny and refreshing.  See it.  Bye my sweet.  Do you remember us and the Weinsteins at Arrowhead one afternoon in our cabin?  After the war let's go back, but alone.  I love you dear.

Your husband

Gil

Lt. (j.g.) G. Steingart

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

 One of the photos

Stay Away From that Male Teacher or Papa Will Go Native

Friday 15 September 1944, 10:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just came out from the movie.  Saw Spencer Tracy in the "Seventh Cross."  It was intensely interesting and the suspense carried on to the very last scene.  See it if you get a chance.

          Got letters from Earl Bubar and Libby this morning and two from you this afternoon.  I immediately answered Earl and also wrote to Dr. Sieger, Dr. White and Miss Earnest.  Worked in my office the rest of the day. That is the way I passed my time today.

          You ask many questions in your Monday letter so here goes.  Yes, I received the taffy and wrote Linda and Norma a note.  You should have it by now.  I'll try to look up Al and Wally.  Can't write and tell them where I am or where to meet me because then I would be disclosing our whereabouts.  It may seem silly but that's the way it is.  Yes, I took something to the Rikes, a two week liquor ration and they were very pleased. I get all the current news via newspaper.  I've read a few mystery books but nothing exciting or worth talking about.  No cards thank you, but I do play checkers quite often.  The ship is a subscriber to several magazines although they are a little old when we get them.  No periodicals of a professional nature so far. 

          No Darling the way things are now I can't do any studying.  Not even much chance to play the accordion.  However it won't be long before I have all my comforts again.  Then maybe I'll do some of the things I've wanted to do.

          By the way, young lady, stay away from that male teacher or papa will go native.  I'm beginning to see why some men go native.  I really need you dear, but I'll put up with it as long as we can have our daily visits.

          I'm glad to hear that you are back teaching.  But Dear, even though you should keep busy, remember you have two girls to care for and you can't always find an Edna to care for them, even at $25 per week.  I've also made a note of the rings for my girls.

          Goodnight, Sweetheart, I love you, truly I do.  Do you remember eating cookies in the lower berth on the train to Frisco?  After the war we'll try that lower again.

Loving you always,

Gil

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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


 One evening in September 1944, Eleanor was  at the Florentine Gardens   

Left to right  Nick, Eleanor, Deb, Dave and 

 and Sol

For more about Florentine Gardens see http://dearoldhollywood.blogspot.com/2009/06/florentine-gardens-hollywood-nightspot.html