Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert
Steingart
U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San
Francisco
Wednesday 4 April 1945,
7:15 PM
Dearest Eleanor,
Here is your
hard working husband again. Spent the
morning and early part of the afternoon with patients. Until 4:30 I worked up the monthly mess
statement. Everything is all balanced and out of the way for another month.
Then I took
the book " Burma Surgeon" went up on the poop deck and got the sun
until 5:15. After a refreshing shower, I
censored some mail and dressed for dinner.
Following dinner I collected the mess bills from the officers and now
here I am.
Thirteen is
my lucky number. That is how many pieces of mail I got today. I got seven letters from you, an Easter card
from Norma and you, a letter from your mother, a card from mine and a letter
from Leon and one from Ambie.
Ambie is at
the St. Albans Hospital in Long Island.
He will be there for four to six weeks but actually will be home all of
that time. All he has to do is put in an
appearance Saturday morning for Captain's Inspection and his home is only 1 1/2
hours from there so he goes home. He
says the reason he didn't say much to you was because you were talking over a
phone. Suggest you write him at the
hospital.
Now your
mail. They must not be too hard up for
teachers if they let Mrs. Olsen go. Was she extra "lousy?" Anyway no
need to worry, you could always make the grade but will never need to.
I'm glad that
Linda's throat is better and hope soon to hear that there is nothing wrong with
her eyes either. Gee I wish I were home
so you would have me to share your worries and other things too.
That
Arrowhead deal doesn't sound so hot. Be
sure if you do take a place it is comfortable and close to the village.
I would like
"Earth and High Heaven" but I hate to see you spend the dough. As you please dear. Guess I'll get it by return mail!
I'm well rid
of my rash. The sun is the best remedy
for it.
The food
problem must be acute. They've even ask
us out here to cut down.
Did you
finally get to see "Our Hearts Were Young and Gay?" It is very amusing and I hope you did see it
finally.
I'm not
worried about competition. I'll let Earl
B join all the organizations but I'm planning to make new contacts that he
can't have access to.
It's time for
the movie so I'll shove off now and finish afterwards. Don't go away!
9:45 PM
Hello Dear,
still with me? Just got back from the
movie we had Deanna Durbin in "Must Keep Singing" and though she
sings though the whole movie, I thought it was rather poor.
Now back to
your letters. The Navy must be pretty
short on medical officers. Dr. Travis
only had two months of stateside duty before he was shipped out. He is from Minnesota. We have an extra doctor aboard on temporary
duty. He had one month in San Diego before
he was sent out. He's married to a
Venice girl by the name of Ferguson.
However he practiced in Arizona and his family (wife and three kiddies)
are now in Frisco. His name is Dr.
Law. So you see it is possible that Jim
will ship out soon. I'm glad that the dental
officer problem is not so acute.
By the way,
the last time I was ashore I ran into a Dr. Love (dentist) who was in Diego the
same time I was and reported aboard a carrier in September. He is an Los Angeles man.
The photos of
the kids are swell, but I'm still looking for a few snaps of you.
Yes I
remember Greenfield quite well. What is
he doing now, do you know? Sorry you
didn't feel so good when you went out with Marty and Ruby. We haven't had "A Tree Grows in
Brooklyn" but should soon.
I'm glad my
mail is coming through fast and regular.
Wish the same was true at this end but it isn't. It's very sporadic as you can tell from my
letters.
Of course I
mean Kosher dills. We have plenty of the others aboard.
I'll give you the word when to close out the
Diego account. As I explained in a previous letter, I've already arranged for
the check to go to Santa Monica. We must be sure that the change has gone through
before we do close the account in question.
The bonds
I've recommended come in $100, $500, and $1,000 denominations, so you can buy
less if you think a larger purchase will run you a little short.
That's a date
for our 15th. Anyplace you say, just as
long as we're together. Darling. I've
already sent you a $100 money order for Linda so do it up nice for me.
Your guess
about us and the shots was correct but the best laid plans of mice and men
often go astray. We "ain't"
going anyplace for a while yet.
Your day at
Ruth's sounds like a real nut house. However it always was so why expect any
different. Your mother sure puts up with
a lot, too. God only knows why.
Course I mind
if you cry awhile. Save those pretty
eyes and keep them sparkling just for me.
Besides crying never corrected anything, but then I'm not a woman. Maybe I'd do the same if I were. Well OK then have your little cry and then
wipe your eyes and smile, please. That's
better. Just the way I like it. Now don't change.
I've rattled
along enough dear so I'll sign off. Good
night, Sweet I'll see you tomorrow.
Love
Gil
P.S. Forward the
enclosed questionnaire, dear. It's taken
a long time to reach me and may not do Ross any good but anyway send it
on. Bye again Honey.
Gil
