Xmas Shopping in July

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 18 July 1945, 2:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          I have a few minutes open now and I'm going ashore with several of the officers at 6:30, so I thought I'd better write now.  We'll probably have a few drinks and it'll eleven or twelve before we get back.  Besides I might be a wee bit tight and my letter then wouldn't make any sense.

          Last night's movie "Saratoga Trunk" was excellent.  Be sure to see it.  This morning I was a busy as ever.  Besides a fully appointed morning I had four emergency patients.  I've already seen two this afternoon.  The third is late.  Hope he doesn't show up as it's too damn hot to work.

          I got three letters from you and here goes another lecture.  First you complain about being left out of everything and about our friends having parties without asking you.  Now you have an invite to the Fleischer's and won't go.  What the "h" is the matter with you (excuse the language but that is my way of expressing exasperation).  Even without me there, I know you wouldn't feel out of place with that gang.  You must snap out of it dear.  If does you no good to stay home and mope.  I feel badly whenever I read that you aren't going out.  Enough said on that subject.

          You're sure doing Xmas shopping early.  However with the scarcity of things maybe that is the wise thing to do.

          Excuse, I have another emergency. Be back in a few minutes.  Well now that didn't take long, did it?  Exactly five minutes.

          Brewer sure is going places and when I get back so will we.  Even though we'll have plenty of it, money isn't everything.  You and I with our two little darlings, all together is the way I want it.  Everything else is secondary.

          Leon is lucky to get a permanent assignment in Diego but orders come from the Bureau and they may catch up with him in a few months.

          I'm glad that Dave's new set up has cheered Deb up and I hope Dave makes the grade OK.

          Nothing more for now so I'll sign off.  Good--I was going to say night but it isn't, is it?  So instead, so long Sweet until tomorrow and remember that it can't be long before the Steingarts will be together again.

Loving you always,

Gil

Sell the Wolf Jacket

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco
            Tuesday 28 November 1944, 9:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Happy Birthday Darling. Although I wasn't able to be with you, I did think about you all day long.

          Today was another busy day.  I worked in my office all day or should I say all morning and part of the afternoon.  However I was all cleaned up by 2:30 so I wangled a boat from the exec and four of us went ashore for a few beers at the Officers' Club.  We got back at 5:00 had dinner at 5:30 and then checkers until 7:30, movie time.  Tonight we had "Lucky Jordon" with Alan Ladd.  The last time I saw it you were at Arrowhead, remember.  You didn't want to see any gangster movies so I took it in at while you were away.

          Now back to your letters.  I really would like some more recent photos of the kids.  I'll really look forward to getting them.  The music you sent was swell and several numbers are just what I wanted.  Haven't done a thing with the piano.  It's kept in the crew's mess hall and it seems that they are always eating up or cleaning up there.  Besides I don't have as much time as you think.  As a matter of fact this is the first moment today when there wasn't something for me to do.

          Who said your pictures aren't up in my room?  You hold the center spot amongst my pin-up girls and believe me yours is still my favorite.  Norma and Linda, Dick and Babs grace another wall so at least I can see some of my family when I'm in my room.

          About the car scratches.  I believe that our insurance covers that without any additional payments.  Check it and if so have the car fixed up.  However if it is necessary to pay additional money let it ride till later.

          Wish I could see you in your new dress or even without any clothes. Who said we'd be going out?  I've got other ideas.

          I see you're still talking about Brentwood.  Well everything comes with time.  Just take it easy and don't get excited.  There'll be plenty of lots and oodles of time to buy them before building materials become available.

          I'm getting caught up with my correspondence.  Recently  I've written to Ruth, your mother, my mother, Deb and Dave, the Fleischers, the Leavys, Libby and Jack Taylor.  I still owe several more and it doesn't look like I'll ever catch up.

          Dear, sell the wolf jacket if you like.  After all it's yours and if you can't enjoy it you might as well have the money to get something you can enjoy.

          So Sol got "new construction."  That seems to be the desire of all officers and men overseas--to go back to the states for new construction.  Who knows where our paths may cross, Sols and mine?  This is really a small world as I've had opportunities to observe.

          Yes dear I know what things cost but you're just beginning to find out.  Now you know why I used to fuss at times about economizing.  Now you know for yourself.

          Talking about Xmas and picture puzzles. In my gear locker, I have twenty crossword puzzles.  I must break them out for the men.  I've also been thinking about Xmas but so far my mind is a total blank.  I'm going to scout around for ideas.

           So it's still raining?  Well it is out here too.  As a matter of fact it rained during the movie and I'm still pretty wet.  However that does help in keeping cool so why change.

          "Strange Fruit" is aboard and I'm going to read it as soon as it's available.  They tell me it's "plenty hot."

          There was no mail today but who am I to complain after all I got yesterday?

          Just the same I hope the mail man favors me tomorrow.  You'll never know how much I look to hearing from my Sweetheart.

          Sweet, do you remember the "Captain" story and the ideas we got from it?  Better brush up on it for when I get back--or don't you need any brushing up?

          Really dear, I'm all writ out.  So--good night my love with a thousand kisses and nice close hugs from your loving husband to his birthday gal.

With loving thoughts

Gil

         

Can't See Scratches on the Buick

Eleanor and Norma in Front of Ruth and Harry's House

         

Paint Is Cheap and Labor Plentiful

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
           Saturday 18 November 1944, 9:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello darling, here I am again.  Just saw a movie I saw several years ago but I enjoyed every moment of it.  The picture was the "Black Swan" with Tyrone Power, a story of Henry Morgan and the Spanish Main.

          I'm catching up on my mail now.  Last night I dropped notes to Manny Stern and the Fleischers.  I don't know who'll be on the program for tonight until I look at whose letters are lying around.  You see I don't throw any away until they're answered.

          I didn't do any dentistry today because my office is being painted.  That's one thing about the Navy.  Paint is cheap and labor plentiful so as soon as any place looks the least bit bad it gets a fresh coat of paint.

          What did I do with all the time?  First I took those large photos of you, covered them with blue celluloid and hung them on the bulkhead in my room.  Then I took that booklet of pin-ups you sent me recently, cut those out and stuck them up too.  Believe these pictures along with Linda's, Norma's, Dick's and Babs' brighten up my room considerably.  Then I did a little reading, took a shower and won another buck at blackjack.  After dinner I played some checkers and then to the movie.  My what a busy day!

          Well I expect to be much busier next week.  I'm going to work on the crew of a ship anchored nearby.  These men plus those on the Ocelot will keep me busy for awhile.

          There was no mail for me today, so no answers.  Good night my Sweet, I love you and wish you were near.  Boy, would I like that and you would too!

Lovingly

Gil

Picture of Dick

Ulithi

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Friday 3 November 1944, 10:00 PM

My Dearest

          Today I hit the jackpot again.  After days of no mail I received twenty-two letters, all at one time.  Sixteen from you, a couple from Libby, Ruth, Gilman, Manny, and the Fleishers. That was some haul. Three of the letters bear an October 9 postmark and looked like they had been soaked down.  It is my guess that these letters were on that plane that went down between the States and some of our Pacific Islands.  Anyway they were late but plenty welcome.

          I have arranged your letters chronologically and will try to cover anything that needs any comment.

          First Honey, I'm glad that you are getting out for a little recreation.  As a matter of fact all your letters have a much more cheerful tone and believe me that does make me much happier.

          The mails are going to be very slow from now on until well after Xmas so be patient if you don't hear right on the dot.  If you have anything to send on don't stall.

          I do wish I could see your new hairdo.  So you think I'd like it?  Well you know me so you can tell even if I don't see it.

          My throat cleared up quickly as did my cold and I'm in the pink right now.  I am all through with my shots and their effects. It should be smooth sailing from here on out.

          I am looking forward to the book you mention.  Do you think it is safe reading with so many sailors around? Ah Well, I'll let you know after I've read it.

          Those Xmas cards will never reach me in time so I may stow them away for next year and we'll sign both of our names to them.  By the time you get this letter the package I sent should have arrived and I hope everything will be OK.

          The Halloween party sounds very nice and I'm very sorry not to have been there to see my girls parade around, play games and entertain.

          Nina's split up with Jack isn't all surprising.  You could see it coming every time you saw them together.  However I am surprised at her joining the WACs.  Frankly I don't believe that it was purely a sex problem.  She had her friends and ways: he had his and neither was willing to compromise and divorce is the result.  After all no woman would suit me either after having loved and known you.  By comparison the same probably applies in their case.

          Regarding the office accounts.  Write or phone all who haven't made payment s in the past 30 days.  If you don't get any response turn them over to the bureau.  Pay particular attention to: Shelling, Teaham, and Mitchel.  Go easy on Curry, Guber, and Mellick.  Turn over Buchwalter  right away.  Accept the $20 from Solgado.  We would only net $5 more if we sued and would have to wait for our money.  In the future use your judgment.  Too much time slips buy for me to advise you.

          I really missed Halloween and the kids. Though I wasn't there I was wondering what you were doing.  I suppose I'll get a full report soon now.

          I hope you've sent in my correspondence course.  It takes too much time to send it to you for typing, so I'll have to write it out longhand.

          Still worrying about money?  Forget it and I shan't repeat myself again.

          I told you Mary and Wally would patch things up.  I would have bet my bottom dollars.  And by the way lay off the liquor.  Give other gifts. Whiskey such as "V.O." is practically gone, so put it away and forget about it.  Get Dr. White something at the Marbros.  They have plenty of stuff for men.  Just how far do you think a bottle of whiskey will go with just the family?  Again I say leave it alone.  I sound like a real drunk but good stuff is very hard to get and I'd rather not give it away.

          Sounds like you had a nice time with Freda and I'll drop her a note as soon as I'm caught up on my correspondence.

          Sounds like Dick and his band are really going places.  Doubling with Tommy Dorsey is really something to brag about.  I bet Ruth and Harry are really proud and they should be.

          About the rumor that I'm coming home on a furlough (really leave).  I'm afraid it's just a rumor after all.  So Ivie and Crossland are shipping out .  Well maybe, I'll see them maybe.  This Navy is really small when it comes to meeting old friends. McPherson was stationed with Jim but hasn't been there for several months.  Guess Mrs. Schurr was a little mixed up.

          The party at the Beverly Hills Hotel sounds quite nice and when I get back we have a date to go there so put it down in you date book.  You can fill the date later on.

          From what you write I'm never know my girls when I get back.  I just hope they remember me if only just a little.  Norma is really moving, right along and Linda must be quite a young lady now.  I've been away now for a few days over three months and it seems like three years.  I have a hunch that when I return I'll be back for good even if this war is still unfinished. I do think that my returning won't be too long from now.

          I've written to Edith about a watch and though I haven't heard from her  I'm sure she'll take care of it for me.  As far as what you are spending, I don't care Dear, go ahead and have fun.  That's what money is for anyway.

          Well Darling, the invasion of the Philippines is moving right along.  Though I am not involved in that action, all Navy ships and personnel  in the Pacific area fit in the general plan and have their jobs to accomplish, each one small but all working to a common goal, a final and lasting peace after a decisive victory.

          It is now midnight and time I turned in.  Honey do you remember my first weekend home after I had reported in San Diego?  Well our next meeting will just make that seem like a couple of kids playing house and I hope it'll last more than just a weekend.

          Goodnight my darling, till tomorrow.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Lovingly

Gil

Eleanor didn't know, but this is where Gil was. 

Red Pony

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Wednesday 16 February 1944

My Dearest Eleanor,

          Another busy day.  Guess they weren't kidding when they said the loafing was only temporary, but who cares.  I would rather keep busy than sit on my fanny all day.

          After the movie last night I returned to B.O.Q. and wrote six letters--the Fleischers, Collons, Goldie M., Frances and Jack, Ruth and Harry and the Aranoffs.

          At noon today the doctors got together and played volleyball.  We're going to do the same every noon.  We had a lot of fun and exercise but we sure looked soft.

          Dr. Tyler, who has been here for six months, got his orders for fleet marine duty.  This is considered the most rugged outfit there is.  The dentist trains right along with the marines and goes on all hikes under full pack.  In combat he goes over with the second wave.  All of this has made him very happy as you can well understand.  Now all the men who have been here for six months or more are expecting orders any day.

          Don't let this worry you.  I still will be here for at least six months and it can be a year or more before anything happens.

          You should be through riding the red pony by Saturday night and then we'll have a little serious business to take care of.  So until Saturday night keep those panties on and it'll be my pleasure to take them off.

Love,

Gil

"To furnish volunteer aid to the sick and wounded of armies......" and "To act in matters of voluntary relief and in accord with the military and naval authorities as a medium of communication between the people of the United States of America and their Army and Navy......"  The Charter of The American National Red Cross.  By Act of Congress January 5, 1905.