Army Life is Rugged

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 27 June 1945, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello my darling, how are you tonight?  Last night's movie "Phantom Lady" was an oldie that we saw together. Franchot Tone is the villain who strangles people with ties, scarves etc. Another is accused and convicted of the crimes because his alibi disappears.  Do you remember it now?  Of course everything turned out right in the end.

          Guess taking a whole day off is a bad idea. I was quite busy all day today and didn't finish up until 3:30.  Then I went to the barber's for a haircut.  After a nice shower I crawled into my bunk.  In my skivvies I censored and read mail until 5:30 when I dressed for dinner.

          Because of some connections I was able to buy a case of coke (36 bottles) and a case of "Toddy" chocolate milk drink (24 cans).  The whole thing set me back $3.85.  Guess I can afford it.

          Today, I've been thinking more about Army life--it is really rugged.  They get rationed about one egg a week while we get all we want.  They live on hard cots in tents while I have a bunk with a box spring and mattress.  The water they drink is so highly chlorinated that the fumes hit you in the face when you raise your glass to your mouth; our water comes from distilling plants.  Fresh meat is a delicacy while on our ship we are able to store enough fresh food for one thousand men for three months and we reprovision more frequently than that.  There are so many other advantages to Navy over Army life that I often wonder why more men didn't try the Navy in preference to the Army.

          Our movie tonight is Judy Garland in "Presenting Lily Mars."  I don't remember seeing it.  No mail today so that is thirty for tonight.

          Goodnight my sweet until tomorrow when we'll meet (poetry!)

Love,

Gil

Toddy

1945 Coke Bottle?

Movies

Heat Rash

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 29 January 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello darling, here I am again.  Had quite a busy morning and wasn't through with work until after eleven.  Then I went to my room and read until lunch time.

          I broke out with heat rash so after lunch I went up of the poop deck, stripped down and got the sun for a half hour.  Sunshine seems to be the best remedy for this type of rash.

          Then back to my office for more work.  I was all cleared up by 3:00 PM so I had a coke for a little refresher and censored some mail.  By then it was four o'clock so I stripped down to my skivvies (shorts to you) and worked on a jigsaw puzzle until it was time to shower and dress for dinner.

          After eating a few of us stood out on the bridge deck enjoying the cool refreshing ocean breeze.  And so here I am.

          There was only one letter.  It was from Ambie.  He is en route to San Francisco and promised to phone you when he gets there.  He seems to be feeling very well. No doubt the fact that he is returning to the states has helped him a lot.

          The movie last night, "Belle of the Yukon," had lots of stars and possibilities, but it was only fair.  Tonight we have Merle Oberon and Franchot Tone in "Dark Waters" and I do hope it's good.  The story was run in the Post magazine recently.

          Nothing that is new, Sweet, so I'm going to sign off.  Good night, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Work as Ship's Welfare Officer

Tuesday 5 September, 8:15 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Good morning my Sweet, how are you today?  Had liberty yesterday and spent all morning looking for a pin you would like.  Guess there "ain't no such animule."  They all know what I'm looking for but no one has any.  Returned to the ship for lunch and then Cox, Glass and Yours Truly went into town.  We dropped in on the Rikes whom I've mentioned before and they were as gracious as ever.  We drank and ate canapés all afternoon.  In fact we ate so much we didn't need dinner.  Got back to the ship about 9:30 and visited with the other officers in the ward room for an hour or so and then turned in.

          Got two letters from you yesterday.  You seem to have plenty to keep you busy.  Being welfare officer aboard this ship is giving me a little extra work to do.  This morning I must go out and purchase some supplies and equipment for the officers and crew recreation.  I just arranged for a gift for the kids, and Mrs. Rike promised to get it off for me within the next day or so.  I can't tell you why they are getting if off for me but may be able to later.

          Well dear, such is my routine.  Not much to do and yet not enough time to do things I'd like to do.  What are you going to do about teaching?  If you have to pay help $25 per week, I don't think substitute teaching would be worthwhile, considering how it would wear you out and such.  Again I say don't worry about the money.  If teaching will help occupy your time all right but we'll get by without the additional income.

          I didn't go to the movie last night--got back too late.  "Phantom Lady" with Franchot Tone was the feature.  We saw it together I believe.  If we didn't, see it when you get a chance but have someone with you to hold your hand (female preferred).  I'm way behind on my correspondence to everyone and will have to take a day off and write an original and a dozen duplicates to all.

          Nothing more now dear, take it easy and don't worry about me.

Love

Gil

Lt (j.g.) G. Steingart

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

 

Fuse Burnt Out

 

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Monday night 31 January 1944

17:30 o'clock (5:30 P.M.)

Dearest,

          Just finished chow.  This is the first free time I've had today.  Been pretty busy.

          When we arrived in San Diego last night, it began to rain, and it was doing quite well by the time we reached the base.  The car really runs swell although a fuse did burn out in Long Beach.  However there was a box of fuses in the car, and I fixed it in a jiffy.

          Applied for my "A" ration and expect to get my book on Wednesday.  Then I'll apply for my "B" book.

          All your cake is gone. There is a steady flow of corpsmen and doctors to my locker where I keep the two boxes of cookies I brought last week.  They are practically gone.

          At 6:15 a few of the doctors are going to the movie," The Phantom Lady" with Franchot Tone.  I don't know what it's about but it'll kill a couple of hours. then a shower and early to bed for a good night's rest.  It was 2:00 A.M. before I got unpacked and into bed this morning.

          I hope you got a decent night's sleep.  Don't worry dear.  Things will work out so that soon we'll have more than just weekends together.

          Kiss Linda and Norma for me. Until tomorrow I am

Your loving,

Gil