Piano Tuner Ordered to Come Aboard

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 22 August 1945, 6:50 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Wow what a day.  The hottest I've experienced.  I spent three hours in the sun on a VP landing boat.  You see at noon today I heard of a USO show so I grabbed the only available transportation and headed for the beach.  I got a show for September 3rd provided that our piano is tuned. So on the way back I stopped at another ship and found there was a tuner on board, but he couldn't get off.  I got back aboard the Ocelot and took the problem up with the higher paid help; they sent a dispatch to that ship ordering the tuner to come over tomorrow.  Hope it works.

          Nothing more of interest.  I had my usual busy morning.  When I got back from my little boat ride I showered and read until it was time to dress for dinner.  The skipper is "under the weather" so no cribbage tonight.

          Tonight's movie is "Murder He Says" with Fred McMurray.  The reviews aren't too hot.  Hope it is at least average.

          No more scuttlebutt.  Rumor has it that we will go to Manila, Okinawa or to various parts of Japan.  Anyplace would be okay with me as long as it is north.

          No mail again today darling and I suppose from now on, for two weeks or so, your mail will be delayed on account of your vacation, but I'll understand.

          Bye my Sweet.  Until tomorrow.  I love you and am counting the days till we're together again.

Yours impatiently,

Gil

Where Do We Go from Here

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 15 August 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Well the war is really over now, the fighting has ceased. All everyone wants to know is when do we go home?  There are all kinds of rumors but it'll be a couple of weeks before any plans will be formulated and announced.

          As usual I worked this morning and most of the afternoon. Then I loafed and listened to the radio.

          At 5:00 P.M. I showered and dressed for chow.  After eating we played cribbage.  Now here I am.

          I got four letters and the book "Lost Island" from Ethyl.  Lately I've noticed that your letters are often postmarked two or three days later than the writing date.  Three of the letters were postmarked August 6.  They were written on the 3rd, 4th and 5th.  No wonder I've been missing days!

          Gosh it would be fun to take the kids swimming.  Maybe I'll be doing it real soon.  I don't know why you had to accept cast off of Loretta's clothing for our kids.  I hope you won't take anymore.

          Our bank balance is way down.  Have you paid anything on my life insurance policies or didn't you get any notices? Looks like I'll have to get out and hustle soon or there won't be any surplus left.

          I looked up the Time write up about Ulithi.  July Fortune also has as article of interest with a picture of the anchorage showing the Ocelot very clearly.

          How about Leon?  Does he report and ship out or have his orders been changed?  If he does go, it will indicate that there won't be any change in tour of duty and I can expect to get back as planned.

          You are peeved at a lot of people about how they've treated you.  Yet when I get back, I bet you'll forgive and forget.  I don't know if that I want you to be.  However we'll never feel the same way about a lot of our supposed friends.

          Tonight's movie is "Where Do We Go from Here" with Fred McMurray.  I hope it's good.  That is thirty for tonight so goodnight my Sweet and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

P.S. Did you take care of the braid for my blue?  We might move up to Japan.  I'll need the braid there.

Gil

Keeping in Practice

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 26 April 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, how is my honey tonight?  Outside of being a wee bit tired I'm 4.0.  Today has been another busy one for me.  As a matter of fact, besides working all morning and afternoon, I took a patient after dinner this evening.  Anyway I'm keeping in practice.  I'm doing surgery that I never did in my office, but will when I'm back in civilian practice.

          All the mail that came aboard today was in the form of periodicals.  I got the April Esquire, National Jewish Monthly, the American Dental Association Journal and the Dental Digest.  Now I'll have to find some time to read them.

          Last night's movie "The Human Comedy" was not very good from the standpoint of morale and entertainment.  However tonight we have an oldie that should have a few laughs.  It is "Take a Letter Darling" with Rosalind Russell and Fred McMurray.

          There isn't any new scuttlebutt but on the other hand the stuff we have been hearing still persists so keep your fingers crossed.

          I got a brand new Monel metal wrist watch band made for me by one of the men.  In exchange I gave him the coconut shell "Linda" I had carved up.  After my first experience the new ones I'll make will be much better."I love you honey."  Give our girls a big kiss for me.

Devotedly,

Gil

New Suit and Coat

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 11 March 1945, 7:25 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello darling, how are you today?  I didn't feel so hot last night but after taking some pills and a good night's sleep I woke up feeling swell.

          Today being Sunday I didn't work so hard but still managed to kill the whole morning working.

          After lunch I let them coax me into going ashore to have a few beers and I'm glad I went.  The afternoon was very pleasant, as a matter of fact most enjoyable.  We got back at 5:00 PM just in time to shower and change for dinner.  After eating I enjoyed a most gorgeous sunset.  I won't attempt to describe it but the striated and rippled sky changed colors from a pale yellow to a gold, to a salmon pink, red and purple with patches of deep blue as a background for the colorful clouds.

          Now here I am.  I got two letters today marked 2 March so here goes.  Don't worry about the income tax.  If you've overpaid we'll get a refund sooner or later.  I'm glad you are buying some more series"G" bonds.

          I hope to have more snaps to send on soon.  Be patient Sweet until they get through.  Your new suit and coat sound swell elegant.  Hope I'm home to see you in it before they are worn out.

          I got a letter from Leon and will write as soon as I can.  As far as the kids are concerned, my writing him won't make any difference.

          I still think the news about Deb and Dave is great, accident or not.  I'm hoping to be there when the grand opening takes place.

          Those clippings were interesting.  It seems like some time since I received the last Outlook Service Edition but I suppose it'll get here in due time.

          Last night's movie "Tomorrow the World" was very good and thought provoking.  Tonight we have a repeat "Standing Room Only" with Fred McMurray and Paulette Goddard.  Of course you know I'm going.

          Well honey, I've rattled along and said nothing so here goes.  I love you my Sweet and more every day. Gosh I can hardly wait till we're together again.

          Goodnight dear, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Fourteen Fillings and Three Extractions

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 6 March 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          I really worked this morning.  I only saw five patients but the count for the morning was fourteen fillings and three extractions.  Besides that there were a couple examinations and a denture adjustments thrown in.

          I hit the jackpot this morning.  I got nine letters and a card from you, a card from Linda, and a letter from Ruth.  I also got a snapshot album from the Goodfriends and a can of almond butter crunch from Deb and Dave.  The album is very nice and covered with tan leather.  The candy is delicious and is practically gone.  Everyone enjoyed it.

          This afternoon I attended to my Mother's Day shopping.  Saw two more patients and then got forty-five minutes of sun.  After that I had my hair cut, returned to my room and censored some mail.  By then it was 5:15 so I showered and dressed for dinner.  After chow we enjoyed the cool breezes and the usual pretty sunset and here I am.

          Honey, I know you are busy and if you don't get a letter off right on time don't let it worry you.  I still have the sweetest, truest, most loving wife of any man aboard and I will understand.

          I'm glad you enjoyed the ballet and it's a date for next season--just you and I.                   

          It is swell about Deb and Dave.  Whether it's an accident or intentional I know they'll be happier for it in years to come.  Yes dear it is their show and none of your business anymore than it was theirs when you were infanticipating. 

          Honey your outlook on life bothers me.  You hate to see anyone happy or making money and seem to delight when upsetting things happen to others.  I know they say "misery loves company," but you never were that way.  When I come back I want you to be as I knew you, a lovely gal with a great big heart.  Please understand Dear that what I'm saying is not a reproval but rather that you were so much happier with your previous attitude.  I won't say anymore about it, but please snap out of it.

          Unless he is very careful about the care of his feet, Dick's athlete's foot business will be recurring as long as he's in the Army.  We have it aboard and it's a "bitch" to cure.

          I'm placing the bag and bracelets on my list.  Hope we get to somewhere that I may be able to buy some more novelties.

          The donations to the center fund are very heartwarming.  It is an important project and will do our community more good than any temple ever did or will.  I'm just sorry that some of the diehards won't quit and continue to block any attempt to accomplish anything worthwhile.

          The movie tonight is "The Angels Sing," with McMurray, Dorothy Lamour and Betty Hutton.  It's 4.0.

          I'm all run out for now so I'll sign off.  Goodnight Sweetheart and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Technicolor Movie

 Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 4 March 1945, 7:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just a nice quiet Sunday for a change.  Saw a couple of patients this morning and was through for the day.  No emergency calls so nothing to do.

          I've been trying to figure out how I got the box of fruits and nuts so quickly and have decided that it was because you insured it.  It came in perfect condition and so quick, too.

          Did lots of reading today but really nothing but trash.  I'll settle down to some serious reading one of these days but the way I've been reading in five to fifteen minute snatches there just isn't any use at present.

          I really can't figure where the time went today because I didn't do much.  I read in the afternoon, censored a stack of mail, showered and dressed for dinner.  We had turkey with all the trimmings tonight. Delicious.

          After dinner we enjoyed a most beautiful awe inspiring sunset.  We had an array of colors ranging from a yellow on down the spectrum to a reddish-purple and then grey.  Well, there will come a day when we'll enjoy such beauties of nature together and I know my pleasure and enjoyment of such spectacles will be trebled.

          Tonight's movie is in Technicolor, "Virginia" with Madeline Carroll and Fred McMurray and is rated as very good.

          There was no mail today so no more of my interesting (?) remarks.  I've really been fortunate about mail even if there are some packages missing.  They may still show up.  People at home can't realize what letters mean to our boys.  If only they could read their letters as censors do--then many would write more often.

          Well Sweetheart, that is thirty for tonight.  Bye and pleasant dreams

Loving you always,

Gil