Poured Ether

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 27 February 1945, 11:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Honey, here I am again.  Began today as usual with work and was hard at it all morning.  After lunch a few of us went over to the recreation island for a few beers.

          There is a grove cleared and picnic tables are scattered throughout.  Five of us sat down at one of the tables and played hearts all afternoon.  Whenever we were due for another round the highest score player bought the beer.  It was really a nice quiet restful afternoon.

          We got back to the ship just in time for dinner and after eating, low and behold there was another stack of mail for me on my bunk.  There were seven letters, four from you, one from Deb, one from Ethyl and one from Joe Orenstein writing for the B'nai B'rith.

          We had a double feature movie tonight.  One was "Vigilantes of  Dodge City" and the other was "Sergeant Mike."  The second feature had just begun when I was called down to sick bay.  The doctor was doing an appendectomy under spinal but the patient was so scared that he wanted me to pour ether.

          We just finished a few minutes ago and will be doing another one in about twenty or thirty minutes.

          Now to your letters. They at dated he 5th through the 17th and the 19th.  I don't know why you're afraid to buy more "G" bonds.  They are negotiable, redeemable at any bank and bear interest.  If you need money, it will always be available.

          You seem to be doing quite well with your teaching.  Two or three days a week should help take up the financial slack and also keep you busy.

          Don't do anything about a lot.  There will be plenty of time and lots later on and the prices won't be as high.  You just wait and see.

          So Ruth has Gus Loeb to gush over now.  My, my aren't you thrilled?  Gus is a swell guy and I hope he doesn't get stuck with Goldie.  He's pretty smart though so I won't worry about him.

          I've gotten many nice notes from patients.  They seem to miss me a hell of a lot more than some of my friends (?).

          Yes dear we can play back 33-1/3 as well as 78 RPM records.  Be sure they are cut deeper and play them back once on the regular turntable not the recording unit.  That should help to fix the groove better.

          Wish we were someplace where I could buy some of the things you ask for.  Outside of Navy, to all intents and purposes we could be in the middle of the Sahara.  There isn't a damn thing I can say good about this place and there certainly isn't anything to be purchased as a souvenir.  I'm still hoping those boxes will come through.

          Again I ask, send me the addresses of Sol and Art.  If they are on a ship I may be able to see them if they come out here.  I'm in a position where I can check on who is here.

          Send the salami but no "borsht" or "gefulte fish."  Some nice sardines or anchovies would be good or even some caviar.  See what I mean?  OK Honey, go to work.

          Well my time is up.  Do you remember when I'd go to the office at night and you'd wait for me first patiently and then not so patiently?  Well I promise to spend all my evenings with you.  No more night work for me once I'm back with my three girls--no mam.

          Good night sweetie, until tomorrow.

Love,

Gil


Recreation Island
 Mog Mog, Ulithi

Playing Hearts and drinking beer

Hearts all hearts plus the queen of spades too

Another game of Hearts

Hot Appendectomy

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco
              Saturday 9 December 1944, 10:10

My Dearest

          Got three letters today--two from you and one from Libby acknowledging my letter.  However I didn't like the tone of your letters.  Sounded like you were getting down in the dumps again.  Buck up honey, you've got to.  Besides who knows what might happen out here and send me back to you.  I heard some talk today that may change things around here but I can't discuss it now.

          This morning I saw three patients and then made an inspection of the ship.  Then I found out that Ambie had turned in with an acute appendix and they were getting the surgery ready to operate so--I joined in with the festivities.  It was a tough one and lasted 1 hour and 20 min. and was it hot!  It was so hot that two of the corpsmen almost passed out with the heat and had to leave the surgery.  When it was over the doctor and all the rest of us were washed up.  However, a little air and some cold fruit juice (plus two hours in the sack) and we were in top shape again.

          Am organizing a choral group for Sunday services and Xmas.  Also planning a party for the men but so far my plans are wild ideas.  I'll talk to the skipper tomorrow and see what's what.

          Read a little more of "Prodigal Women."  It's a long book and I don't seem to be able to find much time to read.  I'll finish it someday and then I'll read "Strange Fruit."

          Am having a book shelf put in my room.  Little by little it's getting quite comfy.  Yes, I do have one room mate, Cox whom I've mentioned before.

          As far as Ruth and Harry are concerned, I really think it is all Ruth.  After all she is your sister and when Deb was alone it was the same story.  Harry never left his sister Goldie out in the cold and it should be Ruth's place to see that you are not alone either.  Ah, well, we've gone over that so many times that it is disgusting.  What I should do is write and tell them off in no uncertain words and leave it at that.  Well, we'll see.

          So you're moving to Long Beach?  Well!  If I get stationed there you'll stay in Santa Monica and I'll commute.  Haven't you learned yet?

          Yes dear air mail takes 7 to 10 days but regular mail takes better than three weeks.  I hope the cards get here soon so I can get them off.

          Honey, I'm completely run down now.  Oh yes, the movie tonight was Abbott and Costello in "It Ain't Hay." They always give me a laugh even the second viewing.        Sweet, do you remember the open house we had when I remodeled my office?  My wasn't I proud of my office and my first lady.  Well wait until you see my new office.  After this war Dr. Steingart will really show them how.

          One of the magazines I got recently was the Southern California State Journal.  It seems that both UCLA and USC are planning post-grad courses for service dentists. I could take them and practice at the same time.  The $75 a month should come in handy and I ought to be able to make expenses out of my work in my office. 

          Such plans, guess we'll just have to wait and see what develops.

          Good night, Sweetheart, till we meet tomorrow.  I love you so-o-o-o much

Impatiently,

Gil