Couldn't Ask for Better Duty

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 4 May 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today was just another one of those days.  I was busy as a bee all morning and was surely glad when 11:45 rolled around.  This being "field day" I secured for the day and after lunch joined a group of officers going ashore for some recreation and beer--mostly beer.

          Our boat picked us up and got us back to the ship at 5:15 PM in time to shower and change for dinner.  Then it began to rain and though I don't know right now I hope it still is coming down.  I decided to come down to my office early and write you an extra long letter. Low and behold I found six letters from you and one each from Deb and your mother.  Now I really have something to write about and here goes.

          Linda's birthday party sounds like it was a real success, and she really bagged a lot of nice gifts.  Wish I could have be there to help and to enjoy the party with you.

          So you're teaching once more.  I'm glad you like your assignment.  Doing something one likes is so much easier.

          Talking about bonds, I'll send a $100 money order for Norma's birthday just as I did for Linda.  Buy her a bond and use the $25 any way you like.  Don't worry about me being short.  I'll get by.

          Sorry the Officers Wives' Club was so uninteresting.  I had hoped you'd make some new acquaintances.

          I don't know why you hesitate eating an occasional meal at the Corsos.  They don't worry about sponging on you or your good nature, so kill an evening once in awhile that way.  By the way take any good stuff out of the cellarette.  No use letting those buzzards guzzle it all up.  Send me Sam Kahn's address.  I'd like to drop him a note.

          I sent Leon a note to Treasure Island.  I hope he gets it.  Sounds like he doesn't like San Bruno at all but he'll like where he is going even less.  I'd trade with him anytime. Really for duty outside the continental limits one couldn't ask for better than I have.

          Now the blarney about Dick going up for Officer Candidate School.  Without a college education he hasn't got a chance but let them find out for themselves.  Don't tell them.

          I can see you never kept very good track of my weight.  Before I went on a diet I was close to 185 pounds and cut down to 182.  When I reported for active duty I was 170 and that is where I am now.

          No we never saw "Greenwich Village" but it is a good movie.

          Curry's letter was a surprise.  Not because she is infanticipating but because he is going into the Armed Forces.  After all he was working in defense and married.  Guess they're still nabbing plenty of unsuspecting papas.

          Considering the amount of beer I drank today I really have written a fairly sensible letter.

          Tonight's movie is "Night Club Girl" with a lot of unknowns, but I'll go anyway.

          So Sweetheart again I come to an end all out of breath.  Wish I was winded for other reasons.  I can hardly wait till that time when we can turn out the light and go to "sleep."  I never saw people sleep like that before.

          Until that time keep those panties on and your hopes up.  Love and kisses to all my girls at 714 Euclid.

Yours forever,

Gil

Roosevelt's Death

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 16 April 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today begins a new week but it probably won't be different than those that have passed.  I was busy all morning as usual.  Had lunch and after that took a recreation party ashore for the afternoon.  We got back at 5:00 PM. I showered, dressed for dinner and so went another day.  After eating we stood around anticipating a colorful sunset when a rain squall came along and drove us under cover.

          The movie tonight is a revival of "In Old Chicago."  It was first shown in 1938 so I guess it'll be just like seeing a new picture.  I enjoyed last night's "Greenwich Village," I hadn't seen it before.

          No mail for me today so I'm practically speechless.

          How did FDR's passing away affect folks at home?  We got the news at breakfast the morning of the 13th and there were plenty of questions in most of our minds as to who would replace him at the peace tables after the final victory.  All ships' ensigns are at half mast and will remain so for thirty days.  Yesterday (Sunday) special memorial services were held on all ships where a chaplain was available and at sunset we all observed five minutes of silence.  However, the war goes on just the same and I doubt that victory will be delayed any.  It's just the "peace" that many of us are concerned about.

          No more for now darling, so I guess I'll sign off.  Goodnight and pleasant dreams (of me of course).

Yours always,

Gil


Movies mentioned

Filled Thirteen Teeth, Extracted One, Treated Two Gum Infections

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 15 April 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Honey.  Even though it was Sunday I had a whole slew of appointments and by noon I had filled thirteen teeth, extracted one and treated two gum infection cases.

          After lunch I went up on the poop deck and got forty-five minutes of sunshine.  Then I went to my room undressed, censored mail and read until 4:30 P.M.  Almost like a Sunday afternoon at home except that my three sweethearts weren't with me.

          After showering, I dressed for dinner and enjoyed a delicious turkey feast with all the trimmings.  Honestly dieting is a real problem but the only thing fattening that I've eaten all day was one scoop of ice cream.

          The mail today brought a letter from Bob Jaffe and a card from my mother.

          The movie tonight was shown aboard at Pearl but I don't remember it.  It is "Greenwich Village" with Don Ameche and Carmen Miranda.  It supposed to be good. I'll be there with bells on.

          I wrote some more letters last night--to Leon, Dave, Ethyl, and Mrs. Mumma.  I'm having a little difficulty keeping up now that I have a few others besides my own special correspondent.  I'll probably write some more tonight.

          There is still no news worth talking about.  Of course the war is moving right along and it's hard to understand what Germany can possibly gain by continuing to fight, but they are doing that.  Okinawa may well be a decisive campaign in the Pacific theater.  By the time the Japs are liquidated there, the Nips will have lost practically all of her fleet and power of production for waging war in Japan proper (listen to "Mr. Kaltenborn!" Tsk, tsk).

          No more for now darling so I'll sign off with love and kisses to you and our darlings.

Yours alone,

Gil