Toughest Extraction

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Monday, 3 September 1945, 1:30 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello darling. Here is your busy husband again.  This has been one "bitch" of a day.  I was busy all morning and ran into the toughest extraction to date.  I worked for a whole hour. When we were through I was more worn out than the patient.

          Captain Hartfield got his orders yesterday and turned over his command to the new skipper this afternoon.  I had several monthly reports that he had to sign. Since he was scheduled to leave about 5:00 PM I had to hustle to get them out.

          At 3:45 I took a VP over to Tolosa and brought back a USO show.  It was called Lucky Seven and consisted of five women and two men.  They are a colored troupe and they sure have rhythm.  A colored lieutenant colonel (medical officer) came along with them.  I had an interesting talk with him.  The show was excellent and at 9:15 I had a picket boat pick us up to return the troupe to Tolosa.

          Just as we came alongside the dock it began to rain and our return trip was really rough.  It blew and rained so hard that there was a solid sheet of rain around us and we couldn't see more that a few feet ahead of our bow.  The run ordinarily takes thirty-five minutes, but it took one hour and fifteen minutes to get back to the Ocelot.  Naturally when we sighted the Ocelot the rain eased up.  Then I went up to the wardroom and sat around and talked until just a few moments ago.

          No mail today.  I'll be glad when everything gets squared away again and the mail service becomes more dependable.  You'll never know how disappointed I am when the mailman passes by my office without dropping anything from my Sweet off (split infinitives--such grammar!)  Of course it isn't your fault.  I know you write me every day, but I'm still registering my complaint.

          Today is Labor Day but until an hour ago none of us were even cognizant of the holiday.  Oh well the only holiday I'm looking to is when I get back to my own sweet wife and darling kiddies.

          Goodnight Honey, it really is time for me to turn in.  We have quarters for muster (line up in formation to be accounted for) at 8:00 AM so I'd better get some shuteye pronto.  See you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Prisoners at Large

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Sunday, 26 August 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today was Sunday and I really took a day off.  During the USO show on Friday night two PALs (prisoners at large) broke into our armory, stole some guns and ammunition, commandeered a VP and headed for the beach.  One gave himself up yesterday and the other was apprehended on the beach last night.  This morning we sent a picket boat with an armed guard to bring the prisoner back, and I went along for the ride.

          By the time we got back it was 11:30 so I had just enough time to wash up before chow.  Then at 12:30 my tug arrived and "Buzz" Brosseau, the supply officer who relieved Tom Glass, and I shoved off for the beach and a few beers.  After a couple of drinks we thumbed a ride over to the 118th General Hospital and visited with Simmie.  He and a lot of others there have orders to go up to Japan and are leaving soon.  Bet he beats me up there.

          At five we boarded our boat and arrived at the Ocelot at 6:00 PM just in time for a scrumptious turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

          Then to the movies.  Tonight we had a real oldie, "It Happened One Night" with Gable and Colbert.  Everyone enjoyed it.

          The only news today is that Jack Hartfield, our skipper, has his relief aboard.  He hadn't received his orders this morning, but I think he's gotten them since then.  I haven't had a chance to ask him.  Anyway he should be leaving in a week or so.

          Well here's hoping that maybe my relief will pop up one day real soon and that when my orders do come I can up and leave.  It sure beats waiting around for weeks or months as Cox did.

          The mail brought me a sweet card from you and a letter from Libby.  I haven't "pinned up" anything Sweet.  And of course I'm thinking of you and only you.

          No more for now Darling.  So goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Get Hold of a Chicago Tribune of October 19th

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

             Sunday 24 December 1944, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Got ten letters today and they were a most welcome Xmas present.  There was one from Libby and one from your mother.  The rest were from you.

          I was slightly inebriated last night and though I wrote you I probably didn't make much sense.  Anyway I feel swell today and I've snapped out of that mood I was in.  I didn't work today so I've spent a leisurely quiet Sunday reading eating and resting.

          No dear I don't play the piano.  It is in the mess hall.  I explained in a previous letter why I don't use it.  There is plenty of music aboard now so please don't send any more.  Yes I received the correspondence course.

          I don't know how long we'll stay here.  By the way get a hold of a Chicago Tribune of October 19th.  There is an interesting story in there which will answer many of your questions.  We should be moving further west in thirty days or so but that depends entirely on how well we fair in the present Philippine engagements.

          Yes, Hartfield will stay on as skipper. Our exec was the navigator aboard.  Right again.  I meant jigsaw and not crossword puzzles.  The Ocelot greeting when it is reduced in size is in V-mail form and photographed will look a lot different than it does in the original.  However I didn't send any out personally.  Instead I sent the cards I bought in Honolulu and those you sent me.

          Most of the men who went back to the states had been at sea since last January.  So you see there is a lot of chance for me to get back within the year and maybe sooner than we dare hope.  Let's keep our fingers crossed and see.

          Hartfield is a lieutenant.  I learned today that Samuels got in on construction of a new APA.

          How far do you think two pair of socks will go?  Send me half a dozen.

          Now Dearest, by the time you get this letter the holidays will be past and I do hope you've overcome your blueness.  I know it's hard to take but you must face it.  A few more months and who knows who'll walk in?

          Back to me.  Had religious services aboard today as usual and have arranged with a nearby aircraft carrier to send our men over there for Xmas services tomorrow.

          The movie tonight is "Kismet" with Marlene Dietrich besides a "March of Time." Last night's movie was "Babes on Swing Street" with Peggy Ryan and a couple of shorts not worth mentioning.

          My mustache and beard are coming right along and I do hope I can have a picture taken before I take it off.  I wonder if you'd know me?

          Darling, do you remember when we moved to San Diego how happy we were to be together?  Well this is our last separation.  When I return the war will be almost over and we'll always be together from then on.

          Good night my love, parting is such sweet sorrow, till me meet tomorrow.

Devotedly

Gil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cooled Down to 80 Degrees

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 13 December 1944, 7:10 P.M.

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello dear.  While Alexander (my corpsman) was cleaning my teeth I got twelve pieces of mail.  I could hardly wait for him to finish.  I got a letter from your mother a letter and a card from my mother , a Xmas card from Sam Green (surprised?), a letter from Ethel, one from Deb, the B'nai B'rith Magazine you sent and five letters from you ranging from November 29 to December 5.  Am I behind now!  I'll have to take a day off to catch up.

          Gee, I'm sorry you didn't get the corsage I ordered for your birthday.  I checked with the ship service officer and he thought that possible it got mixed up with the Xmas orders and that you'd probably get it for Xmas.  However if delivery is not made, a check for the full amount will be forwarded to you.  The same holds good for the dolls so we'll just have to wait and see.

          Nothing much doing today.  I had my teeth cleaned in the morning and rehearsed our Glee Club in the afternoon.  It has been raining more or less constantly all day long and it's cooled down to 80 degrees.  Isn't that wonderful.  Going to the second movie rain or not.  The picture is "The Conspirators" with Hedy Lamarr, Peter Lore, Sidney Greenstreet and Paul Henroid (spelling?) and it has a 3.9 rating.

          Now to you letters.  It seems like the kids are conspiring to make things tough.  Cold and more colds!  Don't let it get you down.  Talking about the kids and illness, Dr. Sieger never did answer my letter.  Wonder if he even got it.  I'll drop him a Xmas greeting if and when they arrive.

          That bond show sounds swell, wish I could have sat there with you and held your hand.  And be careful you drunkee you never had two drinks with me around.  My how times have changed.  Seriously though I'm glad you're getting out and taking a more active interest in B'nai B'rith work.  Time will pass so much faster.  A couple of your letters around Thanksgiving sounded so depressing but now you seem to have snapped out of it (thank God).

          No got Nescafe.  And I'm not in the South Pacific even though many men on board make the same mistake.  However the rest of the description of the island is 4.0 or should I say islands.  I bet they don't even show on your maps although the atlas I have does show them as several fly specks which is more than some of the large wall maps we have around.  As a matter of fact very little was known about these islands even as recently as the time I came aboard this ship.

          I wish I knew how long we'll stay here.  It all depends on the progress of the war.  We most certainly won't be here for two more months.  We could be ordered on most any time (and it can't be too soon for me).

          As I wrote you some time ago, Captain Hartfield is our exec.  Our Xmas Menu is going to be very interesting and I'll send you a copy.  I am working on some details for it now.

          I can't tell you much of the geography of these islands without disclosing our whereabouts.

          Darling my plans for the future keep changing all the time.  As a matter of fact all I really think about and want is to be back with you and kiddies.  The rest won't matter.  Courses of study will be available in many places and I'll choose only after very careful consideration. Honey, do you remember how we were always making plans?  Well I'm still planning for the future, how to make up to you for all the unhappiness and lonesomeness that this war has brought to us.

          Good night my darling.  Love and kisses to you and my, or I should say our, darlings

Devotedly

Gil