Inefficiency and Waste

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 25 July 1945, 5:00 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,

          Happy Anniversary Darling.  I know that next year and forever after you and I will be together to celebrate this and all the other happy holidays of the year.

          Today has been another scorcher.  The sun has been smiling all day and I've been frowning.  Wish it would rain and rain.  Then I'd be no wetter than I am now but I would be much cooler.

          I worked all morning but I didn't see any patients this afternoon.  I got out some official letters to the Bureau requesting increases in allotments for our library and recreation.  Then I found a cool spot and just sat there and talked with others who had the same idea that I had.

          I have a few minutes before showering and dressing for dinner so here I am.  I got one love letter today so I really can't complain. Of all on this ship, I have the most loving, most faithful correspondent and everyone else knows it.

          The war news is good but frankly I don't think the war will be over until the middle of 1946.  I was optimistic up till now but if the Japs were going to quit before total defeat they would have done so before now.  It is evident that they'll have to be defeated decisively and I don't believe any large scale invasion can be expected until next spring.  It took eighty-seven days to take Okinawa. Japan itself will certainly be at least as tough to take.  So my guess is July 1946 for VJ day.  I truly hope that I'm wrong this time and that it is sooner.

          You are constantly running into snags with you vacation plans but I do hope that everything gets ironed out before you get this letter.

          Yes Goldfarb is a friend of the captain. At present he is underway to a new station.  However this place is much pleasanter than where he'll be.

          No your interpretation about the Flag set up is wrong, at least as it stands now.  There is nothing definite and new scuttlebutt comes out daily.  It varies so I'm ignoring it for the time being.

          No one could interest me in regular Navy with less than a captain's commission. That is impossible and is probably why I set that as a minimum.  Frankly I've seen too much inefficiency and waste both of money and manpower to be interested.  I'm not one to cow tow to another because he outranks me.  Civilian first class for me.  I'm doing my job as well and as efficiently as possible but I'm ready for a change in my status anytime it comes and the sooner the better.

          No more for now Darling so I'll sign off.  I haven't told you "I love you" lately but that is only because words fail me when I want to tell you how much.  Would that you were near me and I wouldn't have to say a word.  My actions would be all that you'd need.  Goodnight Darling and pleasant dreams.

Your loving husband,

Gil

No Headaches

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 14 July 1945, 11:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, here I am though a little late.  I worked this morning as usual but I did finish up a little early.  After lunch I decided to go ashore, so I went over to Joe's ship and we ran down to the club.  We had a few beers, sat and talked and at 4:30 left to return to the Ocelot.  We got back at 5:30 just in time to wash up before dinner.

          After eating we played our nightly game of cribbage game until movie time.   We had a real old movie which I somehow had missed.  "Brother Rat" is the title.  It was an excellent comedy about life at a military academy.

          Then we went up to the wardroom, had some coffee and talked for awhile.  At 10:30 I came down here to my office and worked on the trinket I'm making for you.  I should finish it tomorrow.

          The mail brought me a letter and card from you, a letter from Uncle Mike, an anniversary card from Libby and also one from my Mother.

          Read your accounting of expenditures but darned if I can tell you where to cut down.  I'll bet, though, that when I get home there'll be a few corners that we'll cut.  Do you realize that figuring $50 for rent, it is costing you $435 a month to live and that's for an adult and two kiddies?  Surely when I was home added expenses for my clothes recreation and food ran up to more than $75 a month.  I still say it costs too much.  One consolation is that as a lieutenant I'll probably save an additional $50 each month.

          What's money anyway?  From the way the war is going maybe I'll be a civilian soon and then we'll make up for lost time.

          Somehow we never did have a real "wetting down" party.  Something always comes up so that those I'd want couldn't leave.  The net result is that there weren't any headaches and all are happy just the same.

          So Darling.  Again it is time to say goodnight.  Wish I could do it the way I used to with a big hug and kiss.  There will come a day!  I love you too Darling.

Yours forever,

Gil

Thumb Sightseeing

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 10 July 1945, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling, here is that guy again.  This morning was the usual busy routine.  Then I received a typhoid booster shot and a smallpox vaccination.  My arm isn't very sore now but it will be by tomorrow.

          After lunch the captain and I went over to Joe Goldfarb's ship and he ran us up the coast to town.  We went ashore and via the thumb went sightseeing.  We must have covered plenty of miles because we were riding almost steadily from 2:30 to 5:00 PM when we returned to the dock.  We had a boat take us over to Joe's ship which was anchored in the stream.  It is an hour's ride, so we had dinner aboard the LCI.   We got back aboard about fifteen minutes ago.  It was quite and interesting trip and yet nothing outstanding I can write about.

          I received one letter from my sweet today so here goes.  Let me know what you find out about a lot in the Pickering Estate.  They are probably high but then one can never tell.

          There is a change in the flag setup which I can't go into at the time. Temporarily we have an admiral and commodore aboard.  Soon however (we hope) the admiral will leave, but the commodore will remain.  This commodore was a captain aboard before and was just promoted to his present rank.  So much for that.

          I do hope for Deb and Dave's sake that Dave gets into Officers' Training.  There is one catch that they may not be aware of and that is the officers trained at Navy or Marine expense, especially at this late date, will be the last to be released from active duty.  Right now there is a big drive on to get reserves to join the regulars.  So far the response is poor.

          No doubt Dick is ruining his health, but I for one shan't worry about it.  He is old enough to know better and his attitude about the whole deal is very warped.

          There is nothing more to say.  The movie tonight is an oldie "Boom Town" with Gable, Tracy, Colbert and Lamarr.  The trip ashore was very dirty and I'm filthy.  I'll take a shower before going to the movie.

          Goodbye now Sweetheart.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Loving you a always,

Gil