Need a Piano Tuner

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 6 August 1945, 10:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another day, another dollar or so the saying goes.  About 11:30 last night the medical officer we've been looking for arrived and this morning Cox's relief also showed up.  Now Dr. Bushyager and Dr. Law are waiting to see who moves.  Bushyager hopes he'll go back to the states as he has eighteen months out.  It won't make any difference to Law.  If he leaves here he'll get another assignment out here.  Well, we'll wait and see.

          I worked all morning as usual and this afternoon. I took a picket boat for a run into town to see about a USO show.  I've got one scheduled for Friday night provided I can find a piano tuner in the meantime.  I've got a line on a couple but I won't know definitely until tomorrow.

          I got back to the ship at 4:30, reported to the captain and retired to my room.  Took a shower and then censored mail and read until time for dinner.  After chow we played cribbage until movies and now here I am.

          I got two letters, a copy of the Outlook and some Navy literature.  So the visitors were uninteresting?  I'm sorry they had to spoil an evening for you.

          My mother's report about Nat's office is surprising.  Now is the time to make money and it can't be done under a set-up such as his.  Somehow I can't feel about things as Jimmie does.  Maybe I'll feel different when I'm closer to the activities.  I feel I'm doing an important and necessary job and though our separation has been a long one we'll make up for it later and in many ways.

          Of course Ruth wants Leon to be there for Harry's 50th.  However if she's going to make such a fuss about it how can she ask everyone to go Dutch.  What's the matter?  Did Harry lose a couple of thousand in the market?  Gosh she's tight.

          Yes dear we got the dope on the plane crash into the Empire State.  As a matter of fact we have a very complete newspaper that comes out every night.

          Tonight's movie was old and lousy.  "Barbary Coast" with Edward G. Robinson, Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea.

          That is thirty for tonight so I'll sign off. Pleasant dreams my Darling.

Love

Gil

Time Magazine article about Ulithi, dated August 6, 1945.

The Movie

Captains and Commodores

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 5 July 1945, 10:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another busy day.  I had to move right along all morning and then had three patients this afternoon. After that I finished up my mess statement and that is out of the way for another month.

          I seem to have impressed some of the high paid help in the flag.  Although he has two dentists on his own ship, I was called to take care of a commodore today.  After I took care of this officer he asked me if I was reserve or regular Navy.  I told him I was reserve and he remarked that with my operating speed and skill I should make lots of money on the outside.  I laughed and told him I did alright by myself before I came into the Navy.  Anyway, it doesn't hurt to have a few captains and commodores with a good opinion of my abilities.

          I got one love letter from you today and it made me very happy.  Do you know why?  Just because you said you were in a happier frame of mind.  You'll never know how upset I get when I read how unhappy and alone you are.

          The ship Jim Lyons was on has left but I'm sure I'll be able to dispose of the candy.  That never seems to be any trouble way out here.  However the last batch of coffee candy was kind of melted.  The only sweets I've received in perfect conditions were the glazed fruit you sent and the can of candy Deb sent.  The heat ruined everything else so please don't send anything more unless it is glazed fruit or canned.

          We had a good movie but don't see it as it'll make you too nervous.  It was "The Unseen" with Joel McCrea, Gail Russell and Herbert Marshall.

          I'm glad you liked the novelties I made.  I'll get busy and make some more.  In the meantime I'd better sign off.  I still have mail to censor and it is already 11:00 PM.

          Goodnight my Sweet and keep in good spirits.  Better days will soon be here.  I love you and miss you more than words can say.

Yours alone,

Gil

The Skipper and I Drove Around

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Monday 9 October, 1944, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Well darling, here I am again.  This was a varied day for me.  Censored mail till 8:30.  Examined seven men from our ship and five from another for dental treatment.  Then took care of one of them.  Then went back to reading mail.  By the time I was through it was lunch time and so I ate again.

          After lunch the skipper and I drove out to look for certain recreational gear we needed and some things that he wished to buy for himself.  Then we stopped for a couple of drinks and returned to the ship.  I was hoping to find some mail but I guess struck out today.

          This evening we had "The Great Moment" with Joel McCrea and Betty Field.  When you wrote that you saw it I didn't know what you were referring to.  Marty and I saw it previewed at the Village Theater; that was the only time we attended a movie together.  The original title was "There Shall Be No Pain."   No wonder I didn't recognize it.  The sequences in the picture were also changed.  Instead of the flashbacks as it is now shown, the picture originally began with Morton being a med student and ended with his death.  I do believe the change improved the picture considerably.

          Honey, with no questions to answer I hardly know what to say except that my thoughts are of you.  Very often during my waking moments,  I wish that you could see this thing or enjoy that thing with me.  I do love you, Sweet, and I know how hard it must be for you.  How I wish I could be home to give you a lift.

          Nothing more for now, darling.  I'll finish in the morning after I've seen what the mail brings.  Good night and pleasant dreams.

Lovingly

Gil