Tacloban is the Capital

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 7 June 1945, 11:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, here I am a little late but still, I made it.  This morning was the usual deal of working on patients.  At 11:30 I took charge of the liberty party and we shoved off.  Dr. Bushyager and the exec came along.  On the way to the recreation area, we all had lunch with Joe Goldfarb on his ship.  I brought along the lox and gefilte fish, and the doctor brought some liver paste.  That was our appetizer.  We made the beach at 1:15. I logged in the recreation party and passed out the beer.  Then my time was my own until 4:30.

          I went back aboard the LCI and we ran over to the town across the bay.  This town happens to be the capital of the island and boasts several larger buildings badly in need of paint.  The town itself would compare as second best to the place in Mexico where the Weinstein's uncle and aunt lived.  Remember?  No paved streets and no sewers. Just deep ditches on both sides of the road.  The houses are old and run down and look dirty.  Yet the natives looked surprisingly clean.  The men and women wore a good deal of white and their clothes looked fresh and really white.  I'm going to find out how they launder their stuff because soaps and bleaches are at a premium out here.  We tramped around for over two hours, looking and shopping but bought nothing.  I'm getting a line up on values and the next time we go over I'll probably buy some things for my three sweethearts at home.

          We got back to the beach and picked up the recreation party and arrived at our ship at 6:00 PM.  After dinner until the movies, I played cribbage with the skipper and two officers.  The picture tonight was an oldie but enjoyable "Hail the Conquering Hero."

          After the movie we all went up to the wardroom for little farewell get together for Dan Graves who is leaving in a couple of days.  We had a great big cake and enough ice cream. I made a pig of myself as did most of the others.  Now here I am.

          There was no mail today so I'm just about run out of words.  Oh yes, you asked about our chaplain. Well we are ready for him but the lord alone knows where he is or if we'll even get one.  It has been recommended and approved but so far nothing has materialized.

          No more for now my love so I'll just say "nite-nite."  Loving you as always.

Your sleepy husband,

Gil

Tacloban the capital

The nightly movie

Hospital Ship Damaged and Suffered Numerous Casualties

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 4 June 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, how is my favorite wife tonight?  I spent a not too busy morning in my office, grabbed a steak sandwich and took the liberty party ashore.  We are now taking our men to an area fourteen miles away because it has swell facilities.  We go over in an LCI.  The skipper of the LCI, a Joseph Goldfarb, is a nice chap from New York.  He is an architect by profession and went through Columbia on a scholarship.  He must have something on the ball.  He has been married for 3-1/2 years now and has a nine month old baby which he has never seen.

          Anyway Joe and I went over to the native trading post, but the prices were so ridiculous we didn't buy a thing.  Soon it began to rain and we made for the only shelter available, the Officers' Club.  We had a couple of beers and at 3:00 PM went back aboard the LCI where we just sat around and visited.  We got the liberty party back aboard at 4:45 and got underway for our ship.  I had dinner aboard as Joe's guest and he came over to our ship to see the movie. It was lousy, entitled "What a Blonde" with Leon Errol--nuff said.

          When I came down to my office I found four letters from you.  I really wasn't expecting any letters for awhile.  Nina's is very hard to read; it looks like you'll be stuck with her for a couple of days.  Maybe it'll give you something different to do for a change.

          We had "Tomorrow the World" some time ago and I did enjoy it.  I'm not so fat; at least the scales don't think so.  I'm just about what I was when I left the states.  However I could stand some more exercise, although walking around the ship and up and down ladders is more exercise than one imagines.

          Linda's show seems to keep you quite busy with costumes, rehearsals and what have you.  I'd love some snaps of our girls in costume if that could be arranged.

          Sol's ship did see some action which is probably why she returned to the states.  I don't believe he saw a hospital ship sink though one of ours was heavily damaged and suffered numerous casualties.  I can't mention its name.  I don't know whether the information has been released officially yet.

          Nina mentioned the Franklin.  That carrier really took a beating.  I saw it soon after the engagement--what a mess.  You probably saw pictures of it in the papers.

          Well Darling, that is all for this time.  You complain about my originality or lack thereof in making love.  I always liked the old fashioned way the best.  Bye Sweet until tomorrow.

I love you as always

Gil