Problem Boy

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 14 May 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Monday and thus begins another week of work.  I was a busy little bee all morning and though I received seven letters in the morning mail, it was noon before I got a chance to read any of it.  Now here goes.

          Thanks for the lock of Norma's hair.  I sure had a funny feeling when I held it between my fingers.  Now I have it next to Norma in one of the framed photos of her.

          I don't care if our name was out of the United Jewish Appeal booklet but I'd check and find out if the money was ever credited to us or even received.

          I haven't gotten a B'nai B'rith Bulletin in a long while but everything except air mail is very undependable.  I'll get my back copies one of these days.  I suppose they are being sent.

          "Roughly Speaking" followed the book very closely because the author also wrote the scenario and helped in directing the picture.  Let me know what you find out about the authoress.

          So you don't like teaching problem boys?  Well I don't blame you.  One of these days you'll have another problem boy on your hands and is he going to raise hell, wow.  Hope you won't mind too much. Or will you keep me after school to catch up on my homework?  Well I really won't mind.

          Linda's drawing and writing is very good.  I'm glad that she is doing so well in school.

          That "masterpiece," "He grabbed me by..." is making the rounds and gets a chuckle from everyone.

          Don't you worry about prosperity after the war.  Naturally there'll be an adjustment period of depression but that'll be all over by the time I'm released and I'll get some of the gravy.

          I do hope something works out for you and the kiddies of Lake Arrowhead with the Siegers.  Yes, that place holds many wonderful memories for us and we'll have many more wonderful days together there.  That is a promise.

          Well Sweet, that winds up our visit for tonight.  Remember what we used to do when we got through visiting?  All right then, let's turn out the light and go to bed and I didn't say sleep.

          Goodnight Darling, I'll have to quit dreaming now and sign off.

Loving you always,

Gil

P.S.    The movie tonight is "Grizzly's Millions." Hope it's good.

Gil


Another lock of Norma's hair

          Gil misspelled the title.

Cribbage Game Interrupted By Aching Tooth

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 12 May 1945, 10:00 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,

          This morning, I got four letters from you and one from my mother.  However I was so busy that I didn't have time to read any of it until noon.

          After lunch I had a three day stack of mail to censor and it took me better than an hour to get the letters all read.  Then I cleaned up some more of the shells and also did a little more work on the little surprise I'm making for you.

          At 5:15 I had my usual shower and changed for dinner, following which we went up to the captain's cabin for our nightly game of cribbage.  However, in the middle of the game I was called away to extract a badly aching tooth and though I did get back we didn't play long because we had to quit for the movies.

          The movie consisted of two shorts and the feature, "She's A Sweetheart," which was lousy.  One of the shorts was in color and all about California.  It was entitled "California Here We Are." They had good shots of the Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Boulevard, Catalina Island, Lake Arrowhead and many other places we know.  So you see I did enjoy some of the show.

          I finally got the name of Sol's ship from Deb and was very provoked to find that he had been here just before the Okinawa Invasion.  His ship is now headed back to Frisco--sure wish I was on it.

          Now to your mail.  The name Rothwell sounds familiar, but I can't say that I remember them.

          I haven't read or heard anything about psychosomatic medicine.  However magazines take more time getting out here and I'll keep a weather eye out for those items.

          I see my school marm got another day at Samohi.  Do you get more pay for high school than junior high or has that changed?

          We haven't had "Tonight and Every Night" yet.  I suppose it'll show up one of these days.  I've heard and read about it and have been wanting to see it.

          I do hope you can work something out with the Siegers about a house at Lake Arrowhead.  Estelle would be good company and you and the kids could stand a change of scenery.

          Talking about food.  The mention of cucumbers and fresh corn does sound good.  However we really get swell food.  The only things I miss are fresh milk and tomatoes.  We have plenty of oranges, apples, fresh frozen peaches, apricots and several vegetables.  We get steak, turkey, chicken and roast beef at least once a week.  Now who is drooling?

          No more for now my Darling so I'll sign off.  Good night Honey with a great big hug and kiss for all three of my girls.

Love,

Gil

Shipboard Duty is Usually A Year for Dental Officers But You Can't Depend on It

Monday, 11 September 10:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello my darling.  Here I am again.  This has been a busy day for me.  In addition to the men aboard this ship, I've been getting patients from another tied up nearby.  Worked all morning and most of the afternoon doing dentistry.  After dinner tonight, I saw the movie we had aboard.  The title, "They Live in Fear" with Otto Kruger and a mess of juniors.  Be sure to miss it.  So much for my routine of today.

          No Dear.  My bowels are OK.  In fact I'm as fat and healthy as can be.  I'm writing now on my cot because it's the only place that I can find now.  You asked so many questions and "no" is the answer to all of them.  I don't know where we are going next or when except that it's not back to the states.  I'll just have to ignore some of your questions because of censorship.  Shipboard duty is usually a year for dental officers, but you can't count on that either.  It all depends where you are and what you are doing at the time.

          By the way, Jimmy told me McPherson had been stationed where he is for about four months and then requested duty further south and got it.  That is the only change one can get for the asking.  Bet I keep quiet.  Also that questionnaire had nothing to do with my present duty.

          Look dear, don't you think you are making a mistake staying away from those meetings?  Seeing people and doing things is what you need.  Think it over.  It is 10:35 and I do want to write to Linda also.

          Do you remember that week at Lake Arrowhead in July of '34?  After this war is over let's go back there and relive that week.  Is it a date?

          Good night my darling and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Lt. (j.g.) G. Steingart

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