Getting Patched Up

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 28 September 1945, 9:35 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello my darling, here I am again.  Today was still just another day.  We are slowly but surely getting all patched up and soon we'll be on our way.  I did a little work this morning but there is hardly enough to keep me busy.

          One of boys smashed his finger cutting a couple of tendons.  For lack of anything else to do I watched the operation which lasted almost two hours.  Then I retired to my room and read for awhile.  I finished "Star Spangled Virgin" and then showered and dressed for dinner.  After chow we all sat around in the wardroom until movie time and after that here I am.  The movie consisted of two good shorts and a good murder-detective story with Edward Arnold.  "The Hidden Eye."

          The mail brought me two letters of the 20th and since yesterday's was of the 21st it brings me up to date.

          Between Linda's vomiting spells and your cold, you must have had a miserable time.  Thank goodness Norma is okay now.

          Squadron 10 serviced both the 3rd or 5th fleets.  While we were in Ulithi we were attacked three times. 
          Once a group of midget subs got through the nets or over a break in the reef and sank a tanker.  Before they could do anymore damage we sank four and believed that was all of them.

          Another time an ammunition ship was hit by subs and again all the subs that were detected were sunk.

          Of course the "Kamikaze" (suicide attack) by three bombers was the most exciting. We were at the movies. At that time many of our own planes, all with their lights own, were flying overhead.  Just about ten minutes after the movie started a plane without lights flew over us at a very low altitude.  We cussed that pilot out saying he ought to be shot down for flying so low without lights.  Suddenly, dead astern from us the whole sea lit up.  The Randolph was hit.  The general quarters alarm sounded and as I dashed aft to my station Sorline Island also lit up. One of the Japs mistook the island for another carrier.  Later, the Japs announced that they hit the Randolph and the Cowpens. Well they were half right anyway.  The third plane dived into the sea, so that was that.

          These actions don't give me any battle stars.  The Navy doesn't give the away quite that easily.  However I do get another campaign ribbon, the "Philippine Liberation Ribbon."  When we were in Leyte Gulf, bands of Japs still operating about six miles from the beach on Samur Island.  However I never did see or hear any of it and wasn't particularly interested.

          I probably won't be home early in November but we should be in the states in the later part of November.  Of course decommissioning will take a few days but we should be able to see each other in the meantime and make plans for my leave and our second honeymoon.

          And that is thirty for tonight.  Goodnight Sweet and please come to me in my dreams tonight.  I need you too.

Love,

Gil

Article about the bombing of the Randolph

Censorship Rules Relaxed

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

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Saturday 1 September 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Darling,

          And now begins a new month.  Today has been hot and sultry and I did have my usual busy morning.  I spent this afternoon bringing the wardroom books up to date and closing them for last month.  After eleven months on this job I finally convinced the Captain to appoint a new treasurer and what happens but I get elected as caterer.  Instead of handling the money, I'll have to prepare the menus, and supervise the wardroom, officer's quarters and the stewards who work in officer's country.  One consolation is that a new caterer is elected every two months and cannot be re-elected unless he is willing.

          At 5:00 P.M. I showered and dressed for dinner.  After chow we played cribbage and then to the movies.  We had "Nob Hill," with George Raft and Sally Blaine.  Not a bad movie but nothing too exciting.

          Censorship rules have been relaxed to the extent that we can now say where we are but not where we are going.  From the enclosed pictures you can guess where we are.  If you'll look on a large map you'll find San Pedro (or Pablo) Bay in the Northern part of Leyte Gulf.  We are anchored in the bay about 12 miles south of Tacloban which is the capital of Leyte.  When I've mentioned using the tug I usually went there or to Tulosa which is about 8 miles east on Leyte.  We are really closer to Samar and there is an excellent officers club there and also a large enlisted men's recreation area.  The only objection is that one is confined to the area and there are no roads to go places and do things.  Simmie is about 2 miles north of Tulosa and I've already been past Dulag which is 20 miles north of Tulosa.  This town is rather primitive and the civilians are poor and live in filth and squalor.  However the Navy Club is nice and is open at night which explains its attraction over the others that secure at 5:00 P.M.

          Has Leon left yet?  If he has write him and if he hasn't tell him to look for the Ocelot when he reports in.  We will be in that neck of the woods one of these days.  By the way soon there may be no mail for five days or so but I know you'll understand.

          I got four letters today, two from you and one each from Mike and my sister Libby.  I was glad that Nat's operation is over and that all went well.

          Maybe we won't stay up north long.  I have good and valid reasons but can't discuss them as yet.  Anyway there is a good chance of us heading home in a month or two and I personally feel it would be a safe bet.  Anyway the Ocelot is an old ship and would be one of the first to be decommissioned when the program gets underway.

          Please darling don't be too unhappy or pessimistic.  This sudden end of the war has disrupted the rotation plan and we may be apart a month or two longer this way.  But it is over and I'll be a civilian again a lot quicker than I ever dreamed a month ago.  Points for sea duty will be given in a couple of months and I bet that fathers will also get extra points.  Anyway I believe I'll be out by March but I'll be home months before that.

          Goodnight my love, I do miss you and need you and pray than soon we can talk things over instead of this long range correspondence.

Yours forever

Gil

Gil's Photos of Leyte