80 Degrees

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 11 July 1945, 10:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello honey how is my Sweet tonight?  I'm still the busiest dentist on the ship, there aren't any others.  Was swamped under all morning and worked this afternoon until 3:00 P.M.  Then I had my wardroom books audited.  Following which I made out an order for some more recreation gear.  By then it was 4:15 so I retired to my room for some reading and relaxation.  Also, I had some mail to censor. Before I knew it, it was time to shower and dress for dinner.

          After chow we played cribbage until 7:30 and then went to see tonight's cinema.  We had an excellent color cartoon and a short about Nova Scotia.  The feature attraction "Hangover Square" with Laird Craeger and Linda Darnell which was also good.  However don't see it.  There are a few murders and such.

          Today was the coolest it has been since we've been here.  As a matter of fact I felt cold lying in my skivvies and reading this afternoon.  So when I got dressed I went up to the bridge to check the thermometer.  What do you know?  It had dropped to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and I was cold.  Will you keep me warm when I get home?

          There are several questions I've failed to answer.  About our chaplain, one was requested but so far none has shown up.  Dr. Law is the second doctor aboard but he is only on temporary duty until the one who was assigned to us arrives. That should be in fifteen days or thereabouts.

          That is all for now darling so I'll say "nite-nite" my dear and until tomorrow I'll always be

Loving you as ever,

Gil

Thirty Officers and Crew In Sick Bay

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
            Tuesday 21 November 1944, 9:20 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello honey, how is my sweetheart today? The mail service out here is lousy.  I haven't had any mail now since last Friday.  Here is hoping I get some this afternoon.

          Things were sure booming in sick bay yesterday.  We never did find out what it was but about thirty of our officers and crew turned in with nausea and diarrhea.  However after vomiting several times they got rid of whatever was causing their discomfort and this morning all is quiet and peaceful.

          We had a very good movie last night, "Summer Storm" with George Saunders and Linda Darnell.  See it if you can.

          I took out two impactions this morning.  One was rather simple but the other was a bear.  It was buried deep in the jaw bone and I had to split it into two pieces (the tooth not the jaw) to remove it.  I had expected several patients from another ship this morning but they didn't show up.  Hence I have time to write in the middle of the morning.

          Our library is in a hell of a mess once more.  It is open for only one hour a day and by the time the men get through browsing you couldn't tell where "a" ends and "z" begins.

 

12:45 PM

          Excuse the interruption; I've been busy with patients from 9:30 until 11:30 and then chow.  Now we'll continue our visit.  About the library--I spent a couple of hours there last night getting everything straightened out.  And then I noticed my watch had stopped.  I don't know what's wrong so I'll take it over to another ship where there is a watchmaker and try to get it fixed.  In the meantime I have my Bulova to fall back on.

          Mail came aboard this morning so I'm hoping there'll be something for me.  Am I perspiring!  I have a towel right handy and use it after almost each sentence. 

          Darling do you remember how tight I got at your graduation party?  That seems so long ago.  Actually it is only twelve years.  Guess a lot has happened since then.  Well dear, after the war we'll be together again and forever.

           So long honey with "lotions of love" (a la Winchell) I am your loving correspondent.

Gil

           

 

Eleanor Is A Naughty Girl

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
           Wednesday 11 October 1944, 9:35 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello darling, how are you this morning?  Our chief pharmacist mate got a 30 day leave and is returning to the states.  So last night we sat around and talked until so late, that I decided to do my writing this morning instead.  It is now 10:45 and this is all I've gotten written since I started.  Come hell or high water, now I going to finish.

          Picked up 220 library books yesterday and there are many best sellers amongst them.  After I got the books back to the ship I went on liberty.  I did a lot of window shopping but still have the $100.  Nothing seems to be just the thing I'm looking for.  I returned to the ship for dinner and found we had two new ensigns aboard.  I got another letter from you in the afternoon mail and everyone wants to know how I do it.  Guess they never heard of love.

          We had another good move last night, "Sweet and Low Down," with Linda Darnell, Lynn Bari, Jack Oakie, and Benny Goodman.  After the movie I returned to sickbay and the long visit I mentioned at the beginning of this letter.

          You mention Miss Earnest.  The last time I heard from her she wasn't working but I don't believe she'd work long for Dr. White.  They just wouldn't get along.  At least that is my guess.  So what if he is busy?  As far as your teeth are concerned you were a naughty girl when I was in private practice.  You always had something to do instead of keeping dental appointments. Oh well after the war I'll make other appointments for you and you'll break them again, but who cares.  We'll be together and having fun and plenty of it.  I haven't heard from Libby in a couple of weeks but suppose I'll hear soon.  If I don't find anything more by the middle of next week I'll get my gifts off to you both for your birthday and Xmas for all.

          You know honey, you still aren't yourself and I can tell very easily.  You say in one letter you are enclosing a clipping and then if comes in the next one.  You sent me the first page of Deb's letter but where is the rest of it?  Take is easy Sweet, when I get back I want to find you your old sweet self not a nervous wreck.  And don't be so suspect when you miss a letter from me one day.  When we put out to sea it might be a month or more before any mail will leave the ship.  Just remember every day that passes is one day closer to the time when we'll be together again.  And even though I won't be hearing from you when we are out at sea you'll always be with me in my heart. You and my two darling girls.

          Do you remember how you got a gift every time I got a big case until big cases came so thick and fast we quit that routine? After the war we'll resume that and continue regardless of how many and now often I get them.

          Honey, I must wind this letter up so that if gets off today.  I'll sign off with love and kiss to my sweet wife.

Lovingly,

Gil

P.S. I've changed my mind about Xmas cards.  Why not have some printed or made up with the signature:

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

Dental Corps--U.S.N.R

I could use about 100.  If you attend to it right away and airmail the cards to me I should receive them in plenty of time.

Bye again darling.  I love you

Gil