Where Do We Go from Here

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 15 August 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Well the war is really over now, the fighting has ceased. All everyone wants to know is when do we go home?  There are all kinds of rumors but it'll be a couple of weeks before any plans will be formulated and announced.

          As usual I worked this morning and most of the afternoon. Then I loafed and listened to the radio.

          At 5:00 P.M. I showered and dressed for chow.  After eating we played cribbage.  Now here I am.

          I got four letters and the book "Lost Island" from Ethyl.  Lately I've noticed that your letters are often postmarked two or three days later than the writing date.  Three of the letters were postmarked August 6.  They were written on the 3rd, 4th and 5th.  No wonder I've been missing days!

          Gosh it would be fun to take the kids swimming.  Maybe I'll be doing it real soon.  I don't know why you had to accept cast off of Loretta's clothing for our kids.  I hope you won't take anymore.

          Our bank balance is way down.  Have you paid anything on my life insurance policies or didn't you get any notices? Looks like I'll have to get out and hustle soon or there won't be any surplus left.

          I looked up the Time write up about Ulithi.  July Fortune also has as article of interest with a picture of the anchorage showing the Ocelot very clearly.

          How about Leon?  Does he report and ship out or have his orders been changed?  If he does go, it will indicate that there won't be any change in tour of duty and I can expect to get back as planned.

          You are peeved at a lot of people about how they've treated you.  Yet when I get back, I bet you'll forgive and forget.  I don't know if that I want you to be.  However we'll never feel the same way about a lot of our supposed friends.

          Tonight's movie is "Where Do We Go from Here" with Fred McMurray.  I hope it's good.  That is thirty for tonight so goodnight my Sweet and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

P.S. Did you take care of the braid for my blue?  We might move up to Japan.  I'll need the braid there.

Gil

Too Damn Hot

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 3 April 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          This has been one busy day.  In addition to all the work I had, it has been plenty hot so I did plenty of sweating today.

          This afternoon at three o'clock when I finally cleaned up my last patient, I went to work on my monthly mess statement but after an hour's work I quit because it was too damn hot down here.

          So--instead I went up on the poop deck and got forty-five minutes of sunshine.  Then I returned to my room, showered, censored some mail and dressed for dinner.

          After dinner we sat around on deck enjoying the cool evening breeze and the sunset.  Now here I am.

          The mail brought me three letters today.  One from you, one from Dr. Ivie (a nice friendly one) and the last was an official letter relative to new reports that I have to send in.

          Your letter was written on the 15th and I've already received one written on the 22nd so there isn't much to remark about. I see you are teaching though you hadn't done that for several weeks.  Guess you're glad to get back for a spell.

          "Lost Island" sounds like an interesting book.  I would enjoy reading it.  Send it along.

          The movie tonight is "Irish Eyes Are Smiling" with Monty Woolley and it is rated 4.0.  Guess I'll go, as if I ever stayed away.

          I'm planning on answering Herman's letter next because I don't want to get behind.

          So much for now.  Goodnight sweetheart, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil