Liberty Party Caught in Pour Down

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 7 May 1945, 7:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          A real easy day for a change.  I had patients all morning but I was able to take my time and not have to work fast.  After lunch I took a liberty party ashore and returned to the ship at 4:45.  As usual on our way back we got caught in a pour down and by the time I got aboard I was drenched to the skin.  However, a nice shower and change of clothes and I was ready for dinner.  After eating we sat up on the poop deck getting the cool evening breeze and after "colors" I came down for our little daily chat.

          The mail brought me four letters from you, one from Ethyl and a return on the sixth lesson of my course.  My grade was 3.96.  Your letters are postmarked the 25th and 27th.  I'm missing some days so I guess there'll be more tomorrow.  Now here goes.

          Looks like you got only got one day of teaching that week but sounds like you enjoyed it.  Your letter made me much happier because you morale is up for a change and your outlook a little brighter.  Try and stay that way for me.

          Just as I thought, you should have gone to the Sipper's.  Everyone isn't as formal and you are and I'm sure they expected you.

          The Mothers' Day gifts should arrive on time and I hope you like them.  Besides all told, they set me back $19, so I know you'll like them.

          I can hardly wait for the photos of Linda.  Looks like both kids are doing okay on bonds but just the same I'll send  birthday bond money for Norma.

          So Marty and Manny had a spat.  Boy oh boy, local politics are sure getting hot.  They were such good friends too.  You guessed it; the whole thing worries me--not.

          I know all about where to write and what to ask for.  The only thing is that there are only a few dentists at the hospital but many medics.  Anyway we'll try.  Cyril Gail is there now.  I read that in a Dental Bulletin I got.

          Tonight's movie is "National Velvet" and I must go now and get a good seat.  Goodnight Sweet and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil


Liberty party going ashore

The nightly movie

          

Food Shortage

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 1 May 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, here I am again.  Today was another easy day.  Being the first of the month I worked on some reports this morning and saw a few patients.   Not having much to do, five of us officers went ashore after lunch.

          It began to rain while we were still in the boat going over.  Even though there was some cover we still stayed out and got wet.  It felt so nice being able to cool off a bit. We brought along some snacks to eat with the beer.  I brought a can of gefilte fish and that eggplant appetizer.  The others brought three cans of sardines and a jar of cheese.  The snacks and crackers went very well with the beer.  Although the gefilte fish tastes okay, no one would eat it, but they all went for the appetizer.

          After we put away all the eats we went shell hunting.  The tide was way out and I brought back a mess of shells. My collection is growing.  I have many different and interesting specimens.

          The mail today consisted of three letters from my one and only.  So here goes.  Don't worry too much about the center meetings.  They are probably more interested in getting paying attendees.  When we are back together again they'll be after us just as always, but we'll be a lot more selective than we were.  We've learned things about some people we'd never believe otherwise.  We'll act accordingly.

          Your description of the party was so good I was all but there.  How happy I would be if only I could hug and kiss my three girls. Well it can't be very long until I'll be doing it no dreaming about it (and other things too).

          By the way 1-1/2 units of over-sightedness for a youngster Linda's age is nothing to worry about.  They usually grow out of it.

          Did I say I got some maps?  Either I was too tight or else you read my letter wrong.  I haven't received any maps recently.  I did get the art corners and have all the pictures placed in my album.  Still no sign of the Xmas packages due from you and Manny.  Guess they're lost.

          Don't worry about money after the war.  We are in for a ten year boom after a temporary lull.  I'll get in on practically all of it.

          Honey, the way things look Xmas is the latest I'd come home even if all the breaks are against me.  I'm really expecting some good ones real soon.

          I can understand the food shortage alright.  Feeding practically all of Europe and the number of men out here plus a sufficient reserve to meet any contingency must take a tremendous stockpile.    And the Armed Forces are really well fed.  All we get is steak, turkey, chicken, roast beef and selected cuts of pork and veal.  Butter is plentiful as are oranges and apples.  We do miss tomatoes, lettuce and fresh milk.  We do get celery once in awhile.  Eggs are abundant.  Yes dear I can see why there is a food shortage in the states.

          The move tonight is Laurel and Hardy in "Nothing But Trouble."  I hope it's at least fair.  Outside of that there is nothing to tell.

          Goodnight darling, with loads of love and kisses.

Yours as ever,

Gil

Greeting Only Suitable for Men in Service

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

         U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P. O. San Francisco
          Wednesday 29 November 1944, 9:45 PM

My Dearest,

          Got twelve more letters today.  Guess I'm all caught up now.  Notes from your mother and mine, Libby, the round robin written at Manny's and the rest from you.

          This morning I finally finished up the dental work of the other ship's crew that I mentioned previously.  Am I glad!  For the past week I haven't had a moment to myself because of them.  Now I can take it easy until I get another crew to take care of.  At least our men are in good shape now so I'll take it easy.

          All afternoon I messed around with those slides.  Now that I have the right lead I'm striving for perfection and I do hope to have some good ones in a day or two.

          This evening the skipper invited me up for dinner. Knowing how much I like seafood, he had shrimp and tuna in separate salads made up just for me. I really enjoyed salads for a change and made a wee little pig of myself.  The Captain wouldn't be outdone so we were both stuffed by dessert time.  Then we visited around for a while and finished up with some gin rummy.  At 7:45, we went to the movie.  We saw "Cobra Woman" with Maria Montez and Jon Hall and enjoyed it a great deal.

          Now here I am.  One of the men with an artistic flair drew up the enclosed sketch and we mimeographed it.  This greeting is only suitable to be sent to men in service but I've just enclosed it so you can laugh also.  He promised to color one up for me but I did this one myself with red crayola and pencil.  If he does color one up I'll send it on as well.

          And now to the mail.  Those pictures of our girls are wonderful.  They both look so sweet and beautiful as well.

          Spitzer was only aboard for a short time.  Now he has joined his ship. I may not see him again for some time.  Wally's guess was pretty close, let him try again.  I am 6,000 miles from home and it does seem like a hell of a long ways to be.  I can't say where I made that liberty except that it was at an Officer's Club.  As a matter of fact there are no other places to get stinko except there.

          Well my darling, that's all for today.  Do you remember two college kids sitting in an Essex coach on Santa Monica Boulevard, holding hands?  Said the young lady, "My ideal man, the one I'll marry will be tall, dark and handsome." Said he (with his tongue in his cheek), "Oh yeah! Because all the time he knew that he didn't measure up to specifications."

          Bye my Sweet but lacking a book of poetry I just say I love you.

Your wolfy husband

Gil

Ulithi

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Friday 3 November 1944, 10:00 PM

My Dearest

          Today I hit the jackpot again.  After days of no mail I received twenty-two letters, all at one time.  Sixteen from you, a couple from Libby, Ruth, Gilman, Manny, and the Fleishers. That was some haul. Three of the letters bear an October 9 postmark and looked like they had been soaked down.  It is my guess that these letters were on that plane that went down between the States and some of our Pacific Islands.  Anyway they were late but plenty welcome.

          I have arranged your letters chronologically and will try to cover anything that needs any comment.

          First Honey, I'm glad that you are getting out for a little recreation.  As a matter of fact all your letters have a much more cheerful tone and believe me that does make me much happier.

          The mails are going to be very slow from now on until well after Xmas so be patient if you don't hear right on the dot.  If you have anything to send on don't stall.

          I do wish I could see your new hairdo.  So you think I'd like it?  Well you know me so you can tell even if I don't see it.

          My throat cleared up quickly as did my cold and I'm in the pink right now.  I am all through with my shots and their effects. It should be smooth sailing from here on out.

          I am looking forward to the book you mention.  Do you think it is safe reading with so many sailors around? Ah Well, I'll let you know after I've read it.

          Those Xmas cards will never reach me in time so I may stow them away for next year and we'll sign both of our names to them.  By the time you get this letter the package I sent should have arrived and I hope everything will be OK.

          The Halloween party sounds very nice and I'm very sorry not to have been there to see my girls parade around, play games and entertain.

          Nina's split up with Jack isn't all surprising.  You could see it coming every time you saw them together.  However I am surprised at her joining the WACs.  Frankly I don't believe that it was purely a sex problem.  She had her friends and ways: he had his and neither was willing to compromise and divorce is the result.  After all no woman would suit me either after having loved and known you.  By comparison the same probably applies in their case.

          Regarding the office accounts.  Write or phone all who haven't made payment s in the past 30 days.  If you don't get any response turn them over to the bureau.  Pay particular attention to: Shelling, Teaham, and Mitchel.  Go easy on Curry, Guber, and Mellick.  Turn over Buchwalter  right away.  Accept the $20 from Solgado.  We would only net $5 more if we sued and would have to wait for our money.  In the future use your judgment.  Too much time slips buy for me to advise you.

          I really missed Halloween and the kids. Though I wasn't there I was wondering what you were doing.  I suppose I'll get a full report soon now.

          I hope you've sent in my correspondence course.  It takes too much time to send it to you for typing, so I'll have to write it out longhand.

          Still worrying about money?  Forget it and I shan't repeat myself again.

          I told you Mary and Wally would patch things up.  I would have bet my bottom dollars.  And by the way lay off the liquor.  Give other gifts. Whiskey such as "V.O." is practically gone, so put it away and forget about it.  Get Dr. White something at the Marbros.  They have plenty of stuff for men.  Just how far do you think a bottle of whiskey will go with just the family?  Again I say leave it alone.  I sound like a real drunk but good stuff is very hard to get and I'd rather not give it away.

          Sounds like you had a nice time with Freda and I'll drop her a note as soon as I'm caught up on my correspondence.

          Sounds like Dick and his band are really going places.  Doubling with Tommy Dorsey is really something to brag about.  I bet Ruth and Harry are really proud and they should be.

          About the rumor that I'm coming home on a furlough (really leave).  I'm afraid it's just a rumor after all.  So Ivie and Crossland are shipping out .  Well maybe, I'll see them maybe.  This Navy is really small when it comes to meeting old friends. McPherson was stationed with Jim but hasn't been there for several months.  Guess Mrs. Schurr was a little mixed up.

          The party at the Beverly Hills Hotel sounds quite nice and when I get back we have a date to go there so put it down in you date book.  You can fill the date later on.

          From what you write I'm never know my girls when I get back.  I just hope they remember me if only just a little.  Norma is really moving, right along and Linda must be quite a young lady now.  I've been away now for a few days over three months and it seems like three years.  I have a hunch that when I return I'll be back for good even if this war is still unfinished. I do think that my returning won't be too long from now.

          I've written to Edith about a watch and though I haven't heard from her  I'm sure she'll take care of it for me.  As far as what you are spending, I don't care Dear, go ahead and have fun.  That's what money is for anyway.

          Well Darling, the invasion of the Philippines is moving right along.  Though I am not involved in that action, all Navy ships and personnel  in the Pacific area fit in the general plan and have their jobs to accomplish, each one small but all working to a common goal, a final and lasting peace after a decisive victory.

          It is now midnight and time I turned in.  Honey do you remember my first weekend home after I had reported in San Diego?  Well our next meeting will just make that seem like a couple of kids playing house and I hope it'll last more than just a weekend.

          Goodnight my darling, till tomorrow.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Lovingly

Gil

Eleanor didn't know, but this is where Gil was. 

File a Form to Delay Income Tax Payment

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
                  Wednesday 20 September 1944

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just got back from liberty and found two letters from you.  Got one from you this morning and also one from Linda.  About gifts.  I've purchased three books for Linda, a woven bag and coin purse for you and a charm bracelet.  There are several reasons for my not buying a lot of gifts.  First, they are mostly made in the U.S. and terribly overpriced even at ship service.  Second the amount of money I draw won't go very far and I can't cash a check because I'm on a ship.  I don't know what a fruit salad pin is but I'll find out.  Jimmy is too far away to get together with and his liberty days and mine never seem to fall on the same day.  Send me a $100 money order and I'll go to town.  I'll select items and send them in one package and you can distribute same to members of family as you see fit.  I bought some hankies.  They as well as several items can't be sent by me until we leave here.  I'll see what I can arrange.  I still haven't heard from you about a watch for your birthday.

          Regarding the bank statement I can make two suggestions.  Either a phone call or a letter sent by the local branch of the Bank of America under Mr. Lamb's signature might speed things up.  The present balance is approximately $2750.00.  It may be that the August statement has been forwarded to me since I wasn't in San Diego to receive it.  It should catch up to me soon if that is the case.

          I got a New Year greeting from Manny and Etta and dropped them a note.  I haven't heard from Deb and Dave in some time and answered Dave's last letter.  You'd better check with Dave about filing a form to delay paying any income tax until I get back to the states.  Go ahead and get your coat fixed.  Of course I don't mind.  I just wish I could say go ahead and buy a new one.  We have the money but we'll be able to spend it and get more pleasure and satisfaction later when we are together.  Go on a shopping spree, dear, and have as much fun as you can.  Watch out for those hats though; you know me.

          Sweetheart as much as I don't like to say it Xmas will be a very lonesome day for me.  I'm depending on you, though, to see the kids don't miss out.

          Nothing much to tell about my liberty today and we returned to the ship in time for supper.  The movie tonight was "Falcon in Mexico."  Not too good but still not at all bad as far as entertainment goes.

          Darling do you remember the picnics we went on in Ojai Valley.  After the war you and I and our girls, too, are going there to enjoy a quiet day together.  I wish I knew what to send for Norma.  Can you make a suggestion?

          Good night my Sweet.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

 

P.S.   Saw the proofs of my photos today and was greatly disappointed.  So I only ordered three.  Am going to try one of the quickie joints.  I might be lucky and get a good one.

Gil