Aboard Ship A Quart of Whiskey Sold for $36.00

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 25 December 1944, 9:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          After the movie last night, "Kismet" with Ronald Colman and Marlene Dietrich I went to my room and finished "Strange Fruit."  There were several parties on board but with you so far away I really had nothing to celebrate.  So I went to bed early and awoke without a headache which is more than most of the officers did.

          Just had juice and coffee for breakfast.  This being Xmas I didn't keep any office hours.  By various and devious methods I got two quarts of grain alcohol and spiked the egg nog for dinner.  The drink was so good that no one knew anything was in it until afterwards.  The captain and the exec had one each and still don't know it was spiked.  Further, just before dinner, I called all the corpsmen and a few officers.  I gave each a shot. I bought the stuff in Pearl. Is it valuable!  Right on our ship a quart of whiskey sold for $36.00.  I was tempted to sell the three pints I had. However I preferred using a quart as I did today and save the rest for New Year's Eve.  What is money anyway?  I'm enclosing the menu and it was really good.  All the food was set out buffet style, and we ate all we could hold.

          Spent the afternoon resting, reading and weaving.  I'm going to make identical bracelets for you and our girls.  At least I started something but I won't know until I'm further along.  Anyway, we'll see.

          For supper tonight we just had cold cuts of turkey and ham left over with the necessary trimmings, but who could eat? 

          After eating we had a good, old fashioned song fest.  And when movie time came they just wouldn't stop singing until the captain came down to see the picture.  The movie was a riot.  It was the "Dough Girls" with Ann Sheridan, Alexis Smith and Jane Wynn.  It is one of the most hilarious pictures we've seen and was just the thing to cap Xmas for men away from home. 

          No mail today so I have little more to add.  Dear, do you remember how in past Xmas nights, the whole family came over for a drink, to view of our tree and to see our two darlings.  Next year business as usual for the Steingarts.

          Dr. Bushyager got a recording from home and I can hear him playing it now.  His wife and little girl (five or six) both send him love.  I don't know why you had trouble sending me recordings.  A package with odds and ends can be sent and no one knows the difference.  One thing, pack everything well, you should see how the packages look when they arrive.  Most of them are marked and many have the contents falling out.

          Good night darling, how I would love to hold you in my arms and just kiss you once.  Once?  Well that would be a good place to start, wouldn't it?

Impatiently

Gil

                                                Xmas Dinner Menu

 

 Autographs on Back of Menu

 

Get Hold of a Chicago Tribune of October 19th

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

             Sunday 24 December 1944, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Got ten letters today and they were a most welcome Xmas present.  There was one from Libby and one from your mother.  The rest were from you.

          I was slightly inebriated last night and though I wrote you I probably didn't make much sense.  Anyway I feel swell today and I've snapped out of that mood I was in.  I didn't work today so I've spent a leisurely quiet Sunday reading eating and resting.

          No dear I don't play the piano.  It is in the mess hall.  I explained in a previous letter why I don't use it.  There is plenty of music aboard now so please don't send any more.  Yes I received the correspondence course.

          I don't know how long we'll stay here.  By the way get a hold of a Chicago Tribune of October 19th.  There is an interesting story in there which will answer many of your questions.  We should be moving further west in thirty days or so but that depends entirely on how well we fair in the present Philippine engagements.

          Yes, Hartfield will stay on as skipper. Our exec was the navigator aboard.  Right again.  I meant jigsaw and not crossword puzzles.  The Ocelot greeting when it is reduced in size is in V-mail form and photographed will look a lot different than it does in the original.  However I didn't send any out personally.  Instead I sent the cards I bought in Honolulu and those you sent me.

          Most of the men who went back to the states had been at sea since last January.  So you see there is a lot of chance for me to get back within the year and maybe sooner than we dare hope.  Let's keep our fingers crossed and see.

          Hartfield is a lieutenant.  I learned today that Samuels got in on construction of a new APA.

          How far do you think two pair of socks will go?  Send me half a dozen.

          Now Dearest, by the time you get this letter the holidays will be past and I do hope you've overcome your blueness.  I know it's hard to take but you must face it.  A few more months and who knows who'll walk in?

          Back to me.  Had religious services aboard today as usual and have arranged with a nearby aircraft carrier to send our men over there for Xmas services tomorrow.

          The movie tonight is "Kismet" with Marlene Dietrich besides a "March of Time." Last night's movie was "Babes on Swing Street" with Peggy Ryan and a couple of shorts not worth mentioning.

          My mustache and beard are coming right along and I do hope I can have a picture taken before I take it off.  I wonder if you'd know me?

          Darling, do you remember when we moved to San Diego how happy we were to be together?  Well this is our last separation.  When I return the war will be almost over and we'll always be together from then on.

          Good night my love, parting is such sweet sorrow, till me meet tomorrow.

Devotedly

Gil