Second City Hit by Atomic Bomb

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 9 August 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Still hot and I'm still sweating.  It looks like rain tonight; I sure hope it does rain.  The war news is very encouraging with Russia being in it and the second Jap city already hit by the new "atomic bomb."  Imagine the possibilities if such energy could be harnessed for useful purposes.

          Had quite a busy morning.  This afternoon I took a few pictures and then had my mess statement audited.

          I've been offered the use of a jeep for tomorrow afternoon.  So the skipper and I are going ashore after lunch to do some sightseeing.

          I had a haircut this afternoon and then after showering and censoring mail, I finished "China to Me."

          In the mail today I got three letters from my Sweet.  It seems that you and I are seeing the same movies now.  I missed a good one when I went ashore yesterday, but I'll probably catch it later.  It was "Incendiary Blonde."

          Glad to hear you Lake Arrowhead plans are shaping up okay and I hope you have a swell stay there.

          Sweetheart, I wouldn't disappoint you for the world.  I do hope to be home by fall but you know I don't write orders, I just comply with them.  Maybe the war will suddenly end and the ship will return to the states even before that date.  Who knows?

          Tonight's movie is the "Chicago Kids."  Enough said.  Goodnight Sweetheart until tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

Pom Pom and Tuba

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 5 August 1945, 7:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today is Sunday. As I've written previously, I am not taking any appointments on this day.  So I have a whole day off.  Well almost.

          Our baseball league competition began today so we took four teams over to the beach and ran two games simultaneously.  After the game we served beer all around.  We left the ship at 8:30 and got back at 11:30 just in time to wash and eat lunch.

          After lunch I settled the wardroom commissary bill.  Then I worked up a rough draft of the mess statement.  I read from "China to Me" until it was time to shower and dress for dinner.

          Chow this evening was excellent.  We had chicken noodle soup, fruit salad, roast chicken with dressing, giblet gravy, peas and spuds (which are shipped).  For dessert we had cookies and black walnut ice cream (I had two dishes).  Then we played cribbage and here I am.

          Kay Kaines is out here and put on a shows last night and tonight.  I was too tired to go last night and two lazy tonight.  We sent a party of 150 men last night.  They all enjoyed it except for five men who wandered off and got some "pom-pom" (guess what) for $10.00 and then drank some native brew called "tuba." When they got back to the ship they had to be carried aboard and have their stomachs pumped.  Bet they never drink that stuff again.  As to the pom-pom, prophylactic treatment was given. Although  they'll undoubtedly get by, there is a terrific amount of venereal disease among the natives.

          I got two letters today.  One from my Sweet and one from Libby.  From the way Libby writes Nat's illness is serious.  I do hope she is wrong.

          Today's letter was marked the 30th.  Now I'm missing the 27th and 29th.  I see you are still worrying about your weight.  With all the running around and work you've be doing there shouldn't be any reason for dieting, unless of course you are stuffing yourself with candy.  Are you?

          For tonight the movie is "Thrill of a Romance" and is supposed to be good.  That is all for tonight so bye until tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

d

You Could Fry Eggs on Our Steel Decks

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 1 August 1945, 5:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet here is your perspiring hubby again.  The sun's smile has changed to a leer.  Its hot rays beat down unmercilessly on our ship.  It's so hot you could fry eggs on our steel decks.  Out here it is supposed to be the monsoon (rain) season.  Nary a drop in five days.  Maybe tomorrow.

          Had my usual schedule today and worked all morning.  This afternoon I helped organize a softball league.  We have twelve teams on board who will play in inter-division competition with the winner representing the Ocelot against all comers.  Prizes and fun are in store for all participants.

          I counted up my cash in preparation for balancing my mess statement.  After that I censored some mail and finished the mystery story I was reading.  By then it was 5:00 PM so I showered dressed and here I am.  I'm writing before chow because I'm going over to the beach with several officers.  It'll be past midnight before we get back.  Don't worry.  I won't drink too much.  I'll be very careful.

          The mail today brought me the book "101 Years of Entertainment," the collection of mystery and detective stories and the May B'nai B'rith Bulletin.

           "Dodge City."  We saw it together, remember?

          No more for now darling so I'll say so long, until tomorrow your

Hot and perspiring old man,

Gil

Day of Rest

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 22 July 1945, 10:50 PM

Dearest Eleanor,   

          Sunday, a day of rest at home.  So just to make things more like home beginning today no appointments except emergencies.

          Nothing to do all morning except read.  I also wrote a letter to Uncle Bill.  I'm way behind in my correspondence again so soon I'll just have to take a day off to catch up.

          I failed to mention that we had a new officer report aboard to replace Jim Lyons.  His name is Brossears. He is married; his wife lives in Oakland.  He and I went ashore today.  I told Simmie when I saw him on Friday that I'd be over this morning.  Well we didn't get there until 3:00 PM and he had gone down to the beach.  I left him a note and may see him Wednesday night.  Anyway we went back to the club and had a few drinks.  At five o'clock our boat picked us up and we returned to the ship.  I had just enough time to shower and freshen up before dinner after which we played our regular game of cribbage until movie time.  We had a real oldie today but everyone enjoyed it.  "Mutiny on the Bounty" was the cinema.

          I got three letters today and since I've already received later mail, most of the stuff you write about has already been hashed over by me.

          In spite of what Leon told you, orders come from the Bureau. Even he said in his letter that he wouldn't be surprised to get orders to ship out.

          I've written to Libby about my mother and should be hearing from her soon.  Anyway it won't do any good worrying about it.  We'll just have to wait and see.

          Sorry you didn't enjoy the Fleisher party.  I still think you would have been more miserable had you stayed at home.  Every chance you get to go out, do so. 

          Sweet I never was chaplain.  I'm welfare officer which is the chaplain's job.  Being chaplain is a full time job.  I'm still a dentist, remember?  Yes I'm still librarian. But now that everything is squared away, the enlisted man who runs it for me does all the work and I retain the title.

          I guess the mess treasurer's job is mine until I leave.  When I was first appointed we only fed eighteen officers.  Now we have seventy regular members and have better than two hundred guests each month.  The captain insists there is no one else for the job so I'm stuck.

          About the linens you mention; all I've seen are bridge table size.  As I've mentioned before, the Japs took everything they could and destroyed what they left behind.  Where we are now there is no industry or agriculture so fancy linens are not obtainable.

          Our strange honeymoon sounds intriguing.  All night long with my big girl and all day with all of my girls should keep me quite busy. I will love it!

          Well Darling, I'm getting sleepy and I've run out of things to say so goodnight until tomorrow.

Yours always,

Gil

The Eighteen Officers

The Movie

The Letter

Ashore

Fresh Frozen Food After Months of Canned

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 10 May 1945, 8:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, here I am again.  Had a nice day for a change.  Saw several patients this morning and then had my mess statement audited.

          After lunch I had several appointments and spent an hour working on a gadget I'm making.  Then I took a magazine and got forty-five minutes of sun on the poop deck. Although it was late afternoon the sun was plenty hot.

          Then I returned to my room, censored some mail, showered and dressed for dinner.  After chow three of us joined the captain for another game of cribbage.  Now here I am.

          All the mail brought today was the U.S. News Navy Report, the Service Edition of the Outlook and American Dental Association Bulletin and the postcard you sent from Los Angeles when you were with Yetta.

          Now that the European war is over even bigger things should develop out this way and soon the whole thing will be over.  I'm really optimistic about Japan throwing in the sponge.

          For the time being there's nothing new out here.  It's still hot and sticky and rain is a welcome change.

          The last few days we had several treats in the way of fresh food.  We got hold of some fresh frozen peaches, apricots, peas, string beans and cauliflower.  Believe me, they sure tasted good after months of canned food.

          No more for now darling so I'll sign off.  Good night Dear, I'll see you in my dreams.

Loving you always,

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

Ran a Higgins Landing Craft Aground

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 1 January 1945, 7:35 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          And so begins a new year. First, I want to tell you a little more of the celebration aboard.  After I finished my letter I intended to turn in, but no chance.  The men had gotten hold of pots, pans, garbage can tops and the band's drums and were parading all over the ship making a most ungodly racket.  Most of the officers were fairly well oiled.  We all went up to the Captain's quarters to serenade him and wish him a happy new year.  We probably awoke him so I doubt if he appreciated it.  Then we returned to the wardroom for a snack and finally I turned in.

          Worked all morning on the mess statement.  It cost me $25 last month to eat and that was really cheap. 

          After lunch today a few of us went ashore.  Two bottles of beer was all I drank.  I just didn't feel like it.  Instead I hunted for more shells.  I have quite a collection now.

          The boat we were using was a Higgins Landing Craft.  She ran aground over some coral and we had a hell of a time trying to get someone to pull us off.  We finally got someone to do it and returned safely.  Of course there was no danger because we were close to the shore and there were many boats around.  Besides it wasn't deep or we wouldn't have run aground in the first place.

          The movie tonight is "Should Strangers Marry" and the cast are all unknown to me.  I'll tell you more about it tomorrow.

          I also brought a coconut back.  I'm going to polish it up and make a souvenir paper weight out of it.

          Nothing new today except more confirmation on the previous scuttlebutt.  We may be moving out of here even sooner than the three months I figured on at first.  Here's hoping.

          No mail again today.  I'll probably get a whole sack full when I do get some.

          Darling, do you remember New Years Day of previous years?  Just lounging around because we were too sleepy and tired to go anyplace.  I'd listen to the football game and maybe doze off before it was all over.  Well, Sweet next year we'll stay home together and rest and listen to the ball game in-between (?)

          Good night Sweetheart, the movie is about due to begin.

Love,

Gil

 

Bitch of a Day

 

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
            Thursday 7 December 1944, 7:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Well, here I be again.  The movie last night "Are Husbands Necessary" was good but old.  So old that though we both had seen it I couldn't remember a thing about it.  It starred Betty Fields and Ray Milland and was about the dumb but cute young wife and her husband, a bank second vice president and the troubles the wife got the worse half into.

          Today the mail brought that crossword puzzle book and some literature from the medical department.  I haven't done a puzzle in months but I know it'll be fun.

          This has been a bitch of a day.  Saw eleven patients.  Four from one ship, two from another and one from a third.  The remaining four were ship's company.  When I got through I had done eleven fillings, two extractions, two prophys and three treatments.  I finished at 3:00 PM and then censored some mail.  Then I played checkers from four till five at which time I showered, shaved and changed for dinner.  You know I'm mess treasurer and I've got it figured now so that our food bill should only run about fifty cents a day.  Nobody believes me but they will when they see the statement at the end of the month.  I can't explain how I'm doing this without divulging censorable facts.

          After dinner we stood around on the bridge and talked for almost an hour.  I remarked this evening that the heat didn't seem to worry me anymore and we all decided we were just getting acclimated.  Still sick bay is full with "cat fever," several pneumonias and many ambulatory heat rash patients.  So far no complaints from me.  Thank goodness.

          Darling do you remember how I got sick before taking my physical and doped myself up to pass without having to go back?  Well, I'm disgustingly healthy even out here and believe me some of the young bucks are always complaining about something.

          Good night Darling.  I don't know what the movie is, but I'm going anyway.  I love you, I love you, I do. Kisses and hugs galore to my two Darlings and my Sweet.

 

Love,

Gil

Friday the 13th--Treated 13 Men

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
              Friday 13 October 1944, 9:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          This has been another busy day for me.  This is Friday the 13th.  I examined and treated 13 men.  If only I were superstitious I could begin worrying right now!

          This afternoon's mail brought a letter from you, one from Ethel and a card from my Mother.  Mary was all wet and in more ways than one.  They seem to be a sore spot with you so I'll not mention them anymore.

          Now for the quiz program. The Mess Treasurer collects the monthly mess charges from officers, pays for all food and supplies drawn from the ships commissary and submits a statement monthly of the status of the officer's mess.  What a mess! Just couldn't resist the pun.  No I didn't run in Al accidentally.  Yes darling I now have plenty of music.  In addition to what you've sent I chiseled a couple of song books from the local welfare and recreation office and also purchased a book in a music store.  Regarding John York: If you just turned the account over to them call them and tell them the account has been paid and to forget about it.  However, I believe they have had the account  for some time and you may have to pay them 25% for collection.  However, when I left they still owed me some money so you won't need to send them any payment.  What you wrote about Jules is typical of the Army.  They need dentists and yet the dentists they have do everything but dentistry.  However as for Germany fighting on to the bitter end, did you read where Lloyds of London is giving 4 to 1 odds that the European war will be over by November 1?

          I'm certainly not surprised about Dick.  Keeping the hours he's been keeping and the things he is doing certainly doesn't do much to keeping a fellow fit.  Yet I venture to say that Ruth and Harry will probably not do much about it and after a couple of weeks Dick will drift slowly back to his old routine.  I hope I'm wrong but that is my guess.

          Well honey, I've just about run out now.  One more item.  The movie tonight was "Rainbow Island," with Dorothy Lamour and Eddie Bracken and very enjoyable.

          Sweetheart, do you remember the El Dorado and our singing in bed before turning over?  Bet the neighbors thought we were drunk.  Maybe we were drunk with happiness.  After this war we must try that routine again if we can without waking the kids and the maid.

          Good night my darling.  I'm going to close this letter tonight because I have lots to do tomorrow morning.  I love you.

Devotedly

Gil

 

 

Aboard Ship Sunday Is Just Another Day

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

           U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O San Francisco
             Saturday 7 October 1944, 9:30 PM

My darling,

          Just saw the movie aboard and here I am again.  The picture "Do It Big" was just fair entertainment.  Jack Haley, Harriet Hilliard and Ozzie Nelson were the stars.  Now for a little visit.

          Nothing much since my last writing.  Saw three patients this afternoon and when I finished I played a few games of checkers.  It was pretty warm today and I felt much better after my daily shower and change of apparel.

          Sweet I'm going to make something for you and the kids.  Please send me the waist measurements of each of you.  It will take time to make but it should be done for Xmas.  Don't ask what "it" is going to be.  Be patient now and be surprised later (I hope).

          How did your new maid pan out?  I hope she showed up and works out OK.  I meant to mention it in this morning's letter but forgot.  The music you sent sure made good time. It was postmarked the 30th of September and arrived here on the 6th.  That is almost as fast as airmail.  Must have come over on a pretty fast ship.

          I should be receiving scads of mail soon.  I've written Taylor, Gilman, Bergman, Vanetek, Deb and Dave, Ruth, Libby, Earnest, Nina, Aranoff, Harry S., Davis and my cousin in Bell Harbor.  We'll write Marty, Sam, Bill and Dave Katz soon.  I've written several more that I can't recall just now but I'm doing a fair job.

          Al and I have a tentative date for tomorrow.  After our visit I'll finish this note.  Until then take it easy, Sweet.  Now I'm going to bed and dream about you and I after the war.

Lovingly

                      Gil

Sunday 8 October 1944, 9:30 AM

Good morning Sweetheart,

          This being Sunday, call for breakfast was 7:30 instead of 7:00.  Otherwise, at sea or I should say, aboard a ship, Sunday is just another day.

          This morning our welfare account was audited and then a book was set up for me to keep.  I'm finding plenty to keep me busy outside of my dental office.  I am mess treasurer now and have to collect the mess bill from each officer at the beginning of the month.  Then I have to pay for all food and supplies we draw from the general mess and that is purchased from other sources.  Then I'm still trying to get more books for our library without paying for them and that requires a lot of running around.  By the time I get home I'll be a real chiseler and you know how I hate to ask for anything for nothing.

          Well honey, this is Sunday, the day we spent together.  Boy wouldn't I like to get into the car and drive you and the kids down the beach for a stroll.  Then take Linda and Norma to the merry-go-round.  Do you remember how scared Linda was the first time I took her on?  Now she rides like it is an everyday occurrence.  After the war I won't be so anxious to dash off and leave our girls at home.

          Bye Sweet, I've got some more things to do.  Will write again tonight.  I know you are giving my regards to all so I don't have to ask you to do it.

Lovingly

Gil

 

Ambie Took Us Through a Submarine

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

              SS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
          Saturday 30 September 1944, 9:30 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,

          What a busy day! Saw a couple of patients in the morning and then chased down to the Welfare and Recreation Office on the base.  When I came back I found a couple of letters from you and one from Libby.  I no sooner got started reading and Jim arrived and so I postponed that pleasure and showed him around the ship.  He really was surprised at the size and facilities of the Ocelot.

          Jim had lunch aboard with me and we had an amusing incident.  The Mess Caterer is an elective job that no one wants particularly.  The Captain announced ahead of time that I was to be the next caterer.  However all the officers got together and voted for another officer who wasn't expecting any such duty and boom he is now Mess Caterer. The Captain was a little provoked but couldn't do much about it.  However he did dig up something else for me to do, Mess treasurer.  That is that.

          Jim came over in a jeep.  So after lunch, Hansen joined us and we all drove over to a
               censored

and I ran into Alvin Klein.  We had a little chat and plan to get together later.  We than returned to the base and Ambie who used to be a

               censored

n main took us through a large

               censored

You can't possibly imagine  how compactly built a

               censored

is.  Every inch of space is taken care of and really was an interesting experience.  Then we returned to the ship and Jim had to shove off.  We still had an hour before dinner so we walked over to the Officers Club and had a drink or two.  They have scads of slot machines and having three quarters in my pockets I took a shot at it.  Got $4 out, put $1.50 back so I'm $7.50 ahead.  Then we returned to the ship for dinner.  I found another letter and the money order waiting for me.

          After dinner we sat on deck and listened to a recorded radio program until movie time.  Tonight we had "Crime at Night" and it was enjoyment, a murder mystery with a lot of humor.  And so here I am.

          Now for the "Eversharp program."  Keep my driver's license.  I won't need one until I get back.  I can't tell how soon I'll be back, anything can happen.  Dinner out runs from $1.50 to $3.00.  Most places just serve a la carte!  Haven't eaten any tropical fish, but have tasted papaya.  I didn't like it in the states and still think it's too sweet.  When I go on liberty I usually don't get back until past 7:45 when the movie goes on.  That's why I miss the movie rather frequently on liberty days.  I've got you a locket, bracelet and earrings to match but they aren't of the charm variety.  Keep you panties on till they get there.  You have the San Diego deposit book.  Look in my records file.  Whew!  Do I get the $64?

          I still think you should go to meetings and to h... with what people say.  I'm not worried about it so why should you care.  I'll write Ethel and Doc and the Vaneteks as soon as I close here.  Good night, darling, my Sweet.  I love you. I do!

 

Sunday 1 October 1944, 10:00 AM

          Good morning, darling.  Sleep well?  Sunday is just another day in the Navy.  Just injected my third patient and while I'm waiting for the shot to take effect I'll finish off here.  Nothing new since last night.  Have several first of the month reports to make and also a survey of the oral condition of the whole crew and expect to be through by tonight.  Sounds like I'm optimistic but I think I can do it!

          Do you remember when we would go out for breakfast on Sunday morning just for a change?  Well sweetheart, after the war we'll always have breakfast together and wherever you wish.

          Now for our daily quiz program. Your
               censored  

          After the war wherever we go our girls go and that includes Chicago.  Frequently a couple of days will go by with no mail and then bingo! The jack-pot!  Five or six all at one time.  Sweet I don't care whether you write or type.  Just hearing from you and knowing all is well is all I ask for.  Bye darling.  I'm getting to be just like Jim except he has been away 18 months instead of the 9 weeks.  I'm a man with

                censored

          Figure it out for yourself.

Love,

Gil