Gold Braid

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 6 July 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweetheart, here I am again after another day.  I had a very busy morning and then after lunch I had six more patients to take care of.  Then I repaired to my bunk, censored mail and finished "Strange Women."  If you haven't read it do so.  I think you'll enjoy it.

          After a refreshing shower I dressed for dinner and then played cribbage.  Now here I am.

          The mail brought me six letters, five from you and one from Sam Kahn.  Naturally I always enjoy your letters but today's made me doubly happy simply because I read that you got over you nervousness and are generally in better spirits.

          The color scheme of our house sounds quite nice.  I'm sure that you are quite able to choose colors without my expert (?) help.

          I'm expecting Simmie over tomorrow.  He was supposed to drop me a line confirming our date.  Maybe the letter was delayed, so I'll meet the boat he is supposed to come over on.

          Yes Dear I really get more mail than anyone I know of.  In a letter to the Fleet Dental Officer, I've already indicated where I'd like my next duty to be. He asked for that and other information.

          So Norma was indisposed again.  It doesn't sound like much and I hope there is no more trouble.  You've had enough.

          It does sound like the Siegers just had a change of heart or mind about having you along for a month at Lake Arrowhead.  However, I hope something does work out and if not maybe I'll be home soon enough to make it up to you.

          Enewetok was our stop over between Pearl Harbor and Ulithi.  Regulations now permit saying where you were thirty days after you leave the place.  This is a new rule. I just overlooked telling you, but now you know.  Did you find it on a map?  It's in the Marshall Group.

          It certainly is a surprise about Mike and I'm glad it isn't Berger's Disease.  That is incurable while arteriosclerosis can be counteracted by diet and no overexertion or excitement.

          I like the photos you sent although the minicolors certainly aren't worth $1.00 each.

          We have a good movie tonight, "Tonight and Every Night" with Rita Hayworth and Janet Blair.

          In one of you recent letters you asked about changing the braid in my blues.  Okay, go ahead and do it.  Have two full strips put on the uniform I left with you and send the full stripe that is on the suit now to me. No gold braid is available out here.   I'll have it put on the blues I have with me.  That way the braid will match better on both suits.

          So my love, another day comes to an end.  Another day less for our separation.  Won't they be happy days when we are all together again?

          Goodnight Darling, I'll dream of you and us tonight.

Loving you always,

Gil

         

Nine Fillings, Examined Eight Men

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 18 January 1945, 6:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another day. Another dollar.  Began today with my usual morning routine.  Put in nine fillings, examined eight men and appointed them for work.

           Then mail call. Got a letter from Mike, a short note and the baby announcement from Bob.  Then there were a couple of Xmas cards from patients and some Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery literature.  Then I went up to my room and found the book "Fountainhead" you had sent and also the book Libby had sent.  By the way if you send me any more books be sure they are properly wrapped for mailing.  The binding was slightly warped, probably got wet.

          After lunch I read some until the afternoon mail came.  I got a letter from your mother and one from you written on the back of the Yearbook circular letter.  Yes dear, I'll enjoy the "Yearbook" a lot.

          There really isn't anything new to write about.  Three of the officers are still awaiting orders back to the states but so far no soap.  We are five officers over complemented so orders should come through most any day.

          Today has been unusually hot and now that the sun is down we'll all cool off a little.

          The movie tonight is a 4.0 picture, "Going My Way" with Bing Crosby.  I think I've seen it but I enjoy a good musical the second time just as much as the first showing.

          Darling do you remember when the Navy sent you a check for transportation for you and the kids from Santa Monica to San Diego?  Did they send you my original orders to report for active duty?  If you have it please send it on.  It should be in my personal file and I don't seem to have it.

          Well Sweet I'm just about run out.  Do you remember when you went to Philly and I wrote to you?  Am I putting more down in writing now than then or am I still keeping "under cover?"  Well, when I get home to hell with the cover.  I can hardly wait for those happy days.

          Good night Honey, I'm going to sign off now.  Love and kisses to you and ours.

Love,

Gil

Mosquitos and Ship Construction Disturbed My Sleep

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

29 September 1944, 10:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another day closer to when we'll be together again. A very uneventful day.

          Had my usual juice and coffee for breakfast.  Then worked for about two hours.  I've arranged another beach party for the crew and that took up the rest of the morning.

          Also, Jim called this morning. He is driving over to have lunch aboard with me tomorrow.  After lunch I had a little more work and then mail to read.  A card from my mother, a couple of letters from you and the September Journal of the Southern California State Dental Association.  After I finished reading, I had my hair cut, showered and got ready for dinner.  Then I sat around on the fo'castle listening to some more recordings of radio programs made for broadcast overseas.  The records play for half an hour and are just as good as the original program.  Then movies, "The Merry Monahans," with Donald O'Connor, Peggy Ryan and Jack Okie.  Very good entertainment--see it when you can.  After the movie we visited for awhile on deck and then--here I am.

          You mention Mike's visit.  I dropped him a line about 10 days ago.  Maybe that helped.  Anyway I'm glad you're able to get along and don't have to walk or ride buses.  Anything that is lost in moving should be claimed for.  Notify Al and let him worry about it.  That is why we pay those premiums.  Make a claim for the movies and glasses along with the rest.  By the way did you ever get that last roll of movie film back?

          I am drawing $118 a month.  When I'm at sea, $35-40 will be all I'll need.  However situated the way I have been here, money just goes.  Been having liberty every other day and a drink here, a cab there, and meals beside and--not enough money especially after a few shopping tours.  Figure it out for yourself.  Dear, a "fruit salad" pin is a must on my next shopping tour. You may wear it and when I want to wear one I'll get another.  Don't worry about Dr. White and his bill, although you might suggest paying him, he'll say no.  Then go out and buy him something nice.  I'm sure it will be OK.  That charm bracelet you mention runs into money out here, but I'll look around and see what I can do.  A couple of dolls are on my Xmas list as of now.  Enough for now.  I'll be with you again in the morning.  Good night, dearest.

Saturday 30 August 1944, 8:30 AM

          Good morning, Sweetheart.  Didn't sleep well last night.  Some men working on the ship made a lot of noise and woke most of the officers up.  Then those mosquitoes decided they had left me alone long enough and went to work.  I've several beauties--not mosquitoes--bites.

          Nothing new since last night.  Do you remember how you used to make lunch and bring it up to the office and have a bite with me?  Seems so long ago.  After the war we'll have lunch together often, won't we dear, and you won't need to bring it up.  That is all for now, will be with you again tonight.

Loving you as ever

Gil

P.S. Regarding Mrs. Numma, I advised against having her teeth extracted and she went somewhere else to have it done.  Then she came to me to make her a new set of dentures; the others didn't fit (?)  Unless you know her you wouldn't understand the problem.  However, dear, before communicating with patients in the future regarding any complaints, let me know first if possible.

Gil