Loafing

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 24 March 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another day of loafing, but the last.  The paint wasn't quite dry this morning, so I didn't open shop today.  However tomorrow I have a pretty heavy day lined up.

          What did I do all day?  First I censored some mail.  Then I did examine a couple of officers who were up for promotion.  By the time the inspection party came through sickbay it was past 11:00 AM so I went up to my room and read until chow.

          After lunch I killed more time but don't ask me what I did because I'm darned if I can remember.  It has been cloudy and raining all day else I would have gone ashore.  I just didn't feel like getting all wet.

          I got five letters from my darling today, two in the AM and three in the PM.

The one marked February 20th explained about Hansen's phone call to you.  No, he hasn't written yet.  The others were marked the 13th, 14th and 15th of March and that isn't bad service at all.  Maybe he did call Miss Rike a "young lady" but I'm not kidding when I say she'll never see forty-five again.  Maybe you'll meet her some day and you'll judge as to whom is "kidding" you.

          That article about the Alaskan Highway didn't surprise me as I read about it in the ship's news Bulletin some time ago.  All work on the road has ceased.  It seems they ran into insurmountable difficulties.  Oh well, there are still ships sailing and that'll give us more time to ourselves (catch on?)

          The things I find most interesting in your letters are the things that you and the kids are doing.  I really don't care much about what is happening to others, hence no remarks in the past (and in the future too). Of course I read your letters through and reread them when I'm writing you.  I answer all your ideas that I think are necessary.

          I'm glad you got rid of those moles.  Why are you so worried about being beautiful?  You always did suit me fine and I'll take you just as you are.

          Yes the Army is advancing officers faster than the Navy now.  I still prefer the Navy.  Still think back to how long Iz Weiss was a First Lieutenant.  At least in the Navy after sixteen months (May 1) I'll get my advancement  and that is only about a month from now.

          Your list of real friends is small but I do believe that no one has many more.  The rest are "fair weather" friends who don't really give a tinker's damn.

          Of course we'll be together when I get stateside duty, no matter where.  That is a promise.

          We saw "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" years ago.  "Virginia" is also an oldie which we saw together.

          It looks like Joe will ship out soon and when he does I do hope Anne comes back to Santa Monica.  I know how much you must miss her.

          The Mrs. Allen of the P.T.A. you mention sounds like the wife of Mark Allen, the attorney in the Tower building.  Next time you see her ask her if she is and if so say hello for me.  I know her fairly well.

          Sorry that you and the kids all have colds.  Hope you are all well when you read this.

          Painting the house sounds like a good idea if you can get help to do it reasonably.

          Well sweet that washes me up for tonight.  The movie is "Strange Affair" with (?)--I never heard of them anyway and it's time to go.

          Goodnight Sweet, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Newspaper article published on March 24, 1945. Tells of the March 13 Japanese raid in Ulithi that damaged the aircraft carrier Randolph. A kamakaze, not mentioned in the article, buzzed the U.S.S.Ocelot.

Recreation Island

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 3 March 1945, 7:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling, here I am again.  Awoke this morning at 7:45 feeling swell.  Had my usual juice and coffee for breakfast and so to work.      

          I had a busy morning and it was 11:40 AM before I was through with work.  Lunch is at 11:45.  After eating I took it easy for awhile on the poop deck and got some more sun.  I'm sure getting tanned.  Soon I'll look like some of those natives you've seen in the movies.

          At 1:00 PM I returned to my room and just read until 1:30 when I had another appointment.  When I cleaned up my work I returned to my room and censored some mail.

          Today's mail brought a letter from your mother, a card from you written at Rene and Jean, a 5th District Dental Bulletin. The box of fruit you sent came in perfect shape.  I know I'm going to enjoy it.

          It was 3:30 PM when one of the officers said he had a boat alongside which was going to the recreation island.  How about joining the party? It took me two minutes to change shoes and cap and away we went.  I had a few beers, picked up some more shells and got back to the ship at 6:00 PM, just in time to eat dinner.

          After chow I showered.  After getting cleaned up, I dressed and went topside to enjoy a very pretty sunset.  Then I went below for a cup of coffee and watch a crap game but they couldn't quite "seduce" me because it was time for our daily visit and here I am.

          Last night's move, Carol Lombard and Robert Montgomery in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" was old but I couldn't remember having seen it and I enjoyed every moment of it.  Tonight's movie is "Nevada" (with a bunch of unknowns) and several short subjects.  Guess I'll go anyway.

          Time to go now Sweetheart, so good night and pleasant dreams.  Love and kisses with a few hugs thrown in.

Devotedly,

Gil

My Back Is Better

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco

Friday 2 March 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Awoke this morning with my back feeling much better.  All discomfort has practically disappeared so that's that.

          Worked all morning until 11:00 AM and then sat down to read four letters that had arrived.

          After lunch, I enjoyed the sun for 45 minutes, rechecked a copy of the mess statement and took care of an emergency extraction from another ship.  When I returned to my room I found three more letters making a total bag of seven and all from you.

          I spent the afternoon reading as it was "field day." Then I censored some mail, showered and dressed for dinner.

          I intended watching what promised to be a pretty sunset but I got another emergency call and extracted another tooth.  Since I was down in my office I couldn't think of anything I'd like better so--we are having our daily visit.

          So Leon is storing his car.  Well I'll bet he loses more by keeping it than selling now.  By the time he comes back, new cars will probably be on the market and his $4,000 will only be worth $500.  I guess he can afford to lose it.

          Leon certainly expects a great deal when he says that he'll go to Pearl Harbor, Philippines and then China or Japan.  That is probably all a good guess but if his unit is just forming I doubt whether anyone knows where they are going.  Out in the forward area one can't tell from one month to the next leave alone a whole tour of duty.

          I'll drop a note to Dr. Ivie first chance I get.  Mrs. Ivie is nice, why don't you try and get together with her some time.

          I figured the "Apostle" was a hand me down.  Ruth knows I don't care for that type of fiction and I knew she did.  Sorry about "Esquire," I'll say thank you properly next time I write.

          That note you sent to the banquet in my behalf is OK.  However before we do any contributing I'm going to wait to see results not plans.

          There must be some letter missing because you refer to Mr. Hansen's phone call but say nothing as to where he is or how he is feeling.  Guess it'll come in a day or so.

          Your plan for our new home is 4.0 with me, even the location.  As for my new office, it'll be a "killer-diller."  When we get our heads together we'll give them something to talk about.

          The party I mentioned was for officers on the Ocelot and two or three other ships as well.  Can't tell you any more about it.

          The movie last night was "House of Frankenstein." and when it was over they had revived and killed again, Dracula, the Frankenstein Monster and the Wolfman.  Not so good.  Tonight we have a real oldie, Carol Lombard in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" and it's just about time to go. So-----

          Goodnight darling, love and kisses to all my girls.

Your daddy,

Gil