Extra Whiff of Gas

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Friday 31 August 1945, 10:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet.  It is the end of another month.  One of these days, the end of the month will be the time for sending out statements and paying bills.  Will I love it!

          Had another busy morning but had nothing to do in the afternoon, field day you know.  So I read for awhile and then showered and dressed for dinner.  After that a little cribbage until movie time and after that here I am.  Tonight's movie was "Salome, Where She Danced."  She wasn't a bad little number but the movie itself stank.  Guess we can't have everything, can we?

          I got letters from you marked the 22nd and 24th and one from my mother.  I still haven't written anyone.  I owe practically everyone.  One of these days I'll get ambitious and catch up.

          Your letter of the 22nd was the letter Libby sent to you, so there isn't much for me to say there.  She is really worried about Nat though she doesn't write like she is.  At least that is my impression.

          I'm glad the Bergmans arrived. Now you'll company until you leave Lake Arrowhead.

          Tell "I" he has a refund coming.  He gets an extra whiff of gas the next time I work on him.

          I really haven't thought too much about an office.  I'll be back in the states with time to serve in the Navy.  That'll give me a chance to look around.  At least that's the way I've got it doped out now.

          Censorship has not been lifted as yet but as soon as it is I'll have lots to tell you.

          In the meantime darling keep hoping and maybe one day real soon the happy news that I'm coming home will become a reality.  Night my love until tomorrow.

Devotedly,

Gil

Need a Piano Tuner

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 6 August 1945, 10:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another day, another dollar or so the saying goes.  About 11:30 last night the medical officer we've been looking for arrived and this morning Cox's relief also showed up.  Now Dr. Bushyager and Dr. Law are waiting to see who moves.  Bushyager hopes he'll go back to the states as he has eighteen months out.  It won't make any difference to Law.  If he leaves here he'll get another assignment out here.  Well, we'll wait and see.

          I worked all morning as usual and this afternoon. I took a picket boat for a run into town to see about a USO show.  I've got one scheduled for Friday night provided I can find a piano tuner in the meantime.  I've got a line on a couple but I won't know definitely until tomorrow.

          I got back to the ship at 4:30, reported to the captain and retired to my room.  Took a shower and then censored mail and read until time for dinner.  After chow we played cribbage until movies and now here I am.

          I got two letters, a copy of the Outlook and some Navy literature.  So the visitors were uninteresting?  I'm sorry they had to spoil an evening for you.

          My mother's report about Nat's office is surprising.  Now is the time to make money and it can't be done under a set-up such as his.  Somehow I can't feel about things as Jimmie does.  Maybe I'll feel different when I'm closer to the activities.  I feel I'm doing an important and necessary job and though our separation has been a long one we'll make up for it later and in many ways.

          Of course Ruth wants Leon to be there for Harry's 50th.  However if she's going to make such a fuss about it how can she ask everyone to go Dutch.  What's the matter?  Did Harry lose a couple of thousand in the market?  Gosh she's tight.

          Yes dear we got the dope on the plane crash into the Empire State.  As a matter of fact we have a very complete newspaper that comes out every night.

          Tonight's movie was old and lousy.  "Barbary Coast" with Edward G. Robinson, Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea.

          That is thirty for tonight so I'll sign off. Pleasant dreams my Darling.

Love

Gil

Time Magazine article about Ulithi, dated August 6, 1945.

The Movie

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

Navy Changes Its Mind Just Like a Woman

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 22 January 1945, 9:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just got back from another 4.0 movie.  We had "From the Bowery to Broadway" a musical with Maria Montez, Jack Oakie and several other stars.  See it, it's entertaining.

          The mailman was good to me today and brought me nine letters.  There were six from you, a letter from Deb and two birthday cards--one from Libby and Nat and one from Loretta.

          Now to your letters.  They're postmarked the 7th, 9th and 12th which still leaves the 11th and 12th to come plus whatever comes after the 13th.  Packages are still coming through so here's hoping I get mine soon.

          First darling, don't get you heart set on my being home in three months.  You know the Navy changes its mind just like a woman.  My chances still look good but still there is always the possibility that____.  Also if we did return in three months it would take somewheres between twenty days and a month's sailing time to get back to civilization. So be patient and hope for the best, but please don't work yourself up into what could turn out as a big disappointment.

          Glad Dave made corporal but Deb writes he's in the "line" which means he is due for overseas duty and that aint good.  I don't know what instructions Dave can give Sol.  For the amount of time Sol has been in he has progressed further than Dave. I bet he comes out of this war with the higher rate.

          Don't feel badly about my not hearing from you daily.  I still hold the record amongst the officers for the most mail and when I do get any it is always a stack.

          I don't know what more to say about Arrowhead except wait and see.

          The Willie, Wally,and Mary story is interesting but it isn't new except that now that Mary caught up with Willie the cat is out of the bag so the cat (Willie) may as well play.  What surprises me is that his health stands up to it all.

          Yes dear by the time I get home it should be Lieutenant without the j.g.  I hardly know what to ask for as a gift from Libby.  "Coronet" would be nice but it really doesn't matter.

          I'm glad to hear about Abe Weinberg.  He is a bright chap and should go far in the Navy and out.  Right now they are crying for men in certain fields for additional training. Many men are really getting terrific training at no expense to themselves and it will stand them in good stead after the war.  There is just one catch.  I doubt very much whether these fellows who are getting all this training will be released.  It is my guess that they will be kept on for many years.

          Enjoyed your report on the installation.  Next year we have a date to attend it together.

          The Arnerichs, Paul and Vincent are brothers.  One graduated in '31 and one in '32.  They are both in the Navy one being stationed at the hospital in San Diego and the other out here.

          Don't stop sending packages or mail.  Goodness gal. That was scuttlebutt and it depends entirely on the progress of certain military campaigns.  Besides if we return, mail will always go to our next port and held there until we arrive.  So, take it easy and keep those panties on.  I'll take them of personal-like when I get there.

          No more for now so good night my Sweet and pleasant dreams.

Loving you always,

Gil