The Navy Way

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 9 April 1945, 7:25 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Had my usual busy morning but was all secured by 11:15 AM. The mail man brought me a letter from you and one from Dave.

          After lunch I got a boat and went over to a hospital ship to see about some prosthetic treatment for one of my patients. Then I went ashore for a few beers.

          I got back to the ship at 5:45 just in time for dinner.  I ate chow, visited with the skipper and here I am.

          Some of my questions of yesterday are now answered.  Sorry the Seder was dull.  Naturally you'd expect somewhat of a fashion show at the dinner.  Betty and Oscar can give each other loving glances but when I get back we'll omit the glances. Is it a deal? OK!

          I'll look for the snaps you mention.  I hope there are some of you in the next batch.

          The movie tonight is "The Navy Way" and is supposed to be excellent (I hope).

          I am really slightly high so I'd better sign off. Goodnight my Sweet until tomorrow.  

Loving you always,

Your loving husband,

Gil

         

          

Turkey Dinner Topped Off With Ice Cream

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco

Sunday 8 April 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today being Sunday I had planned to take it easy.  However others had different ideas about it and I had the usual busy morning. 

          This afternoon, after getting my mess statement and some recreation gear requisitions squared away, I took it easy.  Messed around polishing some shells and then read for a while.  At 5:15 I showered and dressed for dinner.

          We had a good dinner of turkey with all the trimmings and topped it off with ice cream.  Then we went out on deck and enjoyed the cool breeze (for a change) and the usual unusual sunset. 

          The mail today brought two letters from you and one from my mother.  Sounds like the B'nai B'rith had a nice meeting and I'm glad you enjoyed it.  So Edith and Bill are engaged?  Well what do you know? Was it expected or not?

          Babs seems to have had quite a siege of illness.  I do hope the kid has completely recovered by now.

          Did you enjoy your trip to Arrowhead?  What luck?

          The war news does sound good and I believe that the Japs will quit by June of next year. I expect to be home long before that and plan to celebrate the final peace with my sweet wife and kids.

          Did you and the kids enjoy the Temple Seders?  I suppose I'll get all the answers to my question in due time.

          There will be no "if and when" about babies.  We've got our family and now we'll have fun. OK? OK?

          Tonight we have a double feature movie.  First we have "Double Exposure," a mystery and "Let's Go Steady," a musical.  They are rated as good so I'm not expecting too much.

          Darling, will you send me a package of art corners for mounting the snaps in my album.  I started with red ones so please get that color if possible.

          There is nothing more for now. So--- good night Honey.  I love you.  I do mean you.  See you tomorrow.

Yours alone

Gil

Boxing

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 25 March 1945, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling, here I am again.  Today for a change I put in an honest day's work. I saw eight patients this morning and two more this afternoon.  Besides that I spent some time digging out additional information for my annual and quarterly reports. Now the Dental Corps has more control over its administration. Seeing as I am the senior dental officer aboard I have more reports to make out (ahem!).  It's a good thing there aren't any more dental officers or I'd probably be junior.

          I was beginning to run low on shorts so I bought a half dozen more today (35 cents each).  It has been raining or threatening to rain all day so I spent my leisure time in my room reading and censoring mail.

          There was no mail today for a change.  I do wish the service would settle down so that I'd get one or two letters every day instead of all at one time.  Well, I shouldn't complain, I still get more than most aboard this ship.

          It's hard to realize that next week is Passover.  All days are alike and as a matter of fact I'd never know it was Sunday except the chaplain is around.  Talking about chaplains, one has been assigned to our ship and I'm looking for him to arrive most any time now.  Won't I be glad.  Then the job of Welfare Officer and Librarian will be taken away from me and given to someone who has the time and training to do a real job of it and at the same time give me more opportunity to do what I'm here to do.

          We finally got a boxing ring built on one of the hatches.  While we are waiting for the chaplain, I'll try and promote some bouts before movies.

          By the way, in one of the letters yesterday you asked if I wanted some fruits and nuts.  I've still got some left and have been laying off them because I've gained a couple pounds lately.  There isn't much chance for exercise but I still eat two meals a day and even that seems too much.  So the answer is "no thank you."

          The movie tonight is "Fighting Lady" a picture about the carrier, "Yorktown."  It is very much like the movie we saw of the flying fortress "The----Belle." I can't remember the rest of the name.  We saw it in Diego together.  Also it is rated as excellent.

          I'm going to sign off now.  Good night, my love, my Sweet.  Till tomorrow with love and kisses.

Yours alone,

Gil