Army Life is Rugged

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 27 June 1945, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello my darling, how are you tonight?  Last night's movie "Phantom Lady" was an oldie that we saw together. Franchot Tone is the villain who strangles people with ties, scarves etc. Another is accused and convicted of the crimes because his alibi disappears.  Do you remember it now?  Of course everything turned out right in the end.

          Guess taking a whole day off is a bad idea. I was quite busy all day today and didn't finish up until 3:30.  Then I went to the barber's for a haircut.  After a nice shower I crawled into my bunk.  In my skivvies I censored and read mail until 5:30 when I dressed for dinner.

          Because of some connections I was able to buy a case of coke (36 bottles) and a case of "Toddy" chocolate milk drink (24 cans).  The whole thing set me back $3.85.  Guess I can afford it.

          Today, I've been thinking more about Army life--it is really rugged.  They get rationed about one egg a week while we get all we want.  They live on hard cots in tents while I have a bunk with a box spring and mattress.  The water they drink is so highly chlorinated that the fumes hit you in the face when you raise your glass to your mouth; our water comes from distilling plants.  Fresh meat is a delicacy while on our ship we are able to store enough fresh food for one thousand men for three months and we reprovision more frequently than that.  There are so many other advantages to Navy over Army life that I often wonder why more men didn't try the Navy in preference to the Army.

          Our movie tonight is Judy Garland in "Presenting Lily Mars."  I don't remember seeing it.  No mail today so that is thirty for tonight.

          Goodnight my sweet until tomorrow when we'll meet (poetry!)

Love,

Gil

Toddy

1945 Coke Bottle?

Movies

Thrilling Day

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 26 June 1945, 6:45 PM

Dearest Darling,

          Hello my Sweet, here is that guy today.  Had quite a thrilling day.  I cancelled all my appointments and made plans with Dr. Law to look up Simmie.  An hour before we were to leave Sol walked in on me and was it good to see him.  His ship is quite a ways from where we are (fifteen miles).  He came over with someone who was on business, so he had to leave with him.  I'm going to find out how long his ship will be here and then plan as to when I'll go over to see him.  We visited for an hour.  Then my boat was alongside so we shoved off.

          We left at 9:45 and hit the beach at 10:30.  We walked through a small town and got out on the main highway.  We thumbed a ride and reached the 118th Hospital in about fifteen minutes.  We no more than walked through the gate, past the sentry when the first medical officer we ran into was Simmie.  Since I last saw him some thirteen years ago, he really hasn't changed much.   He has a little more weight on him which he well needed.

          We visited until noon and then had lunch with him.  After that we sat around at talked some more about old times and mutual acquaintances.

          We left at 1:30 and thumbed a ride thirty miles up the coast to another town.  From there we bummed a ride back to the ship arriving at 4:30.  All in all we covered about fifty miles.

          I've invited Simmie to be my guest aboard ship for a weekend.  He is going to try to make it the weekend after next.  Now that I've seen how the Army lives I'm twice as glad as I ever was that I was able to choose the Navy.  The food, comfort and working conditions in the Army are quite crude as compared with the clean, comfortable, well equipped shipboard life.  By the way it is now Captain Marcus and not lieutenant.  So much for that

          When we got back I showered.  Until chow time I relaxed in my bunk and censored mail.  After dinner I came down to my office and found two letters of the 17th and 18th awaiting me.

          Your report on Cappy and Edna needs no comment on my part.  By the way Simmie never did see Vic Spitzer as you reported.

          What shall I make for Ethyl? A bracelet like the one I sent you or one like I made for Linda.  I favor the shell bracelet, but I'll let you be the judge.

          What size film do I want?  Some 616 or 116 and some 35 mm.  Kodachrome (if available).  Otherwise some more black and white 35 mm. film.  Wrap the stuff in tin foil.  This heat is rough on film

          I really forgot all about Father's Day until I received all those beautiful cards from my three darlings and they were only one day late.  Pretty good timing.

          In many ways the Siegers are funny people but I do think that you'll have a nice time up there at Lake Arrowhead.  However I don't see why you should put up with Ruth, Babs, and probably Harry.  You don't owe them a thing and don't you forget it.

          I think tonight's movie is "Phantom Lady" and I don't' know who is in it.  I'll report on it tomorrow.

          In the meantime, my sweet, take it easy and don't let everything upset you.  Even if some people are thoughtless and forget you, there is one guy out here thousands of miles distant who loves you and thinks about you all the time (asleep or wake).

Yours as ever,

Gil

On this day Gil received the Philippine Liberation Ribbon but didn't mention it.

Work as Ship's Welfare Officer

Tuesday 5 September, 8:15 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Good morning my Sweet, how are you today?  Had liberty yesterday and spent all morning looking for a pin you would like.  Guess there "ain't no such animule."  They all know what I'm looking for but no one has any.  Returned to the ship for lunch and then Cox, Glass and Yours Truly went into town.  We dropped in on the Rikes whom I've mentioned before and they were as gracious as ever.  We drank and ate canapés all afternoon.  In fact we ate so much we didn't need dinner.  Got back to the ship about 9:30 and visited with the other officers in the ward room for an hour or so and then turned in.

          Got two letters from you yesterday.  You seem to have plenty to keep you busy.  Being welfare officer aboard this ship is giving me a little extra work to do.  This morning I must go out and purchase some supplies and equipment for the officers and crew recreation.  I just arranged for a gift for the kids, and Mrs. Rike promised to get it off for me within the next day or so.  I can't tell you why they are getting if off for me but may be able to later.

          Well dear, such is my routine.  Not much to do and yet not enough time to do things I'd like to do.  What are you going to do about teaching?  If you have to pay help $25 per week, I don't think substitute teaching would be worthwhile, considering how it would wear you out and such.  Again I say don't worry about the money.  If teaching will help occupy your time all right but we'll get by without the additional income.

          I didn't go to the movie last night--got back too late.  "Phantom Lady" with Franchot Tone was the feature.  We saw it together I believe.  If we didn't, see it when you get a chance but have someone with you to hold your hand (female preferred).  I'm way behind on my correspondence to everyone and will have to take a day off and write an original and a dozen duplicates to all.

          Nothing more now dear, take it easy and don't worry about me.

Love

Gil

Lt (j.g.) G. Steingart

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

 

Wrote Five Letters

United States Navy

 

Tuesday 1 February 1944

9:10 P.M.

Dearest,

          Went to the movie tonight and saw "Phantom Lady," an interesting psychological murder story.  Returned to my quarters at 8:30 and wrote a few letters--Ethel and Doc, "Wally," Bruce Stern, the Jaffes and the Lodge.  Five letters in an evening is quite a record for me but I expect to do the same each evening until I'm caught up.

          Now that I'm through I sure wish you were here for a little "diddle" or something.  And maybe Linda and Norma would want me to put them to the bed.  Well maybe sooner than I think we'll all be together again.  I hope.  Won't we have fun--you and I and the kids!

Love and kisses,

Gil