Buy G Bonds

Sunday 3 September 1944, 8:45 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just received your letter with a picture of Linda and am answering immediately.  I read and reread your lecture but good God Sweet there isn't a thing I can do about it.  Every time I write a longer letter and try to put something of interest in it the censor either cuts it or returns it to me for rewriting.  If some of you questions remain unanswered, remember I can't tell you everything.  For instance I can't say "I'm going to see "so and so." "so and so" denoting either a place or individual.  I can't say how long we may remain in any one place or even what's doing where we are.  Yet those permanently based here can do and say practically anything they like.  However after we leave here or after I see someone or do something then I may mention it, so please be patient.

          As for the insurance on the car, take out the same coverage we had the last year.  You ask what to do with the $725 from the Plymouth.  Buy a bond with it.  Not the series "E" though.  Get "G" I believe it is.  Anyway the same series as the $2,000.00 bond we purchased last.

          Yes dear we now have movies aboard nightly and I always attend except when on liberty.  I don't always mention the picture because some aren't worth mentioning.  Last night was a good one--you should see it. "The All American Romance," in color, with Brian Donlevy.  It ran for at least 2 1/2 hrs and held me every moment it showed.

          The reason I got my liberty fouled up was because the schedule had been changed and I was misinformed--so what.  Not much to do when I have liberty anyway.

          I had a long visit with the Captain yesterday and we are planning recreation for the crew.  As soon as it comes of it I'll tell you all about it.

          So you want me to spend at least 10 minutes a day writing to you.  Darling every letter I've written has taken at least 30 minutes. If there were more to write about I'd gladly take many times more time.

          I showed off Linda's newest picture at breakfast (the time the letter arrived).  The tropical background and the color brought forth many complimentary remarks.  I'd almost forgotten how big Linda was getting but the picture refreshed my mind.  Please take snaps of yourself and the kids and send them on regularly.

          I must be off now.  Have to see the Captain about some arrangements to be made.  Don't be blue Sweet.  I do love you and think about you all the time.

Missing you always

Gil

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot
FPO San Francisco

           

Liberty in Honolulu

Wednesday 23 August 1944, 11:00 PM

My Darling,

          Went on liberty yesterday.  Joined the Officers Club for $1.00 and got a ration of whiskey.  Had lunch there and ran into Barney Silver, Leon's friend.  Bummed around downtown, had a few drinks, did some window shopping and returned to the ship. We really got pie-eyed, played the accordion, sang and raised hell until I literally poured myself into my bunk.  Today I have what is known as a hang-over, but a good one.  However I'm not sorry. I felt like it and I got it out of my system now--yep even the alcohol.

          Worked all morning on some men from another ship and saw three patients this afternoon as well.

censored

Will tell you all about it tomorrow.  Got three more letters yesterday and three today.  You say I sound homesick--well why not with you and the kids so many miles away.  I have some gifts in mind for you and the kids but may not be able to send them until we leave this place--censorship! Wish I could say we are returning soon--so far we are waiting.  As I wrote you before, several weeks may elapse before anything happens and then where we go is still too remote to even hazard a guess although it looks like we'll be heading west.

          Gosh honey, as I sat out on deck and looked at the millions of stars in the sky and felt the cool breeze blowing in from the hills, I went back to past years when we enjoyed beautiful spots together.  Dear, when this is over we'll enjoy many, many such things together.  I wish I could just pour out of these pages the love I have for you in my heart but you know me--all I can say is I love you! Repeat many more times.  Not enough room.

          No darling there is nothing I need that I can't buy here.  There are many large department stores and a large Sears.  Sell the Plymouth for whatever Bob gives you. Within reason, of course.  Heard the war news this evening and things are really popping.  Maybe this will be over even sooner than we dared to hope and I'll come home to stay.  Anyway, there's going to be a hot time in the Steingart domicile when I return.  Wish I could save all your letters but room is something there isn't much of.  You save mine and I'll use it as a refresher when I return and tell you all about things and such.

          Good night my Sweet.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Your loving husband,

Gil

P.S. Had to cut out where I was going on liberty.  You might know where I am as if you didn't.

Gil

Peaceful Pacific Misbehaved

 

7 August 1944, At Sea

Hello My Sweet,

          How are you today?  Let's you and "Butch" and "Stinky" and I all get together and go someplace together.  Well now let's see, I can't join you but for the next few minutes you can be with me.

          As I wrote you yesterday the peaceful Pacific misbehaved a little and continued misbehaving all night long.  We had lots of sick men on board and "lots" went overboard too.  As far as I'm concerned my appetite couldn't be improved on unless it gets considerably rougher--then who can tell.

          However this morning "lady" Pacific was much quieter and by now all should be feeling much better.  I visited with our navigator and watched him chart our course.

          Did you write to Dave about the Plymouth?  Don't stall!  Get rid of it if he hasn't found a buyer by now.

          My office is a mess.  There are some pipe lines running through it and some work was done on them.  These ship fitters must have been plumbers before they joined the Navy--what a mess.  However all is secure now and tomorrow I'll resume work.

          Ate the usual breakfast.  For dinner we had barbecued spareribs and sauerkraut with the usual salad, coffee, and dessert. 

          So my darlings, we did have a few moments together.  Bye till tomorrow.

Your loving Daddy

Lt (j.g.) G. Steingart

Celebrating Our Flat

Wednesday 29 March 1944,  1110 o'clock

Dear Eleanor,

          How are you this morning?  I'm just taking it easy.  Hope it is nice and quiet Saturday, then I'll be able to get away real early.  I'm going to met Deb and Dave in Oceanside and leave the Plymouth there.  Dave is going to drive their car this week.

          Went to the meeting last night and then we had a few drinks.  I really felt like celebrating now that we have a place in Diego.  I'm going down at noon today to a deposit and thus make the cheese more binding.

          Instead of the $2.25 dinner at the meeting, we ate at the Saddlerock Grill last night.  'til tomorrow.  

Love,

Gil

P.S. Get rid of these gas coupons I picked up.

Gil