Gold Braid

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 6 July 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweetheart, here I am again after another day.  I had a very busy morning and then after lunch I had six more patients to take care of.  Then I repaired to my bunk, censored mail and finished "Strange Women."  If you haven't read it do so.  I think you'll enjoy it.

          After a refreshing shower I dressed for dinner and then played cribbage.  Now here I am.

          The mail brought me six letters, five from you and one from Sam Kahn.  Naturally I always enjoy your letters but today's made me doubly happy simply because I read that you got over you nervousness and are generally in better spirits.

          The color scheme of our house sounds quite nice.  I'm sure that you are quite able to choose colors without my expert (?) help.

          I'm expecting Simmie over tomorrow.  He was supposed to drop me a line confirming our date.  Maybe the letter was delayed, so I'll meet the boat he is supposed to come over on.

          Yes Dear I really get more mail than anyone I know of.  In a letter to the Fleet Dental Officer, I've already indicated where I'd like my next duty to be. He asked for that and other information.

          So Norma was indisposed again.  It doesn't sound like much and I hope there is no more trouble.  You've had enough.

          It does sound like the Siegers just had a change of heart or mind about having you along for a month at Lake Arrowhead.  However, I hope something does work out and if not maybe I'll be home soon enough to make it up to you.

          Enewetok was our stop over between Pearl Harbor and Ulithi.  Regulations now permit saying where you were thirty days after you leave the place.  This is a new rule. I just overlooked telling you, but now you know.  Did you find it on a map?  It's in the Marshall Group.

          It certainly is a surprise about Mike and I'm glad it isn't Berger's Disease.  That is incurable while arteriosclerosis can be counteracted by diet and no overexertion or excitement.

          I like the photos you sent although the minicolors certainly aren't worth $1.00 each.

          We have a good movie tonight, "Tonight and Every Night" with Rita Hayworth and Janet Blair.

          In one of you recent letters you asked about changing the braid in my blues.  Okay, go ahead and do it.  Have two full strips put on the uniform I left with you and send the full stripe that is on the suit now to me. No gold braid is available out here.   I'll have it put on the blues I have with me.  That way the braid will match better on both suits.

          So my love, another day comes to an end.  Another day less for our separation.  Won't they be happy days when we are all together again?

          Goodnight Darling, I'll dream of you and us tonight.

Loving you always,

Gil

         

Corpsman Takes Care of Prophys

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 23 June 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello my darling, how is my sweet wife tonight?  Today was another typical work day.  I was busy all morning.  I've got my afternoons booked up with prophys; my corpsman takes care of those so that gives me a little extra time.  However I'm afraid it is just a lull before the storm and soon I'll be as busy as I ever was.

          I read a short but interesting book this afternoon. "The Postman Rings Twice" by James B. Cain, the author of "Double Indemnity."  The next book on my list is by Thorne Smith, "The Passionate Witch."  These are both from a shipment of thirty-six books the library received.  I choose my reading matter before I break the books into the library.  Once they get into circulation it's hard to keep up with them.

          Today I got two letters postmarked the 16th, one from Ruth and one from your mother.  Guess I'll get yours of the 15th and 16th tomorrow.

          After dinner tonight we played cribbage as usual.  Then we went to the movies.  We had an oldie, "You Were Never Lovelier" with Rita Hayworth, Fred Astaire, and Adolph Monjou.  Quite good even a second time.  Of course it's so old I couldn't remember a thing about it.

          There will be some changes made in our set up soon and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  No one knows what's going to happen because the Admiral isn't here yet.  Here's hoping.

          There is no more for now Darling, so I'll sign off.  Goodnight my Sweet.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Yours always,

Gil

Oral Surgery Technique

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 3 May 1945, 7 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Honey, here is that man again.  I had another very busy day but I wasn't pushed for time and so I'm not tired.  You'd be surprised how much new oral surgery technique I've learned and other operative procedures as well.  There is one surgical procedure in particular that I never attempted in civilian life.  The first time I did in the Navy it took me an hour and I really "botched" job.  Now I can do the same thing in fifteen to twenty minutes and am getting beautiful results.  This is one time when my serving in the Navy isn't a liability.

          Today has been another of those, hot, tropical, breezeless days. It's a good thing I'm busy because then I don't notice it at all.  This evening the sun set in a real blaze of glory.  I have never seen such vivid colored skies before, not even in movies or painting.  It is just past description.

          Even though the Andrews Sisters were excellent, last night's movie, "Her Lucky Night" was another stinkeroo.  Tonight we have an oldie but a good one, "Cover Girl" with Ann Sheridan or is it Rita Hayworth?

          The mail brought me a lone letter from Miss Davis except now she is a Mrs.

Her boyfriend, a Marine, finally came back and they got married.  I wrote her when I first shipped out and she just answered.  What a honeymoon!  Anyway her hubby is stationed in El Centro and naturally she is with him.

          No more gossip or news for tonight.  By the time you get this letter Germany should have surrendered and then we can really go to work on the Japs.  I frankly don't think they'll last a year.

          Goodnight my Sweet.  Keep that chin up and a smile on your face.  I do love you and miss you.  Why talk about it and make you and me feel bad.  Pleasant dreams.

Your lover,

Gil

Arranged for Gas and Light

Tuesday 4 April 1944, 1800 o'clock

Hello My Sweet,

          One day closer to our new life in San Diego.  This business has got me to the point of becoming absent minded.  I almost forgot to write.

          Went down at noon today and arranged for the gas and light.  I'll have to leave the keys with one of the neighbors because there is no way of telling what time of the day the utility man will be down.

          Saw "Cover Girl" with Rita Hayworth last night and really enjoyed it.  Lots of good singing and dancing routines.  No plans for tonight though we are thinking tentatively of having dinner out.

          How about the house rental?  Anything happen?  I hope you don't have to turn it over to an agent.  It's too much money to give away.  Guess we'll have to do the best we can.

          My corpsman gave me a one way ticket from San Diego to San Francisco.  I'll use it to come home on if no ride turns up.  Nothing has.  You'd better not expect me on Saturday 'til rather late.

Love,

Gil