Prisoners at Large

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Sunday, 26 August 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today was Sunday and I really took a day off.  During the USO show on Friday night two PALs (prisoners at large) broke into our armory, stole some guns and ammunition, commandeered a VP and headed for the beach.  One gave himself up yesterday and the other was apprehended on the beach last night.  This morning we sent a picket boat with an armed guard to bring the prisoner back, and I went along for the ride.

          By the time we got back it was 11:30 so I had just enough time to wash up before chow.  Then at 12:30 my tug arrived and "Buzz" Brosseau, the supply officer who relieved Tom Glass, and I shoved off for the beach and a few beers.  After a couple of drinks we thumbed a ride over to the 118th General Hospital and visited with Simmie.  He and a lot of others there have orders to go up to Japan and are leaving soon.  Bet he beats me up there.

          At five we boarded our boat and arrived at the Ocelot at 6:00 PM just in time for a scrumptious turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

          Then to the movies.  Tonight we had a real oldie, "It Happened One Night" with Gable and Colbert.  Everyone enjoyed it.

          The only news today is that Jack Hartfield, our skipper, has his relief aboard.  He hadn't received his orders this morning, but I think he's gotten them since then.  I haven't had a chance to ask him.  Anyway he should be leaving in a week or so.

          Well here's hoping that maybe my relief will pop up one day real soon and that when my orders do come I can up and leave.  It sure beats waiting around for weeks or months as Cox did.

          The mail brought me a sweet card from you and a letter from Libby.  I haven't "pinned up" anything Sweet.  And of course I'm thinking of you and only you.

          No more for now Darling.  So goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Happy Anniversary

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 26 July 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello darling, this is station G-I-L on the air bringing you news and views in far off lands.

          Today has been a scorcher and the weather man predicts no relief in sight.  Light showers followed by more sunshine and high humidity will add to the discomfort of local inhabitants.

          On the war front no activity to report but the local dental officer is just as busy as ever.

          Although a day late the baker aboard the Ocelot surprised the dental officer with a decorated cake saying "Happy Anniversary Dr. and Mrs. Steingart."  The cake was served with ice cream at dinner in the ship's wardroom.

          That is thirty for tonight, Station G-I-L signing off.  Goodnight.

          Well dear, that is the news for today.  I was really surprised when the cake was brought to me. I took a picture of it.  As soon as the roll is shot and developed I'll send it on to you.

          The Navy announced its point system for separation from the service but actually all they're doing is retiring overage men.  Another system will undoubtedly be announced later on.

          I just messed around all afternoon, showered and censored mail before dinner and after eating played cribbage.

          Last night about fifteen officers went ashore and though I looked for Simmie at the Club I didn't find him.  Anyway we all got pretty tight and returned safely to the ship about midnight.

          Tonight's movie is "Twice Blessed" but I don't know a thing about it.  No more for now so I'll say good night Sweet. I love you.

Yours forever

Gil

Day of Rest

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 22 July 1945, 10:50 PM

Dearest Eleanor,   

          Sunday, a day of rest at home.  So just to make things more like home beginning today no appointments except emergencies.

          Nothing to do all morning except read.  I also wrote a letter to Uncle Bill.  I'm way behind in my correspondence again so soon I'll just have to take a day off to catch up.

          I failed to mention that we had a new officer report aboard to replace Jim Lyons.  His name is Brossears. He is married; his wife lives in Oakland.  He and I went ashore today.  I told Simmie when I saw him on Friday that I'd be over this morning.  Well we didn't get there until 3:00 PM and he had gone down to the beach.  I left him a note and may see him Wednesday night.  Anyway we went back to the club and had a few drinks.  At five o'clock our boat picked us up and we returned to the ship.  I had just enough time to shower and freshen up before dinner after which we played our regular game of cribbage until movie time.  We had a real oldie today but everyone enjoyed it.  "Mutiny on the Bounty" was the cinema.

          I got three letters today and since I've already received later mail, most of the stuff you write about has already been hashed over by me.

          In spite of what Leon told you, orders come from the Bureau. Even he said in his letter that he wouldn't be surprised to get orders to ship out.

          I've written to Libby about my mother and should be hearing from her soon.  Anyway it won't do any good worrying about it.  We'll just have to wait and see.

          Sorry you didn't enjoy the Fleisher party.  I still think you would have been more miserable had you stayed at home.  Every chance you get to go out, do so. 

          Sweet I never was chaplain.  I'm welfare officer which is the chaplain's job.  Being chaplain is a full time job.  I'm still a dentist, remember?  Yes I'm still librarian. But now that everything is squared away, the enlisted man who runs it for me does all the work and I retain the title.

          I guess the mess treasurer's job is mine until I leave.  When I was first appointed we only fed eighteen officers.  Now we have seventy regular members and have better than two hundred guests each month.  The captain insists there is no one else for the job so I'm stuck.

          About the linens you mention; all I've seen are bridge table size.  As I've mentioned before, the Japs took everything they could and destroyed what they left behind.  Where we are now there is no industry or agriculture so fancy linens are not obtainable.

          Our strange honeymoon sounds intriguing.  All night long with my big girl and all day with all of my girls should keep me quite busy. I will love it!

          Well Darling, I'm getting sleepy and I've run out of things to say so goodnight until tomorrow.

Yours always,

Gil

The Eighteen Officers

The Movie

The Letter

Ashore

Heat Saps

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 20 July 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello my Sweet, here I am again.  I had my usual busy morning but this afternoon being field day I had no appointments and had all the time to myself.

          Several officers were going over to the beach on business so I tagged along.  Just as we hit the beach it began to blow and rain like I've never seen before.  We gathered at the club and drank beer until the squall abated and then we all went our own ways.  I went out on the highway and thumbed a ride to the hospital where Simmie is stationed and visited with him for an hour.  Then I returned to the club to meet the others.  I had time for two more beers before we were all present.  We shoved off but didn't quite make the first sitting of the wardroom and had to wait until 6:30 to eat.  That gave me plenty of time to shower and clean up before chow and now here I am.

          I got six letters today.  Three were from you, my darling. There was one each from Ethyl, Leon and Libby.  Now here goes.

          I do hope all you Lake Arrowhead plans come off smoothly now.  Another disappointment would be too much.

          I really feel okay and though my letters are short you shouldn't interpret that to mean I'm low and discouraged.  Of course there is nothing to cheer about.  I really do miss you and the kids.  Yet I am safe and have as many comforts as one could expect and I am doing the work I like.  However the heat is terrific and it does sap a fellow's enthusiasm and pep.

          I'm really hoping and planning to be with you on your birthday.  Next month I'll send in my request for my next assignment.  We'll just have to be patient, wait, and see.

          From the amount of time you've spent cleaning, the house sure must have been a mess when the painters and floor men were finished.  I hope you didn't overdo.  You know that another day more or less wouldn't make any difference.

          Tonight's movie is "China Sky" with Randolph Scott and is supposed to be good.
          I just had my next correspondence course lesson typed up and after I've edited it, I'll send it off.

          That is all the dope for tonight honey so I'll sign off.  Goodnight Sweetheart and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

The Hottest Day

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 19 July 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          It was a good thing I wrote to you when I did yesterday.  After dinner last night at 6:30, we left the ship and went ashore on a tug.  It's been eight months since I'd been ashore at night for a few drinks and relaxation.  The change was most enjoyable. I'll have to do it more often.  It was past twelve when we got back.  I was a wee bit high and turned in immediately.

          The club we went to is very close to the hospital that Simmie is at. The club has dancing every Wednesday night.  There were about fifty nurses, all escorted, and about four hundred officers.  Every other dance was a tag dance.  I danced twice and gave up.  I couldn't get half way around the floor before someone else cut it.  I'm not that hard up for a woman in my arms yet.  At least not any woman.  Now if a girl named Eleanor were there it would have been different.  However, as I said before, being off the ship in the evening was nice for a change.  We are planning to go over more often.

          Today has been the hottest I've experienced since we left the States.  I was busy all morning with patients.  This afternoon I got hold off a picket boat and ran into town to book another USO show for our ship.  The round trip took one and a half hours and I was ashore for about an hour.  By the time I got back my face was all tanned from the sun.  Where my cap covered my forehead I have a white patch.

          Before I dressed for dinner, I went to my room, showered, censored mail, and read.  After dinner, we played cribbage and here I am.

          There were no letters for me today but I did receive the package you sent with earrings, coffee drops and B'nai B'rith Bulletins.  I also received the May "Temple Tattler."

          We have been barren of any scuttlebutt lately although a change is still pending.  I'll probably have my orders before that transpires.

          The movie tonight is a western, entitled "Utah," with Roy Rogers.  We also have two shorts.

          And that is thirty for tonight.  Goodnight my Sweet, I'll see you in my dreams.  That'll have to do me until we're together again.  In the meantime, with love and kisses for all my three girls, I am still

Your loving husband,

Gil


Crew and Nurses in the Phillipines

Deadly Routine

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 17 July 1945, 7:15 PM

My Dearest,

          What a hot day this has been.  I worked all morning and then saw three patients after lunch.  I had practically decided to go ashore for a few beers but when I came up on deck it was so blasted hot that I couldn't see going ashore at all.

          Instead I visited with the skipper up in his cabin and found a shady spot with a little breeze on the bridge.  After awhile I wandered down to the wardroom where I chewed the fat with several others.  My room was too hot so I went down to my office, turned the fan on the operating chair.  I sat there and read comic books until 5:15 when I showered and dressed for dinner.

          After chow we had the regular cribbage game. We finished a little earlier tonight hence I'm writing before the movie.

          The picture tonight should be good if it is anything like the book.  "Saratoga Trunk" is the movie.

          All in all today was the usual exciting (?) day.  This routine is deadly.  I can see why men crack up out here.  Keeping busy is the best bet and I manage fairly well.

          For the whole day on Sunday, I've been promised a picket boat for my own use.  The boat is as large as the Spivak's boat and has two engines instead of one.  I'm planning to run over to see Simmie and then over to look around a club about fifteen miles away. This boat is smooth riding and I hope Simmie comes along.  Of course this all depends on the weather and certain priorities but I've gotten a similar boat before without trouble and should be able to do so again.

          I got a letter from you and one from my mother, both dated July 7.  Others have gotten mail through the 10th and from the East coast.  So I bet I'll get a stack tomorrow.

          I'm glad Dave made the grade.  As I explained in a previous letter, I just hope that this won't keep him in after the war. Anyway the training is very rugged and he may wash out at any time prior to the six month deadline.

          No more for now Sweet so I'll sign off.  Goodnight Honey.   Remember that even though the days seem to drag, every day brings us closer together.  See you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

God is My Co-Pilot

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 15 July 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello honey, here I am once more.  Today being Sunday I only worked a half day.  In the early afternoon I spent a couple of hours and finished the trinket I'm sending you for our eleventh anniversary.  Do you remember many years ago when I made a ring for you and gave it to you on your birthday?  Wish I could give you this gift in person but I'll postpone collecting the kiss for a couple of months more.

          The mail brought me two letters from you, one from your mother, a box of figs and dates from Uncle Bill, and a dental magazine.  Not Bad! Now to your letters.

          What's the deal with Betty?  Is she staying on or leaving?

           The best thing that could happen to Dick would be for him to be transferred to some base at some distance from any city with no car available.  If he's purposely running himself down he'll have a rude awakening one of these days.  The old body will take so much and no more.  Guess he's too young and irresponsible to realize.

          I'll try to run over to see Simmie again someday this coming week, probably Friday.

          No.  At the meeting, I didn't run into any doctors that I knew from home or school.  All the men in this group seem to be from Chicago and the East Coast.  God alone knows where some of the men are that are out this way.

          I enjoyed the stories you sent me.  I just finished reading "Anna and the King of Siam" but darned if I can remember the authoress' name.  Now I'm reading Joe E Brown's "Your Boy and Mine."  Both are interesting and worth reading.

          After dinner tonight we played cribbage as usual and when we finished we were greeted by a terrific downpour.  It rained so hard that you couldn't see more than a couple of feet in front of you.  Anyway I got out of my regular clothes and changed into a rain outfit I have.  It consists of a rubber overall that ties around the ankles and a rubber slipover jacket with a hood to cover your head.  With that gear on it could rain and rain and I'd never even get damp.  Anyway by the time the two shorts were over it had quieted down considerably but it is still raining.  The movie was "God is My Co-Pilot" with Dennis Morgan and was quite good.

          I'm enclosing a new item from the ship's paper that was interesting.  Anything with sex involved is interesting out here.

          Enough drivel for now so I'll sign off.  Goodnight my Darling, I'll see you in my dreams.

Loving you always

Gil

Spirits

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 8 July 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, I hope you are still feeling well and keeping real busy.  Simmie had seen last night's movie and didn't wish to see it again. But he insisted I go while he took a nap.  After the movie we went up to the wardroom, had cokes, and sat and talked until 11:00 PM and then turned in.

          This morning I ate a regular breakfast to keep Simmie company, and besides, I always had breakfast at home on Sunday.  Then I saw a few patients while Simmie read some magazines.  Then mail came. I got an Esquire, two letters from you, one from your mother and one from Mary Regan.  We read and loafed around until lunch time. After eating I saw Simmie off on the ferry to the beach.

          Now to your mail.  I'm worried about Norma's bilious attacks. Does she take after her mother?  I wish you'd take her over to Sieger's office and have him check her over.

          You are entirely too sensitive.  The Steins were seldom guests at our home.  Their interests and ours were always different.  They are still as good friends as we have in Santa Monica.

          I don't know why you wish to make yourself miserable losing weight.  You look OK to me in those snaps you sent. You could stand a smile on your face, but I'll attend to that later, personally.

          Trying to have a boy long distance is impossible anyway so I won't discuss it now.  You'll have to wait until I come home.

          We have a good movie (I hope) tonight.  It is "Colonel Blimp" and is 18 reels.  Hope it doesn't drag.

          So ends another week.  One week less for us to be apart.  Sweetheart I sure do miss you and hope we'll be together again soon.

          No more for now so I'll sign off.  Goodnight Darling.  Try to be in good spirits.

I love you as always

Gil

           

Poor Guy Got Seasick

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 7 July 1945, 7:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Here I am again my sweet. As usual I had a busy morning.  After lunch I wrote Libby a letter about Mother and we'll see what'll happen.

          At 1:30 I met the ferry boat coming from the beach and sure enough Simmie was aboard.  He was starved so I took him up to the wardroom and fixed him up with some chow.  Then we took a boat and went over to the Officers' Club.  Poor guy, he got seasick going over and coming back though it was really calm out today.  Anyway we had a couple of drinks and got back to the ship at 6:00 PM.  Simmie lay down in my bunk until 6:30 and then we went up for dinner.  Now he is reading in my bunk while I'm writing this letter.

          There is no mail to answer so there isn't much more to say.  Tonight's movie is a mystery "Circumstantial Evidence."

          I just had a patient come over from another ship so I'll sign off because I want to get to the movie on time.

          No more.  So goodnight Darling.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

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

         

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.