Aboard Ship A Quart of Whiskey Sold for $36.00

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 25 December 1944, 9:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          After the movie last night, "Kismet" with Ronald Colman and Marlene Dietrich I went to my room and finished "Strange Fruit."  There were several parties on board but with you so far away I really had nothing to celebrate.  So I went to bed early and awoke without a headache which is more than most of the officers did.

          Just had juice and coffee for breakfast.  This being Xmas I didn't keep any office hours.  By various and devious methods I got two quarts of grain alcohol and spiked the egg nog for dinner.  The drink was so good that no one knew anything was in it until afterwards.  The captain and the exec had one each and still don't know it was spiked.  Further, just before dinner, I called all the corpsmen and a few officers.  I gave each a shot. I bought the stuff in Pearl. Is it valuable!  Right on our ship a quart of whiskey sold for $36.00.  I was tempted to sell the three pints I had. However I preferred using a quart as I did today and save the rest for New Year's Eve.  What is money anyway?  I'm enclosing the menu and it was really good.  All the food was set out buffet style, and we ate all we could hold.

          Spent the afternoon resting, reading and weaving.  I'm going to make identical bracelets for you and our girls.  At least I started something but I won't know until I'm further along.  Anyway, we'll see.

          For supper tonight we just had cold cuts of turkey and ham left over with the necessary trimmings, but who could eat? 

          After eating we had a good, old fashioned song fest.  And when movie time came they just wouldn't stop singing until the captain came down to see the picture.  The movie was a riot.  It was the "Dough Girls" with Ann Sheridan, Alexis Smith and Jane Wynn.  It is one of the most hilarious pictures we've seen and was just the thing to cap Xmas for men away from home. 

          No mail today so I have little more to add.  Dear, do you remember how in past Xmas nights, the whole family came over for a drink, to view of our tree and to see our two darlings.  Next year business as usual for the Steingarts.

          Dr. Bushyager got a recording from home and I can hear him playing it now.  His wife and little girl (five or six) both send him love.  I don't know why you had trouble sending me recordings.  A package with odds and ends can be sent and no one knows the difference.  One thing, pack everything well, you should see how the packages look when they arrive.  Most of them are marked and many have the contents falling out.

          Good night darling, how I would love to hold you in my arms and just kiss you once.  Once?  Well that would be a good place to start, wouldn't it?

Impatiently

Gil

                                                Xmas Dinner Menu

 

 Autographs on Back of Menu

 

No Wonder Some Prefer Duty On A Man-O-War

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 22 December 1944, 9:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          And so another day.  This damn monotony is sure bad for me.  Come hell or high water, a bunch of us are going ashore tomorrow and get plastered.  It's no wonder that some of the officers prefer duty on a man-o-war where something is popping all the time.  Don't begin to worry dear; this is just a temporary thing with me.  I've had a few days of loafing but soon I'll be swamped under again and the days will pass by much more quickly.

          What did I do today?  Well after breakfast I went down to my office and worked from 8:30 to 11:00.  Read from "Strange Fruit" until noon and chow.  Then loafed some more till two, the time the Glee Club rehearsal was scheduled.  The turnout was so poor that I got mad and called it off.  Aren't I in a swell mood?   Returned to my room and read some more.  Visited on deck with the OD and then showered and changed for dinner.  After chow until movie time, I visited with the doctor and some corpsmen in sick bay.  Tonight we had Lana Turner in "Marriage Is A Private Affair" and it was very good.  See it if you haven't already.

          The mail today brought me nothing but a dental magazine so I have nothing to cheer about there either.

          Darling do you remember how I'd come home from the office mad about something or another and how sweet you'd be to snap me out of it?  Gosh a little of you sweetness in my arms could sure be a swell tonic.  Oh well that can't be yet, but still five months have already gone. Who know what the future may bring? Orders can come through unexpectedly and all we can do is pray.

          I'm going to close now Sweet, there isn't a thing more to say except three little words, "I love you."

Yours as ever

Gil

Card sent to Linda and Norma

Hot Appendectomy

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco
              Saturday 9 December 1944, 10:10

My Dearest

          Got three letters today--two from you and one from Libby acknowledging my letter.  However I didn't like the tone of your letters.  Sounded like you were getting down in the dumps again.  Buck up honey, you've got to.  Besides who knows what might happen out here and send me back to you.  I heard some talk today that may change things around here but I can't discuss it now.

          This morning I saw three patients and then made an inspection of the ship.  Then I found out that Ambie had turned in with an acute appendix and they were getting the surgery ready to operate so--I joined in with the festivities.  It was a tough one and lasted 1 hour and 20 min. and was it hot!  It was so hot that two of the corpsmen almost passed out with the heat and had to leave the surgery.  When it was over the doctor and all the rest of us were washed up.  However, a little air and some cold fruit juice (plus two hours in the sack) and we were in top shape again.

          Am organizing a choral group for Sunday services and Xmas.  Also planning a party for the men but so far my plans are wild ideas.  I'll talk to the skipper tomorrow and see what's what.

          Read a little more of "Prodigal Women."  It's a long book and I don't seem to be able to find much time to read.  I'll finish it someday and then I'll read "Strange Fruit."

          Am having a book shelf put in my room.  Little by little it's getting quite comfy.  Yes, I do have one room mate, Cox whom I've mentioned before.

          As far as Ruth and Harry are concerned, I really think it is all Ruth.  After all she is your sister and when Deb was alone it was the same story.  Harry never left his sister Goldie out in the cold and it should be Ruth's place to see that you are not alone either.  Ah, well, we've gone over that so many times that it is disgusting.  What I should do is write and tell them off in no uncertain words and leave it at that.  Well, we'll see.

          So you're moving to Long Beach?  Well!  If I get stationed there you'll stay in Santa Monica and I'll commute.  Haven't you learned yet?

          Yes dear air mail takes 7 to 10 days but regular mail takes better than three weeks.  I hope the cards get here soon so I can get them off.

          Honey, I'm completely run down now.  Oh yes, the movie tonight was Abbott and Costello in "It Ain't Hay." They always give me a laugh even the second viewing.        Sweet, do you remember the open house we had when I remodeled my office?  My wasn't I proud of my office and my first lady.  Well wait until you see my new office.  After this war Dr. Steingart will really show them how.

          One of the magazines I got recently was the Southern California State Journal.  It seems that both UCLA and USC are planning post-grad courses for service dentists. I could take them and practice at the same time.  The $75 a month should come in handy and I ought to be able to make expenses out of my work in my office. 

          Such plans, guess we'll just have to wait and see what develops.

          Good night, Sweetheart, till we meet tomorrow.  I love you so-o-o-o much

Impatiently,

Gil

Sell the Wolf Jacket

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco
            Tuesday 28 November 1944, 9:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Happy Birthday Darling. Although I wasn't able to be with you, I did think about you all day long.

          Today was another busy day.  I worked in my office all day or should I say all morning and part of the afternoon.  However I was all cleaned up by 2:30 so I wangled a boat from the exec and four of us went ashore for a few beers at the Officers' Club.  We got back at 5:00 had dinner at 5:30 and then checkers until 7:30, movie time.  Tonight we had "Lucky Jordon" with Alan Ladd.  The last time I saw it you were at Arrowhead, remember.  You didn't want to see any gangster movies so I took it in at while you were away.

          Now back to your letters.  I really would like some more recent photos of the kids.  I'll really look forward to getting them.  The music you sent was swell and several numbers are just what I wanted.  Haven't done a thing with the piano.  It's kept in the crew's mess hall and it seems that they are always eating up or cleaning up there.  Besides I don't have as much time as you think.  As a matter of fact this is the first moment today when there wasn't something for me to do.

          Who said your pictures aren't up in my room?  You hold the center spot amongst my pin-up girls and believe me yours is still my favorite.  Norma and Linda, Dick and Babs grace another wall so at least I can see some of my family when I'm in my room.

          About the car scratches.  I believe that our insurance covers that without any additional payments.  Check it and if so have the car fixed up.  However if it is necessary to pay additional money let it ride till later.

          Wish I could see you in your new dress or even without any clothes. Who said we'd be going out?  I've got other ideas.

          I see you're still talking about Brentwood.  Well everything comes with time.  Just take it easy and don't get excited.  There'll be plenty of lots and oodles of time to buy them before building materials become available.

          I'm getting caught up with my correspondence.  Recently  I've written to Ruth, your mother, my mother, Deb and Dave, the Fleischers, the Leavys, Libby and Jack Taylor.  I still owe several more and it doesn't look like I'll ever catch up.

          Dear, sell the wolf jacket if you like.  After all it's yours and if you can't enjoy it you might as well have the money to get something you can enjoy.

          So Sol got "new construction."  That seems to be the desire of all officers and men overseas--to go back to the states for new construction.  Who knows where our paths may cross, Sols and mine?  This is really a small world as I've had opportunities to observe.

          Yes dear I know what things cost but you're just beginning to find out.  Now you know why I used to fuss at times about economizing.  Now you know for yourself.

          Talking about Xmas and picture puzzles. In my gear locker, I have twenty crossword puzzles.  I must break them out for the men.  I've also been thinking about Xmas but so far my mind is a total blank.  I'm going to scout around for ideas.

           So it's still raining?  Well it is out here too.  As a matter of fact it rained during the movie and I'm still pretty wet.  However that does help in keeping cool so why change.

          "Strange Fruit" is aboard and I'm going to read it as soon as it's available.  They tell me it's "plenty hot."

          There was no mail today but who am I to complain after all I got yesterday?

          Just the same I hope the mail man favors me tomorrow.  You'll never know how much I look to hearing from my Sweetheart.

          Sweet, do you remember the "Captain" story and the ideas we got from it?  Better brush up on it for when I get back--or don't you need any brushing up?

          Really dear, I'm all writ out.  So--good night my love with a thousand kisses and nice close hugs from your loving husband to his birthday gal.

With loving thoughts

Gil

         

Can't See Scratches on the Buick

Eleanor and Norma in Front of Ruth and Harry's House