Post Office Wrecked

Wednesday 17 October 1945, 9:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another busy day but I won't be able to turn in until midnight.  Only six officers are living here with the crew.  We take turns as OD.  I've been on since 7:00 AM. Though I don't have to stay in any particular place I still have to be around at all times, mustering men, arranging working parties etc.

          They sorted out some of the mail that was laying around at the wrecked post office.  I got three letters from you and one from my mother.  Of course you know by now that we aren't coming back to the United States for decommissioning, but instead will do it out here. That means of course that the whole crew will not be returned to the United States.  The word is that high point men and officers with more than a year outside the United States will go back.  I'm writing another letter to the Bureau requesting my next assignment.

          I just got back from the movies.  I saw a Disney cartoon, "The Three Caballeros."  I did enjoy seeing it again.             Wish I knew what else to write about.  We did have some sad news today.  Ensign Jackson, whose leg was amputated, died en route to Guam.  One of the other fracture cases resulted in an amputation.  All in all we feel pretty badly about the whole thing.

          I'll sign off now Sweet. Goodnight and pleasant dreams.  Real soon, I hope I can say when I'm leaving.

Love,

Gil

Telegram from Dave's friend Irving Hill regarding the fate of the USS Ocelot.

The information about caualties contradicts Gil's letter.

Wrecked Buckner Bay Fleet Post Office

My Watch Is On The Fritz

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 30 March 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,

          Hello Honey, here I am again.  We didn't have any movie last night so I played checkers and gossiped in the wardroom until 11:00 PM. Then I went to my room, censored a batch of mail and read for awhile.

          I awoke this morning kind of late (8:10) but didn't realize it because my watch seems to be on the fritz.  That makes two to go since I left.  It seems this hot, moist climate is hell on watches. I did some tinkering on it this morning and it has been running most of the day.  Maybe I've fixed it.

          I did some work this morning but really didn't strain myself.  By noon the strong wind had abated and the sun broke out in all its glory.  It's the first time in almost a week that we've even seen the sun.  After lunch I saw a few patients.  I censored some mail and went up on the poop deck for a little sun.  Then I returned to my room undressed, showered and read until time to dress for dinner.

          After dinner I enjoyed the cool breeze and the cloud formations, but a colorful sunset never materialized.  Now here I am.

          I got one precious letter today, so you guess who it was from.  It was postmarked the 18th.

          We had the Disney hit "The Three Caballeros" aboard.  I enjoyed parts of it a lot.  I'm sure Linda and probably even Norma would get a kick out of it.

          I'm really looking forward to some colored snaps of you.  I'm sure you'll look lovely--as you always have and always will where I'm concerned.

          I do hope your Arrowhead plans materialize, but it they don't maybe you'll have other plans to make for late summer that'll be real thrilling.  I don't know anything but I am just hoping.

          The movie tonight is Claudette Colbert in "Practically Yours" or "Particularly Yours." I don't know which.  It is rated as 4.0 so I shan't miss it.

          No more for now Sweet so I'll sign off.  Good night my Darling and dream about those happy days to come and soon I hope.

Yours as ever,

Gil

My Office Being Painted

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 23 March 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello honey, here I am again.  Today was another day of loafing because of the painting of my office.  I did get considerable done in the preparation of those reports I mentioned yesterday.  I had to completely inventory equipment and supplies and indicate their value and condition.  I also have to estimate supplies needed for the coming year and make recommendations to improve dental treatment in the area.

          I had planned on going ashore after lunch, but it was overcast and raining on and off.  So I decided to stay aboard.  Censored some mail and began another book "Wild Geese Calling."  We saw the movie but so far, the book so far is totally different (as far as I can remember).  At 5:15 I showered and dressed for dinner. After eating we stood around and just talked until a few minutes ago.

          The movie tonight is Donald Duck in "The Three Caballeros" and is supposed to be excellent.  Last night's movie was enjoyable too but we had a real cloudburst and even with my raincoat on I was soaked to the skin.

          No mail again today, but that is the way it goes.  Good service for awhile and then for no apparent reason the delivery slows to a snail's pace.  Maybe tomorrow will be different.

          There is nothing new to talk about.  Do you remember when every day we always had plenty to talk about and plan?  Well maybe sooner than we think we'll be able to do it again (I hope).

          I haven't told you I love you lately so here goes, "I love you" darling and if possible more and more every day.

          Goodnight, I'll see you in my dreams.

Yours alone,

Gil