Send Salami

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco

Sunday 4 Feb. 1945, 7:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor

          Happy days! Got nine letters today, all from you except one which was from your mother.  This being Sunday, I had services arranged on board so that took up my morning.

          I did see several patients this afternoon but really I didn't overwork.  Since last night we've had two appendectomies and a third scheduled for tonight at 10:00 PM.  I'll probably go to the movie and then attend the "opening."  The movie tonight is the "Falcon Comes to Hollywood" and I hope it's interesting.

          Sweet, those snaps are swell but I have two complaints.  First, no picture of you and second, only one of Linda.  Norma is simply adorable and I had an overwhelming desire to have her here so I could cuddle her in my arms.  Imagine how a picture of you would affect me.

          Sorry about your unpleasant evening at the "G's." However please don't let all those little things get you.  Really it isn't worthwhile.  Sounds like the affair at the Brentwood was quite swanky even if oversold.

          I do hope Dave does make warrant officer but I doubt that he'll go through officers training.  The Marine Corps training is extremely rugged but then who can tell.

          Send Sadie her camera.  Colored snaps can be taken with a miniature camera and enlarged.  Probably the cost is no more than the way we have been getting our colored pictures.

          For a while you seemed so busy and in such a better frame of mind that my mind was relieved.  Now you are drifting back and letting everything get you down.  Snap out of it Sweet, you owe it to yourself and our girls.

          Saw "Together Again" recently.  Glad you enjoyed it.  
          The four months began Jan 1 and ends April 30.  I still think we should buy another $1000 bond.  The income tax for 1944 won't be much over $100.  A series "G" bond can always be cashed in.  Beside checking accounts don't produce any interest and every bit extra help.  I'm going to the movie now and will finish later.

10:15 PM

          Back again honey.  The Falcon movie was pretty good and took up two hours of my time. 

          The records I got were those of the kids wishing me a happy birthday.  The papers you sent were just what I was looking for.  Now my file is complete.

          One minute you tell me how important money is and the next you tell me about nursery school at $5 a week.  Make up your mind, gal.  That is better than $20 a month that could well be saved.  Anyway I expect to be home by fall and we'll discuss it further.

          Still getting calls to teach, I see.  Well I hope you aren't doing too much.  Seems to me you were happier when you were getting out more with your friends, however you know best.

          Commuting from Long Beach is a small problem.  Thousands who are employed in war production plants do it every day.  Leon is all wet as usual!

          Wish I could tell you about the beach around here but I really can't so please don't ask.  Anything I can say I will, you know that.

          Talking about something to send the other night we were talking about kosher dill pickles and imported salami.  How about that?  Think you could send me some?  I could really go for one of our nite-nite snacks right now.

          I see with Linda something new has been added.  What's causing her nervousness? Find out if you can.  After all there is little I can suggest so far away.  She looks thin in the snap.  Maybe a tonic or some Vitamin B would help.  Have her checked and find out.  However I'm sure that the change you are planning will help a lot.  Do you remember how well she ate at Catalina and Arrowhead?  I won't worry because I know you'll do what is necessary.

          So much for the mail.  Sweet do you remember when you, Linda, and I rented the pony and wagon in Catalina?  Didn't we have fun?  Didn't we have fun? Didn't we always?  Well we will again.

          I'm signing off now.  Good night my love, my one and only darling wife.

Love

Gil

Counted Over a Million Dollars of Paper Money

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 31 January 1945, 10:25 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Have been busy all day.  As a matter of fact I just finished working.  In spite of all my activity I didn't do a lick of dentistry all day.  Spent all morning and part of the afternoon closing the wardroom mess books.  Turned the monthly return over to my corpsman to type up.  I just rechecked and found several errors, so it'll have to be redone.

          Completed that jigsaw puzzle before dinner tonight so I'll break out another one.  I've spent about a 1-1/2 hours a day for the past three days so you can see that it is quite involved.

          After supper the doctor and I counted the paymasters money and certified the amount he was reporting on hand.  Handling more than a million dollars should give one some kind of a thrill but somehow it just seemed like so much paper.

          The movie tonight was "Brazil" with Virginia Bruce and Tito Guizar.  Although the movie wasn't rated highly I did enjoy the music and especially the samba routine of Velez and Yolanda.  By the way last night's movie "Together Again" was most enjoyable.  You should see it if you haven't.

          No mail today.  Never did find yesterday's misplaced  letter.  One of the officers saw the postmark which was Bonner Springs, Kansas.  Must have been from that Mrs. Dingey that I wrote you about.  Haven't had any mail since last week so I do hope I get some tomorrow.

          Nothing more that is new or exciting.  Do you remember when you and I were young and went to the dental school dance at the Elks Club?  Those days seem like a dream of long ago, but we did have fun then. When I get back we'll have wonderful times together, you and I and our two girls.

          I'm going to sign off now Sweet, good night, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Letter Disappeared

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 30 January 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Am I mad.  A letter came for me today and it disappeared.  I know there was actually a letter because three officers and one of the steward mates saw it in the wardroom but "it ain't there anymore."  It wasn't from you is all I know about it.  Maybe it'll turn up tomorrow.

          Been keeping quite busy these days doing dentistry.  Just got a request from another ship to take care of forty men.  Am planning to take them next week, a few every day and clean them up.  Anyway those in addition to what I already have lined up should keep me going.

          Worked steadily today until 3:00 PM.  I really don't have much time to devote to my wardroom mess treasurer's job or my welfare job.  However primarily I'm a dental officer and I'll attend to that job and let the rest ride until I can find time.

          At three I returned to my room and caught up on my book work.  Then I relaxed with the jigsaw puzzle I'm working on.  It's a dilly 16x20 inches and 500 pieces.  Anyway it was 5:15 before I knew it and then I showered and dressed for dinner.

          It has rained on and off this afternoon and is raining now.  I do hope it lets up because we have a good movie, Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne in "Together Again."  I'll go anyway but I'd rather see it dry than all wet.

          Nothing new out here, just the same sixes and sevens.  I owe everyone letters but it'll be some time before I catch up.

          Sweetheart, do you remember how much fun we had on our trip east in 1940 and how glad we were to get home again?  Well that was nothing compared to how I'll feel when I get home from here.

          No more for now Honey.  Good night and pleasant dreams.  Till tomorrow.

Love,

Gil