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

         

Cribbage Game Interrupted By Aching Tooth

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 12 May 1945, 10:00 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,

          This morning, I got four letters from you and one from my mother.  However I was so busy that I didn't have time to read any of it until noon.

          After lunch I had a three day stack of mail to censor and it took me better than an hour to get the letters all read.  Then I cleaned up some more of the shells and also did a little more work on the little surprise I'm making for you.

          At 5:15 I had my usual shower and changed for dinner, following which we went up to the captain's cabin for our nightly game of cribbage.  However, in the middle of the game I was called away to extract a badly aching tooth and though I did get back we didn't play long because we had to quit for the movies.

          The movie consisted of two shorts and the feature, "She's A Sweetheart," which was lousy.  One of the shorts was in color and all about California.  It was entitled "California Here We Are." They had good shots of the Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Boulevard, Catalina Island, Lake Arrowhead and many other places we know.  So you see I did enjoy some of the show.

          I finally got the name of Sol's ship from Deb and was very provoked to find that he had been here just before the Okinawa Invasion.  His ship is now headed back to Frisco--sure wish I was on it.

          Now to your mail.  The name Rothwell sounds familiar, but I can't say that I remember them.

          I haven't read or heard anything about psychosomatic medicine.  However magazines take more time getting out here and I'll keep a weather eye out for those items.

          I see my school marm got another day at Samohi.  Do you get more pay for high school than junior high or has that changed?

          We haven't had "Tonight and Every Night" yet.  I suppose it'll show up one of these days.  I've heard and read about it and have been wanting to see it.

          I do hope you can work something out with the Siegers about a house at Lake Arrowhead.  Estelle would be good company and you and the kids could stand a change of scenery.

          Talking about food.  The mention of cucumbers and fresh corn does sound good.  However we really get swell food.  The only things I miss are fresh milk and tomatoes.  We have plenty of oranges, apples, fresh frozen peaches, apricots and several vegetables.  We get steak, turkey, chicken and roast beef at least once a week.  Now who is drooling?

          No more for now my Darling so I'll sign off.  Good night Honey with a great big hug and kiss for all three of my girls.

Love,

Gil