Cool Place

Misdated 1944

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 23 July 1944, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweetheart, how are you today.  This has been one hot day and I found it was just as cool working on patients as trying to find a cool place on this ship.  There just wasn't any.

          I showered at 5 PM, censored some mail and dressed for dinner.  Just as we went to eat a cool brisk breeze came up and it's been blowing ever since. I hope it continues for things have cooled down considerably already.

          We just finished our cribbage game and now here I am.  The mail brought me four letters from you and one each from Deb and your mother.  Now here goes.

          I think I've told you before about Eniwetok but anyway here goes.  We stopped there on the way from Pearl to Ulithi but we were only there two days.  Fortunately I was able to get ashore and look around.  Many didn't get off.  The atoll is similar to Ulithi but the scar of war is indelibly marked on the islands.  All that remains of many coconut palms are blackened, charred stumps.   Bomb and shell holes are all over the island.  The water is crystal clear and one could see to depths up to twenty feet.  However the bottom was not a sight of beauty.  There were sunken boats, fragments of uniforms and remains of soldiers.  Not a pretty sight to behold.  Because of the lack of trees and shade the place was hot and dusty.  I'm glad we didn't have to stay there long.

          Your descriptions of the house sound nice and I can't wait to get home to see it and for other reasons too.

          I had trouble making out Nina's letter but it does look like she appreciates him more after the separation.  It doesn't sound like she likes the WACs either.  Guess all in all being with her husband was a great improvement to what she's been putting up with.

          Getting your vacation straightened out certainly has been a problem.  I know how you must feel about it all. I'm surprised you didn't tell them to forget about it all.  It wasn't nice after asking you to so obviously indicate that they preferred not having you with them.

          I'm glad you are going to the Bowl and enjoying the programs.  It's just another thing to take up you time till I get there.  Then you won't have time for anything but me and not enough of that.

          Your ideas about a coat sound OK.  Go ahead. When I get back we'll see about a fur coat.

          It would be a crime if Dick is released.  What he needs is some real discipline and some hard work.  Genius my eye.  He is nothing but a selfish spoiled brat with no sense of obligation, loyalty, or honor.  I'd just as soon not hear anymore about it.

          Our movie tonight is "Salty O'Rourke" with Alan Ladd and Gail Russell.

          No more for now so I'll say goodnight.  So long Darling I'll be with you again soon.

Love

Gil

Philippines Ransacked

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco

Monday 26 February 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Back to the old "grind" again.  Worked all morning and afternoon until 3:00 PM.  Then I censored some mail, read a little, showered and dressed for dinner.

          The mail brought two letters of the 19th in the morning and eight letters from 5th to 13th in the afternoon. All from you.  I should be about all caught up now on your back letters though there are still a few on their way.

          Sorry you missed Abe Weinberg.  However I doubt that there was much he could have told you that you'd like to know.  As for Hansen, if he gets anywhere near Santa Monica I am sure that he will contact you.

          Looks like Ruth is still the same and there is nothing that you can do about it.  Don't spend much on a gift for Libby.  Those bags I sent were expensive and with the dough Nat is making, a couple of cheap hankies was very little from her.

          Mary and Willie probably had similar trouble before we knew them and will continue the same way forever more.  I don't place much stock in her saying she's through or even his leaving her.  You wait and see.

          "The Apostle" is on my book shelf.  I've never read it nor can I find anyone else who wants to.  Yes I know Ruth.

          If I ever get to the Philippines I'd like to pick up some nice things but from what I hear the Japs have probably ransacked it clean and the men who are already there will do a good job cleaning out what is left.

          The "heat rash" isn't serious nor does it bother me except just when I turn in.  It stings a little but some sunshine usually clears it up.

          I'm not surprised about Nina's not liking the WACs.  She has to compete with many much younger and in many cases prettier girls and has to take orders from many who are much less qualified than she is.  All of this tends to make her wish she were civilian again.  I thought she and Jack were all washed up, or is it strictly platonic now?

          After censoring many letters and from my own personal experiences I've come to the conclusion that much of the mail is to raise the morale of the civilians at home rather than the men away from home.  I still think you are oversensitive and wait for others to make the first move, which they won't.  Of course you and I expect more from Ruth and some of our friends because we always went out of our way for everyone but that won't work.  If you want entertainment or recreation, or even companionship you've got to go and get is so--go get it!

          The Center doesn't sound like it's going over or am I wrong?  If you ask me, Santa Monica has too many individual projects and as a result some are going to suffer.  Some people don't realize that this making of money won't last forever and that the projects will need support as much later as now.

          I'm glad you're back on the Bulletin.  You always like that kind of work and it will kill a couple of evening now and then.

          You're mentioning of taxes again.  I'm enclosing some information that should come in handy.  You should get a refund on 1944 when the final reckoning is made but leave it alone until I get back.

          Sorry you didn't enjoy the party for Leon.  When I get back no one else will get a chance to dance with you or sit and talk either.  I'll take care of that.

          Always excitement.  Norma sure gave you a scare.  Oh well, all's well that ends well.  Hope from now on both kids stay well.

          No, I still won't write Leon until he answers my last letter--bet he'd wonder why I was writing if I did.  Anyway I won't do it so forget it.

          Well that winds me up for tonight.  I'll have to dash or I'll be late for the movie.   We have "Lake Placid Serenade."

          Bye Honey, I'll be with you tomorrow.

Love

Gil

Ulithi

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Friday 3 November 1944, 10:00 PM

My Dearest

          Today I hit the jackpot again.  After days of no mail I received twenty-two letters, all at one time.  Sixteen from you, a couple from Libby, Ruth, Gilman, Manny, and the Fleishers. That was some haul. Three of the letters bear an October 9 postmark and looked like they had been soaked down.  It is my guess that these letters were on that plane that went down between the States and some of our Pacific Islands.  Anyway they were late but plenty welcome.

          I have arranged your letters chronologically and will try to cover anything that needs any comment.

          First Honey, I'm glad that you are getting out for a little recreation.  As a matter of fact all your letters have a much more cheerful tone and believe me that does make me much happier.

          The mails are going to be very slow from now on until well after Xmas so be patient if you don't hear right on the dot.  If you have anything to send on don't stall.

          I do wish I could see your new hairdo.  So you think I'd like it?  Well you know me so you can tell even if I don't see it.

          My throat cleared up quickly as did my cold and I'm in the pink right now.  I am all through with my shots and their effects. It should be smooth sailing from here on out.

          I am looking forward to the book you mention.  Do you think it is safe reading with so many sailors around? Ah Well, I'll let you know after I've read it.

          Those Xmas cards will never reach me in time so I may stow them away for next year and we'll sign both of our names to them.  By the time you get this letter the package I sent should have arrived and I hope everything will be OK.

          The Halloween party sounds very nice and I'm very sorry not to have been there to see my girls parade around, play games and entertain.

          Nina's split up with Jack isn't all surprising.  You could see it coming every time you saw them together.  However I am surprised at her joining the WACs.  Frankly I don't believe that it was purely a sex problem.  She had her friends and ways: he had his and neither was willing to compromise and divorce is the result.  After all no woman would suit me either after having loved and known you.  By comparison the same probably applies in their case.

          Regarding the office accounts.  Write or phone all who haven't made payment s in the past 30 days.  If you don't get any response turn them over to the bureau.  Pay particular attention to: Shelling, Teaham, and Mitchel.  Go easy on Curry, Guber, and Mellick.  Turn over Buchwalter  right away.  Accept the $20 from Solgado.  We would only net $5 more if we sued and would have to wait for our money.  In the future use your judgment.  Too much time slips buy for me to advise you.

          I really missed Halloween and the kids. Though I wasn't there I was wondering what you were doing.  I suppose I'll get a full report soon now.

          I hope you've sent in my correspondence course.  It takes too much time to send it to you for typing, so I'll have to write it out longhand.

          Still worrying about money?  Forget it and I shan't repeat myself again.

          I told you Mary and Wally would patch things up.  I would have bet my bottom dollars.  And by the way lay off the liquor.  Give other gifts. Whiskey such as "V.O." is practically gone, so put it away and forget about it.  Get Dr. White something at the Marbros.  They have plenty of stuff for men.  Just how far do you think a bottle of whiskey will go with just the family?  Again I say leave it alone.  I sound like a real drunk but good stuff is very hard to get and I'd rather not give it away.

          Sounds like you had a nice time with Freda and I'll drop her a note as soon as I'm caught up on my correspondence.

          Sounds like Dick and his band are really going places.  Doubling with Tommy Dorsey is really something to brag about.  I bet Ruth and Harry are really proud and they should be.

          About the rumor that I'm coming home on a furlough (really leave).  I'm afraid it's just a rumor after all.  So Ivie and Crossland are shipping out .  Well maybe, I'll see them maybe.  This Navy is really small when it comes to meeting old friends. McPherson was stationed with Jim but hasn't been there for several months.  Guess Mrs. Schurr was a little mixed up.

          The party at the Beverly Hills Hotel sounds quite nice and when I get back we have a date to go there so put it down in you date book.  You can fill the date later on.

          From what you write I'm never know my girls when I get back.  I just hope they remember me if only just a little.  Norma is really moving, right along and Linda must be quite a young lady now.  I've been away now for a few days over three months and it seems like three years.  I have a hunch that when I return I'll be back for good even if this war is still unfinished. I do think that my returning won't be too long from now.

          I've written to Edith about a watch and though I haven't heard from her  I'm sure she'll take care of it for me.  As far as what you are spending, I don't care Dear, go ahead and have fun.  That's what money is for anyway.

          Well Darling, the invasion of the Philippines is moving right along.  Though I am not involved in that action, all Navy ships and personnel  in the Pacific area fit in the general plan and have their jobs to accomplish, each one small but all working to a common goal, a final and lasting peace after a decisive victory.

          It is now midnight and time I turned in.  Honey do you remember my first weekend home after I had reported in San Diego?  Well our next meeting will just make that seem like a couple of kids playing house and I hope it'll last more than just a weekend.

          Goodnight my darling, till tomorrow.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Lovingly

Gil

Eleanor didn't know, but this is where Gil was.