Scuttlebutt Is Unreliable

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 2 June 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,   

          Hello Sweet, I hit the jackpot again today.  I got ten letters in all, eight from you and one each from Deb and Ethyl.  Outside of that today was very uneventful.  I worked all morning and didn't get to read my mail until after lunch.  Then a few of us went ashore and got back at 6:00 P.M. and now here I am.

          I really was disappointed about missing Sol. As an enlisted man it is pretty hard for him to get around but if I had known the ship he was on (and I would have if I'd had the name), it would have been a simple matter for me to make the run. Of course it would be nice if our ship would make the states once in awhile, but I really wouldn't care for duty on an APA.  They are always in there when the going is tough and they have plenty of casualties.  Don't say anything to the "Gs."  You see even Sol didn't know he was going back to Frisco when I did.  I can find out about others but not about myself.  Oh, well!

          I've never given up about getting back soon.  However so much of the scuttlebutt is unreliable, I don't mention stuff unless it is well founded.  Don't worry, I'll ask for Long Beach and I'm pretty sure to get it.

          What do you mean my course grades should be 4.0?  Don't worry I won't flunk and anything above 3.9-- is excellent.

          It is getting close to movie time so I'll secure until later.  Don't go away.  I'll be back soon.

          9:45 and here I am again Honey.  We had an excellent movie tonight.  It was "Conflict" with Humphrey Bogart, Alexis Smith and Sidney Greenstreet.  Now back to your letters.

          Bet I know the photography place Wallie is taking over.  Do you remember the young Jewish fellow who took some pictures at Linda's 4th or 5th birthday party? He is married to a shiksa and is in the Army.  It all ties up very nicely.

          Your news of Iz Goldman is interesting.  By the by, you sent me Simmy Marcus' address once and I misplaced it.  Also Vic Spitzer's.  How about sending them to me again.

          Cox is my roommate.  He is married and has three kiddies.  He has been in the Navy for about ten years and is a lieutenant (j.g.) with a permanent rank of chief yeoman.  You see after the war all men's rank will revert back to what they were at the beginning of the war or when they were first commissioned if they came in after the war started.  Peacetime promotions are very slow.  Of course invite him over.  He still hasn't left here.  Lord alone knows where his relief is.

          I love your ideas about our new home.  They certainly are not too crazy.

          Yes I went to a lot of trouble for my shells but it was lots of fun, and the effort well worth the results or vice versa.

          Linda seems to be spending lots of time on her dancing and it sounds like she is getting quite good at it.  Gosh it's been so long now since I've seen any of you that I wonder if I'll know how to act when I get back.  I've really been living in the present and try not to think of the past or future.  Thinking of the past brings back many loving memories and thoughts but also makes me homesick and blue.  Looking to the future makes time drag, so it's just today.  Tomorrow will take care of itself.

          I do love you Darling and while all those couples you write about are together, we are far apart.  That is, far apart physically, yet you are always in my thoughts.

          I'm all writ out for tonight so I'll sign off.  Goodnight Sweetheart, until tomorrow.

Yours alone,

Gil

The Salami Was Mashed Up

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco

Monday 21 May 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, here is that guy again.  I've been worrying about Norma ever since I heard yesterday that she had the chicken pox.  However today's mail brought me the news that her case is a light one.  Now I'm hoping that Linda doesn't get it and you forget about the whole deal in just a few days.  The mail came this morning and brought me four letters all from you.

          I was busy with patients all morning and after lunch I censored a batch of mail.  Then I joined a group going ashore and played volley ball all afternoon.  Wow, am I tired.  Bet I sleep well tonight. 

          No cribbage game tonight so I came down to my office and found a package that came this afternoon.  I guess you didn't take me seriously when I said pack everything well.  The box was coming apart and the salami was all mashed up and the casing on it broken.  It looks and smells OK but I'll not eat it until the doctor OKs it.  Lord alone knows how long the casing was broken.  However the cans that came with it are swell and are just what I wanted.

          The movie tonight is "None but the Lonely Heart" and should be 4.0. 

          Now to your mail. I see you've been teaching again.  You must be OK or you wouldn't get all the calls that you're getting.

          I'm glad you enjoyed the evening at Ruth's and met some interesting people.  So Ruth was expecting you to help her along on a gift for your mother. "Ain't" that too bad.  I didn't realize that I was getting such a good buy on the perfume.  I paid $9.00 for your bottle and $4.50 for both mothers' gifts.  Don't tell anyone because I don't want to be bothered buying stuff for anyone else.

          Talking about wallets, see if you can pick me up a book of celluloid containers for cards and snaps to fit into my wallet.  The one I got in San Diego is shot.

          I'm not surprised about the new incident at the Corsos.  Bet Willie and Wallie are working (or should I say playing) together especially if Wallie has an apartment.  I guess you were right and I wrong.  Stay away from that outfit as much as you can.

          Well Honey, no more for now. It is time to go to the movies.  Good night Darling, I'll see you in my dreams.

Yours alone

Gil

Misery Loves Company

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 17 April 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling here is your hard working husband again.  I worked all morning and afternoon and didn't secure until four o'clock.

          Then I went to my room, undressed, showered and censored some mail.  After that I read for awhile and then it was time to dress and go eat.

          After dinner we visited around on deck and now here I am.

          Got seven letters today, four from you, one each from Libby, Ruth, and Mary Regan.  This Regan gal sure has her eye out for Leon but with a face like hers I'm afraid she won't get very far.

          Libby's home does sound nice but you have no cause to be jealous.  We've always had more than they did and when I get back and into the groove, you'll have all the things you want again.  "We did it before and we can do it again!"  As far as gifts go, you've got the idea at last.  Anything will be OK.

          Sorry your summer plans aren't panning out.  Yet I think it is for the best.  Just a hunch plus some scuttlebutt but I do hope for the states this fall.  Maybe we'll be lucky for a change.

          Glad you're teaching.  Time goes so much faster when one is busy.  Believe me I know though I haven't said much about it.

          Did Wallie get a medical discharge or what?  I suppose he paid cash at Marbros but you should check.  He might have used you as a reference for all you know.

          That's what I like about you.  Always planning for the future, 1950-1960.  What have you on tap from 1945-1950 eh?

          If you like Nina's company, encourage her to visit you in June.  I doubt very much that she'll be in "our" way.  If I do show up, we'll just disappear, OK?

          My goodness such pride.  Don't be so proud Dear.  Encourage invites instead of turning them down.  I wouldn't feel too badly about the few friends you have.  In talking with the married officers I find that their wives have all had similar experiences since their husbands shipped out.

          Be sure to attend the Officers' Wives Club.  You'll probably meet several women you know and don't forget you all have a common bond and misery loves company.

          Well Sweets, I'm all "writ out."  Tonight's movie by the way is "The Lost Horizon of Shangri-La."  I can't find out if this is the old "Lost Horizon" or a new feature.  Anyway I'll see it and find out.

          Good night Sweetheart until tomorrow.

Loving you always,

Gil