Ordered Dolls for Linda and Norma

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Wednesday 4 October 1944 9:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Had liberty today, but didn't do much.  As a matter of fact, I stayed aboard for lunch and it was past one before Ambie and I finally shoved off.  We stopped at a music store and bought a book of songs.  Then we stopped for a couple of beers and sat around in a hotel court just relaxing.  Caught a bus and got back in time for dinner.  After dinner, I broke out the song book, Ambie got the accordion and several of the officers joined us.  We sang and played until movie time.  The movie was "Atlantic City" with Constance Moore, Jerry Colona and a lot of old timers.  The picture had much entertainment value but for some reason didn't click.  I personally believe the continuity was lousy.

          After the picture, I went to my present quarters and found a letter from you.  You sound quite busy but the tone of the letter shows that you have more or less gotten over that "Tante" deal.  I hope you'll have better luck with help next time.

          I finished reading Louis Bromfield's "The Green Bay Tree."  It is really a woman's book but it was laying around so I picked it up and before I knew it, I was so far into it that I decided to finish it.  I expect to do a lot more reading once we get underway.

          Well Sweetheart, I'm going to end this letter short for now and will finish in the morning.  I love you darling and I'll be so proud of my wife and girls when I get back.  Good night, hone. Will be with you again in the morning.

Thursday 5 October 1944, 8:30 AM

          Good morning, Sweetheart.  Nothing new since last night.  I haven't seen the morning mail, and I'm in somewhat of a hurry.  I ordered some recreational gear, and I'll have a jeep available in a few moments to go to pick the stuff up.  I still have to shave, so I must close quickly to be sure this goes off in the next batch of mail.

          I've ordered dolls for Norma and Linda and they should receive them for Xmas.  I've been looking for a silver charm bracelet, but they all seem to have local items in miniature on them, so those are out.  I'll continue looking something may turn up.

          Honey, do you remember how surprised you were when you got your silver fox neckpiece?  Well darling, there are many surprises in store for you, but you'll have to be patient until they come.

          I'll sign off and dash now.

Loving you always

Gil

Sailor Fell Through an Open Hatch and Fractured His Skull

Monday 18 September 1944, 9:15 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Good morning, Sweet.  Just got a letter from you, the first since Friday and already I feel better.  I've been quite busy since I wrote yesterday morning. With having liberty every other day, my working days have been pretty full.  In addition one of our boys got into a fight with a Marine and got his mouth all cut up.  I had to use five sutures to sew him up.  Then one of our boys stepped through an open hatch and fell down the equivalent of about four stories.  He had a couple of ugly cuts in his scalp which were taken care of but seemed unhurt otherwise.  However he later developed symptoms of skull fracture and was sent to the hospital.

          Last night I attended the New Year Service here at the base.  The Chapel is lovely and it was filled to overflowing with enough men left outside to fill it again.  I got there late and stood through the whole service.  There were at least 350 officers and men including two nurses.  The service was very simple but we did enjoy the singing of two Marines and the organ accompaniment.  The only similarity between this service and the ones at home was that it was hotter than Hades if that is possible.  As I looked around I could just pick out the homesick faces.  You just couldn't miss the faraway reminiscing look on their countenances.  The sermon itself was informal and to the point.  No lectures on sin and the punishment for those who imbibe in it.  No pleas for money or other support.  Just a heart to heart talk between one Jew and another.  If we had more sermons like that in civilian life, religion would take on another meaning, at least to me it would.

          Got another letter from Libby this morning.  She writes about twice a week whether I answer or not.  Yesterday in a few spare moments I dropped a line to the Gindoffs, Gelman and Rabbi Lifschitz.  Gradually, I'm catching up.

          Now for the "Eversharp program."  When I'm at sea again I can study and will. The accordion belongs to one of the sailors but he is letting Hansen use it and that gives me the chance I want.  We have music but the numbers are pretty old.  By the way Dear, talking of music, as Welfare Officer, I am making plans for recreation when we are at sea.  Will you buy and send me some song books suitable for community sings for men.  I've looked all over but can't find any.  If I can get the words and music, we'll mimeograph a batch and have a little fun while we are out. Yes the rash is gone.  In fact I'm sure now it was not a rash but an insect bite.  We all had the same complaint.  No shots yet.

          I wish you enjoyed a drink now and then.  Really when those you love and need you are far away and you are in a place like I am, having a few drinks is the least of the "bad" things a fellow can do.  From the plans we are making however we'll be quite busy after this war is over to make up for all the things we are missing now.

          Do you remember how I would wake the whole family up Sunday morning when I went to play golf?  Well after this war, I've got other plans for Sunday mornings.

          Well darling, my love, my own, time to go back to work.

Your lover

Gil

Lt. (j.g.) G. Steingart

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

Played Accordion

Friday 11 August 1944, At Sea

Dearest,

          Another quiet day.  Had a light breakfast and then stalled around until 10:30 for the weekly inspection.  Saw a couple of patients then and three more after dinner.  We eat dinner at noon and supper at 6 P.M.  Dinner was a Salisbury steak with all the trimmings.  For supper we had asparagus soup and breaded pork chops with all the trimmings.

          The sea has been like glass and sailing along as we are, one completely loses all track of time and even the war seems very remote.

          Last night a few of us get together and borrowed an accordion from one of the men aboard.  I had a lot of fun playing it.  It's quite a simple instrument to play if you know piano.

          Well, my Sweet, we should be at our destination before many days more.  We've been moving along rather slowly because we're ahead of schedule.

          The last two days we ran into several squalls.  It rains for a few minutes and then we're out again and the sun is shining.   The nights are really black and going from the ward room to my room is like playing "blind man's bluff."  I extend my hands and grope along until I find the door knob.

          So dear it's really hard to find what to write when one writes every day but I do love you and really miss you and the kids.

Goodnight dear 'til tomorrow,

Love

Gil