Couldn't Ask for Better Duty

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 4 May 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today was just another one of those days.  I was busy as a bee all morning and was surely glad when 11:45 rolled around.  This being "field day" I secured for the day and after lunch joined a group of officers going ashore for some recreation and beer--mostly beer.

          Our boat picked us up and got us back to the ship at 5:15 PM in time to shower and change for dinner.  Then it began to rain and though I don't know right now I hope it still is coming down.  I decided to come down to my office early and write you an extra long letter. Low and behold I found six letters from you and one each from Deb and your mother.  Now I really have something to write about and here goes.

          Linda's birthday party sounds like it was a real success, and she really bagged a lot of nice gifts.  Wish I could have be there to help and to enjoy the party with you.

          So you're teaching once more.  I'm glad you like your assignment.  Doing something one likes is so much easier.

          Talking about bonds, I'll send a $100 money order for Norma's birthday just as I did for Linda.  Buy her a bond and use the $25 any way you like.  Don't worry about me being short.  I'll get by.

          Sorry the Officers Wives' Club was so uninteresting.  I had hoped you'd make some new acquaintances.

          I don't know why you hesitate eating an occasional meal at the Corsos.  They don't worry about sponging on you or your good nature, so kill an evening once in awhile that way.  By the way take any good stuff out of the cellarette.  No use letting those buzzards guzzle it all up.  Send me Sam Kahn's address.  I'd like to drop him a note.

          I sent Leon a note to Treasure Island.  I hope he gets it.  Sounds like he doesn't like San Bruno at all but he'll like where he is going even less.  I'd trade with him anytime. Really for duty outside the continental limits one couldn't ask for better than I have.

          Now the blarney about Dick going up for Officer Candidate School.  Without a college education he hasn't got a chance but let them find out for themselves.  Don't tell them.

          I can see you never kept very good track of my weight.  Before I went on a diet I was close to 185 pounds and cut down to 182.  When I reported for active duty I was 170 and that is where I am now.

          No we never saw "Greenwich Village" but it is a good movie.

          Curry's letter was a surprise.  Not because she is infanticipating but because he is going into the Armed Forces.  After all he was working in defense and married.  Guess they're still nabbing plenty of unsuspecting papas.

          Considering the amount of beer I drank today I really have written a fairly sensible letter.

          Tonight's movie is "Night Club Girl" with a lot of unknowns, but I'll go anyway.

          So Sweetheart again I come to an end all out of breath.  Wish I was winded for other reasons.  I can hardly wait till that time when we can turn out the light and go to "sleep."  I never saw people sleep like that before.

          Until that time keep those panties on and your hopes up.  Love and kisses to all my girls at 714 Euclid.

Yours forever,

Gil

Office A Mess

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 16 March 1945, 7:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Didn't do any dentistry all day long.  My office is still in a mess--the sink is still not completely installed. In the morning, I hope they can finish up quickly as I have a busy day planned.

          I worked on lesson six of my course and got it all ready for typing this morning.  This afternoon, for lack of anything else to do and because I felt like it, I went over to the island for a few beers.

          After drinking a couple, another fellow and I went out shell hunting.  The tide was way out and I found a mess of shells of a new variety, all with little live crabs in them.  There were also many small pools of water left behind by the tide and we had fun watching the small tropical fish, one to two inches long skimming through the water.  Wish there were some way of sending them home.  There were some beauties there.

          We got back at 5:15 and I had just enough time to shower and change before dinner.  Now here I am.

          The movie tonight is "Big Street" another oldie with Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball.  Last night's "Intermezzo" was just fair.

          The mail this morning brought a bulletin from the Medical Department and a short note from Libby.  When I got back to my office tonight I found a letter from you.  I'm glad you enjoyed "Fun Time."  Sounds like the kind of show I'd enjoy.

          Do as you like about bonds.  I won't urge you either way.  I've had my say but I won't resist because it isn't important enough.

          I hope Dave is right about when I'll be coming home.  However his guess is only as good as mine.  The next few months will tell.

          Well Darling, so endeth another letter.  No real good news, but no bad news either.  Of course you know I love you but I'll say it again, "I love you."  Goodnight Darling, I'll see you in my dreams.

Yours always,

Gil

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

Buy G Bonds

Sunday 3 September 1944, 8:45 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just received your letter with a picture of Linda and am answering immediately.  I read and reread your lecture but good God Sweet there isn't a thing I can do about it.  Every time I write a longer letter and try to put something of interest in it the censor either cuts it or returns it to me for rewriting.  If some of you questions remain unanswered, remember I can't tell you everything.  For instance I can't say "I'm going to see "so and so." "so and so" denoting either a place or individual.  I can't say how long we may remain in any one place or even what's doing where we are.  Yet those permanently based here can do and say practically anything they like.  However after we leave here or after I see someone or do something then I may mention it, so please be patient.

          As for the insurance on the car, take out the same coverage we had the last year.  You ask what to do with the $725 from the Plymouth.  Buy a bond with it.  Not the series "E" though.  Get "G" I believe it is.  Anyway the same series as the $2,000.00 bond we purchased last.

          Yes dear we now have movies aboard nightly and I always attend except when on liberty.  I don't always mention the picture because some aren't worth mentioning.  Last night was a good one--you should see it. "The All American Romance," in color, with Brian Donlevy.  It ran for at least 2 1/2 hrs and held me every moment it showed.

          The reason I got my liberty fouled up was because the schedule had been changed and I was misinformed--so what.  Not much to do when I have liberty anyway.

          I had a long visit with the Captain yesterday and we are planning recreation for the crew.  As soon as it comes of it I'll tell you all about it.

          So you want me to spend at least 10 minutes a day writing to you.  Darling every letter I've written has taken at least 30 minutes. If there were more to write about I'd gladly take many times more time.

          I showed off Linda's newest picture at breakfast (the time the letter arrived).  The tropical background and the color brought forth many complimentary remarks.  I'd almost forgotten how big Linda was getting but the picture refreshed my mind.  Please take snaps of yourself and the kids and send them on regularly.

          I must be off now.  Have to see the Captain about some arrangements to be made.  Don't be blue Sweet.  I do love you and think about you all the time.

Missing you always

Gil

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot
FPO San Francisco