Honolulu Aquarium and Scenic Beaches by Bus

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
            Sunday 24 September 1944, 9:30 PM

Dearest Wife,       

          Just saw "Ghost Breakers," a typical Olsen and Johnson movie.  I got a big bang out of it though you probably wouldn't like it.

          I hope Norma is better now.  Didn't get any mail this afternoon except the service edition of the Outlook.  However Sunday is a bad day for mail so I'm looking to tomorrow morning.

          Had liberty so after 1:00 PM mail call, Ambie and I hopped a bus with no destination in view.  Went to the end of the line, took another bus and went on. This drive was along the beach and very scenic.  Came back on the same bus and stopped at an aquarium of tropical fish.  Wish you and the kids could see it.  All sizes and such shapes; "nightmares" could describe some of the fish very well.  Got back to the ship at 7:15 PM and so another liberty.

          Again dear, don't worry about me.  I'll be quite safe.  Our duties won't bring us into actual combat and I expect you'll be hearing from me more or less regularly.

          About Xmas cards--I am working on something now.  If it materializes all the crew and officers will have Xmas greetings to send home free of charge.

          I played back Dave's record which had a personal message from him to bolster my morale (supposedly) and a cute story on the other side.  As soon as our public address system is in operation I'll plays it so the whole ship can hear it.

          As far as studying after the war is over, where I go will depend on what is available.  How can I say now where I want to go when I don't know myself?  Good night dear.

Monday 9:00 AM

          No mail this morning.  I hope Norma is better.  Got a letter from your mother and mine yesterday along with yours which I failed to mention.  Here it is 11:00 o'clock and this is all I've gotten written.  The next patient will wait until I'm through.

          Sweet, are you feeling better this morning?  Hope you got a decent night's sleep.  Do you remember how we went sailing on Lake Arrowhead and how scared you were?  Well we're going again and let's try sailing once more.  Maybe you'll have more confidence in me.

          I'd better close and make sure this gets off today.  Bye Sweetheart until tonight.

Your loving husband

Gil

           

 

World Gets Smaller All the Time

Saturday 17 September 1944, 9:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just got back from liberty and decided to write a few lines.  Breakfast, as usual this morning, then a little work in my office.  Before noon I chased down to the prosthetic lab to pick up some castings for that bridge I'm making.  Returned to the ship for lunch and then Hansen, Cox and I went on liberty.  We had a couple of drinks in a couple of bars and then went to the place I described to you in detail last time.  We spent the afternoon there and didn't leave until 7:00 PM.

          While we were sitting there, in walked three couples, and one of the girls looked familiar.  Do you remember the McCloud girl who taught Hy and me tap dancing?  Well it was she.  She came out here to get married and the big event is coming off next week.  I just said, "Santa Monica."  She looked around and when she saw me came over and shook hands.  This world gets smaller all the time.  We left and got a bus to go back to the ship and who would get on but Dr. Matson who was in San Diego with me and then sent to the Sea Bees.  He's on his way but doesn't know where.

          So much for now dear, I've had quite a few drinks and am pretty high.  Will finish in the morning.  Good night my darling and pleasant dreams.

Sunday, 8:45 AM

          Good morning, Sweet, how are you today?  Note the difference in the writing?  Last night I wrote on my cot, now I'm at my desk in the office.

          By the way I picked up a newspaper, a day or two old this morning.  There was a picture of the young lady I mentioned having met last night.  I evidently got the name wrong.  It is Valerie McCoy.  I believe Babs took "tap" from her.

          Tonight I'll attend the Rosh Hashanah service here.  Today, although it is Sunday, work goes on a usual.  I have a patient in the chair and am waiting for some Novocain to take effect before I go to work.  No mail yesterday so I hope to get a couple of letters today.  If not I'll probably hit the jackpot tomorrow.

          Sweetheart today is the 17th and our home is now available.  Gee, I wish I was there to help you get settled.  Please take it easy.  If you can't get moved in in a couple of days, take a week.  There really is no hurry.  You still have a roof over your head.

          Do you remember the Stevens Hotel in Chicago overlooking the lake? After this war let's go back to Chicago and maybe go on from there to Canada and visit with Belle and Charlie.  Have you heard from them recently?

          Well darling, I must go to work now.  I'm always thinking of you and love you so.

Your impatient husband

Gil

Lt. (j.g.) G. Steingart

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

A Roller Coaster Is Safe and Sane Compared to the Bus

Sunday 10 September 1944, 10:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just got back from liberty and hoped for a letter from you.  There was none so I'll probably get yesterday's, today's and tomorrow's all at one time. Received a note from Libby asking about Jimmy and I answered immediately.  I recently saw him and we had quite a visit.  That is all I can say except that he looks well and hasn't aged a day.

          I keep on running into people I know wherever I go.  Ran into A. Weinberg and Dr. Jackson again.  Wish I could run into you next, but that really is some wish.

          Well dear, with no questions to answer I hardly know what to tell you.  I recently rode in a bus operated by a native.  The roller coaster is slow, safe, and sane compared with that trip.  Curves and oncoming traffic meant nothing in his life.  The passengers lives meant nothing to him either.  However, we all enjoyed the ride and the scenery which you are going to see with me later.

          Linda must be about ready to start school now or has she already started?  Probably telling Norma all about it if she has.  Gosh, I wish I could see all of you tonight.  Just to play with my girls and put them to bed would be so much fun.  And then--well fun would be putting it mildly.

          One of the officers aboard had a porcelain bridge broken and I've the problem of making a new one without any laboratory facilities.  However I expect to have him fixed up in a couple of days.

          Monday, 11 September, 9:20 AM

          Good morning Sweet.  I thought I'd have plenty of time to write this AM but have been busy till now.  Have a patient in the chair, one waiting and another due at ten so I must hurry because I want this to go in this morning's mail.

          By my darling, will write again this evening.  Until then will all my love.

Your one and only,

Gil

Lt. (j.g.) G. Steingart

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

 

Beers at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Now a Navy Officers' Club

Friday 1 September 1944, 9:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

              censored 

morning.  I don't like it but I guess I can stand it if others can.  By the time I got squared away it was time for lunch, so I showered and changed.  After eating Graves, Hansen, and I went on liberty.

          We stopped at the hotel taken over by the Navy.  I have mentioned it before.  We had a few beers.  Walked around and window shopped and back for some more beer.  Then we had dinner and caught a bus back to the ship.  Hansen and Graves have already turned in and I'm going to also.  I'll finish this letter in the morning.

          Good night Sweetheart and pleasant dreams.

Love

Gil

 

Good Morning Honey,

          During the night we were attacked by insects and you should have heard the "bitching" at breakfast.  I'm not sure what they were but I think they were mosquitoes.  Anyway they bit me here and there and most everywhere except?

          Did you know I've been on a diet? Started last Saturday and during this week I've lost 8-9 pounds.  Not bad, eh!  I shall stay on a modified diet indefinitely since there isn't much physical activity that I can get into.

          No mail yesterday so I should get some today.  Time to go to work and besides there is nothing more I can say so bye darling.  I still love and miss you more than ever.

Your one and only,

Gil

 

P.S. Tell Ruth and Mother and Deb I'll write as soon as there is something to write about.  In the meantime, give them all my love.

Gil