Overpaid

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Sunday 30 September 1945, 9:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Sunday, the day of rest.  Am I resting!  I'm getting so lazy it's even hard to get me to go to eat.  No appointments today, no work, no nothing.  Loafing, playing checkers, reading and eating make up my day's activities.  I did have a 3rd molar abscess to lance and drain at 5:15 this afternoon but I'm sure being overpaid for the amount of work I'm doing.

          We were standing by for another typhoon today but she veered off to the south and hit Formosa instead.  However even in the bay, the sea was choppy enough that we took all our small boats aboard rather than risk losing them.  It was roughest about noon and it has calmed down considerably since then.

          By tomorrow everything should be peaceful and quiet once more.

          Because of the rough sea we didn't send or receive any mail today.  Fortunately we did have an extra movie aboard so we showed it tonight.  It was "Once Upon a Time" with Cary Grant, the story about a dancing caterpillar.  Anyway old as it was, it did prove worth re-seeing and did help an hour or so pass a little quicker.

          After the movie I played some ping pong again and worked up a good sweat.  Anyway I cooled off with a nice shower and now here I am.

          Not another thing to write about Sweet so I'll say goodnight.

Loving You Always,

Gil    

Please Be Brave

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 23 September 1945, 10 PM

Dearest Sweet,

          Sunday, the day of rest.  I didn't have any appointments scheduled so I had the whole day to do as I pleased.  What did I do?  Nothing.  I'm getting to be a first class hand at piddling time away.  I read "House and Gardens" and "American Home" magazines.  Also I read a few items from the July "Readers' Digest."  After lunch I made up next week's menu, played checkers, sat around talking and killing time in general.  Then back to more reading until 5:00 when I showered and changed for dinner.  After dinner I played poker for an hour, lost $5.00.  Then I went to the movies.  We had "Having Wonderful Crime" with Pat O'Brien, George Murphy and Carol Landis.  Pretty good even though it was raining right through the whole show.

          I hit the jackpot in the mail again.  There were six letters from you and one each from both mothers.  I didn't realize that so many letters were delayed.  Today I got two postmarked the 9th and four the 17th.

          Although I've often wished I'd taken a still camera along, don't buy any.  We'll get one as soon as we can.  It could be long before Xmas.

          How is Dave getting his discharge? Has he 44 points?  If he hasn't I doubt that he'll get out.  Anyway Deb and Dave will be together and I'm sure that they'll be satisfied even he does have to hang on for a few months more.

          I still don't know if we'll go to Japan, but the nearest dry-dock large enough for the Ocelot is at Sasebo.  If we go there I'll surely look Sid up.

          The snaps taken of you and the kids taken at Arrowhead are excellent.  You really look good to me. All I can do at this time is look and dream.

          I know the next few weeks will be hard dear but there is nothing we can do but wait.  Getting yourself all upset isn't going to do either you or the kids or me a bit of good.  Please be patient.  This can't last much longer.  Now that school has started, I hope you'll be kept busy and won't have so much time to think and worry about your trouble.  Really, soon I'll be home and all your problems will fade.  All will seem like a bad dream.

          Our skipper, Lt. Cmdr. Warwick, is not regular Navy.  As a matter of fact he has almost 60 points and is awaiting relief so he can be discharged. Because he is the commanding officer,  I'll bet he has to wait the full 120 days before he is relieved.

          Sevron 10 is an abbreviation for Service Squadron 10.  Sevron 10 has been part of the third and fifth fleets alternating when either fleet was in action.  The commander of the Service Division is Commodore Du Val.

          Well darling, I'm getting sleepy and I'm all writ out.  Wish I had something definite to tell you but I haven't.  Maybe something will break this coming week.

          Please be brave.  Your unhappiness has an effect on me and though I, too, feel low at times I don't tell anyone about it because it never does me any good to do so.

          Goodnight Sweet and I'll see you in my dreams.

Lovingly,

Gil

 

Snaps from Lake Arrowhead

My Watch Is On The Fritz

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 30 March 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,

          Hello Honey, here I am again.  We didn't have any movie last night so I played checkers and gossiped in the wardroom until 11:00 PM. Then I went to my room, censored a batch of mail and read for awhile.

          I awoke this morning kind of late (8:10) but didn't realize it because my watch seems to be on the fritz.  That makes two to go since I left.  It seems this hot, moist climate is hell on watches. I did some tinkering on it this morning and it has been running most of the day.  Maybe I've fixed it.

          I did some work this morning but really didn't strain myself.  By noon the strong wind had abated and the sun broke out in all its glory.  It's the first time in almost a week that we've even seen the sun.  After lunch I saw a few patients.  I censored some mail and went up on the poop deck for a little sun.  Then I returned to my room undressed, showered and read until time to dress for dinner.

          After dinner I enjoyed the cool breeze and the cloud formations, but a colorful sunset never materialized.  Now here I am.

          I got one precious letter today, so you guess who it was from.  It was postmarked the 18th.

          We had the Disney hit "The Three Caballeros" aboard.  I enjoyed parts of it a lot.  I'm sure Linda and probably even Norma would get a kick out of it.

          I'm really looking forward to some colored snaps of you.  I'm sure you'll look lovely--as you always have and always will where I'm concerned.

          I do hope your Arrowhead plans materialize, but it they don't maybe you'll have other plans to make for late summer that'll be real thrilling.  I don't know anything but I am just hoping.

          The movie tonight is Claudette Colbert in "Practically Yours" or "Particularly Yours." I don't know which.  It is rated as 4.0 so I shan't miss it.

          No more for now Sweet so I'll sign off.  Good night my Darling and dream about those happy days to come and soon I hope.

Yours as ever,

Gil

Today I Am 35 Years Old

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 11 January 1945, 9:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Honey, today I am 35 years old.  If you were here or I was there I imagine I could prove I'm still OK for an old man.        

          Well today was just another routine day.  Worked most of the morning and saw Ambie off at 11:00 AM. After lunch I read and finished another book by Forester entitled "The Ship."

          About that time I heard someone mention mail so I high tailed up to the wardroom and there were four letters for me.  Three from you and one from a patient in response to my Xmas card.  That letter is so long and so friendly that I'm doing to keep writing to him.

          After dinner, this evening, I played checkers until movie time.  The movie tonight was a western, but a very good one.  Even you would like it.  It was "Tall in the Saddle" with John Wayne and Ella Raines.  The movie last night was also very good.  You should see it, title: "In the Meantime, Darling."

          I'm glad you got to go out New Years Eve. It would have been such a long evening to stay in.

          About this summer business.  Sweet, I hardly know what to advise.  We might suddenly head back to the states.  I might even get orders back for stateside duty and of course there is always the possibility of my staying out here for a while longer.  So make plans to go to Arrowhead and if I do get back something will be worked out and if not to hell with a couple hundred bucks.

          You needn't worry about me overdoing with drink.  A few beers seem to go a long way in this hot climate and I'm not anxious to contend with a big head the next day.  It's just a change and a little relaxation and not half as bad as it probably sounded in my letter.

          I'm anxiously waiting to hear word of Dick being in the Navy.  That kid really needs it and believe me they'll straighten him out.

          That poetry, darling, surely sizzles and the officers all get a kick out of it.  The fruit Deb sent was delicious and kept very well, so please send on a box.  Be sure it is very well packaged.

          I'm sorry I'm not convincing about coming home but how can I be when all my hopes are based on rumors and personal opinions.  There is no such thing as leave from out here simply because a replacement must be here before one can leave and they're not shifting men around every 30 to 60 days.

          I'm not surprised at Babs. Besides she probably has too much Joe on her mind at the present to worry about a single thank you.

          Talking about nice things to buy, the next place we may hit might be the Philippines and if the Japs haven't completely ransacked and destroyed that place I might find something there to send or maybe bring home.

          I'm glad that Linda's arm turned out to be nothing.  Gee how you must have worried.  Well all is well that ends well.

          Now that the Xmas rush is over I hope I'll get better mail service.  Your last letter was postmarked January 4 and that was only seven days ago.

          Darling do you remember my birthday last year?  Didn't we take the kids out for the day and go to the Fleishers?  (I'm not sure).  Guess I had more on my mind than I cared to admit.

          Good night my Sweet.  I'm sleepy and so I'm going to turn in and dream about my own sweet wife and two darling girls,

Love,

Gil

 

My Beard and Mustache Are Coming Right Along

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 17 December 1944, 9:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another Sunday and all day I've been thinking of you and our girls and wondering what you did.  Don't tell me--Linda went to Sunday School and Norma wanted to go too.  When Linda got back, you all had lunch.  Then the kids played and Norma laid down for a rest--no nap.  Then you went over to Ruth's for dinner and after that returned home and tucked our darlings in.  This is where I should come in and I'm so far away.

          Sweet this has been just another day.  A little work this morning and then a little reading.  After lunch I got everything lined up for Sunday services and so the afternoon went.  After the chaplains left the ship, I showered and read until dinner.  After dinner, Roberts and I played checkers until movie time.

          The movie tonight was screamingly funny.  Cary Grant in "Arsenic and Old Lace."  In many ways I enjoyed it more than the stage show but it would have been so much more enjoyable it I could have held your hand or better still put my arm around you with your head on my shoulder.

          There was no mail again today so by tomorrow there should be a whole sack full, all for me.  My beard and mustache are coming right along.  I do hope I can have a snap taken before they're gone.

          Darling, do you remember you antipathy to whiskers?  I promise I'll come home without.

          When I write Deb and Dave I'll be all caught up on my correspondence, so I know I'll have plenty more in a day or so.

          Good night Honey.  Sunday, as every other day, is not the same without you beside me awake or asleep.

Love,

Gil

Bitch of a Day

 

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
            Thursday 7 December 1944, 7:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Well, here I be again.  The movie last night "Are Husbands Necessary" was good but old.  So old that though we both had seen it I couldn't remember a thing about it.  It starred Betty Fields and Ray Milland and was about the dumb but cute young wife and her husband, a bank second vice president and the troubles the wife got the worse half into.

          Today the mail brought that crossword puzzle book and some literature from the medical department.  I haven't done a puzzle in months but I know it'll be fun.

          This has been a bitch of a day.  Saw eleven patients.  Four from one ship, two from another and one from a third.  The remaining four were ship's company.  When I got through I had done eleven fillings, two extractions, two prophys and three treatments.  I finished at 3:00 PM and then censored some mail.  Then I played checkers from four till five at which time I showered, shaved and changed for dinner.  You know I'm mess treasurer and I've got it figured now so that our food bill should only run about fifty cents a day.  Nobody believes me but they will when they see the statement at the end of the month.  I can't explain how I'm doing this without divulging censorable facts.

          After dinner we stood around on the bridge and talked for almost an hour.  I remarked this evening that the heat didn't seem to worry me anymore and we all decided we were just getting acclimated.  Still sick bay is full with "cat fever," several pneumonias and many ambulatory heat rash patients.  So far no complaints from me.  Thank goodness.

          Darling do you remember how I got sick before taking my physical and doped myself up to pass without having to go back?  Well, I'm disgustingly healthy even out here and believe me some of the young bucks are always complaining about something.

          Good night Darling.  I don't know what the movie is, but I'm going anyway.  I love you, I love you, I do. Kisses and hugs galore to my two Darlings and my Sweet.

 

Love,

Gil

Catholic and Protestant Services Aboard

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Sunday 26 November 1944, 9:30 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,        

          So this is Sunday!  Well I can think back to when Sunday was a day with my Sweet and our toe little darlings. But this is war and I'm out here doing my duty.

          I started out this morning as usual.  By 2:00 PM I had put in thirteen fillings, polished five fillings, extracted one tooth, X-rayed five teeth and treated two cases of trench mouth.  Whew, I'm all tired out just recounting my day's work.

          From 2:00 to 2:45 P.M. I had to arrange for the Catholic and Protestant service aboard.  Just a few travails, such as bringing a piano out through one of the hatches and rigging up a mike for the chaplain to speak through.  Then at 2:45 PM I left the ship in a motor whale boat and picked up one chaplain at one ship and the other at another ship and was back on the Ocelot by 3:15 PM.  Took both chaplains up to meet the "skipper" and then showed each one where he was to conduct services.  When it was all over I received several sincere thank yous from officers and enlisted men alike and though I did not attend service they tell me the arrangements were perfectly planned and everything went off smoothly.  Anyway from now on services will be held aboard every Sunday.

          After the chaplains left I showered and changed. Then it was time for dinner.  After eating I played my daily game of checkers and I'm really getting good.  Roberts, the officer I play with, was beating me constantly and tonight I beat him six times and tied him once much to his chagrin.

          The mail situation hasn't changed at all.  No airmail has been received since November 17 and very little of anything else. However every time the mail orderly leaves I get hopeful again.  Maybe tomorrow will be my day.  I do hope so.  Aside from being with you, your letter is the next best thing.

          The movie this evening was really good.  "Meet the People."  Remember when we saw it on the stage?  Well when they made a movie of it we passed it up and it's nothing like the stage show.  If you get a chance, see it.  There are plenty of laughs in it.

          Well darling, so ends another week.  Do you remember how on Sunday night, maid's night out, I'd lay down on the couch listening to the radio and fall asleep?

          After the war I've got other plans for maid's night out.  Can you guess what they are?  If you can't now you'll find out later and I know you won't be disappointed.

          Good night honey, I still love you and think about you all the time.

Devotedly

Gil.

Thanksgiving Day

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
                Thursday 23 November, 1:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          This is Thanksgiving, the first one we've been apart for more than fifteen years and the last one I am sure.

          Yesterday was a bitch.  It was hot and I was swamped all morning and part of the afternoon.  I had seven extractions, nine fillings, and several treatments and examinations to make.  Then, when I was through, a few of the officers decided to go ashore for a couple of hours.  We hadn't gotten more than a hundred yards from the ship when the engine began to smoke and the boat had to be towed back to the ship.  Thus ended the shortest liberty of my career as there were no other boats available at that time.

          So I played a few games of checkers and before I knew it, it was time for supper.  After chow we sat around in a cool spot (comparatively only) and chewed the fat.  Then it was 7:45 PM and time for movies.  Another "oldie" but a good one, "Hollywood Cavalcade" with Alice Fay and Don Ameche.  Then I turned into my sack and read for a while but didn't get far because of officers dropping in for a visit.  My room seems to be one of the coolest on the ship, hence the popularity.

          Awoke this morning at 7:30 AM, showed, dressed and had a very light breakfast.  The enclosed menu will explain the reason why.  I had only one helping of everything and I'm stuffed like the turkey was before it was served.

          I had a light routine this morning so I spent an hour helping my corpsman get the library in order.  It is quite a job, but the end is now in view.

          Well Sweet tomorrow is Friday and a whole week since I got any mail.  Service out here is rotten so I hope you won't worry or be upset if you don't receive any regularly.  I bet though when it does get here there'll be a stack of it.

          Darling, remember how I hated to write?  Well except for our visits, I still hate it and after the war you'll be appointed my chief and only letter writer so help me!

          That is all now honey.  I'm going to say "adios" for today.  I wish I could wax poetic and express my deep love for you as I'd like but I can't so I'll wind up with my usual "loving you as always."

Your devoted

Gil

Stay Away From that Male Teacher or Papa Will Go Native

Friday 15 September 1944, 10:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just came out from the movie.  Saw Spencer Tracy in the "Seventh Cross."  It was intensely interesting and the suspense carried on to the very last scene.  See it if you get a chance.

          Got letters from Earl Bubar and Libby this morning and two from you this afternoon.  I immediately answered Earl and also wrote to Dr. Sieger, Dr. White and Miss Earnest.  Worked in my office the rest of the day. That is the way I passed my time today.

          You ask many questions in your Monday letter so here goes.  Yes, I received the taffy and wrote Linda and Norma a note.  You should have it by now.  I'll try to look up Al and Wally.  Can't write and tell them where I am or where to meet me because then I would be disclosing our whereabouts.  It may seem silly but that's the way it is.  Yes, I took something to the Rikes, a two week liquor ration and they were very pleased. I get all the current news via newspaper.  I've read a few mystery books but nothing exciting or worth talking about.  No cards thank you, but I do play checkers quite often.  The ship is a subscriber to several magazines although they are a little old when we get them.  No periodicals of a professional nature so far. 

          No Darling the way things are now I can't do any studying.  Not even much chance to play the accordion.  However it won't be long before I have all my comforts again.  Then maybe I'll do some of the things I've wanted to do.

          By the way, young lady, stay away from that male teacher or papa will go native.  I'm beginning to see why some men go native.  I really need you dear, but I'll put up with it as long as we can have our daily visits.

          I'm glad to hear that you are back teaching.  But Dear, even though you should keep busy, remember you have two girls to care for and you can't always find an Edna to care for them, even at $25 per week.  I've also made a note of the rings for my girls.

          Goodnight, Sweetheart, I love you, truly I do.  Do you remember eating cookies in the lower berth on the train to Frisco?  After the war we'll try that lower again.

Loving you always,

Gil

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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


 One evening in September 1944, Eleanor was  at the Florentine Gardens   

Left to right  Nick, Eleanor, Deb, Dave and 

 and Sol

For more about Florentine Gardens see http://dearoldhollywood.blogspot.com/2009/06/florentine-gardens-hollywood-nightspot.html