Types

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday, 11 April 1945, 7:15 PM

My Dearest,

          How are you today Sweet?  I'm just the same.  Fat, sassy, and working all the time.  Had my usual busy morning but was through by 11:15.  Then I received nine letters, seven from you, one from Marty and one from your mother.  It was lunch time before I was through reading them.

          Gee the maps are swell.  When you send me some more art corners I'll be able to place them in my album.

          This afternoon was spent on my paper work and it was 4:30 before I was through.  I still have several afternoons of book work before my records and reports will be all up to date.

          Now back to my mail.  So many questions.  Alexander types my courses for me.  He is my corpsman.  No don't send the snaps back.  I don't have the negatives so I wouldn't want to lose them.  Besides I'll always be able to fill in the names for you at a later date.

          It's funny but you and I are both thinking the same about my office down to the shells, fish and furnishings.  I have quite an assortment of shells and I'm adding to my collection all the time.

          Thanks for telling me all about Easter.  I enjoyed every word of it though it did make me feel a little homesick to think of what I'm missing.  Sounds like a lot of changes in Santa Monica.  Suppose they're all making money too fast to spend it.

          Leon wrote and told me about the move to Treasure Isle.  I must answer in a day or two.

          Sounds like you're going through a pile of dough.  Take it easy gal.  The fur coat can wait until fall now that winter is over.  $700 worth of fixing on the house sounds like a hell of a lot of dough.  However as usual I'll close by saying use your own judgment.

          Didn't we see the Dunham Dancers once? They sure sound familiar.

          No, the Dental Corps is not separate from the Medical Corps.  It's just that we do our own administrative work rather than have the Medical Corps handle it.  Just a lot of extra work with no more independence than before.

          I didn't get any clipping about the new dental clinic.  Dr. Webster applied to the Navy when I did, but didn't pass physically.  He is a pretty nice guy and used to be a school dentist.

          The car is certainly costing now, but then again you haven't had to spend much on it since I shipped out.

          Sorry the Arrowhead deal fell through.  Maybe you'll have a much pleasanter holiday in the late summer or early fall.  Keep your fingers crossed.

          There is no use my talking to the doctor here.  See Lewis if you're not feeling well.  However you did consult a doctor at the hospital in Diego didn't you? However if anything is bothering you you'd be better off getting some professional advice.  Go ahead and see him.  You don't need my permission.

          This morning I began to shave and my shaver broke.  Well I got some screw drivers, took the damn thing apart, soldered a broken spring and it's as good as new.  I could use a new head for my Schick.  Get one from Marty and send it on.

          The movie tonight is Rosalind Russell in "Roughly Speaking" and is rated very good.

          I must dash now as it's almost that time.  Good night Honey, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love and kisses,

Gil

Lots of snaps ("maps")--Eleanor,Eleanor and Deb,and Dave 

Got 200 Books From Another Ship

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 9 February 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Got four letters from you today and a couple of dental periodicals.  About Cousins, the Army is like that.  Promotions are sometimes rapid.  However in the Navy everybody short of God has to put in his time in a grade or rank before he can expect any advancement.

          About the Professional Bureau.  If and when they turn an account back to you and you turn it over to Posner, notify the Bureau what you have done.  After they turn it back to you they can't expect any collection commissions if you have, in the meantime, turned the account over to someone else.  Regarding the Ottis-Kelley account.  There are three cards, one for Mrs. Kelley, one for her daughter and one for her mother Mrs. Ottis.  Don't let them confuse you by claiming credit on one card when the credit is given on another.  If you get in a jam, phone Miss Earnest for a hand.

          After all these months I'm surprised at the long letter from Blanche.  It goes to show something, but I don't know what.

          So you are reading "Forever Amber" eh?  What a gal.

          The dinner party at the Beverly Hills Hotel sounded especially nice.  Wish I could have been there for a couple of rumbas and sambas with you.

          You're right Honey.  Dave hit it right on the head this time.  But then a guy can't be wrong all the time.  He's bound to be right once in awhile.

          Yes dear, I'll try out that technique you mention first chance I get and I know you can do it.

          Now back to me.  Today began as usual with work and more work.  I knocked off at 11:15 AM and read Esquire until chow time.  This being field day, I "crapped out" while my corpsman worked all afternoon.  One of the ships had 200 books they wanted to get rid of so I took them off their hands.  Nice of me wasn't it.  The books aren't new but there is still plenty of good reading in them.  They are mostly mystery and detective stories.  I think they'll be quite popular.

          The movie tonight is "Music Over Manhattan" with Ann Savage but only rates 3.  However I don't believe I'll miss it.  Not me.

          Well Sweet, this thirty for tonight.  Good night and pleasant dreams.  I love you, I love you, I love you.  (note the repetition for emphasis).  When I get back I'll show you how much.

Impatiently,

Gil

Love You The Way You Are

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 2 February 1945, 7:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just another routine day today.  Worked all morning and finished up at 11:15 AM.  Had lunch and then collected the monthly mess bell from the wardroom officers.

          If was cloudy and rainy looking but I went up on the poop deck anyway and got a half hour of sun.

          This being Friday, "field day" was the order of the day this afternoon.  My corpsman worked, cleaning polishing and I caught up on my book work,

          This morning I got a letter from you dated the 24th and two this afternoon of the 23rd.  Also got one from your mother.

          Now to your letters.  You seem to be teaching regularly.  I do hope it isn't too much for you even at $10 a day.  Why are you so anxious to lose weight?  I love you just the way you are, tummy and all.  I haven't been on the scale lately but I don't believe my weight has varied any from what it was when I came aboard, 170 lbs. clothes and all.  By the way I slipped the other morning and lost my mustache.  Don't believe I'll ever raise another.

          I have a recollection of the party at Ruth's that you mention but a very faint one at that.

          I haven't started "Fountainhead" yet.  I finished "Tree Grows in Brooklyn" last night and that book is next.  I would enjoy "Immortal Wife" so send it along.  I do believe that Xmas mail will soon be caught up and that packages will get out here in about thirty days.

          As long as you keep getting letters from me I don't see how you could expect me to phone you.  After all air mail goes so much faster than any ship.  Just take it easy dear and hope.  I still think that I have a mighty good chance to get back when my year is up and something could happen and bring me back sooner.

          Yes dear I got my fifth assignment finished and on its way.  The sixth should be ready to go by the end of this month.

          I'm glad that Linda is behaving so well.  I do hope that Norma snaps out of it and gives you more rest at night.  Losing an hour or two of sleep just spoils the following day completely.

          I hope you work out something nice at Arrowhead for this summer.  If I get back and you're there I'd rather spend our time up there together than anywhere else.  After all that was the locale of "our first night," wasn't it?

          Boy I sure could use some of that cold weather.  I do hope we move on before long.  The summer and late spring out here are just hellish.  It's hot enough in the winter. I'd just as soon scram.  However I'm just a (j.g.) in the dental corps and don't run the Navy.  It's probably a good thing for the Navy.

          The movie tonight "Carolina Blues with Kay Kaiser and Ann Miller and is rated only fair.  Guess I'll go anyway.

          Am signing off now darling.  Good night with love and kisses to my three girls.

Yours always,

Gil

Gil doesn't mention going to ashore for a few,  but here is a chit. Was it his?

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

Addressed Twenty Xmas Cards

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
              Friday 20 October 1944 10:30 PM

My Dearest Darling,

          Just came down from the movie.  The picture, "Dragon Seed," was long running, over 2 1/2 hours, but it held my interest every minute of the time.

          There is little to tell since I wrote last night.  I addressed twenty Xmas cards that I had purchased and have thirty more to send in addition.  Today has been another day.  I worked all morning and this afternoon I took inventory of the supplies in our wardroom mess.

          The mail today consisted of a letter from Al Stein while he was in the hospital and a copy of the Outlook.  Dear will you notify the Outlook of my new address?  This one went to Diego and was then forwarded.

          Now that most of my work is clearing up I'll go back to work on our ship's library.  Just today, I received, by mail, new books for our library.  The cataloguing of the books we already had is still incomplete.  However, I now have two dental corpsmen, so I should make better progress.

          I'll wait till I see the morning mail before I send this letter off.  Now it's time to turn in.  Good night my Sweet.

Love

Gil

 

Saturday 12:45 PM

Dearest,

          I've been running around all morning.  Just finished lunch and found four letters from you.  Now we'll have our little visit.

          You should have a letter from me every day.  I write daily, drunk or sober.  Such Dreams gal, don't you know any better. Now back to Mary.  If I've written once I've written three times that Mary is all wrong and I've never wanted to get away from you.  I love you too much for that.  So--it isn't true and you just forget it.

          I saw "Song of the Open Road."  It's about teenagers and lots of music.  Linda must have enjoyed it a lot.  I'll file your suggestions for Xmas and see what happens.  The reason I didn't tell you more about my visit with Al is because of censorship.  Al is shore based and so was able to write more fully about it.  No darling Leon's guess is still wrong so you can proceed to stop worrying.  I'm quite safe and expect to remain so as long as I'm aboard this ship.

          Our chief pharmacist mate, who was transferred, had been aboard since January but he is regular Navy (I believe) and had twenty-eight months of sea duty consecutively running.  However enlisted personnel and officers work differently.  Besides he had been in the states for over a month in February or March.  This can't be used as a criterion as to when I'll return.  Forget Xmas cards if you haven't already attended to it.  In all probabilities they wouldn't reach me on time.

          Donate as little as you can to the War Chest.  I am making my contribution in a more personal fashion.  This year let the others worry about it.  Forget the Center completely.  When I return will be time enough for our contribution.

          I bought a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses from the ship's store for $4.90.  The regular price is $7.75 so that is quite a saving.  Put in a claim for the pair that was lost.

          That is all for now, Sweet.  Wish I could wrap up a big bundle of love for you and send it on.  As it is I'm storing it up till I get back and then--Oh boy!! Bye darling till later.

Loving you as ever

Gil

 

Corpsman Painting My Office

Tuesday 8 August 1944, At Sea

Dearest Eleanor,

          What a beautiful day.  I wish you could enjoy it with me.  It is warm and sunny and the Pacific with its gorgeous blue is as smooth as a great big pond.

          Not much doing in the way of activity.  They finally finished messing up my office and now my corpsman is painting it.  I hope to be back to work tomorrow.  Bought some shirts and trousers and a slipover sweater for nights when it's cool out.

          I'm going to miss a few meals.  I'll bet I've already gained 5 pounds and I'll be darned if I'll keep them.  Been trying to get someone to work out with the medicine ball but no takers.

          Well, my Sweet, when this is over, you and I will have to take a cruise together.  Just think, you and I away on a holiday and it won't be long you'll see.

Bye Sweets,

Gil

Dentistry with Deck Pitching and Rolling

 

Sunday 6 August 1944, At Sea

 

Dearest Eleanor,   

          Another day well on its way.  I awoke this morning with the ship pitching and rolling.  Went in for breakfast and all I could get was breakfast cereal, toast, bacon and coffee.  It seems the stove went on the fritz and they were just finishing the repairs.

          Wish I had my camera aboard.  The sea is a beautiful aquamarine blue with white caps crowning the glory of the waves.  It is a little rough and has been since I turned in last night.  Aboard there are lots of seasick passengers laying all over the decks. Even some of the crew are not too happy.  

          After breakfast I went down to my office and began work by examining the pharmacist mates aboard and found plenty of work to do.  By that time it was 11:00 o'clock so I retired to my quarters and read a little while.  Thorne Smith's "Glorious Pool" is the book and it is very amusing.  Had dinner at noon.  Salad, fried chicken, and peas.  I passed up the potatoes.  For dessert apple pie and cheese and of course coffee. 

          Then I returned to my office and removed an embedded wisdom tooth for my corpsman.  It came out so easily that he was surprised and so was I.  Working on patients with the deck pitching and rolling underneath you is quite an experience and I'll probably have more before this present tour of duty is over.

          This being Sunday makes no difference when you're at sea--just another day and really it is quite difficult to keep busy.

          Did you hear over the radio where Lloyd's is betting 8-5 that Germany will be out by the end of October?  Just think every day that goes by now means that many days less before we'll all be together again.

          Bye my Sweet and my two little lovelies 'til tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

Arranged for Gas and Light

Tuesday 4 April 1944, 1800 o'clock

Hello My Sweet,

          One day closer to our new life in San Diego.  This business has got me to the point of becoming absent minded.  I almost forgot to write.

          Went down at noon today and arranged for the gas and light.  I'll have to leave the keys with one of the neighbors because there is no way of telling what time of the day the utility man will be down.

          Saw "Cover Girl" with Rita Hayworth last night and really enjoyed it.  Lots of good singing and dancing routines.  No plans for tonight though we are thinking tentatively of having dinner out.

          How about the house rental?  Anything happen?  I hope you don't have to turn it over to an agent.  It's too much money to give away.  Guess we'll have to do the best we can.

          My corpsman gave me a one way ticket from San Diego to San Francisco.  I'll use it to come home on if no ride turns up.  Nothing has.  You'd better not expect me on Saturday 'til rather late.

Love,

Gil

Corpsman Cleans Teeth

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Wednesday 8 March 1944, 1530 o'clock

Dear Eleanor,

          And another busy day.  I did twenty fillings and a treatment.  I got tired and put my corpsman to work cleaning teeth.  As long as my chair is in use I can take it easy.

          Nothing panned out on the ad I ran.  Guess I'll run another for the rest of this week and see what happens.

          Another man, Dr. Matson, who had been here six months got orders to go to Port (I don't know how to spell it) at Oxnard for duty with the Sea Bees.  Things seem to be moving right along.

          Was wakened last night a little after midnight by some dope who had been suffering for three days and "just couldn't wait any longer." You see I stood watch at the clinic.  Earlier in the evening I went to the movies and saw "See Here Private Hargraves."  A very amusing picture.

          Dr. Doughty is coming back with me Friday night so maybe we'll leave early.

          The "Padre" was in here trying to convert some of the boys and we had a lot of good natured kidding.

          Adios my Sweet until I phone you tonight.

Love,

Gil

         

The "Navy Way"

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Friday 18 February 1944

My Dearest,

          What a day!  Saw three patients today.  One this morning and two this afternoon.  Wasn't able to chase down regarding an apartment this noon as I had planned.  My corpsman was sent to San Francisco for a week course in Gas School and with Captain's Inspection this afternoon I had to spend part of my noon hour seeing that everything was spic and span.  The Captain didn't come through until 4:00 P.M. I had to stall with my last patient for more than an hour so that I would be busy when he came through.  That is the "Navy way" of doing things.  I did attend to my life insurance today.

          I believe I forgot to mention it in my last letter, but the night that the fellows went downtown for a couple of drinks I ran into Harold Jiler and Maurry Green.  They were not together but we all three ran into each other simultaneously.  What a coincidence.

          Received three letters from you today, so I guess that your Tuesday letter was delayed somewhere along the line.  It was postmarked 15th and the other two were the 17th and they all came together.

          I hope you are out of the "red" and feeling in the "pink" because we have an important date for Saturday night.  So until then my Sweet

Lovingly,

Gil

 

"To furnish volunteer aid to the sick and wounded of armies......" and "To act in matters of voluntary relief and in accord with the military and naval authorities as a medium of communication between the people of the United States of America and their Army and Navy......"  The Charter of The American National Red Cross.  By Act of Congress January 5, 1905.