Heat Saps

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 20 July 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello my Sweet, here I am again.  I had my usual busy morning but this afternoon being field day I had no appointments and had all the time to myself.

          Several officers were going over to the beach on business so I tagged along.  Just as we hit the beach it began to blow and rain like I've never seen before.  We gathered at the club and drank beer until the squall abated and then we all went our own ways.  I went out on the highway and thumbed a ride to the hospital where Simmie is stationed and visited with him for an hour.  Then I returned to the club to meet the others.  I had time for two more beers before we were all present.  We shoved off but didn't quite make the first sitting of the wardroom and had to wait until 6:30 to eat.  That gave me plenty of time to shower and clean up before chow and now here I am.

          I got six letters today.  Three were from you, my darling. There was one each from Ethyl, Leon and Libby.  Now here goes.

          I do hope all you Lake Arrowhead plans come off smoothly now.  Another disappointment would be too much.

          I really feel okay and though my letters are short you shouldn't interpret that to mean I'm low and discouraged.  Of course there is nothing to cheer about.  I really do miss you and the kids.  Yet I am safe and have as many comforts as one could expect and I am doing the work I like.  However the heat is terrific and it does sap a fellow's enthusiasm and pep.

          I'm really hoping and planning to be with you on your birthday.  Next month I'll send in my request for my next assignment.  We'll just have to be patient, wait, and see.

          From the amount of time you've spent cleaning, the house sure must have been a mess when the painters and floor men were finished.  I hope you didn't overdo.  You know that another day more or less wouldn't make any difference.

          Tonight's movie is "China Sky" with Randolph Scott and is supposed to be good.
          I just had my next correspondence course lesson typed up and after I've edited it, I'll send it off.

          That is all the dope for tonight honey so I'll sign off.  Goodnight Sweetheart and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Over the Side

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 22 May 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Honey, how is my one and only tonight?  Last night after the movie I showed the doctor the salami and though he could see nothing wrong with it he thought it would be safer not to eat is, so over the side it went.  Then this morning I happened to mention it to the butcher.  He said it was okay and that salami is a smoked meat and keeps indefinitely.  Now dear, can I prevail on your good nature to send me another one?   In order to protect the casing he suggested that you dip the whole thing in paraffin wax, wrap it in cheese cloth and dip it in wax again.  How about it? Do you think you can fill the order?  However if it's too much trouble don't bother.  I'll get by very nicely without.

          After last night's movie I spent some more time on my course.  It is now finished and ready for typing up.

          Today began as usual and I was busy all morning.  After lunch I censored some mail and read for awhile.  At 1:30 I saw another patient and then I let someone talk me into going ashore.  We got there at 3:00, had a few beers and returned to the ship at 5:15.  Then I showed, changed clothes, ate dinner, played cribbage and went to the movies.  The picture was a musical western with Roy Rogers, "The Lights of Old Santa Fe."  It wasn't too good but still it had more entertainment value than "None But The Lonely Heart.

          There was no mail today so I hope to get a few letters in the morning.  I've told you so many times that I'm just repeating myself now, but if you don't get any mail for a few days don't worry.  You can draw your own conclusions as to why.

          That's thirty for tonight.  Goodnight Sweet and I do love you and I mean YOU.

Yours forever,

Gil

USS Ocelot in Ulithi Lagoon. The salami went over the side.

Chicken Pox

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 20 May 1945, 10:15 PM

My Darling,

          Here I am again.  Today being Sunday I did take it easy.  I slept until 7:45, dressed and had a cup of coffee.  I went to work at nine and quit at eleven.  Then I went up to my room and censored a stack of mail.

          After lunch several officers went ashore, but I was too lazy to go along.  Instead I went to my room and read a magazine for awhile.  Cox (my roommate) and I played cribbage for an hour and knocked off when they brought us some mail.  I got two letters from you and one from Bob Jaffe.

          I took the letters and my magazine and went up on the poop deck where I stripped down, read and got a little sunshine.   Boy was it hot!  And not a breath of air.  Thank God it always cools off in the evening so a guy can get some sleep.

          We had a turkey dinner tonight with all the trimmings.  Then I went up to the Captain's cabin for our nightly cribbage game.  We quit at 7:30 for movies.  The picture was another repeat, "San Diego I Love You." Not good but still not bad.  Now here I am.

          Your letters were both marked May 11.  I do hope Norma's chicken pox doesn't bother her much and that Linda doesn't come down with it too.  Most of all dear, don't let it throw you.  That type of illness is annoying but not serious. By the time you get this note I hope it's all over and forgotten.

          I'm glad you have definite plans now for a vacation. August will be much nicer than July.  Go ahead and have the house painted in June.  I don't believe I'll be lucky enough to get home by then.  However I'd never let a little paint or confusion bother me--no matter what.

          After I'm through writing I intend to spend an hour on my correspondence course.  I should have #7 done in a day or two.  I have a couple of letters to write but they'll have to keep for a couple more days.

          Gosh dear, as I lounged around today my thoughts were constantly of you and the kids.  Wondering what you were doing and if the kids were both well.  That's one thing about being busy all the time--a fellow doesn't have too much time to feel sorry for himself or get homesick.  However it can't be helped.  I do love you and can't help missing you and our girls.

          Well, guess I'll secure for tonight.  Goodnight Darling, until tomorrow.

Your lonely,

Gil

Get Hold of Life Magazine

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 19 May 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello my Sweet, how are you today?  I'm just as fat and sassy as usual.  Began today with the usual heavy schedule but I had a few broken appointments so I was able to take things easy.

          After lunch today I spent an hour or so on my correspondence course, lesson #7.  I'll try and get it out of the way by the end of the month.

          Then I undressed, climbed into my bunk, censored some mail and read a magazine until it was time to shower and dress for dinner.  After that the usual cribbage game and then movies.

          The picture tonight was a repeater, "Lake Placid Serenade" but I went just the same.  In the middle of the show it began to rain but I had my raincoat with me and so I sat through it just the same.  Now here I am.

          No mail today.  I'm missing of few letters up through the 10th so I should get some in the morning.

          Do you get to see Life Magazine?  One of the May issues has some interesting pictures in it.  If you get hold of it save it for me.

          Tonight is Saturday and if I were home we'd probably have gone to an early movies, picked up a Sunday paper and be on our way home by now.  However when we'd get in bed I'd change my mind about reading and turn the light out instead.  Then guess what--right the first time.

          No more for now darling, so I'll sign off.  Goodnight honey, and I'll see you in my dreams again (I hope)

Yours forever,

Gil

Life Magazine, May 7, 1945 (the one Gil asked Eleanor to save) has articles about Ulithi atoll, German prison camps, ducks for food, Lauren Bacall.

Link to magazine

http://life.time.com/history/buchenwald-photos-from-the-liberation-of-the-camp-april-1945/attachment/17_mbw_buchenwald_spread1/

Thank God

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 19 January 1945, 6:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling, here I am about to whisper a bunch of sweet nothings in your ear.  I didn't get any mail but I can still say I love you.

          Today was just another routine day though my dental duties will be fuller from now on (thank God).  I'd just as soon do dentistry as mess around with other travails.

          Put in ten fillings, extracted two teeth and examined fifteen men.  It was 11:30 by the time I was through so I had time to freshen up before lunch.

          This afternoon I worked for a couple of hours on my correspondence course.  Then I censored some mail, showered and by the time I dressed it was time to eat dinner.  My how the day goes by!

          The past few days, the news bulletins coming in have been most encouraging.  So much depends on how things go now that I can hardly wait for our daily newspaper.

          Sweet do you remember the first time you and I went to Catalina?  I was a dental student and you were my best gal.  Doesn't it seem years and years ago?  At that quite a few years have gone by since then but I don't feel any older and if I were home I'd prove it.

          No more for now dear so I'll sign off by saying good night Sweetheart.

Love,

Gil

Nothing to Break the Monotony Except Chow

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Sunday 27 February 1944,1750 o'clock

Dearest,

          What a day.  First I sat on one chair, then another, on one desk and then a second.  Nothing to break the monotony except chow.

          When I arrived here this morning I changed into my grays and am I glad with all the laying around I've done.  For breakfast I had orange juice, coffee and donuts; lunch--creamed chicken on toast with peas and coffee and ice cream; for dinner baked pork chops (2) with asparagus, small salad, red tart plums and ice cream (both for dessert).

          I read some, did some work on my correspondence course and even took a nap.

          How was your trip home?  Did you find the kids well?  I hope that tickling in your throat was a false alarm and not a cold coming on.  I really feel much better today.  The achiness is gone as is my headache. Now I'm getting drainage from my sinuses.

          Don't forget to write Deb about my leaving Saturday instead of Friday.  It has only been eleven hours since I saw you off and I miss you already.  It's going to be hard to wait 'til Saturday.

          By, my Sweet, 'til tomorrow

Love,

Gil

P.S.  Before the movie this evening, they are having a general service.  I may or may not attend.

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.