The Hottest Day

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 19 July 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          It was a good thing I wrote to you when I did yesterday.  After dinner last night at 6:30, we left the ship and went ashore on a tug.  It's been eight months since I'd been ashore at night for a few drinks and relaxation.  The change was most enjoyable. I'll have to do it more often.  It was past twelve when we got back.  I was a wee bit high and turned in immediately.

          The club we went to is very close to the hospital that Simmie is at. The club has dancing every Wednesday night.  There were about fifty nurses, all escorted, and about four hundred officers.  Every other dance was a tag dance.  I danced twice and gave up.  I couldn't get half way around the floor before someone else cut it.  I'm not that hard up for a woman in my arms yet.  At least not any woman.  Now if a girl named Eleanor were there it would have been different.  However, as I said before, being off the ship in the evening was nice for a change.  We are planning to go over more often.

          Today has been the hottest I've experienced since we left the States.  I was busy all morning with patients.  This afternoon I got hold off a picket boat and ran into town to book another USO show for our ship.  The round trip took one and a half hours and I was ashore for about an hour.  By the time I got back my face was all tanned from the sun.  Where my cap covered my forehead I have a white patch.

          Before I dressed for dinner, I went to my room, showered, censored mail, and read.  After dinner, we played cribbage and here I am.

          There were no letters for me today but I did receive the package you sent with earrings, coffee drops and B'nai B'rith Bulletins.  I also received the May "Temple Tattler."

          We have been barren of any scuttlebutt lately although a change is still pending.  I'll probably have my orders before that transpires.

          The movie tonight is a western, entitled "Utah," with Roy Rogers.  We also have two shorts.

          And that is thirty for tonight.  Goodnight my Sweet, I'll see you in my dreams.  That'll have to do me until we're together again.  In the meantime, with love and kisses for all my three girls, I am still

Your loving husband,

Gil


Crew and Nurses in the Phillipines

Daddy Misses You

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

15 March 1945

Dearest Linda,

          I received your very sweet letter today and I was surprised at how well you draw.  My goodness, your chicken and rabbit looked so real I thought they would jump off the paper and right onto my desk.

          Ethyl Leavy wrote me and told me how well you and Norma are dancing now and what good, sweet little girls you are.  Keep up the good work.  You are both making me very happy and proud of you.

          Honey, daddy misses you, Norma and Mama, too and I'll try to come home as soon as possible.

          In the meantime keep up the good work at school and at home.

Love,

Daddy

Ocelot Being Outfitted With Communications Equipment for Role as Flagship

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
           Friday 22 September 1944, 10:00 PM

Hello Sweetheart,

          Just got back from liberty and now for our little visit.  Nothing important this morning until mail call.  Got a letter from you and a home recording from Dave, but I haven't been able to play it back yet.  Hope I can tomorrow.  After lunch the exec and I went on liberty together.  We sat around and drank all afternoon and then went to the beach for dinner.  After dinner we played some miniature golf and got a ride back to the ship with some marine flyers. And here I am.

          I wish I could take you to the dance at the "G's" but--well why say it?  However dear, when this is over there'll be many dances. We always have and we always will go again together.

          Yes dear I am sorry to say the Ocelot "ain't" what she used to be and I won't be home for some time.  What is the $29 storage bill for? You didn't explain.  If you have anything you wish to send me send it on.

          Certainly you are going to Chicago with me.  You didn't think I'd come home just to leave again.  Silly girl! And Grand Canyon is our first stop.

          Last night I wrote to the Aranoffs and the Bergmans. So two more off my list.  And as far as Leon is concerned, he is right, but I wouldn't worry.  Everything will be all right.   

          Nothing more for now Sweet but I'll be with you again in the morning.  Good night and sleep tight.

Saturday 8:15 AM

          Good morning darling.  Just had my juice and coffee and now for a few more minutes together.  Just you and I.  I had hoped for some-thing in the morning mail but no such luck.  I'm sure there'll be some letters this PM.  I hope you slept well, that our girls were good and also slept well.  Gee, even to be awakened at night just to cover Linda or Norma would be fun.

          I have a pretty heavy program scheduled today.  About five patients this morning and a couple this afternoon.  That with some non professional duties should keep me busy today.

          You should be well on your way to being settled by the time you read this note.  Hope you haven't worn yourself all to a frazzle but I know how you are when you begin cleaning and straightening.  Maybe you've learned by now.

          Dear, do you remember the Coconut Grove and Freddie Martin, how we loved dancing to his music?  Well Sweet, after this war it's you and I at the Biltmore, Ambassador, Slapsy Maxie's etc, etc.

          Goodbye for now.  Will be with you tonight and who said I like to sleep alone?

Loving you always

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