Moved to a New Quonset Hut

Friday October 19, 1945

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just got back from the movies.  We had "Docks of New York" with the Dead End Kids.  Kind of corny but the way the kids "murdered" the King's English was a scream.

          This morning another officer and I took a jeep ride over to one of the hospitals to see three of our men.  One of them returned with us and the other two will be ready to come back in a couple of days.  This afternoon we moved to a new Quonset hut and are settled for another few days.

          They've begun stripping the ship.  She should be out of commission in ten days to two weeks.  Tomorrow I'm taking over my claim for lost gear.  I'm asking for $495 but the amount will probably get pared down some.  However I'll come out ahead of the deal because I won't need to replace very much lost gear. 

          Outside of that there is no news.  I'm waiting, not too patiently, for orders.  Nothing will materialize until decommission is complete.  In the meantime Darling be patient and don't worry.

Love,

Gil

Won 25 Dollars Last Night and Lost 25 Cents Tonight

Thursday 18 October 1945, 11:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another day gone and another day closer to when we'll be together again.  Just loafed around all day.  It sure is hard to keep busy when there isn't a darn thing to do.  I did find an Ellery Queen mystery.  I read part of that today, but all in all today was just another one wasted.

          Today I got some more old mail dated the 1st and 4th October.  Wish I could tell you when we are leaving but I can't.  The Navy announced a three point reduction in points with additional reductions in December and January 1st.  It could happen that I'll be a civilian by the time I'm thirty-six.  I couldn't think of a nicer birthday present.

          I think I'll be home in time to help you with your Xmas shopping, but to be home by Thanksgiving and your birthday is cutting it pretty thin.  However, it could happen.  They've started decommissioning the "Mighty O" and they could be finished by the end of the month.

          I think I remember Mary Billings.  Is she a thin, nervous type of girl around thirty-five?  No use asking as I'm not expecting any reply.  By the time any answers get out here I hope to be on my way home.  Why only 200 men aboard?  The flag carried about 500 enlisted men, yeomen, radiomen, storekeepers and signalman.  When they moved, they took them along.  The men we had aboard were just those necessary for running the ship.

          You've been talking long enough now about how you've been feeling.  How about going to a doctor and getting the low down once and for all.

          Talking about weight, since we've been ashore I've been doing lots of walking up and down hills and my appetite is tremendous. Hope I keep my weight down to what it was.  Here the food is better so I eat plenty.

          Your honeymoon schedule is excellent, but I do have one complaint.  Don't you think you should allow more time for loving?

          Saw a real good, though old, movie tonight.  It was "Knute Rockne All American," with Pat O'Brien.  After the movie we played a little poker.  I won $25 last night and lost about 25 cents tonight.  I'm not doing too badly, am I?

          That is all for tonight so I'll sign off and go to bed.  Hope I dream about us I love you so.

Yours forever,

Gil

Every Minute Drags

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 26 September 1945, 11:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another day gone.  Another day less of being apart.  Now that it looks like we will be on our way home soon every day, every hour, yes every minute seems to drag.

          Today was mostly a day of loafing.  With about 250 men aboard there is little to keep me busy.  I saw two patients this morning and one after lunch. That is all.

          I took a shirt and pair of trousers down to the tailor for some mending and had the gold braid put on my blue coat.  I tried the coat on and it fits just right.  So I guess I've held my own as far as weight is concerned.

          I got five more letters today.  Two were of the 19th and three of the 14th.  Your plans for Mexico sound swell but I was just waiting to hear what you would do about our girls.  We'll change our minds more than once and we'll have time to talk it over when I get back.  You see, it'll take from one to two weeks to decommission before I can go on leave.

          About leave--leave after overseas duty is limited to thirty days.  However leave is cumulative, thirty days for each year of duty.  By the time I get home I'll have almost sixty days leave due me, but the most I could take then would be thirty days.  I would get the balance plus any additional time (2-1/2 days for each month of service) as separation leave.  Anyway, as I explained above we'll have time to talk things over when I get back and decide what to do depending on the conditions at the time.

          About the Buick.  I don't know what it'll cost to fix her up but I'd think twice about a new car.  If our car sells for a high price so will the new cars.  As our car depreciates, the prices on new cars will go down.  Please dear, don't do anything foolish or hasty.  I know of many other places where we can spend money to better advantage than on a new car.  Don't do anything till I get home.

          We had another excellent movie tonight.  It was "Christmas in Connecticut" with Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan.  This is another movie I recommend for you to see.

          Today's mail also brought some additional snaps and they're well.  I can't wait to see my family in the flesh.

          No more for now Sweet, so goodnight and sleep tight.

Love,

Gil  

A Four Striper Looked Us Over

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 24 September 1945, 11:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, how are you tonight.  Myself I'm all hepped up.  I'm afraid to tell you this lest you be in for another disappointment, but here goes anyway.  Today we had a four striper from maintenance aboard to look us over.  He said that they'd fix up the Ocelot well enough to put to sea and send us to Guam.  There we'll go into dry dock for further repairs and then back to the United States for decommissioning. Sounds too good to be true, but we'll know for sure in a few days.  If this does come off we should hit the Pacific Coast sometime between the 15th to 30th of November and be out of commission not later than December 15.  Yes Darling we have every hope of being together for Xmas and forever thereafter.

          Otherwise this was just another day aboard the "Mighty O."  I had appointments all morning and part of the afternoon.  I read awhile, played checkers and after dinner went to the cinema.  Tonight's movie was a real oldie but a good one.  We had "San Francisco" with Gable, Tracy and Jeanette McDonald.

          The mail brought six old pieces marked the 6th and 7th of September.  There were two letters, two Tattlers, the Mishkon Tephilo Monitor and a letter from your mother. Nothing to comment on in your letters, but as of now don't send me anything except via air mail.  If we do move as planned, regular mail or packages would never catch up with me until we got back. Gosh Sweet, I can hardly believe that we may be homeward bound soon.

          No more for now Sweet heart except that "I love you."

Yours forever,

Gil