3 hour 15 minute Drive from Santa Monica to San Diego

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Monday 6 March 1944, 1200

Dearest,

          Had a nice easy trip back--3 hrs. and 15 min.  Talked to Dr. Doughty this morning.  He has decided that he likes his shift now so no change there.  I also phoned the newspaper and there isn't even one response on both ads.  Guess you'll have to try the Los Angeles Examiner.

          I really enjoyed the sandwiches and everybody came around.  All wished they had a wife who could fix them something for lunch once in awhile.  One of the corpsmen had a birthday Saturday; his mother sent him a big spice cake which he disposed of without any trouble.

          I am now biding my time till some of the fellows return from lunch.  Then I'll play some volley ball.  Tonight we are all going to the Dental Meeting (after dinner).

          There really isn't much more I can say--it's only fourteen hours since I left home nine of which were spent driving and sleeping.  The rest working.

          Kiss my girls for me. A real big one for you too.  Isn't it nice to know that by next weekend you'll be well and raring to go again?

          'Til tomorrow.

Your lover,

Gil

         

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Six Patients, Twenty Fillings

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Thursday 2 March 1944

1520 o'clock (3:20 P.M.)

Dearest ,

          I haven't heard from you since you left.  I hope it's only a delay in the mail and nothing else.  How do you feel?  If you haven't sent me the "A" book on the Plymouth please do so right away.

          This has been a busy day for me.  Not because we are particularly busy now but because I felt like working.  I only saw six patients but I put in twenty fillings.  I could just as well have made twenty sittings out of the six, but one gets tired of loafing all the time.

          One of Dr. Taylor's patients, a cook, brought in four large steak sandwiches for lunch.  I had one plus a bottle of milk and feel quite full still.

          Last night three of us went downtown.  Stopped in a bar for drinks.  Turned in.  Tonight I may go to a movie.  They are showing "Life boat."  Maybe I'll leave it for tomorrow night when I stand watch.  It all depends on how I feel.

          Everybody enjoyed the gingerbread cake (the icing was not sour).  I ate the apple for breakfast plus a couple of cookies.

          Excuse my rambling, but everything goes down as it comes up (I mean my thoughts).

          It's just been a couple of days since you left and I can hardly wait for Saturday night.

Love,

Gil

         

A Ration coupons 

 

 

 

Movie of Jap Attack

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Monday 21 February 1944

 

Dear Eleanor,

          Arrived safe and dry at 4:45 and hit the sack at 5:00.  The trip down was easy even though we did run into a lot of rain.

          Your chicken sandwiches went over with a bang.  Three of the doctors joined me for lunch.  This afternoon instead of the regular lecture at 4:00 we were shown official movies of the December 7 attack of Hawaii by the Japs.  Will tell you more about it Thursday (I hope).

          I am a little sleepy now but a shave and a shower will wake me up enough for the meeting tonight.

          By this time you should be all over with your little trouble and by Thursday be raring to go.

          Kiss my girls for me and don't be too impatient.  As ever

Your lover,

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.

 

 

B'nai B'rtih Meeting Tonight

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Monday 14 February, 1944 1515 o'clock

Dearest Eleanor,

          Had a very uneventful trip back to the base.  Made swell time--three hours and fifteen minutes.  When I got into my room it was colder than he-- so I turned on the heater.  In ten minutes everything was nice and cozy.

          The doctors made quite a dent in the box of cake and fruit this noon.  I now have two special requests for those candies that Linda gave me.  If you can buy some more for next weekend please do so.

          At noon today one of the cooks brought in some nice thick fillet steak sandwiches--mm.  Then we all went over to do some pistol shooting.

          This has been a typical Monday.  Busy all day long.  I really could find a patient if I looked hard but I just feel a little lazy so I'm writing this letter instead.

          I have a class at 4:00 P.M. and chow at 5:00.  Then back to the barracks for a little freshening up and the B'nai B'rith meeting tonight.

          How are you feeling today?  Is everything alright? I hope now you have nothing to occupy your mind except our plans for moving.

          Kiss Linda and Norma and a big hug for you.  (I just had another visitor for more of your candies).  Don't forget our date (in bed) on next Saturday night.

Love,

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.

 

"Crap Out"

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Monday 7 February 1944, 1735 o'clock

Dear Eleanor,

          This has really been a busy day so I didn't get much of a chance to "crap out" (loaf).

          We had an easy trip back.  I let Dave drive for an hour and I turned in at 0230.  Finished the sandwiches without any effort and had the best dinner I've had since I reported in.  I had a tenderloin steak about 2-1/2 inches thick and really delicious.  I still can't figure out what happened.

          Tonight there will be a U.S.O. show as well as a movie so I guess I'll go.  If the movie is no good I'll leave and turn in early.

          Got one response on the ad but haven't been able to reach the party.  All that was left was a phone number.  I'll try again later tonight and if no luck tomorrow noon.

          Hope Norma is feeling better.  It really won't be so long before I'll be home this week.  give Linda and Norma a big hug and have one for yourself.

Love,

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.

Fuse Burnt Out

 

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Monday night 31 January 1944

17:30 o'clock (5:30 P.M.)

Dearest,

          Just finished chow.  This is the first free time I've had today.  Been pretty busy.

          When we arrived in San Diego last night, it began to rain, and it was doing quite well by the time we reached the base.  The car really runs swell although a fuse did burn out in Long Beach.  However there was a box of fuses in the car, and I fixed it in a jiffy.

          Applied for my "A" ration and expect to get my book on Wednesday.  Then I'll apply for my "B" book.

          All your cake is gone. There is a steady flow of corpsmen and doctors to my locker where I keep the two boxes of cookies I brought last week.  They are practically gone.

          At 6:15 a few of the doctors are going to the movie," The Phantom Lady" with Franchot Tone.  I don't know what it's about but it'll kill a couple of hours. then a shower and early to bed for a good night's rest.  It was 2:00 A.M. before I got unpacked and into bed this morning.

          I hope you got a decent night's sleep.  Don't worry dear.  Things will work out so that soon we'll have more than just weekends together.

          Kiss Linda and Norma for me. Until tomorrow I am

Your loving,

Gil

           

 

 

Am I Aggravated!

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Wednesday 2 February 1944
 1645

Dearest,

          Am I aggravated!  Took the car out at noon today to go downtown to place an ad and got stuck.  Fortunately I was able to get a club tow car.  I just called and found that the car is O.K.--some fuel pump trouble.

          This really has been a busy day. Thirteen patients, including two WAVES.  The daily lecture was called off, so from four to five we were able to loaf. I didn't do anything last night after all.  Read, took a shower and turned in early.

          Tonight Gilman and I are going into town for dinner.  This damn food may be good but I'm sick of the sameness of it all.

          Got another letter today and am glad to hear that there is no serious illness at home.  Don't worry too much about help down here.  I just mentioned what we are doing now to a couple of married technicians and they begged me to keep them in mind if we rent a three bedroom house.  These boys are really having a tough time because of the financial end of it.

          Just three more days and I'll be home with my three Sweeties. 'Til tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

Free for Nothing

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Monday 24 January 1944
 1630 o'clock (4:30 P.M.)

Dearest Eleanor,

          Well--at last I can sit down.  We've really had a busy day today.  I put in twenty-four fillings and most of them were large ones.

          I took my time driving and got in at 7:30 A.M.  The other doctors here say I shouldn't take chances like I am.  If you're late for duty, car trouble is no excuse so I may have to rearrange my schedule.

          There really isn't much I can say.  I worked steadily all day.  Just dozed a little during the noon hour.  I really am sleepy and can't decide whether I should go to the B'nai B'rith meeting tonight.   I'll probably yawn and yawn.  However I shan't decide until after "chow."  Maybe a cup of coffee or two will wake me up?

          How is Norma's cold today?  Is Linda still naggy?  I hope they'll both be good this week.  I talked to the officer at the desk.  Long distance calls are hard to get through unless on official business.  So if you must reach me, you'd better wire instead of phoning.

          Your cookies made a big hit.  There were lots of seconds and thirds and they are practically gone.  I hope this week goes fast so I can get back to my three girls.

Love,

Gil

Note: The Red Cross supplies all this stationary "free for nothing."

        

"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.