Wild Goose Chase--Used Wrong Form for Requisitions

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
            Saturday 14 October 1944, 9:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Went on a wild goose chase this morning.  Got some requisitions made out, borrowed the Captain's jeep. After chasing around for an hour getting it okayed, I was informed that the form used was wrong and so I've got to do the whole thing again.

          Well I returned to the ship and worked the rest of the morning.  After lunch, I rated liberty so I went on a shopping tour.  By the time I was through it was 4:00 PM so I returned and stowed my package aboard and then went over to the Officers' Club for a few beers.

          After dinner one of the officers and I played checkers until movie time.  My game is really improving.  We had a swell movie tonight, "Janie."  If you haven't seen it you must.

          No mail today except the enclosed card from Rabbi Lifschitz.  So no quiz program.  I have so much to do in the morning that I won't be able to write until tomorrow night.  You see, if I don't get the letter off early in the morning it won't leave the ship the same day.

          I've had a slight cold the last couple of days.  First I thought I was getting one of my sore throats but a few doses of "sulfa" and my throat cleared up.  The Doctor says as soon as we leave here my cough will clear up.  A harbor cough is what he calls it.  However, there are several colds aboard and I believe it's being passed around.

          Darling do you remember how much we've always enjoyed boating and how I wanted to buy a small craft for our pleasure?  Well Sweet, I haven't had too much of the sea yet and after the war I wouldn't be surprised if the Steingarts turned up with their own boat at Arrowhead or Catalina.

          How are my two little darlings doing these days?  Hope Norma soon gets over the crying spells she has when left outside to play.  And Linda must be getting to be quite the young lady now.  Did Dutchy get over her illness?  Every time I send a letter off I think of dozens of things to say but when I'm writing I forget.

          Well honey, it is time to turn in because I'm going to have a busy day tomorrow.  I love you Sweetheart and am counting the days till we are together again.

Love

Gil

 

Chiseled 260 Books for the Library

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
            Thursday 5 October 1944, 10:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,   

          This has been a busy day for me but I didn't do any dentistry.  This morning I got a jeep and chased over to a supply depot and picked up a mess of recreational gear for the ship.  It doesn't sound like much but one can sure waste a lot of time doing nothing.  This afternoon I went to the district library to see how many more books I could chisel for the ship.  Didn't do too badly as I was able to get 260 volumes--that is they are promised, but I feel certain that I'll get them.  Then I returned and found a letter from your mother and you.

          Glad you went out and had a pleasant evening.  You must have a little recreation once in a while. See that you get it. That is an order!  You didn't enclose Edna's letter--guess I'll get it in the next mail.  Nick and Wally are right in part.  Let's see what Leon says before I say any more.  Anything new with Dave?  I hope he makes officers' training but one can't be sure until he is on his way.

          Darling, don't be so touchy about what people say.  Look at Jim Frug.  He has been in for a whale of a long time.  Dr. Symington and Dr. Ing didn't go just for the lark either.  They were all released by the War Manpower Commission when I was, and there wasn't much choice.  Don't forget that a man isn't always as well as he seems and Dr. Messer definitely is not well.  He managed to stay out but I'd rather be well and doing my share.  I'll still have my health when I return and we'll have many years together and they'll be happy ones.  I'll say you're  a bit "balmy," but you'd better not wait until I get home to get over it.  You have as big a job at home as I have here and I expect you to do as good a job of it as I'm trying to do.

          The weather here is also perfect.  It is warm in the sun but cool in the shade and at night there is quite a breeze blowing down from the hills.

          I wish I could see my girls growing up but your comments on them will have to do for the time being.  Then when I get home I'll see if you kept me up to date.

          I've got quite an accumulation of gifts collected up but I'm going to wait until a few days before we shove and then send them all in one package.  It will be you job to distribute the gifts as you see fit.  I hope your song books get here soon so I can use them while we are under way.

          As far as food goes we get plenty of it and it's really OK. I'd love some of your "Brownies."  Do you think, though, that they'd be fresh and whole by the time they arrived?  I'll let you be the judge.

          Glad to here you got another woman.  Hope she pans out OK.

          Do you remember the date we made with Belle and Charlie to go to Alaska? Well I dropped them a note last night.  After the war let's keep that date.  I still expect to take a month off each year.

          Tomorrow will be another busy day.  Remember the ship's outing I told you about several weeks ago?  Well the men liked it so much that I've arranged another one and I'm going along in the morning.  We'll leave early so I'm going to close this letter tonight.

          Haven't I told you I love you darling? How can I tell you how much on paper?  Well just wait until I get back!  Good night, sweetheart!

Lovingly'

 Gil

P.S. Just reread this letter and that item about seeing that you get it. "It" means a little recreation in good company.  Sounded funny so the addition.  One never know what "it" can refer to can one? Night again Sweet and here is a big kiss!

         

Ambie Took Us Through a Submarine

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

              SS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
          Saturday 30 September 1944, 9:30 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,

          What a busy day! Saw a couple of patients in the morning and then chased down to the Welfare and Recreation Office on the base.  When I came back I found a couple of letters from you and one from Libby.  I no sooner got started reading and Jim arrived and so I postponed that pleasure and showed him around the ship.  He really was surprised at the size and facilities of the Ocelot.

          Jim had lunch aboard with me and we had an amusing incident.  The Mess Caterer is an elective job that no one wants particularly.  The Captain announced ahead of time that I was to be the next caterer.  However all the officers got together and voted for another officer who wasn't expecting any such duty and boom he is now Mess Caterer. The Captain was a little provoked but couldn't do much about it.  However he did dig up something else for me to do, Mess treasurer.  That is that.

          Jim came over in a jeep.  So after lunch, Hansen joined us and we all drove over to a
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and I ran into Alvin Klein.  We had a little chat and plan to get together later.  We than returned to the base and Ambie who used to be a

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n main took us through a large

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You can't possibly imagine  how compactly built a

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is.  Every inch of space is taken care of and really was an interesting experience.  Then we returned to the ship and Jim had to shove off.  We still had an hour before dinner so we walked over to the Officers Club and had a drink or two.  They have scads of slot machines and having three quarters in my pockets I took a shot at it.  Got $4 out, put $1.50 back so I'm $7.50 ahead.  Then we returned to the ship for dinner.  I found another letter and the money order waiting for me.

          After dinner we sat on deck and listened to a recorded radio program until movie time.  Tonight we had "Crime at Night" and it was enjoyment, a murder mystery with a lot of humor.  And so here I am.

          Now for the "Eversharp program."  Keep my driver's license.  I won't need one until I get back.  I can't tell how soon I'll be back, anything can happen.  Dinner out runs from $1.50 to $3.00.  Most places just serve a la carte!  Haven't eaten any tropical fish, but have tasted papaya.  I didn't like it in the states and still think it's too sweet.  When I go on liberty I usually don't get back until past 7:45 when the movie goes on.  That's why I miss the movie rather frequently on liberty days.  I've got you a locket, bracelet and earrings to match but they aren't of the charm variety.  Keep you panties on till they get there.  You have the San Diego deposit book.  Look in my records file.  Whew!  Do I get the $64?

          I still think you should go to meetings and to h... with what people say.  I'm not worried about it so why should you care.  I'll write Ethel and Doc and the Vaneteks as soon as I close here.  Good night, darling, my Sweet.  I love you. I do!

 

Sunday 1 October 1944, 10:00 AM

          Good morning, darling.  Sleep well?  Sunday is just another day in the Navy.  Just injected my third patient and while I'm waiting for the shot to take effect I'll finish off here.  Nothing new since last night.  Have several first of the month reports to make and also a survey of the oral condition of the whole crew and expect to be through by tonight.  Sounds like I'm optimistic but I think I can do it!

          Do you remember when we would go out for breakfast on Sunday morning just for a change?  Well sweetheart, after the war we'll always have breakfast together and wherever you wish.

          Now for our daily quiz program. Your
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          After the war wherever we go our girls go and that includes Chicago.  Frequently a couple of days will go by with no mail and then bingo! The jack-pot!  Five or six all at one time.  Sweet I don't care whether you write or type.  Just hearing from you and knowing all is well is all I ask for.  Bye darling.  I'm getting to be just like Jim except he has been away 18 months instead of the 9 weeks.  I'm a man with

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          Figure it out for yourself.

Love,

Gil

Jeep Ride in Hawaii

Saturday 9 September 1944, 9:20 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Good morning Sweet.  My office is being torn up for a change, and I am still in temporary quarters.  I'm writing on my cot so excuse please if any scribbling is worse than usual.

          I'll try to answer your questions as fully as possible.  Greys or tans are worn both at work and when on liberty.  I'm hoping to see those you mention but for reasons I cannot mention I' haven't been able to yet.  Having no work to do this morning I'll try to catch up on my correspondence.  I'm glad you liked what I sent.  That package went through OK but the kid's package got held up.  Will get that off as soon as possible.

          Hansen and I got a jeep yesterday and for three hours we drove around.  Do you remember the ride around Catalina?  Well much of this country is surprisingly similar but I saw some things which we must enjoy together once this mess is over.  And by the way, I still expect to take a refresher course before returning to private practice.

          After our sightseeing tour we stopped at an Officer's Club and who do you think I met?  Abe Weinberg--in person.  So far from home and yet look at all the people that I've run into.  This is really a small world.

          I hear there are some packages at the post office for me but they were closed when I looked in.  Will try again as soon as I'm finished writing.  Received the Binai Brith Bulletin yesterday so you can forget that item.

          Darling, if you get a chance to to San Francisco go ahead.  It is fairly certain that we won't go back to the states for some time.  I'm running out of small talk so I'll have to sign off.

          I love you Sweetheart and miss you and Linda and Norma more and more all the time and writing about it makes me feel all the bluer.  You'll have this letter in a few days and yet weeks and maybe months may pass before I'll have you and the girls with me.

          Bye, darling till tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

Lt. (j.g.) G. Steingart

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