Hell of a Lot of Work

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Friday 14 September 1945, 6:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Okinawa may be one thousand miles north of the Philippines but it certainly isn't any cooler.  The temperature went up to one hundred and two this afternoon. Because of the lower humidity, it seemed cooler than Leyte. 

          My "tochas" is still sore but I've been comfortable except for a few minutes after a BM.  Anyway tomorrow I'm going back to work.  I have quite a backlog of patients to take care of so I'll be quite busy for the next week or so.

          This afternoon I settled down and wrote letters to both mothers, Libby and Ruth.  Tomorrow I'll write Uncle Mike, Uncle Bill and Deb.  Then I'll be about caught up.

          Mail came aboard in the late afternoon and I really hit the jackpot.  I got eleven letters and a card from you, a letter from Libby, two letters from your mother and my electric shave to boot.

          I know how disappointed you must feel at my not coming directly home.  However I do expect to be back in the United States before the end of the year and maybe long before.  Here is the situation.  A service force supplies troops and ships with fuel, food, clothing and repair necessary for maintaining an active force.  Naturally there are no establishments ashore yet but as soon as they are built, the headquarters will be established ashore and we won't be needed anymore.  That is the long way of looking at it.  Admiral Smith should have another flagship within three weeks.  There is a very good chance of our returning home then. Believe me we are all praying that will be so.  Anyway you needn't be concerned about my safety because Japan is well under control now.

          It sounds like your last days in Arrowhead were quite full.  I hope you didn't let Ruth spoil your stay by hurrying you home before you had planned. My guess, however, is that you were fed up with the inconvenience of the place and that you were ready to get back to decent comfort.

          I received the gold braid and the tailor will go to work on it in the morning

          The war is over but there is still a hell of a lot of work to be done.  Did you know that Marine Corps officers need sixty points to get out?  I wouldn't be at all surprised, even if Leon doesn't think so, to hear that he was sent out again.  He has had a tour of duty overseas but he's been back in the United States a long time and there are still many doctors out here who'll need relieving.  Now you know about the extra quarter point per month for sea duty.  I'm expecting extra points for children to be announced soon.  Of course it doesn't hurt for civilians to write their congressman. I bet they are doing plenty of writing.

          Tonight's movie is "Patrick the Great" with Donald O'Connor and Peggy Ryan.  It should be amusing. 

          Now Sweet please try to hold on a little longer.  The going has been rough and you've been alone and unhappy.  But deep down, we were always together in spirit and very soon now we'll be together physically.  Keep smiling and one of these days I'll be writing you the wonderful news you've been looking and praying for.

          Goodnight my love.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

P.S.    We are supposed to sail from here on Tuesday 18 September so there'll be another break in mail.

Gil

Thumb Sightseeing

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 10 July 1945, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling, here is that guy again.  This morning was the usual busy routine.  Then I received a typhoid booster shot and a smallpox vaccination.  My arm isn't very sore now but it will be by tomorrow.

          After lunch the captain and I went over to Joe Goldfarb's ship and he ran us up the coast to town.  We went ashore and via the thumb went sightseeing.  We must have covered plenty of miles because we were riding almost steadily from 2:30 to 5:00 PM when we returned to the dock.  We had a boat take us over to Joe's ship which was anchored in the stream.  It is an hour's ride, so we had dinner aboard the LCI.   We got back aboard about fifteen minutes ago.  It was quite and interesting trip and yet nothing outstanding I can write about.

          I received one letter from my sweet today so here goes.  Let me know what you find out about a lot in the Pickering Estate.  They are probably high but then one can never tell.

          There is a change in the flag setup which I can't go into at the time. Temporarily we have an admiral and commodore aboard.  Soon however (we hope) the admiral will leave, but the commodore will remain.  This commodore was a captain aboard before and was just promoted to his present rank.  So much for that.

          I do hope for Deb and Dave's sake that Dave gets into Officers' Training.  There is one catch that they may not be aware of and that is the officers trained at Navy or Marine expense, especially at this late date, will be the last to be released from active duty.  Right now there is a big drive on to get reserves to join the regulars.  So far the response is poor.

          No doubt Dick is ruining his health, but I for one shan't worry about it.  He is old enough to know better and his attitude about the whole deal is very warped.

          There is nothing more to say.  The movie tonight is an oldie "Boom Town" with Gable, Tracy, Colbert and Lamarr.  The trip ashore was very dirty and I'm filthy.  I'll take a shower before going to the movie.

          Goodbye now Sweetheart.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Loving you a always,

Gil

          

Send Salami

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco

Sunday 4 Feb. 1945, 7:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor

          Happy days! Got nine letters today, all from you except one which was from your mother.  This being Sunday, I had services arranged on board so that took up my morning.

          I did see several patients this afternoon but really I didn't overwork.  Since last night we've had two appendectomies and a third scheduled for tonight at 10:00 PM.  I'll probably go to the movie and then attend the "opening."  The movie tonight is the "Falcon Comes to Hollywood" and I hope it's interesting.

          Sweet, those snaps are swell but I have two complaints.  First, no picture of you and second, only one of Linda.  Norma is simply adorable and I had an overwhelming desire to have her here so I could cuddle her in my arms.  Imagine how a picture of you would affect me.

          Sorry about your unpleasant evening at the "G's." However please don't let all those little things get you.  Really it isn't worthwhile.  Sounds like the affair at the Brentwood was quite swanky even if oversold.

          I do hope Dave does make warrant officer but I doubt that he'll go through officers training.  The Marine Corps training is extremely rugged but then who can tell.

          Send Sadie her camera.  Colored snaps can be taken with a miniature camera and enlarged.  Probably the cost is no more than the way we have been getting our colored pictures.

          For a while you seemed so busy and in such a better frame of mind that my mind was relieved.  Now you are drifting back and letting everything get you down.  Snap out of it Sweet, you owe it to yourself and our girls.

          Saw "Together Again" recently.  Glad you enjoyed it.  
          The four months began Jan 1 and ends April 30.  I still think we should buy another $1000 bond.  The income tax for 1944 won't be much over $100.  A series "G" bond can always be cashed in.  Beside checking accounts don't produce any interest and every bit extra help.  I'm going to the movie now and will finish later.

10:15 PM

          Back again honey.  The Falcon movie was pretty good and took up two hours of my time. 

          The records I got were those of the kids wishing me a happy birthday.  The papers you sent were just what I was looking for.  Now my file is complete.

          One minute you tell me how important money is and the next you tell me about nursery school at $5 a week.  Make up your mind, gal.  That is better than $20 a month that could well be saved.  Anyway I expect to be home by fall and we'll discuss it further.

          Still getting calls to teach, I see.  Well I hope you aren't doing too much.  Seems to me you were happier when you were getting out more with your friends, however you know best.

          Commuting from Long Beach is a small problem.  Thousands who are employed in war production plants do it every day.  Leon is all wet as usual!

          Wish I could tell you about the beach around here but I really can't so please don't ask.  Anything I can say I will, you know that.

          Talking about something to send the other night we were talking about kosher dill pickles and imported salami.  How about that?  Think you could send me some?  I could really go for one of our nite-nite snacks right now.

          I see with Linda something new has been added.  What's causing her nervousness? Find out if you can.  After all there is little I can suggest so far away.  She looks thin in the snap.  Maybe a tonic or some Vitamin B would help.  Have her checked and find out.  However I'm sure that the change you are planning will help a lot.  Do you remember how well she ate at Catalina and Arrowhead?  I won't worry because I know you'll do what is necessary.

          So much for the mail.  Sweet do you remember when you, Linda, and I rented the pony and wagon in Catalina?  Didn't we have fun?  Didn't we have fun? Didn't we always?  Well we will again.

          I'm signing off now.  Good night my love, my one and only darling wife.

Love

Gil

Leper Colony Is Not Close

Saturday 7 October 1944, 11:00 AM

Good Morning Sweet,

          Another busy morning.  Found a couple of patients waiting when I came down to my office.  It was 9:00 o'clock by the time I was through, and I had to dash over to the Welfare and Recreation office to get tickets for a U.S.O. show.  Also attended to some library matters and checked with the Red Cross about getting additional recreational material.  Just got back and I hope I can get this off in today's mail.

          Wish I could hear Norma talk.  Maybe Dave will make a record for you to send on to me.  A few words from you and Linda would also be a real surprise.  The civilians are male shipyard workers.  I met them through our chief pharmacist mate.  We went over early and made lunch for ourselves and dinner for all.  It isn't too bad that I didn't go into the Army.  Two reasons:  First Ray Davis was made available the same time as I and he has been in nine months longer than I have.  Second, I know I'll do dentistry in the navy, but in the Army I might be recruiting, setting behind a desk, drilling men, in fact anything but dentistry and when a dental officer does work in his own line he likes to have good equipment to work with.  Besides dear, all the Army isn't in Europe.  There are plenty in the Pacific area and they'll stay there along with the Navy and the Marine Corps until they are good and ready to send them home.  I have no regrets and please don't worry your little head about what might have been.  The past is behind us and we must look to a happy future together.  That clipping doesn't mean a thing so forget it.

          About my accounts.  Turn everything over to the bureau that you don't get any action on by the end of the month.  Regarding John O. York. Check with the bureau and Al Posner.  If either has the accounts, have them follow through on the information you have or release the account to you.  Then turn it over to the Santa Monica Credit Association.

          Put in a claim with Al Blumberg for lost and damaged personal property.  He'll collect from Bekins faster than you can.

          The leper's colony or any other place is not as close as it would seem. Ten hours is not much time to do any sightseeing at any distance from the ship.  I'll get in the learning mood as soon as we get underway; I won't have so many other things to do.

          Honey, do you remember the summer of 1932 when you rode the trams with me and brought me my dinner? After this war we'll always ride together wherever it may be and enjoy every minute of it.

          Bye my darling, till tomorrow.  I love you and miss you more each day.

Your one and only

Gil

Red Pony

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Wednesday 16 February 1944

My Dearest Eleanor,

          Another busy day.  Guess they weren't kidding when they said the loafing was only temporary, but who cares.  I would rather keep busy than sit on my fanny all day.

          After the movie last night I returned to B.O.Q. and wrote six letters--the Fleischers, Collons, Goldie M., Frances and Jack, Ruth and Harry and the Aranoffs.

          At noon today the doctors got together and played volleyball.  We're going to do the same every noon.  We had a lot of fun and exercise but we sure looked soft.

          Dr. Tyler, who has been here for six months, got his orders for fleet marine duty.  This is considered the most rugged outfit there is.  The dentist trains right along with the marines and goes on all hikes under full pack.  In combat he goes over with the second wave.  All of this has made him very happy as you can well understand.  Now all the men who have been here for six months or more are expecting orders any day.

          Don't let this worry you.  I still will be here for at least six months and it can be a year or more before anything happens.

          You should be through riding the red pony by Saturday night and then we'll have a little serious business to take care of.  So until Saturday night keep those panties on and it'll be my pleasure to take them off.

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.