Prisoners at Large

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Sunday, 26 August 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today was Sunday and I really took a day off.  During the USO show on Friday night two PALs (prisoners at large) broke into our armory, stole some guns and ammunition, commandeered a VP and headed for the beach.  One gave himself up yesterday and the other was apprehended on the beach last night.  This morning we sent a picket boat with an armed guard to bring the prisoner back, and I went along for the ride.

          By the time we got back it was 11:30 so I had just enough time to wash up before chow.  Then at 12:30 my tug arrived and "Buzz" Brosseau, the supply officer who relieved Tom Glass, and I shoved off for the beach and a few beers.  After a couple of drinks we thumbed a ride over to the 118th General Hospital and visited with Simmie.  He and a lot of others there have orders to go up to Japan and are leaving soon.  Bet he beats me up there.

          At five we boarded our boat and arrived at the Ocelot at 6:00 PM just in time for a scrumptious turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

          Then to the movies.  Tonight we had a real oldie, "It Happened One Night" with Gable and Colbert.  Everyone enjoyed it.

          The only news today is that Jack Hartfield, our skipper, has his relief aboard.  He hadn't received his orders this morning, but I think he's gotten them since then.  I haven't had a chance to ask him.  Anyway he should be leaving in a week or so.

          Well here's hoping that maybe my relief will pop up one day real soon and that when my orders do come I can up and leave.  It sure beats waiting around for weeks or months as Cox did.

          The mail brought me a sweet card from you and a letter from Libby.  I haven't "pinned up" anything Sweet.  And of course I'm thinking of you and only you.

          No more for now Darling.  So goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Black and White Mixture

Lt. Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 19 June 1945, 10:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello my Sweet, here I am again and feeling much better than I did last night.  I doped myself with Codeine, APCs, and some Black and White mixture.  Had a good night's sleep and awoke with my cold practically gone.

          As usual, worked all morning. After lunch four of us got a boat and went over to the hospital ship to see Jim Lyons.  He is doing nicely and certainly is in good spirits. He should be evacuated soon.  We had a rough trip back.  It took an hour and the spray soaked me down pretty well.  Had a shower and then I censored mail until 5:30 when I dressed for dinner.

          After dinner we played cribbage until 7:30 and then went to the movies.  We had "Without Love" with Hepburn and Tracy.  It was very good.

          There was no mail today but I really didn't expect any.  I'm practically through with "It is Still the Morning" and I'm really enjoying it.

          By the way I took a box of those "vitamin pills" over to Lyons.  I still have another full box so you can see how much candy I eat.  I also have a full box of salt water taffy that my mother sent.

          After this letter I'll write to our mothers, Libby, Ethyl and others if I'm still holding out which I probably won't.

          Not a thing that's new since yesterday so I'll sign off.  Goodnight my Sweet, I'm just dreaming of our happy days together in the not too distant future.

Yours alone,

Gil

Leyte Gulf

Blackout

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday, 13 January 1945, 7:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today was a little different.  This morning we moved alongside another ship to take on additional personnel and supplies.  The ship, a large tender, has five dental officers aboard, three chairs and a prosthetic lab.  A dentist who I met last week at the Officers' Club showed me around. There isn't much more I can tell you.  Oh yes, one of our men broke a tooth on his bridge, so I bummed one from the tender and will fix our man up in the morning.

          Because of a blackout last night we didn't have any movies, but I'm sure we'll have on tonight.  The movie is Abbott and Costello in "In Society." I do hope it is better than "Lost in a Harem."

          We have an appendectomy tonight that I'll probably attend after the movie.

          There was no mail again today so I am practically out of things to say.  So I'll say "I love you, Sweetheart."  I'm sure that that can bear repeating.  After dinner tonight, a few of us got to shooting the bull about home and family.  Gee I felt homesick.  Just to see you and hold you in my arms for a few minutes would be such bliss.  And to have Linda and Norma climb over me and get lint all over my "blues" would be such fun.  Oh well, guess I'll just have to wait a while longer.  Do you remember when I'd come home and shoo the kids away because of the afore mentioned lint?  I'll never be like that again.

          Well darling, there isn't much more for me to say so--goodnight my love until tomorrow.

Devotedly,

Gil

Buy G Bonds

Sunday 3 September 1944, 8:45 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just received your letter with a picture of Linda and am answering immediately.  I read and reread your lecture but good God Sweet there isn't a thing I can do about it.  Every time I write a longer letter and try to put something of interest in it the censor either cuts it or returns it to me for rewriting.  If some of you questions remain unanswered, remember I can't tell you everything.  For instance I can't say "I'm going to see "so and so." "so and so" denoting either a place or individual.  I can't say how long we may remain in any one place or even what's doing where we are.  Yet those permanently based here can do and say practically anything they like.  However after we leave here or after I see someone or do something then I may mention it, so please be patient.

          As for the insurance on the car, take out the same coverage we had the last year.  You ask what to do with the $725 from the Plymouth.  Buy a bond with it.  Not the series "E" though.  Get "G" I believe it is.  Anyway the same series as the $2,000.00 bond we purchased last.

          Yes dear we now have movies aboard nightly and I always attend except when on liberty.  I don't always mention the picture because some aren't worth mentioning.  Last night was a good one--you should see it. "The All American Romance," in color, with Brian Donlevy.  It ran for at least 2 1/2 hrs and held me every moment it showed.

          The reason I got my liberty fouled up was because the schedule had been changed and I was misinformed--so what.  Not much to do when I have liberty anyway.

          I had a long visit with the Captain yesterday and we are planning recreation for the crew.  As soon as it comes of it I'll tell you all about it.

          So you want me to spend at least 10 minutes a day writing to you.  Darling every letter I've written has taken at least 30 minutes. If there were more to write about I'd gladly take many times more time.

          I showed off Linda's newest picture at breakfast (the time the letter arrived).  The tropical background and the color brought forth many complimentary remarks.  I'd almost forgotten how big Linda was getting but the picture refreshed my mind.  Please take snaps of yourself and the kids and send them on regularly.

          I must be off now.  Have to see the Captain about some arrangements to be made.  Don't be blue Sweet.  I do love you and think about you all the time.

Missing you always

Gil

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot
FPO San Francisco

           

Met an Old Maid and Her Mother in Honolulu

Monday 28 August 1944, 8:20 AM

 

Dearest Wife,

          Good morning.  You're still asking questions and I'll try and answer them.  Those people I met in town are an old maid of at least 45 and her mother.  They've lived in
              
                censored

for over 20 years.  I didn't look at their bank account so I can't tell you if they're well off or not.  They were very hospitable to us considering that three of the four of us were total strangers.  We left at six even though we were asked to stay for supper.  Ate in town and returned to the ship.  There is no evening.  We are usually on the way back to the base not later than 8:30.  I've been asking about "The Anchor."  No one knows what it is although I can make a pretty good guess.

          Tomorrow I go on liberty and intend to do some shopping.  I know you write long letters dear, but there is nothing to write about and what there is to tell can't be told because of censorship.  I haven't been off this ship since Thursday so--I get up, shower, shave, eat breakfast and then to work.  At noon, dinner, then maybe a game or two of checkers and more work.  Then supper and a social hour in the ward room.  Movies at 7:45 PM.  Last night we saw a stinker.  First an Edgar Kennedy short and then some picture based on "Are These Our Children" which was lousy.  Then back to the ward room for awhile and so to bed.  Interesting isn't it?

          I've only missed writing one day since we left Diego so if you haven't received all my letters you will.  I'll try to look up some of those people.  When I talked to the chaplain yesterday he suggested my coming over to his office.  He said he could help me find whomever I was looking for.

          I dropped Leon a note last week, also my sister.  We'll see if Leon answers.  If not then he is a rat.

          So long darling, I must go to work now.  Till later

Your loving husband

Gil

No Movies

 

 Tuesday 14 August 1944, At Sea

Dearest,

          As I sit down to write I find that all I can say is a repetition of what I have said in my earlier letters.  Work, eat, and sleep, with a little recreation in the way checkers, gin, rummy, acey ducey, and walking around the deck is a good summary of my daily routine.

          I was a little busier in my office today and saw eight patients.  I also spent about an hour finishing up the cataloguing the books in the ship's library.

          Finished a murder mystery last night and am beginning another today.  Movies are not shown at sea as a matter of security.  In case of an emergency it is felt that all the men aboard should not be congregated in one portion of the ship--so no movies.

          It is now almost time for supper so I'm going to shower and change shirts as I've done lots of sweating today.

          I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

 

         

Corpsman Cleans Teeth

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Wednesday 8 March 1944, 1530 o'clock

Dear Eleanor,

          And another busy day.  I did twenty fillings and a treatment.  I got tired and put my corpsman to work cleaning teeth.  As long as my chair is in use I can take it easy.

          Nothing panned out on the ad I ran.  Guess I'll run another for the rest of this week and see what happens.

          Another man, Dr. Matson, who had been here six months got orders to go to Port (I don't know how to spell it) at Oxnard for duty with the Sea Bees.  Things seem to be moving right along.

          Was wakened last night a little after midnight by some dope who had been suffering for three days and "just couldn't wait any longer." You see I stood watch at the clinic.  Earlier in the evening I went to the movies and saw "See Here Private Hargraves."  A very amusing picture.

          Dr. Doughty is coming back with me Friday night so maybe we'll leave early.

          The "Padre" was in here trying to convert some of the boys and we had a lot of good natured kidding.

          Adios my Sweet until I phone you tonight.

Love,

Gil

         

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