Demobilization Plan

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 16 August 1945, 7:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          When I came into the wardroom for breakfast there was a lot of excitement.  The Navy had announced its demobilization plan.  Actually the present point system will release only 327,000 of a total of 2,500,000 so it is evident that another and I hope more equitable plan will be announced very soon.  Relatives of many men serving overseas will write congressman asking for recognition of overseas duty and additional dependents.  As it is, I'm short twelve points.  Out of the well over 500 men aboard, I only know of four officers and ten men who are eligible.  By the way the medical officers were included for release eligibility but the dental corps was not.  I really hope to be a civilian in about six months.

          In spite of all the excitement I did keep busy all morning and even saw three patients this afternoon.

          There is no dope about where we go from here.  In a day or so there will be no more censorship and I'll be able to write anything I damn please.

          The mail brought me one letter from my sweet.  I was happy to read that you are keeping busy and that your spirits are up a little.

          No, in spite of my sweating, I haven't lost any weight.  Who cares as long as I'm healthy?

          With the war over I may be able to tell you in advance when and where I'll arrive when I do head home.  We'll be able to have a few days together before the family moves in on us.

          I'm not making any more jewelry.  In a few days I'm taking the junk you sent over to a trading post and get whatever I can for it.  I'll also buy some stuff if I can't get what I want in trade.

          Tonight's movie is "Hitchhike to Happiness" with Al Pearce.  I hope it's better than last night's movie.

          No more for now Darling, so I'll sign off.  Goodnight Sweetheart.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Still Sweating It Out

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 3 August 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,

          Here I am still sweating it out.  Worked all morning as usual but this afternoon was field day so no appointments. Instead I worked on the wardroom statement and read for awhile.  I'm reading "China to Me," by Emily Hahn. It is an autobiography and quite interesting.  Then I showered, censored mail and dressed for dinner.  After chow we played cribbage and now here I am.  My routine doesn't change very much, does it?

          It is still hot with no clouds to shade the ships and sea from old sol.  Just to give you an idea of the heat.  I was reading with a fan, just three feet away, blowing down on my back. My back was quite cool and yet sweat just poured off me where the air from the fan wasn't hitting me.  I've given up looking for rain though I suppose it'll rain tomorrow because it's my turn to take the liberty party ashore.

          Tom Glass, our supply officer, got his orders today and returns to the states in about a week.  Cox is still awaiting his relief.  Hope when my orders come that I don't have to sit around and wait like he is.  It has been almost 4 months.  That would drive me nuts.

          I got two letters and the hunting knife from you today.  It's a good knife. Although I don't expect ever to need to use it, it's good to have one.  I had bought one aboard for $1.35 and sold it for $2.00 today.  So everything is okay in that deal.

          When you are busy, I've notice that you are in much better spirits.  I'm glad that you are able to occupy your time so well.

          God knows when the shaver will get here by parcel post.  Packages are received out here via air mail but all the dope I could get on it was in the request letter I sent you.  Anyway it is on its way now and maybe it won't take too long.

          Penicillin was first used by the Army and Navy.  Its application is quite simple and its usefulness is quite universally known.  Just some more Goodman propaganda I guess.

          Tonight's movie is "Don Juan Quilligan" with William Bendix.  It should be good.  I enjoyed "A Medal for Benny" last night.  I hope you did too.

          That is thirty for tonight Sweet.  So goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Yours forever,

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

          

Thrilling Day

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 26 June 1945, 6:45 PM

Dearest Darling,

          Hello my Sweet, here is that guy today.  Had quite a thrilling day.  I cancelled all my appointments and made plans with Dr. Law to look up Simmie.  An hour before we were to leave Sol walked in on me and was it good to see him.  His ship is quite a ways from where we are (fifteen miles).  He came over with someone who was on business, so he had to leave with him.  I'm going to find out how long his ship will be here and then plan as to when I'll go over to see him.  We visited for an hour.  Then my boat was alongside so we shoved off.

          We left at 9:45 and hit the beach at 10:30.  We walked through a small town and got out on the main highway.  We thumbed a ride and reached the 118th Hospital in about fifteen minutes.  We no more than walked through the gate, past the sentry when the first medical officer we ran into was Simmie.  Since I last saw him some thirteen years ago, he really hasn't changed much.   He has a little more weight on him which he well needed.

          We visited until noon and then had lunch with him.  After that we sat around at talked some more about old times and mutual acquaintances.

          We left at 1:30 and thumbed a ride thirty miles up the coast to another town.  From there we bummed a ride back to the ship arriving at 4:30.  All in all we covered about fifty miles.

          I've invited Simmie to be my guest aboard ship for a weekend.  He is going to try to make it the weekend after next.  Now that I've seen how the Army lives I'm twice as glad as I ever was that I was able to choose the Navy.  The food, comfort and working conditions in the Army are quite crude as compared with the clean, comfortable, well equipped shipboard life.  By the way it is now Captain Marcus and not lieutenant.  So much for that

          When we got back I showered.  Until chow time I relaxed in my bunk and censored mail.  After dinner I came down to my office and found two letters of the 17th and 18th awaiting me.

          Your report on Cappy and Edna needs no comment on my part.  By the way Simmie never did see Vic Spitzer as you reported.

          What shall I make for Ethyl? A bracelet like the one I sent you or one like I made for Linda.  I favor the shell bracelet, but I'll let you be the judge.

          What size film do I want?  Some 616 or 116 and some 35 mm.  Kodachrome (if available).  Otherwise some more black and white 35 mm. film.  Wrap the stuff in tin foil.  This heat is rough on film

          I really forgot all about Father's Day until I received all those beautiful cards from my three darlings and they were only one day late.  Pretty good timing.

          In many ways the Siegers are funny people but I do think that you'll have a nice time up there at Lake Arrowhead.  However I don't see why you should put up with Ruth, Babs, and probably Harry.  You don't owe them a thing and don't you forget it.

          I think tonight's movie is "Phantom Lady" and I don't' know who is in it.  I'll report on it tomorrow.

          In the meantime, my sweet, take it easy and don't let everything upset you.  Even if some people are thoughtless and forget you, there is one guy out here thousands of miles distant who loves you and thinks about you all the time (asleep or wake).

Yours as ever,

Gil

On this day Gil received the Philippine Liberation Ribbon but didn't mention it.

Perfect "V"

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 23 May 1945, 9:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, here I am once again.  Today has been a most uninteresting day.  I worked all morning at a nice easy pace.  Censored some mail after chow and then back to work.  I knocked off at 2:30 and paid a visit to the barber.  Then I took a book, went up on the fantail and took a sun bath.  Before I knew what had happened the afternoon was gone and it was time for dinner. After eating we stood out on deck, talked, and watched a most unusual sunset.  In addition to an array of vivid colors a perfect "V" was formed in the skies.  If I were superstitious I'd say it foretold a new great victory for us.  However unusual skies are usual here so I won't say a word.

           We had an amusing movie tonight.  It was "The Town Went Wild" with Jimmy Lydon, Fred Bartholomew and Ed E.Horton.  We also saw a couple of shorts.  We usually have them along with the feature but I skip writing about them.

          There was no mail so there is little more to tell.  I am reading "Pastoral" by Neville Shute.  Though I've only read a few pages I know I'm going to like it.

          I'm enclosing a list of Navy terms, many of which I use in my letters, probably to your mystification.  The Flag had a bunch of new officers report aboard. For a joke, one of the old timers passed this list out to them.  The terms are really part of our everyday vocabulary.  A wall is always a bulkhead and floor a deck.  In fact bed, ceiling, stairs, floor and other common words are actually becoming foreign to me.

          No more for now Honey. If you don't hear from me for a few days don't worry.  I'll see you in my dreams.

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