Need Dry Docking

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday  21 September 1945, 11:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,   

          Hello Sweet, here I am and back to the old "grind" again.  Had my usual working schedule this morning and the early part of the afternoon.  Then I went to my room and tried to read but my eyes wouldn't stay open so I napped until after 5:00 PM.  I should be just about caught up on the sleep I lost.  I showered and dressed for dinner and right after that the mail came.  Another jackpot for me--six letters from you, one from Libby and one from Ruth.

          First about the Buick.  No dice, it'll cost five to six hundred dollars, at least, to trade and that is too much to spend now.  Besides the first cars off the line may repeat our experience with our '41 Buick.  After you get more definite information about the actual cost, let me know.  But at the moment I'm cold on the whole idea.

          Your second idea, the trip to Mexico sounds ideal.  Find out and let me know what the plane fare is and expected expenses.  We'll both rate a vacation together and a second honeymoon suits me to a "t." Maybe the fur coat will work out anyway.  Who can tell?

          At present we are anchored in Buckner Bay.  If Leon does ship out to Okinawa, he'll probably get duty here.  I don't think we'll remain here long however.  We need dry docking and there isn't one large enough here.  The closest one is in Tokyo Bay and that is where we'll probably go.  That is if they fix the Ocelot up.  That's the way it looks now.

          The pink slip should be in the vault.  I'm sure that by now you've located it.  I don't think Dave will get out any sooner than I.  He has a few more months of duty but my sea duty points will make up the difference.  I forgot that he is an enlisted man and that means only 44 instead of 49 points.  Guess I'm wrong and he will be out soon.

          I'll write and tell Ruth off.  With all her "thoughtfulness and consideration" of you and Deb, she has no business to criticize.  To hell with her.

          I don't believe I know Lt. Harris.  But in Dago, I met several dentists who I can't remember.  So maybe I did.  Anyway I'm glad you enjoyed the meeting of the Officers' Wives Club and are meeting more interesting people.

          After dinner tonight we sat around and read mail until movie time.  The picture,

"Her Highness and the Bellboy" with Hedy Lamarr, was excellent.  After that I played a little poker.  I didn't mention it before but this is the third time I've played recently.  I lost $4.00 the first time, won $5.50 last night and $3.00 tonight.  We play a 25 cent limit game but there aren't any real card sharps aboard and I can more than hold my own.

          No more for now Sweet, so goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Couldn't Ask for Better Duty

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 4 May 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today was just another one of those days.  I was busy as a bee all morning and was surely glad when 11:45 rolled around.  This being "field day" I secured for the day and after lunch joined a group of officers going ashore for some recreation and beer--mostly beer.

          Our boat picked us up and got us back to the ship at 5:15 PM in time to shower and change for dinner.  Then it began to rain and though I don't know right now I hope it still is coming down.  I decided to come down to my office early and write you an extra long letter. Low and behold I found six letters from you and one each from Deb and your mother.  Now I really have something to write about and here goes.

          Linda's birthday party sounds like it was a real success, and she really bagged a lot of nice gifts.  Wish I could have be there to help and to enjoy the party with you.

          So you're teaching once more.  I'm glad you like your assignment.  Doing something one likes is so much easier.

          Talking about bonds, I'll send a $100 money order for Norma's birthday just as I did for Linda.  Buy her a bond and use the $25 any way you like.  Don't worry about me being short.  I'll get by.

          Sorry the Officers Wives' Club was so uninteresting.  I had hoped you'd make some new acquaintances.

          I don't know why you hesitate eating an occasional meal at the Corsos.  They don't worry about sponging on you or your good nature, so kill an evening once in awhile that way.  By the way take any good stuff out of the cellarette.  No use letting those buzzards guzzle it all up.  Send me Sam Kahn's address.  I'd like to drop him a note.

          I sent Leon a note to Treasure Island.  I hope he gets it.  Sounds like he doesn't like San Bruno at all but he'll like where he is going even less.  I'd trade with him anytime. Really for duty outside the continental limits one couldn't ask for better than I have.

          Now the blarney about Dick going up for Officer Candidate School.  Without a college education he hasn't got a chance but let them find out for themselves.  Don't tell them.

          I can see you never kept very good track of my weight.  Before I went on a diet I was close to 185 pounds and cut down to 182.  When I reported for active duty I was 170 and that is where I am now.

          No we never saw "Greenwich Village" but it is a good movie.

          Curry's letter was a surprise.  Not because she is infanticipating but because he is going into the Armed Forces.  After all he was working in defense and married.  Guess they're still nabbing plenty of unsuspecting papas.

          Considering the amount of beer I drank today I really have written a fairly sensible letter.

          Tonight's movie is "Night Club Girl" with a lot of unknowns, but I'll go anyway.

          So Sweetheart again I come to an end all out of breath.  Wish I was winded for other reasons.  I can hardly wait till that time when we can turn out the light and go to "sleep."  I never saw people sleep like that before.

          Until that time keep those panties on and your hopes up.  Love and kisses to all my girls at 714 Euclid.

Yours forever,

Gil

New Year's Dinner Menu Enclosed

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 6 January 1945, 9:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Got another stack of mail today.  Six from you, one from my mother thanking me for her Xmas gift and one from Libby thanking me for their gifts.  Also I got that comic book and the box of plastic for molding,  Now I'll see what I can do.  Your mail was marked the 23rd, 26th, 27th, and 28th.  Guess I'm just about caught up on all your back letters.

          Guess you're curious about Helen Dingey and D.G.  If you remember, about four years ago I had a patient who was pregnant when her husband died.  Well every year she has remembered me at Xmas.  I guess this is the first time I've missed.  Will have to drop her a note.

          About film, don't send any if you haven't already.  The way parcel post takes its time getting out,  who knows when it'd reach me.  Beside I have an idea we'll be on the move again soon.

          I'm glad you saw "Casanova Brown."  Now you know why I wanted you to see it.

          I did enjoy the pictures of the kids and I'll add them to my pin ups.  Got the chains also and got the bum one fixed up.  Should have both necklaces ready in a few days and I'll send them on.  How about another chain so I can make one for you also.  I've got enough matched shells after my last trip ashore.  And , by the way, these necklaces sold from $12 to $20 in Pearl Harbor and here at the officers' club they sell for as high as $30 so don't let the kids wear them when they're out playing.

          Yes dear I do enjoy the clippings and so do several of my shipmates.  Keep them coming.  How about the date on the pages from U.S. News so we can tell better about the news forecasts.

          Our glee club is dead for the time being.  Too many other things interfere with rehearsals.  However as soon as our routine permits we'll resume for our own amusement.

          Don't worry about when you get a hold of me.  Wait until I get a hold of you.  I hope you can take it! And don't worry about you or me changing.  We'll always be as before, a boy and a girl in love even with gray hair and what have you.

          About Sol, I thought you said he was a storekeeper.  Storekeepers are rated first, second and third class petty officers.  There is no such thing as a seamen third class.  As a Navy wife you ought to brush up on the grades of enlisted men and ranks of officers.

          "Since You Went Away" upset a lot of us too.  As I said before, even though it was a good movie it is not a moral builder and shouldn't be shown overseas.

          So you never saw a girl with a red tochas, well neither have I but what could I do without a full selection of colors.  I'm sending you a menu of our New Year's Dinner.  Add it to our collection.

          That last poem "This is My Beloved" by Benton was quite torrid and I liked it.  Send more please.

          Well you finally found out what you wanted to know.  My darling wife will always find out what she wants to know, won't she?

          The Officers' Wives' Club sounds alright but you know the Santa Monica "Elite" and remember the Women's Club.  However use your judgment and it might not hurt to phone Mrs. Gail anyway.

          So much for your letters of today.  Now aboard the Ocelot everything is serene.  We were to have another personnel and ship's inspection but it poured all morning and it was called off.  In the meantime I had called off all appointments in anticipation of the inspection so I had nothing to do all morning but read mail.

          This afternoon everybody, but me, went fishing--no fish.  Guess I'll have to show them how it's done.

           Tonight's movie was "Hey Rookie" with Anne Miller and the original soldier cast.  In addition there were a few skits stolen from "Meet the People."  All in all it didn't come up to the stage show.  Do you remember, dear when we saw it? It was at either the Belasco or Morgan and the war seemed so far away.  Bet if you were sitting next to me tonight, I'd have enjoyed the show a lot more.

          I have some more letters to write so I'll sign off now Sweet.  Goodnight.

Love,

Gil

 

New Year's Menu

 

One of the Pictures of the Kids