Addressed Twenty Xmas Cards

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
              Friday 20 October 1944 10:30 PM

My Dearest Darling,

          Just came down from the movie.  The picture, "Dragon Seed," was long running, over 2 1/2 hours, but it held my interest every minute of the time.

          There is little to tell since I wrote last night.  I addressed twenty Xmas cards that I had purchased and have thirty more to send in addition.  Today has been another day.  I worked all morning and this afternoon I took inventory of the supplies in our wardroom mess.

          The mail today consisted of a letter from Al Stein while he was in the hospital and a copy of the Outlook.  Dear will you notify the Outlook of my new address?  This one went to Diego and was then forwarded.

          Now that most of my work is clearing up I'll go back to work on our ship's library.  Just today, I received, by mail, new books for our library.  The cataloguing of the books we already had is still incomplete.  However, I now have two dental corpsmen, so I should make better progress.

          I'll wait till I see the morning mail before I send this letter off.  Now it's time to turn in.  Good night my Sweet.

Love

Gil

 

Saturday 12:45 PM

Dearest,

          I've been running around all morning.  Just finished lunch and found four letters from you.  Now we'll have our little visit.

          You should have a letter from me every day.  I write daily, drunk or sober.  Such Dreams gal, don't you know any better. Now back to Mary.  If I've written once I've written three times that Mary is all wrong and I've never wanted to get away from you.  I love you too much for that.  So--it isn't true and you just forget it.

          I saw "Song of the Open Road."  It's about teenagers and lots of music.  Linda must have enjoyed it a lot.  I'll file your suggestions for Xmas and see what happens.  The reason I didn't tell you more about my visit with Al is because of censorship.  Al is shore based and so was able to write more fully about it.  No darling Leon's guess is still wrong so you can proceed to stop worrying.  I'm quite safe and expect to remain so as long as I'm aboard this ship.

          Our chief pharmacist mate, who was transferred, had been aboard since January but he is regular Navy (I believe) and had twenty-eight months of sea duty consecutively running.  However enlisted personnel and officers work differently.  Besides he had been in the states for over a month in February or March.  This can't be used as a criterion as to when I'll return.  Forget Xmas cards if you haven't already attended to it.  In all probabilities they wouldn't reach me on time.

          Donate as little as you can to the War Chest.  I am making my contribution in a more personal fashion.  This year let the others worry about it.  Forget the Center completely.  When I return will be time enough for our contribution.

          I bought a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses from the ship's store for $4.90.  The regular price is $7.75 so that is quite a saving.  Put in a claim for the pair that was lost.

          That is all for now, Sweet.  Wish I could wrap up a big bundle of love for you and send it on.  As it is I'm storing it up till I get back and then--Oh boy!! Bye darling till later.

Loving you as ever

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

Only One Hotel Open in Honolulu

Friday 18 August, 1944, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello my Darling.  I went on liberty today and don't care if I don't go again for some time.  Really the mess one has to wade through to get onto a bus or cab, into a bar for a drink, or into a cafe for a bite is simply awful.  The redeeming feature is to sit in the open patio of the only hotel open now and enjoy the cool ocean breeze and watch natives ride the breakers.  As I sat there I couldn't help but think back to our month at Catalina not so long ago when the whole gang sat out in from of the St. Katherine's without a care in the world.

          Well dear, before I headed into town, I went down to the dental clinic hoping to see Dr. Jackson.  He had just reported in this morning and was away from the clinic getting himself squared away.  I left him a note and will try to see him later.  Just as I was leaving, Jerry Shapiro, a pharmacist mate who was stationed at Diego when I reported in there, greeted me. So we talked for awhile and off I went.

          I received a letter from Ruth and my sweetheart (guess who she could be) yesterday but nothing today.  I better receive a big batch one of these days or else.  Forget the temple membership.  After this is over we're going to do more things as we like and to hell with trying to please everybody else.  I enjoyed those snaps you sent me but where is the one of yourself?  Buy a roll of film and have someone shoot some and send it to me pronto.

          You asked me several questions which should be answered by now.  I'll bet the mail man staggered to the house just loaded down.  As for things I need, there isn't anything I want (that money can buy), that I can't get here.  Just send me your love and I'll send you mine and we'll both save it all up till we are together again and then??

          From the way things look now we may stay here for 2-3 weeks or more and then on to more new places.  Right now it doesn't look like will be returning to the states for awhile but that is today.  Tomorrow everything may be changed again (I hope).

          Good night Sweetheart till we meet tomorrow because I do feel I'm with you when I sit down and write.

Love,

Gil