Our Piano is OK

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 23 August 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another hot day just like yesterday.  I had quite a busy morning and early afternoon.  I finally got hold of a piano tuner and now our piano is okay.  Got a dispatch this morning saying that we could have the USO show tomorrow night.  Naturally we accepted.  Tomorrow afternoon I'm taking the picket boat to pick up the show.  If the advance dope is anything to go on, we've got a swell night's entertainment to look forward to.

          A lot more scuttlebutt about where we are going and when has been going around the ship today.  However there is nothing definite to go on.  Just the same, I'll be glad when we leave.  Any place will be better than here.

          After chow we played cribbage and then went to the movies.  We had a double feature "Three's a Crowd," a murder mystery and Laurel and Hardy in "The Bullfighters." Nuff said.

          No mail again today. I suppose mail service will be very poor until the initial occupation of Japan is complete.  Anyway the war is over and I feel pretty sure of being a civilian in about six months.

          That is thirty for tonight Sweet.  Bye for now and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

The double feature

Piano Tuner Ordered to Come Aboard

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 22 August 1945, 6:50 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Wow what a day.  The hottest I've experienced.  I spent three hours in the sun on a VP landing boat.  You see at noon today I heard of a USO show so I grabbed the only available transportation and headed for the beach.  I got a show for September 3rd provided that our piano is tuned. So on the way back I stopped at another ship and found there was a tuner on board, but he couldn't get off.  I got back aboard the Ocelot and took the problem up with the higher paid help; they sent a dispatch to that ship ordering the tuner to come over tomorrow.  Hope it works.

          Nothing more of interest.  I had my usual busy morning.  When I got back from my little boat ride I showered and read until it was time to dress for dinner.  The skipper is "under the weather" so no cribbage tonight.

          Tonight's movie is "Murder He Says" with Fred McMurray.  The reviews aren't too hot.  Hope it is at least average.

          No more scuttlebutt.  Rumor has it that we will go to Manila, Okinawa or to various parts of Japan.  Anyplace would be okay with me as long as it is north.

          No mail again today darling and I suppose from now on, for two weeks or so, your mail will be delayed on account of your vacation, but I'll understand.

          Bye my Sweet.  Until tomorrow.  I love you and am counting the days till we're together again.

Yours impatiently,

Gil

Need a Piano Tuner

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 6 August 1945, 10:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another day, another dollar or so the saying goes.  About 11:30 last night the medical officer we've been looking for arrived and this morning Cox's relief also showed up.  Now Dr. Bushyager and Dr. Law are waiting to see who moves.  Bushyager hopes he'll go back to the states as he has eighteen months out.  It won't make any difference to Law.  If he leaves here he'll get another assignment out here.  Well, we'll wait and see.

          I worked all morning as usual and this afternoon. I took a picket boat for a run into town to see about a USO show.  I've got one scheduled for Friday night provided I can find a piano tuner in the meantime.  I've got a line on a couple but I won't know definitely until tomorrow.

          I got back to the ship at 4:30, reported to the captain and retired to my room.  Took a shower and then censored mail and read until time for dinner.  After chow we played cribbage until movies and now here I am.

          I got two letters, a copy of the Outlook and some Navy literature.  So the visitors were uninteresting?  I'm sorry they had to spoil an evening for you.

          My mother's report about Nat's office is surprising.  Now is the time to make money and it can't be done under a set-up such as his.  Somehow I can't feel about things as Jimmie does.  Maybe I'll feel different when I'm closer to the activities.  I feel I'm doing an important and necessary job and though our separation has been a long one we'll make up for it later and in many ways.

          Of course Ruth wants Leon to be there for Harry's 50th.  However if she's going to make such a fuss about it how can she ask everyone to go Dutch.  What's the matter?  Did Harry lose a couple of thousand in the market?  Gosh she's tight.

          Yes dear we got the dope on the plane crash into the Empire State.  As a matter of fact we have a very complete newspaper that comes out every night.

          Tonight's movie was old and lousy.  "Barbary Coast" with Edward G. Robinson, Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea.

          That is thirty for tonight so I'll sign off. Pleasant dreams my Darling.

Love

Gil

Time Magazine article about Ulithi, dated August 6, 1945.

The Movie

Bought A New Eversharp Pen

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 19 March 1945, 10:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweetheart, here I am again.  This has been one busy day for me and it was almost 4:00 PM before I finally walked out of my office.  I didn't see more than twelve patients but believe me there was plenty of work that needed doing.  The last time I did as much in one day was when I was a civilian.

          When I left my office it was raining in buckets, as a matter of fact it had been raining most of the afternoon.  I was just too busy to notice.  I went up to my room and censored a stack of mail and then read for awhile.  First thing I knew it was 5:15 and time to shower and dress for dinner.

          After chow I was still a little tired so I relaxed with a book until movie time.  Last night's picture was "Address Unknown" with Paul Lucas---one of those propaganda pictures and not very good.  Tonight's picture was "Thousands Cheer" with a whole host of stars.  The outstanding feature was Jose Iturbi playing the piano.  When he broke into boogie woogie even the sailors applauded; it was that good.

          There was no mail again today.  They must be filling up a whole sack for me somewhere.  Maybe it'll all come tomorrow.  I bought a new pen today.  The fouled up point on my other pen was beginning to get me down.  This pen is one of the new Eversharps with a point similar to the Parker "51".  It retails for $12.50 and I bought it for $6.50 at our ship's store.

          Well darling, that is thirty for tonight.  Love and kisses to all three of my dears.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Devotedly,

Gil

Get Hold of a Chicago Tribune of October 19th

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

             Sunday 24 December 1944, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Got ten letters today and they were a most welcome Xmas present.  There was one from Libby and one from your mother.  The rest were from you.

          I was slightly inebriated last night and though I wrote you I probably didn't make much sense.  Anyway I feel swell today and I've snapped out of that mood I was in.  I didn't work today so I've spent a leisurely quiet Sunday reading eating and resting.

          No dear I don't play the piano.  It is in the mess hall.  I explained in a previous letter why I don't use it.  There is plenty of music aboard now so please don't send any more.  Yes I received the correspondence course.

          I don't know how long we'll stay here.  By the way get a hold of a Chicago Tribune of October 19th.  There is an interesting story in there which will answer many of your questions.  We should be moving further west in thirty days or so but that depends entirely on how well we fair in the present Philippine engagements.

          Yes, Hartfield will stay on as skipper. Our exec was the navigator aboard.  Right again.  I meant jigsaw and not crossword puzzles.  The Ocelot greeting when it is reduced in size is in V-mail form and photographed will look a lot different than it does in the original.  However I didn't send any out personally.  Instead I sent the cards I bought in Honolulu and those you sent me.

          Most of the men who went back to the states had been at sea since last January.  So you see there is a lot of chance for me to get back within the year and maybe sooner than we dare hope.  Let's keep our fingers crossed and see.

          Hartfield is a lieutenant.  I learned today that Samuels got in on construction of a new APA.

          How far do you think two pair of socks will go?  Send me half a dozen.

          Now Dearest, by the time you get this letter the holidays will be past and I do hope you've overcome your blueness.  I know it's hard to take but you must face it.  A few more months and who knows who'll walk in?

          Back to me.  Had religious services aboard today as usual and have arranged with a nearby aircraft carrier to send our men over there for Xmas services tomorrow.

          The movie tonight is "Kismet" with Marlene Dietrich besides a "March of Time." Last night's movie was "Babes on Swing Street" with Peggy Ryan and a couple of shorts not worth mentioning.

          My mustache and beard are coming right along and I do hope I can have a picture taken before I take it off.  I wonder if you'd know me?

          Darling, do you remember when we moved to San Diego how happy we were to be together?  Well this is our last separation.  When I return the war will be almost over and we'll always be together from then on.

          Good night my love, parting is such sweet sorrow, till me meet tomorrow.

Devotedly

Gil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poker

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
              Sunday 3 December 1944, 9:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello my Darling, Sunday at home was never like this.  Worked all morning. When the mail orderly returned--not a thing in his bag for me.  Guess I'll just have to be patient and wait.

          This being Sunday I was a busy man as welfare officer.  Got the crews' mess hall arranged for services with piano, record player and microphone.  Sent one boat at 1:30 PM to bring the Protestant chaplain and an hour later to bring the Catholic chaplain.  We had a better turn out than last week.  Guess the word got around.  Both services were very nice with choral music and piano accompaniment for the hymns that the men sang.

          After dinner I sat in at a poker game, 25 cent ante and $1.50 limit.  After a couple of hours it was time for movies, so I quit 25 cents to the good.  I only won two pots in all that time so you can see that they must have been good ones.

          Well honey, what's new?  By the time you get this letter you'll probably be shopping for a tree.  Do get a nice one and fix it up real pretty.  At least, I do want our girls to have one even if I can't be with you to decorate and enjoy it.

          Darling do you remember your first or should I say our first tree with the blue and while balls and bulbs?  And the lecture your cousin Leon gave you?  Well after this war we'll have many trees on many Xmases and let Leon or anyone else lecture someplace else.

          Good night my love, parting is such sweet sorrow, till we meet tomorrow. But tomorrow is still months away.

Love,

Gil

 

Note: The movie was "The Lodger" with Merle Oberon, Lair Cregar and George Saunders.

Sell the Wolf Jacket

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco
            Tuesday 28 November 1944, 9:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Happy Birthday Darling. Although I wasn't able to be with you, I did think about you all day long.

          Today was another busy day.  I worked in my office all day or should I say all morning and part of the afternoon.  However I was all cleaned up by 2:30 so I wangled a boat from the exec and four of us went ashore for a few beers at the Officers' Club.  We got back at 5:00 had dinner at 5:30 and then checkers until 7:30, movie time.  Tonight we had "Lucky Jordon" with Alan Ladd.  The last time I saw it you were at Arrowhead, remember.  You didn't want to see any gangster movies so I took it in at while you were away.

          Now back to your letters.  I really would like some more recent photos of the kids.  I'll really look forward to getting them.  The music you sent was swell and several numbers are just what I wanted.  Haven't done a thing with the piano.  It's kept in the crew's mess hall and it seems that they are always eating up or cleaning up there.  Besides I don't have as much time as you think.  As a matter of fact this is the first moment today when there wasn't something for me to do.

          Who said your pictures aren't up in my room?  You hold the center spot amongst my pin-up girls and believe me yours is still my favorite.  Norma and Linda, Dick and Babs grace another wall so at least I can see some of my family when I'm in my room.

          About the car scratches.  I believe that our insurance covers that without any additional payments.  Check it and if so have the car fixed up.  However if it is necessary to pay additional money let it ride till later.

          Wish I could see you in your new dress or even without any clothes. Who said we'd be going out?  I've got other ideas.

          I see you're still talking about Brentwood.  Well everything comes with time.  Just take it easy and don't get excited.  There'll be plenty of lots and oodles of time to buy them before building materials become available.

          I'm getting caught up with my correspondence.  Recently  I've written to Ruth, your mother, my mother, Deb and Dave, the Fleischers, the Leavys, Libby and Jack Taylor.  I still owe several more and it doesn't look like I'll ever catch up.

          Dear, sell the wolf jacket if you like.  After all it's yours and if you can't enjoy it you might as well have the money to get something you can enjoy.

          So Sol got "new construction."  That seems to be the desire of all officers and men overseas--to go back to the states for new construction.  Who knows where our paths may cross, Sols and mine?  This is really a small world as I've had opportunities to observe.

          Yes dear I know what things cost but you're just beginning to find out.  Now you know why I used to fuss at times about economizing.  Now you know for yourself.

          Talking about Xmas and picture puzzles. In my gear locker, I have twenty crossword puzzles.  I must break them out for the men.  I've also been thinking about Xmas but so far my mind is a total blank.  I'm going to scout around for ideas.

           So it's still raining?  Well it is out here too.  As a matter of fact it rained during the movie and I'm still pretty wet.  However that does help in keeping cool so why change.

          "Strange Fruit" is aboard and I'm going to read it as soon as it's available.  They tell me it's "plenty hot."

          There was no mail today but who am I to complain after all I got yesterday?

          Just the same I hope the mail man favors me tomorrow.  You'll never know how much I look to hearing from my Sweetheart.

          Sweet, do you remember the "Captain" story and the ideas we got from it?  Better brush up on it for when I get back--or don't you need any brushing up?

          Really dear, I'm all writ out.  So--good night my love with a thousand kisses and nice close hugs from your loving husband to his birthday gal.

With loving thoughts

Gil

         

Can't See Scratches on the Buick

Eleanor and Norma in Front of Ruth and Harry's House

         

Bringing Piano Topside for Religious Services

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
           Saturday 25 November 1944, 9:14 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello darling, here I am again.  No mail again today which makes it eight days since my last letter.  I learned today that a ship heading out this way carrying mail burned and that probably is the reason.  You see when the load gets heavy even air mail travels via ship and the load out here is terrific.  Hope none of my packages were on it.

          Well today was another routine day.  I worked all morning and took care of my welfare duties this afternoon.  The chaplain came over to arrange for the services and I'm getting the carpenters to build a pulpit and the engineers to rig up a P.A. (Public Address) system for him.  Then we are bringing our piano topside and we'll have service with hymns and even an accompaniment.  I didn't know how much this meant to the men until I heard and saw the reaction when services were announced.  I haven't done anything about the community sings that I had planned but I'm going to go to work on it tomorrow.  I'm planning to make it a nightly affair about half an hour before the movies.  Because we can't show too much light on deck I'm going to make some slides with words of songs on it and project them on the screen.  We have several musicians on board so we should have a lot of fun singing.

          That's all that is new.  Sweet, do you remember the day we went to get our marriage license and met Ben Weinstein?  Weren't we a couple of happy kids then?  And when I get back we'll go on our second honeymoon and be a couple of kids again.  Is it a date?  Okey, dokey dear, I knew you'd say yes.

          And that is thirty for tonight.  Good night honey, I'll see you in my dreams.

Loving you always,

Gil

P.S. The movie tonight was so old and so lousy I forgot to mention it.  Title: "Gambler's Choice" with who cares.

 

.

Attended Kol Nidre Servuce--Chaplain Not Concerned About Pleasing Mr. and Mrs. Gotrock

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
            Tuesday 26 September 1944,9:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Just got back from the Kol Nidre service and found six letters waiting for me.  You see I had liberty today. I didn't get back to the ship until it was time to go to the service so the exec and I shoved off immediately.  The Captain hasn't attended any of the services as far as I know.  I enjoyed this service much more than the last one because the place was much larger and cooler. The service itself was quite simple and the sermon was one that could well be repeated in all houses of worship.  But then the chaplain wasn't at all concerned about keeping his pulpit or pleasing Mr. and Mrs. Gotrock who contributed lavishly to the building fund.  He spoke his mind and we listened and liked it.

          While on liberty today I bought a couple of cute pinafores for the kids. Both are alike. I hope they fit because they set me back $8.80.  Glad pay day is soon because with all the shopping I've done I have very little left.  Besides I will have to pay $25.00 to the mess out of my next pay which will leave me about $35 for the next two weeks.

          This garden cafe I mentioned turned out to be a private club that opened its doors to officers.  Because they close at 7:00 P.M. all one can do there is drink and eat.  I imagine though that they've really had some beautiful affairs when times were normal.

          You ask if I enjoy your long letters.  That is what I and all the others aboard live for, a letter from home.  Regarding the San Diego business you ask about, everything is OK.  As far as my getting back to the states before my present tour of duty is up, the chances are very slim indeed.  I'll consider any such event as "manna" from heaven.

          Regarding music, how about sending along those dime store booklets you purchased last year.  Also send along the music notes I have.  There is a piano and I might find time to practice if I had the chords and base forms to follow.  There are two note books, send them both.

          Will finish in the morning dear, good night and sleep well.

Wednesday 10:45 AM

          Good morning Sweet.  Did you sleep well? Did both our girls behave all night and not disturb you?

          This has been a busy morning and this is the first free time I've had.  No more mail this morning but all the letters I got yesterday afternoon should keep me until 1:00 PM when I'll look for more.  I got a letters from the "Gs", Deb and Dave, Miss Earnest and thee from my Sweetheart.  Sounds like you had a busy week-end planned and now that Norma is well again you should take it easy and not overdo.

          Tomorrow my photos should be ready and I'll send them right along.  Will know more about Xmas card by then also (I hope)

          There is no use trying to guess where we going next.  I don't know so how can I tell you.  We will probable receive casualties because we are equipped to handle them but we won't be a hospital ship and when we get there it'll be all over but the shouting.

          Do you remember how I always wanted to be on the go and never wished to stay home? Well dear after this war I'll be satisfied to remain anywhere as long as I have you and our girls with us.

          Enough for now dear.  I want to get this off right away.  Goodbye for now, will visit with you again tonight.

With all my love,

Gil