Picket Boat Is My Favorite

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Sunday, 2 September 1945, 10:35 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Sunday, a day of rest or so it says in the "big book."  I spent most of the morning working on next week's menus and getting the stewards squared away on how I wanted things done.

          After lunch I got me a tug and went over to Tolosa for a few beers.  There were three of us in the party.  We had a new tug today, a seventy-five footer with a crew of ten men.  The US Navy got this ship from New Zealand, a reverse land lease deal.  It cost $145,000.  You've probably wondered why I've been using tugs most of the time.  Well they are more comfortable than a VP or a whaleboat and make better time.  Of course the picket boat is still my favorite but there are only two available and they are hard to get.  Anyway we got back to the Ocelot at 6:30 just in time for a late turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

          After chow I went up on the forecastle and listened to music until movie time.  We had another pyrotechnical display tonight to celebrate VJ Day.  It didn't come up to the August 10 celebration.  Do you realize that though it was September 2nd here when the treaty was signed that it was still September 1st in the United States? Tomorrow will be Labor Day here, but you'll be celebrating VJ Day. Confusing isn't it?

          Tonight's movie was "A Blonde from Brooklyn," a class B picture but not too bad.  Also we had a short about Port Hueneme.

          No mail today so this is thirty for tonight.  Goodnight Darling until tomorrow.

Loving you as ever,
Gil

Picket boat being launched at Kirkland Marine during WWII.

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

Atomic Bomb

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 8 August 1945, 4:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Had a busy day but didn't do a lick of dentistry.  To attend to some recreation matters, I took the picket boat into town this morning.  It was 11:30 before I got back.  Washed up and had chow.

          After lunch there was a meeting of all division officers in the captain's cabin.  Then I went to work and finished the wardroom statement.

          The mail brought me four letters and the cutting head for my Schick.  Now I'll be okay till the other shaver arrives.  Three of the letters were from you Sweet and the other was Deb and Dave's baby announcement.

          You are continuously complaining about Betty's inefficiency.  Can she really be trusted with the girls?  I often wonder about that.

          I'll go to work on the lockets.  I think I can work something out for the whole family.

          I do hope Jimmy is right too.  If his experience has been the same a mine as to dental officers going back early maybe it is becoming a general policy with the bureau.  Anyway with the new atomic bomb and all, maybe the Japs will give up in a few days and we'll all be coming home.  What a wonderful thought.

          I'm saving the $100.  I really want to be there when you buy your fur coat and maybe I'll have enough saved by the time I get back to be able to pay for it in full.

          The reason I'm writing early is because I'm going over to the club with a group of officers this evening.  We don't drink much but we have a lot of fun singing and talking and telling stories. Tsk, tsk.

          No more for now Darling so I'll sign off.  Goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Town Scenes--Leyte

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

Deadly Routine

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 17 July 1945, 7:15 PM

My Dearest,

          What a hot day this has been.  I worked all morning and then saw three patients after lunch.  I had practically decided to go ashore for a few beers but when I came up on deck it was so blasted hot that I couldn't see going ashore at all.

          Instead I visited with the skipper up in his cabin and found a shady spot with a little breeze on the bridge.  After awhile I wandered down to the wardroom where I chewed the fat with several others.  My room was too hot so I went down to my office, turned the fan on the operating chair.  I sat there and read comic books until 5:15 when I showered and dressed for dinner.

          After chow we had the regular cribbage game. We finished a little earlier tonight hence I'm writing before the movie.

          The picture tonight should be good if it is anything like the book.  "Saratoga Trunk" is the movie.

          All in all today was the usual exciting (?) day.  This routine is deadly.  I can see why men crack up out here.  Keeping busy is the best bet and I manage fairly well.

          For the whole day on Sunday, I've been promised a picket boat for my own use.  The boat is as large as the Spivak's boat and has two engines instead of one.  I'm planning to run over to see Simmie and then over to look around a club about fifteen miles away. This boat is smooth riding and I hope Simmie comes along.  Of course this all depends on the weather and certain priorities but I've gotten a similar boat before without trouble and should be able to do so again.

          I got a letter from you and one from my mother, both dated July 7.  Others have gotten mail through the 10th and from the East coast.  So I bet I'll get a stack tomorrow.

          I'm glad Dave made the grade.  As I explained in a previous letter, I just hope that this won't keep him in after the war. Anyway the training is very rugged and he may wash out at any time prior to the six month deadline.

          No more for now Sweet so I'll sign off.  Goodnight Honey.   Remember that even though the days seem to drag, every day brings us closer together.  See you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil