Won 25 Dollars Last Night and Lost 25 Cents Tonight

Thursday 18 October 1945, 11:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another day gone and another day closer to when we'll be together again.  Just loafed around all day.  It sure is hard to keep busy when there isn't a darn thing to do.  I did find an Ellery Queen mystery.  I read part of that today, but all in all today was just another one wasted.

          Today I got some more old mail dated the 1st and 4th October.  Wish I could tell you when we are leaving but I can't.  The Navy announced a three point reduction in points with additional reductions in December and January 1st.  It could happen that I'll be a civilian by the time I'm thirty-six.  I couldn't think of a nicer birthday present.

          I think I'll be home in time to help you with your Xmas shopping, but to be home by Thanksgiving and your birthday is cutting it pretty thin.  However, it could happen.  They've started decommissioning the "Mighty O" and they could be finished by the end of the month.

          I think I remember Mary Billings.  Is she a thin, nervous type of girl around thirty-five?  No use asking as I'm not expecting any reply.  By the time any answers get out here I hope to be on my way home.  Why only 200 men aboard?  The flag carried about 500 enlisted men, yeomen, radiomen, storekeepers and signalman.  When they moved, they took them along.  The men we had aboard were just those necessary for running the ship.

          You've been talking long enough now about how you've been feeling.  How about going to a doctor and getting the low down once and for all.

          Talking about weight, since we've been ashore I've been doing lots of walking up and down hills and my appetite is tremendous. Hope I keep my weight down to what it was.  Here the food is better so I eat plenty.

          Your honeymoon schedule is excellent, but I do have one complaint.  Don't you think you should allow more time for loving?

          Saw a real good, though old, movie tonight.  It was "Knute Rockne All American," with Pat O'Brien.  After the movie we played a little poker.  I won $25 last night and lost about 25 cents tonight.  I'm not doing too badly, am I?

          That is all for tonight so I'll sign off and go to bed.  Hope I dream about us I love you so.

Yours forever,

Gil

Okinawa Mud

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Tuesday, 16 October 1945

Dearest Eleanor,

          The end of another busy day.  Why I was busy I don't know but the day went just the same.  I began this morning. by taking a patient over to the CB dental office and extracting an abscessed tooth.  Then I returned to my quarters and did my own laundry.  After lunch another officer and I took the jeep and went over to the ship.  I went through my room and found some gear to bring back with me.  I expect to be out altogether in the next few months, so with what I have here and at home I shouldn't have to replace anything.

          I had a talk with the captain.  He thinks we'll be out of here sometime around November 1.  Hope is right, but I wouldn't bank on it.

          It rained on and off all afternoon and the roads were real muddy.  By the time we got back to our camp I was really dirty, so I took a cold shower to wash off some of that "Okinawa mud."

          After dinner we all went to the movies and saw "Junior Miss."  I enjoyed the picture enormously and could just see our girls ten years from now and us as well.

          Played a little poker, won three dollars and now here I am just ready to go to sleep.

          That is thirty for tonight Darling, so goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Newspapers

Mention of the explosion at the receiving station (Kuba Saki) on Owinawa

The blast must have been on Friday October 12

Points for release

Photo Album -- part of the gear brought back from ship

Movie

Please Be Brave

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 23 September 1945, 10 PM

Dearest Sweet,

          Sunday, the day of rest.  I didn't have any appointments scheduled so I had the whole day to do as I pleased.  What did I do?  Nothing.  I'm getting to be a first class hand at piddling time away.  I read "House and Gardens" and "American Home" magazines.  Also I read a few items from the July "Readers' Digest."  After lunch I made up next week's menu, played checkers, sat around talking and killing time in general.  Then back to more reading until 5:00 when I showered and changed for dinner.  After dinner I played poker for an hour, lost $5.00.  Then I went to the movies.  We had "Having Wonderful Crime" with Pat O'Brien, George Murphy and Carol Landis.  Pretty good even though it was raining right through the whole show.

          I hit the jackpot in the mail again.  There were six letters from you and one each from both mothers.  I didn't realize that so many letters were delayed.  Today I got two postmarked the 9th and four the 17th.

          Although I've often wished I'd taken a still camera along, don't buy any.  We'll get one as soon as we can.  It could be long before Xmas.

          How is Dave getting his discharge? Has he 44 points?  If he hasn't I doubt that he'll get out.  Anyway Deb and Dave will be together and I'm sure that they'll be satisfied even he does have to hang on for a few months more.

          I still don't know if we'll go to Japan, but the nearest dry-dock large enough for the Ocelot is at Sasebo.  If we go there I'll surely look Sid up.

          The snaps taken of you and the kids taken at Arrowhead are excellent.  You really look good to me. All I can do at this time is look and dream.

          I know the next few weeks will be hard dear but there is nothing we can do but wait.  Getting yourself all upset isn't going to do either you or the kids or me a bit of good.  Please be patient.  This can't last much longer.  Now that school has started, I hope you'll be kept busy and won't have so much time to think and worry about your trouble.  Really, soon I'll be home and all your problems will fade.  All will seem like a bad dream.

          Our skipper, Lt. Cmdr. Warwick, is not regular Navy.  As a matter of fact he has almost 60 points and is awaiting relief so he can be discharged. Because he is the commanding officer,  I'll bet he has to wait the full 120 days before he is relieved.

          Sevron 10 is an abbreviation for Service Squadron 10.  Sevron 10 has been part of the third and fifth fleets alternating when either fleet was in action.  The commander of the Service Division is Commodore Du Val.

          Well darling, I'm getting sleepy and I'm all writ out.  Wish I had something definite to tell you but I haven't.  Maybe something will break this coming week.

          Please be brave.  Your unhappiness has an effect on me and though I, too, feel low at times I don't tell anyone about it because it never does me any good to do so.

          Goodnight Sweet and I'll see you in my dreams.

Lovingly,

Gil

 

Snaps from Lake Arrowhead

Commendation

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 22 September 1945, 12:15 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweetheart, here I am.  Still in Okinawa just wondering what give next.  I had a busy morning with three patients from a LCI (landing craft infantry) and two from an LCT (landing craft tank).  In the afternoon one patient from a tug.  Besides that I had a few of our own men so I had a full day.  The new flagship for Service Squadron Ten is here so all we only have about 200 men and officers aboard.  Not enough to keep me busy.

          I read for awhile this afternoon and then showered and dressed for chow.  After chow I played a few games of checkers and then went to the movie.  We had Gloria Jean in "Remember April" and it wasn't too good.  After the movie I sat in on another poker game and won $13.75.  When a guy like me can win consistently the others must be mighty poor poker players.  Anyway I'm ahead about $20 so I'll play along for awhile.

          I hit another jackpot in the mail today.  I got six more letters from you postmarked 5, 7, 8, 8, 15 and 15.

          Rosh Hashanah came and went without me even knowing about it.  I still think my prospects of coming home soon are good.  It's quite a job to keep your spirits up and mine as well.  Believe me, being out here has been no Sunday school picnic.  The past week-end was really hellish.  However I learned today that I'm getting a commendation from the captain for my part in keeping the ship going while we were in extreme danger.  I'd rather have orders back to my Sweet and I'd just as soon never to have experienced the storm, but it is over and done with.  All aboard came through safe and sound.  This isn't official but I understand that over four hundred men were lost in the storm and that sixty-three ships from LST's and up were blown up onto the beach or reef.  In addition many small craft were wrecked and some are still unaccounted for.

          You may you remember "Hurricane." Well this blow was every bit as bad and we were right in the center of it.  I don't know why I keep talking about it except that we were so lucky to come through the way we did.

          The pictures of Norma are swell-elegant.  Really, "Little Stinky" looks just like she did fourteen months ago though I suppose she is somewhat taller.

          That is thirty for tonight so I'll say goodnight to my one and only love, See you in my dreams.

Devotedly,

Gil

The commendation dated 18 September 1945

Could this proof print of Norma dated June 1945 be the swell-elegant photo?

 Hurricane--The Movie

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

Poker and Beer

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 6 May 1945, 10:15 PM

My Dearest,

          Today was Sunday, but except for church services aboard it was just another day of work.  Oh yes, I begin work at 9:00 instead of 8:30 on Sundays, that is if nothing comes up---and it usually does in the shape of unappointed patients.  Anyway I worked all morning until 11:45.

          After lunch I finished my wardroom treasurer's statement and then decided to go ashore.  Had three or four cans of beer and returned to the ship at 5:15.  Following my shower and dinner I sat in on a poker game until 7:45 and lost all of 95 cents.

          The movie tonight wasn't too good but had lots of laughs.  It was "She Gets Her Man" with Joan Davis.  After the movie I went up to the wardroom, read the morning news, had an orange and here I am.

          No mail today but tomorrow is another day.  By the way Sweet one of these days you may not get mail for a spell.  Don't worry; the first thing you know you'll get a whole stack.

          Looks like the European war is really washed up and soon everything will be coming out this way.  With all the power we've shown and the mess the allies have made of Germany, I feel there is a good chance of a quick surrender by the Japs.  Anyway that's what they should do if they know what is good for them.

          Well darling, I'm all washed up for tonight and will hit my rack as soon as I sign off.  Goodnight, Sweets, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

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.

Old Salt

 

UNITED STATES NAVY

 

Saturday 5 August 1944, 10:00 PM

Dearest,

          Now I'm an old salt.  Spent a quiet day.  Saw a few dental patients and went through a routine "general quarters" and "abandon ship" drill.

          It has been overcast and cool all day but rather smooth.  Just now we have quite a roll and a pitch, just the thing to rock me to sleep.

          Here is the menu for today.  I must really begin to watch my waist line.  Breakfast was French toast and coffee.  Lunch started with soup, then stuffed bell pepper and string beans with coffee and cake for dessert.  For dinner we had salad, steak, cobbler and coffee.

          After dinner we adjourned to the ward room and I got talked into a poker game.  You know how much I love cards but anything to be sociable.  After three hours I lost the magnificent total of $1.05.  This ocean air is quite conducive to sleep so I decided to turn in early.  I'm really glad I wasn't ahead and could quit when I did.

          How are you and the kids?  Keeping your chin up?  I have the pictures of my girls here on my desk before me and I hope that when we reach our destination I'll find one of my Sweet to add to my collection.

Goodnight my Sweet till tomorrow

Your loving husband

Gil

Lt (j.g.) G. Steingart