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

Lousy French

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 16 July 1945, 10:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling, how are you tonight?  Today has been a repetition of yesterday and every yesterday and probably many tomorrows.  I worked all morning and part of the afternoon.  Then I read for awhile and censored some mail.  Visited with some other officers in the wardroom and soon it was five o'clock and time to shower and change for chow.  After eating we played cribbage until 7:30 when I went to my room to change into my rain gear to go to the movies.  It even rains on schedule now.  It begins to pour about 7:00 PM. At 8:00 PM when it abates slightly but continues until midnight.

          Tonight's movie was colorful but very slow moving and didn't come up to expectation.  It was "Sudan" with Maria Montez and Jon Hall.

          There wasn't any mail for me today but others got mail through the 9th so I expect I'll get a few letters tomorrow.

          I air mailed your little gift this morning. I hope you receive it about the time you get this letter.

          By the way there is a definite rule about sending packages via air mail that are specifically requested by men overseas.  I am enclosing two requests--one for a Schick shaver heat for a Captain Model "S" shaver and one for the repaired Sunbeam.  Show the letters at the post office and they will accept the packages to send via air mail.

          I'm going to sign off Sweet.  Gee I'd love to kiss you goodnight instead of having to write it on paper but "c'este la guerre" (lousy French).  Goodnight Honey and pleasant dreams.

Love,
Gil

P.S.    When you send back the Sunbeam, send along a tube of sharpening compound.

Sunbeam Electric Razor Broke

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 12 July 1945, 7:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweetheart, how is my favorite girl today?  This has been one hot day and to top it all I was extremely busy all morning and afternoon.

          I retired to my room at 4:30. Censored some mail and read Esquire until 5:30 when I showered and dressed for dinner.

          After chow we played cribbage until just a few moments ago and so here I am.

          My Sunbeam broke down this morning.  The broken part couldn't be fixed out here, so I've airmailed it home.  Please have it fixed and send it back as soon as possible.  The head on my Schick is also in bad shape. I may have to resort to a safety razor before many days.  If you possibly can, get a "hollow ground" head for a Schick Model "S" shaver and send it to me.  I've heard that items can be airmailed to personnel overseas if a request for airmail is made.  Find out and if that is so, use this letter to substantiate your claim.

          I got three letters from you Sweet and one from Libby.  All are postmarked July 5.  The colored photo of you isn't bad and the picture of Deb is excellent.

          I'm glad Norma is well again. I hope all stay well now for a long time.  Sol is back again, eh? Good.  I guess my dope was okay again.

          I'm sorry your 4th wasn't too pleasant.  Out here it was like any other day except for the special dinner for men and officers.  Next time I get a story I'll send it along.  You'd be surprised how few I hear.

          Our movie tonight is an unknown quantity but I hope it's good. It is "Delightfully Dangerous" plus a color short "Devil Boats."

          No more for now Darling so I'll sign off.  Goodnight Sweet.  I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Could this be the photo of Deb?

Were either of the following the color snap of Eleanor?