A Record

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Tuesday 29 February 1944, 1720 o'clock

 

Dear Eleanor,

          The same routine again today.  Worked all morning, lunch at 1130, volleyball at 1200, back to work at 1300 and plugged away all afternoon.  At 1530, instead of the regular lecture, we were shown pictures of the different types of ships and their armament and a reel on first aid aboard ship.  Went to chow at 1700 and back here at the clinic twenty minutes later to write my daily note to you.

          I got another letter from you today.  That makes three in two days--a record.

          I'm going to go to town tomorrow noon and place an ad for a place to rent.  If there are no results, I'll contact Sipper's friend at the Grant.  Or should I see him right away?  I'll discuss it with you by phone tomorrow.

          Don't know what I'll do tonight.  Saw "Lady and Monster" last night--a very interesting movie but you wouldn't like it.  It is also on tonight.  Taylor and Gilman are going downtown.  I may join them.  I'll see later.

          I really feel good today and hope that you and the kids are O.K. too.  Four more days and I'll be home and this is going to be a hard weekend.

Love,

Gil

 

"To furnish volunteer aid to the sick and wounded of armies......" and "To act in matters of voluntary relief and in accord with the military and naval authorities as a medium of communication between the people of the United States of America and their Army and Navy......"  The Charter of The American National Red Cross.  By Act of Congress January 5, 1905.

 

 

Evenings Are Lonely

Wednesday 9 February 1944, 10:40 o'clock

 

Dearest Eleanor,

          Please don't let yourself get so upset about every little thing.  I tried to phone tonight at 6:00 and the operator said that it would be 8:15 before I could get an open line.  I went to the movie and got back at 8:00 and found a note to call the Santa Monica operator.  It took another half hour to get through--so the delay.

          You keep on talking about phoning these different builders and realtors.  If you could only hear what the different officers on the base say about conditions but you would know that phoning a stranger will get one absolutely nowhere.  However, if we have an inspection Friday, I will have two hours for lunch.  It only takes a few minutes by car to reach these different offices.  I'll make appointments and run out and see what the situation is.  Monday night is the B'nai B'rith meeting which I will also attend.  Frankly, I feel more will be accomplished through one of their members than any other way.

          In the meantime dear, please don't be so impatient and make yourself so miserable.  In spite of my daily activity, the evenings are very lonely for me too.  I didn't even enjoy a gory murder picture this evening with Laird Cregar, Merle Oberon and George Saunders. Knowing me as you do I'm sure that sounds at least unusual. And then from 8:00 PM every evening--what?  Go out and get drunk or chasing women?  You must see I'm just as anxious to have you and the kiddies here as you are to be here. Good night my Sweet until tomorrow.

 

Your, just as impatient husband,

Gil

P.S. This stationery isn't worth a darn--it is too thin so I'm going to use it up writing home.

Gil

Placed an Ad

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Thursday 3 February 1944
 1730 o'clock

Dear Eleanor,

          Another busy day.  I'm a little tired now.  Orders came in for a number of the corpsmen.  A whole group is leaving Saturday morning for Farragut, Idaho.

          Received the picture you sent and was a little disappointed in the way Linda looks.  It's not at all like her.  She really sounded like quite a lady over the phone last night.

          Last night I had a very good dinner and a few drinks.  Got in by 11:30.

          At noon today I went downtown and placed an ad in the paper for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The charge is $5.25 for both the morning and evening editions on Friday and Saturday and once in the Sunday paper.

          When I got back I got a phone call from a lady friend of Leon.  She wanted a ride to Long Beach and back, but I have no room.

          Big surprise.  After dinner I came back to write and found a letter from Libby.  Guess she thought better of my letter to her because she says she is sending Mother money regularly.

          Nothing else to talk about except to say you'd better be ready this weekend.

Love,

Gil

 

"

 

Hard Going to Sleep

Wednesday 19 January 1944

1520 o'clock (3:20 P.M.)

Dearest Eleanor,

          Please don't be so impatient.  Well have lots of time together.  I'm not sure but it looks like the next three weekends are ours from Friday night until Monday morning.

          I've been kept so busy working and getting my papers in order that I haven't had time to leave the base.  This morning I received the letter you mailed yesterday.  The one you mailed on Monday came this afternoon.  The delay was probably due to the address, but you have the change now.

          Three men were transferred out of here today.  A fourth leaves next month.  Altogether there are only eleven dentists, so they are going fast.  We'll have to stay put until I get on a permanent basis here.  Right now I am replacing a man who was sent to San Francisco for a week.

          I, too, find it hard going to sleep at night.  By "it" I mean just what you think, but I did sleep better last night than I expected.  If at all possible, I will phone you Thursday between 6:00 and 7:00. Until then with loads of love I am

Your loving,

Gil

Did I give you the phone of the clinic here at the base?  It is Main 1071 Extension 311.  I can't call out but I can be reached if important.  The hours are 8:00 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 5:15.

Free for Nothing

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Monday 24 January 1944
 1630 o'clock (4:30 P.M.)

Dearest Eleanor,

          Well--at last I can sit down.  We've really had a busy day today.  I put in twenty-four fillings and most of them were large ones.

          I took my time driving and got in at 7:30 A.M.  The other doctors here say I shouldn't take chances like I am.  If you're late for duty, car trouble is no excuse so I may have to rearrange my schedule.

          There really isn't much I can say.  I worked steadily all day.  Just dozed a little during the noon hour.  I really am sleepy and can't decide whether I should go to the B'nai B'rith meeting tonight.   I'll probably yawn and yawn.  However I shan't decide until after "chow."  Maybe a cup of coffee or two will wake me up?

          How is Norma's cold today?  Is Linda still naggy?  I hope they'll both be good this week.  I talked to the officer at the desk.  Long distance calls are hard to get through unless on official business.  So if you must reach me, you'd better wire instead of phoning.

          Your cookies made a big hit.  There were lots of seconds and thirds and they are practically gone.  I hope this week goes fast so I can get back to my three girls.

Love,

Gil

Note: The Red Cross supplies all this stationary "free for nothing."

        

"To furnish volunteer aid to the sick and wounded of armies......" and "To act in matters of voluntary relief and in accord with the military and naval authorities as a medium of communication between the people of the United States of America and their Army and Navy......"  The Charter of The American National Red Cross.  By Act of Congress January 5, 1905.

Got Three Gallons of Gas

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Thursday 27 January 1944

1510 o'clock (3:10 P.M.)

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today I received two letters from you and one from Miss Earnest.  In her letter there was nothing but what I expected about the accounts and office furniture.

          I was really sorry that you couldn't come to San Diego for tonight.  I was really looking forward to it.  I was able to get three gallons of gas today.  I'm going back tonight to get three more and three tomorrow noon and evening.  That'll give me enough to get home.  Two of the doctors and I are working out a once in three weeks schedule so that there won't be so much driving around.

          I'm to call the operator at Oceanside before six tonight.  I guess Debby is trying to reach me.

          I'm having some difficulty arranging to trade off duty on February 20.  I've had no takers even though I offered a bottle of whiskey to boot.  One of the doctors who'll be riding with me is considering the exchange.  He'll let me know on Monday.

          I hope Linda and Norma are getting better and you get some sleep tonight.  Every night I read in bed and listen to the radio until I get sleepy enough to turn in.

          Well tomorrow night I'll be home and guess what we'll do.  Right the first time.  Adios my sweet till tomorrow.

Your lover,

Gil