Demobilization Plan

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 16 August 1945, 7:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          When I came into the wardroom for breakfast there was a lot of excitement.  The Navy had announced its demobilization plan.  Actually the present point system will release only 327,000 of a total of 2,500,000 so it is evident that another and I hope more equitable plan will be announced very soon.  Relatives of many men serving overseas will write congressman asking for recognition of overseas duty and additional dependents.  As it is, I'm short twelve points.  Out of the well over 500 men aboard, I only know of four officers and ten men who are eligible.  By the way the medical officers were included for release eligibility but the dental corps was not.  I really hope to be a civilian in about six months.

          In spite of all the excitement I did keep busy all morning and even saw three patients this afternoon.

          There is no dope about where we go from here.  In a day or so there will be no more censorship and I'll be able to write anything I damn please.

          The mail brought me one letter from my sweet.  I was happy to read that you are keeping busy and that your spirits are up a little.

          No, in spite of my sweating, I haven't lost any weight.  Who cares as long as I'm healthy?

          With the war over I may be able to tell you in advance when and where I'll arrive when I do head home.  We'll be able to have a few days together before the family moves in on us.

          I'm not making any more jewelry.  In a few days I'm taking the junk you sent over to a trading post and get whatever I can for it.  I'll also buy some stuff if I can't get what I want in trade.

          Tonight's movie is "Hitchhike to Happiness" with Al Pearce.  I hope it's better than last night's movie.

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

Love,

Gil

Where Do We Go from Here

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 15 August 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Well the war is really over now, the fighting has ceased. All everyone wants to know is when do we go home?  There are all kinds of rumors but it'll be a couple of weeks before any plans will be formulated and announced.

          As usual I worked this morning and most of the afternoon. Then I loafed and listened to the radio.

          At 5:00 P.M. I showered and dressed for chow.  After eating we played cribbage.  Now here I am.

          I got four letters and the book "Lost Island" from Ethyl.  Lately I've noticed that your letters are often postmarked two or three days later than the writing date.  Three of the letters were postmarked August 6.  They were written on the 3rd, 4th and 5th.  No wonder I've been missing days!

          Gosh it would be fun to take the kids swimming.  Maybe I'll be doing it real soon.  I don't know why you had to accept cast off of Loretta's clothing for our kids.  I hope you won't take anymore.

          Our bank balance is way down.  Have you paid anything on my life insurance policies or didn't you get any notices? Looks like I'll have to get out and hustle soon or there won't be any surplus left.

          I looked up the Time write up about Ulithi.  July Fortune also has as article of interest with a picture of the anchorage showing the Ocelot very clearly.

          How about Leon?  Does he report and ship out or have his orders been changed?  If he does go, it will indicate that there won't be any change in tour of duty and I can expect to get back as planned.

          You are peeved at a lot of people about how they've treated you.  Yet when I get back, I bet you'll forgive and forget.  I don't know if that I want you to be.  However we'll never feel the same way about a lot of our supposed friends.

          Tonight's movie is "Where Do We Go from Here" with Fred McMurray.  I hope it's good.  That is thirty for tonight so goodnight my Sweet and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

P.S. Did you take care of the braid for my blue?  We might move up to Japan.  I'll need the braid there.

Gil

Nips Will Accept Peace Terms

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 14 August 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Another hot day with plenty of work to make it hotter.  I worked all morning.  This afternoon I took things easy.  The war is still on. At 3:00 PM we heard that Japanese Domei News said the Nips will accept the peace terms of the allies.  Maybe tonight we'll get official confirmation.  We've had so many false rumors that I don't even get excited anymore.

          I don't know how the peace will affect my coming home.  Reliefs may be sent out as before or they may be slowed down.  Anyway, I would be surprised if we were to wind up in Japan proper before I return home.  Of course there are a lot of "ifs" about the whole deal, but I can't discuss it now.

          No mail again today so tomorrow should bring a whole sack full.  Tonight's movie is "Swingin' on a Rainbow" with several unknowns.  Hope it's good.

          It is hard to believe that the war is practically over and soon I and many, many others will be returning to wives and sweethearts to begin life where they left off when they donned the uniform.  Just think dear, it's quite possible that when I return I might even be released without any additional duty in the states.  Dare we hope for such luck?  Anyway, we know we'll be together forever without any reservations.

          That is all for now my love.  I'll see you in my dreams.  Goodnight, my Sweet, until tomorrow.

I love you as ever,

Gil

The Peace That Isn't

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday, 11 August 1945, 12:10 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Here is your night owl husband again.  Last night's news hopped me up so much that it was 2:00 AM before I fell asleep and I awoke at 6:45 AM.  I worked this morning and the let down about the peace, that isn't yet, was very evident all over the ship.

          This afternoon I dozed for an hour and at 4:00 PM. I got a message from a Captain Schurr asking me to meet him at the landing in town.  I immediately sent him a message and arranged to be there at 7:30 PM.  I went over in a picket boat.  No Captain Schurr. I checked with the communications office and found my message hadn't been received yet and that Schurr is an Army captain.  I can't place him unless he is related to Silvia and Sara.  Anyway I left without seeing him.  No sooner had we gotten out of the inner harbor that a storm hit.  So we turned back and waited over an hour for it to abate.  Though it was still quite rough and raining at 10:45 PM, we got underway again and got back without any mishap.  All I can show for the trip is two hours of lost sleep.

          We had a real treat for dinner tonight.  Fresh cantaloupe and ice cream.  It was good. Yum, yum.

          I got two letters from my Sweet today so here goes.  Yes the sub base had some wonderful things, but so expensive.  All stateside stuff that could be bought for less money at home.  I feel badly about your attitude concerning our anniversary.  I didn't forget and really the amount of time I put in plenty of time on the lapel gadget. Had I sent you $100, you'd have blown it, no doubt.  Money doesn't grow on trees.  No, not even on lieutenant's trees.

          About the cake, I just happened to mention that on the 25th I'd be married eleven years.  The baker overheard it.  So without a word to anyone he baked a cake and left it for me in my office.  It served eighty men, so it wasn't small.

          No more for now Darling, I can hardly keep my eyes open.  Goodnight with love and kisses.

Yours forever,

Gil

Cries of Victory

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 10 August 1945. 12:40 A.M.

(Really Saturday morning)

My Dearest,

          The wonderful news that the war is over came over the air about nine o'clock this evening.  Although officially the war is still on and they are still fighting I pray that corroboration of victory will be made by morning.

          I worked all morning and after lunch the skipper, another officer and I got a boat and headed for town.  There we picked up a jeep and really saw the island.  We covered over ninety miles by land and about twenty-five by sea and didn't get back to the ship until 11:45 PM in a pouring rain.  However there was ample shelter on the boat and we didn't get very wet.

          It was while we were drinking beer at a club ashore that the news came over the radio and pandemonium broke out in the club.  The harbor was suddenly lit up like a Xmas tree.  There were tremendous numbers of red, green and white lights plus long fingers of searchlights reaching out and illuminating the heavens.  Sirens and boat whistles were blowing and rockets and flares rose to add to the illumination of the skies.

          We got into our jeep and headed back to our boat which was docked a mere twenty miles away.  The roads were jam packed with servicemen and civilians.  Horns were blowing, engines were roaring and cries of victory pervaded the atmosphere.  By the time we reached town there were plenty of drunks on the street.  Tomorrow there will be many big, aching, heads.  Still, in spite of all the excitement I can just imagine how people back home celebrated.  There was I'm sure, plenty of everything I described plus many an aching hearts and tears as well.  Such is VJ day. I really fear for world civilization if another conflict should occur in years to come.

          There is plenty of speculation aboard as to what happens now and when we will go home.  No one knows now but certainly in a few days policies will be adopted.  Then we'll know better where we all stand.

          No mail today except for the August Esquire, so I have very little to add.  Goodnight Sweetheart, I'll see you in my dreams (if I can sleep -- too excited.).  I guess I'll read a little first.  I began a book by Phillip Wylie entitled "Generation of Vipers."  It is a critique on the American way of life.  Though it sounds like heavy reading I'm finding it quite interesting and easy to read.

          Again my darling goodnight and pleasant dreams that will soon come true.  Kiss our girls for me. Tell them their daddy loves them and you too and misses you all so much.

Love,

Gil

Victory Celebration pictures at Service Squadron Ten Anchorage, Leyte Gulf.  The U.S.S. Ocelot was the flagship for the squadron. Note the proviso "This picture is not mailable under existing censorship regulations. Printed aboard U.S.S. AJAX"

Pictures Taken From the USS Ocelot in Leyte Gulf on August 10

Inefficiency and Waste

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 25 July 1945, 5:00 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,

          Happy Anniversary Darling.  I know that next year and forever after you and I will be together to celebrate this and all the other happy holidays of the year.

          Today has been another scorcher.  The sun has been smiling all day and I've been frowning.  Wish it would rain and rain.  Then I'd be no wetter than I am now but I would be much cooler.

          I worked all morning but I didn't see any patients this afternoon.  I got out some official letters to the Bureau requesting increases in allotments for our library and recreation.  Then I found a cool spot and just sat there and talked with others who had the same idea that I had.

          I have a few minutes before showering and dressing for dinner so here I am.  I got one love letter today so I really can't complain. Of all on this ship, I have the most loving, most faithful correspondent and everyone else knows it.

          The war news is good but frankly I don't think the war will be over until the middle of 1946.  I was optimistic up till now but if the Japs were going to quit before total defeat they would have done so before now.  It is evident that they'll have to be defeated decisively and I don't believe any large scale invasion can be expected until next spring.  It took eighty-seven days to take Okinawa. Japan itself will certainly be at least as tough to take.  So my guess is July 1946 for VJ day.  I truly hope that I'm wrong this time and that it is sooner.

          You are constantly running into snags with you vacation plans but I do hope that everything gets ironed out before you get this letter.

          Yes Goldfarb is a friend of the captain. At present he is underway to a new station.  However this place is much pleasanter than where he'll be.

          No your interpretation about the Flag set up is wrong, at least as it stands now.  There is nothing definite and new scuttlebutt comes out daily.  It varies so I'm ignoring it for the time being.

          No one could interest me in regular Navy with less than a captain's commission. That is impossible and is probably why I set that as a minimum.  Frankly I've seen too much inefficiency and waste both of money and manpower to be interested.  I'm not one to cow tow to another because he outranks me.  Civilian first class for me.  I'm doing my job as well and as efficiently as possible but I'm ready for a change in my status anytime it comes and the sooner the better.

          No more for now Darling so I'll sign off.  I haven't told you "I love you" lately but that is only because words fail me when I want to tell you how much.  Would that you were near me and I wouldn't have to say a word.  My actions would be all that you'd need.  Goodnight Darling and pleasant dreams.

Your loving husband,

Gil

No Headaches

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 14 July 1945, 11:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Sweet, here I am though a little late.  I worked this morning as usual but I did finish up a little early.  After lunch I decided to go ashore, so I went over to Joe's ship and we ran down to the club.  We had a few beers, sat and talked and at 4:30 left to return to the Ocelot.  We got back at 5:30 just in time to wash up before dinner.

          After eating we played our nightly game of cribbage game until movie time.   We had a real old movie which I somehow had missed.  "Brother Rat" is the title.  It was an excellent comedy about life at a military academy.

          Then we went up to the wardroom, had some coffee and talked for awhile.  At 10:30 I came down here to my office and worked on the trinket I'm making for you.  I should finish it tomorrow.

          The mail brought me a letter and card from you, a letter from Uncle Mike, an anniversary card from Libby and also one from my Mother.

          Read your accounting of expenditures but darned if I can tell you where to cut down.  I'll bet, though, that when I get home there'll be a few corners that we'll cut.  Do you realize that figuring $50 for rent, it is costing you $435 a month to live and that's for an adult and two kiddies?  Surely when I was home added expenses for my clothes recreation and food ran up to more than $75 a month.  I still say it costs too much.  One consolation is that as a lieutenant I'll probably save an additional $50 each month.

          What's money anyway?  From the way the war is going maybe I'll be a civilian soon and then we'll make up for lost time.

          Somehow we never did have a real "wetting down" party.  Something always comes up so that those I'd want couldn't leave.  The net result is that there weren't any headaches and all are happy just the same.

          So Darling.  Again it is time to say goodnight.  Wish I could do it the way I used to with a big hug and kiss.  There will come a day!  I love you too Darling.

Yours forever,

Gil