Chiseled 260 Books for the Library

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
            Thursday 5 October 1944, 10:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,   

          This has been a busy day for me but I didn't do any dentistry.  This morning I got a jeep and chased over to a supply depot and picked up a mess of recreational gear for the ship.  It doesn't sound like much but one can sure waste a lot of time doing nothing.  This afternoon I went to the district library to see how many more books I could chisel for the ship.  Didn't do too badly as I was able to get 260 volumes--that is they are promised, but I feel certain that I'll get them.  Then I returned and found a letter from your mother and you.

          Glad you went out and had a pleasant evening.  You must have a little recreation once in a while. See that you get it. That is an order!  You didn't enclose Edna's letter--guess I'll get it in the next mail.  Nick and Wally are right in part.  Let's see what Leon says before I say any more.  Anything new with Dave?  I hope he makes officers' training but one can't be sure until he is on his way.

          Darling, don't be so touchy about what people say.  Look at Jim Frug.  He has been in for a whale of a long time.  Dr. Symington and Dr. Ing didn't go just for the lark either.  They were all released by the War Manpower Commission when I was, and there wasn't much choice.  Don't forget that a man isn't always as well as he seems and Dr. Messer definitely is not well.  He managed to stay out but I'd rather be well and doing my share.  I'll still have my health when I return and we'll have many years together and they'll be happy ones.  I'll say you're  a bit "balmy," but you'd better not wait until I get home to get over it.  You have as big a job at home as I have here and I expect you to do as good a job of it as I'm trying to do.

          The weather here is also perfect.  It is warm in the sun but cool in the shade and at night there is quite a breeze blowing down from the hills.

          I wish I could see my girls growing up but your comments on them will have to do for the time being.  Then when I get home I'll see if you kept me up to date.

          I've got quite an accumulation of gifts collected up but I'm going to wait until a few days before we shove and then send them all in one package.  It will be you job to distribute the gifts as you see fit.  I hope your song books get here soon so I can use them while we are under way.

          As far as food goes we get plenty of it and it's really OK. I'd love some of your "Brownies."  Do you think, though, that they'd be fresh and whole by the time they arrived?  I'll let you be the judge.

          Glad to here you got another woman.  Hope she pans out OK.

          Do you remember the date we made with Belle and Charlie to go to Alaska? Well I dropped them a note last night.  After the war let's keep that date.  I still expect to take a month off each year.

          Tomorrow will be another busy day.  Remember the ship's outing I told you about several weeks ago?  Well the men liked it so much that I've arranged another one and I'm going along in the morning.  We'll leave early so I'm going to close this letter tonight.

          Haven't I told you I love you darling? How can I tell you how much on paper?  Well just wait until I get back!  Good night, sweetheart!

Lovingly'

 Gil

P.S. Just reread this letter and that item about seeing that you get it. "It" means a little recreation in good company.  Sounded funny so the addition.  One never know what "it" can refer to can one? Night again Sweet and here is a big kiss!

         

Anyone Who Hasn't Made a Payment Needs Jacking Up

Monday 4 September 1944, 8:15 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Yesterday was my duty day--just another day aboard.  Nothing of interest to talk about.  The movie we had was "Dark Mountain."  If it comes your way, miss it--just a waste of time.

          I forgot to answer a question in yesterday's letter regarding accounts.  You don't have to bother with Miss Earnest.  Anyone who hasn't made a payment since August 1st needs jacking up.  If they have a phone, call them.  If not turn them over to the California Professional Bureau.  A small piece is better than nothing.

          A few of us got together yesterday on the subject of babies, obstetricians, etc. and I was able to make several enlightening remarks on the subject.  Then we talked about buying items of wear for the better half and again I put in my two cents.  You see, we have so much time with so little to do that I really solve all worldly problems.  Yes, I can hear you now, "If you have so much time why not write longer letters and more often?"  Yes, my sweet, but for reasons that I can't mention it is difficult to write now and besides what shall I write about?  The weather is constant, warm with blue skies and occasional white clouds.  No rain in the past week.  Evenings are cool and comfortable.  I'm well and miss you and the kids terribly.  So I can repeat the above twice a day, day in and day out.  The censors will pass that but it is silly to repeat same and nothing else.

          I'm going on liberty this morning.  Your package has been on its way for about a week.  Maybe I'll find something for the kids that I can send off immediately.

          Well Sweetheart, nothing else to gab about and besides I have a couple of patients waiting.  Will write again tonight when I return if there is anything at all to tell.  In the meantime be good and don't upset yourself about nothing.  I love you and always will.

Your loving husband

Gil

Lt (jg) G. Steingart

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

Jewish Chaplain Visited

Sunday 27 August 1944, 10:45 AM

Good Morning Sweetheart,

          Boy, wouldn't I love to be home this morning with you in bed alongside and Linda and Norma climbing all over us.  Guess we'll have to put it off for awhile.

          Got my liberties all fouled up.  Thought I was off today but instead I was off yesterday.  So I don't go ashore again until Tuesday.  Saw "Sensations of 1945" again last night and enjoyed it.  There is so much good music in it.  You remember I saw it at the Repair Base when I was there.

          It's always warm here but there is a cool breeze coming down from the hills that makes it quite comfortable.  You can lean over the rail and watch the rain come in off of the hills and in the past few days it has rained frequently.  However, no one pays any attention to it because it rains but a few minutes and you are completely dry in another few moments.  In the past few days I've seen several rainbows and thought back to those happy days at Niagara Falls.

          This morning we had three chaplains come aboard.  Two conducted services and the third, a Jewish chaplain just visited around.  He comes from the same town as the executive officer who has known him for years.  He also knows Rabbi Lifschitz.

          Dear, I am enclosing some papers which I want you to file away for future reference.  Nothing else to say since my last note except I love you and miss all my three girls.

Love,

Gil

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Tuesday August 15, 5:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          I was hoping to go on liberty tonight and see the sights.  It's five o'clock but no word about any liberty tonight.  They tell me the bars here close at 6:00 PM and there is a 10:00 PM curfew.  It may be scuttlebutt, but I'll know by tomorrow.

          This place really reminds me of Catalina.  After my first liberty I'll be able to tell you more about it.  The color of the sea certainly is interesting here.  It goes from a deep blue to green to light green to a white which in the distance looks like beach sand.

          The day is warm but there is a cool breeze that has been blowing constantly.

          Yesterday I had to rewrite several letters because of some insignificant items and I hardly know what to say that would be of interest and would pass the censor.  However they can't stop me from loving you and missing you or even writing about it.

          Some mail was brought aboard but so far none has been distributed.  Guess they are sorting it.

          Well Sweets guess I'll sign off with love to you, Linda, Norma, and the rest of the gang.

Gil

No Movies

 

 Tuesday 14 August 1944, At Sea

Dearest,

          As I sit down to write I find that all I can say is a repetition of what I have said in my earlier letters.  Work, eat, and sleep, with a little recreation in the way checkers, gin, rummy, acey ducey, and walking around the deck is a good summary of my daily routine.

          I was a little busier in my office today and saw eight patients.  I also spent about an hour finishing up the cataloguing the books in the ship's library.

          Finished a murder mystery last night and am beginning another today.  Movies are not shown at sea as a matter of security.  In case of an emergency it is felt that all the men aboard should not be congregated in one portion of the ship--so no movies.

          It is now almost time for supper so I'm going to shower and change shirts as I've done lots of sweating today.

          I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

 

         

Concert by Ship's Band

UNITED STATES NAVY

        

Saturday, August 12, 1944, At Sea

Dear Eleanor,

 

         Just another day at sea.  Up as usual at seven, showered, dressed and had breakfast.  Worked for a couple of hours, visited on the bridge and looked at ships looming up of the horizon guessing their identity, or trying to, before they got close enough to really tell.  We've had company all day, another ship on the same course and evidently due at the same place and time as we are.

         After dinner of spaghetti and meat balls with salad, iced tea, and chocolate cream pie, we had a concert by the ship's band.  They really sounded pretty good although they don't have much time to practice.

          Upon conclusion of the concert I returned to my office for more work.  When he was in civilian life, one of my patients was a patient of Dr. Frankel.  Small world isn't it? After that Dr. Bushyager, the medical officer, Mr. Hansen, the chief engineer, and I retired to the "chief's" quarters and with the accordion indulged in another hour or so of music (?).  Then a fried chicken supper and another visit on the bridge.  It has been plenty warm today and it is a little cooler up there than in most parts of the ship.

          Well for a guy who had nothing much to say I did all right.  I'm sure looking forward to our next port and to the letters from you my Sweet and I'll bet I get several from Linda too.  By till tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

         

Played Accordion

Friday 11 August 1944, At Sea

Dearest,

          Another quiet day.  Had a light breakfast and then stalled around until 10:30 for the weekly inspection.  Saw a couple of patients then and three more after dinner.  We eat dinner at noon and supper at 6 P.M.  Dinner was a Salisbury steak with all the trimmings.  For supper we had asparagus soup and breaded pork chops with all the trimmings.

          The sea has been like glass and sailing along as we are, one completely loses all track of time and even the war seems very remote.

          Last night a few of us get together and borrowed an accordion from one of the men aboard.  I had a lot of fun playing it.  It's quite a simple instrument to play if you know piano.

          Well, my Sweet, we should be at our destination before many days more.  We've been moving along rather slowly because we're ahead of schedule.

          The last two days we ran into several squalls.  It rains for a few minutes and then we're out again and the sun is shining.   The nights are really black and going from the ward room to my room is like playing "blind man's bluff."  I extend my hands and grope along until I find the door knob.

          So dear it's really hard to find what to write when one writes every day but I do love you and really miss you and the kids.

Goodnight dear 'til tomorrow,

Love

Gil