On Watch

Tuesday 18 January 1944

1900 o'clock (7:00 P.M.)

Dear Eleanor,

    Good news--will be home Friday night.  I'm on "watch" tonight.  When you're on watch on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night you get 72 hours leave.  Watch means that you're on duty all night but probably nothing will happen.  We have a nice bed and the corpsmen take care of it.

    Bob Hope and his troop are on the base tonight, and I can hear the broadcast over the public speaker system.

    I finally got all my papers taken care of and began work this afternoon.  I started with what we call the "carriage trade," a commander.  Today, I visited with the men at the auxiliary clinic on the other side of the base.  Things are very quiet now because there aren't many ships here.  They come and go all the time.  When they're here, patients must be taken care of and in a hurry.

    Everyone here says I'll have a hell of a time getting back to the base by train or bus on Sunday night.  Men begin to line up at 4:00 P.M. and all they talk about is getting back.  I'll probably have to pick up a "junk heap" soon.

    Note my address on the envelope.

Love to all,

Gil

Clipping from the Evening Outlook 

  

Reverse side of clipping

San Diego Naval Repair Base

Monday 17 January 1944

1830 o'clock (6:30 P.M.)

Dear Eleanor,
     Just got through unpacking and hanging up my kit. This sure is a busy place but they tell me things are quiet now, so I've got something to look forward to.
     The officer who took me around is a commander who just today received a promotion to captain. I believe he is leaving for the
Great Lakes Naval Station in a month. Tomorrow he will take me around to meet the bosses and arrange for my pay and transportation.
     There are two men in the dental department who went to school with me and the rest of them are so friendly that I should feel at home right smart quick. From what I was able to see today, the type of dentistry done here is of a very high level. All the talk you hear about dentistry in the service is untrue. Should you want to reach me after hours, I am at the B.O.Q.-- J room 4. The phone number is Main 7212. My work hours are 7:45 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 5:00. Send all mail addressed: Lt. (j.g.) G. Steingart DC-USNR, U.S. Naval Repair Base, San Diego 36, California.
     Noontime today I was aboard an airplane carrier. Lunch was 35 cents for meatloaf, potatoes, coffee and a whipped jello. Dinner was 45 cents. I had oyster stew, rare roast beef, potatoes, peas, coffee and cream pie. I am not eating any bread, potatoes or butter--must watch my waist line.
     Everything at the base is very informal. You only salute officers with the rank of commander or higher. Either the blue or grey uniform may be worn, so in a pinch I could wear by dress blue. I'll also wear my blue on Mondays if I come in just in time to go to work.
     Will write again tomorrow. Love and kisses to you, Linda Norma. As ever

Your loving husband,

Gil

Proceeded from Santa Monica to San Diego






Reported for Active Duty and Assigned Quarters

Our Little Gil

Saturday 15 January 1944

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Goodfriend, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Fink and Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Stern gave a farewell party honoring Gil.

The male guests were golf buddies and/or members of the Santa Monica B'nai B'rith Lodge. Attendees wrote the following messages on a "chain" card.

"Sundays will be awfully quiet without you.

Sam and Lee"

"You don't know how happily we'll be at the golf course without you.

Sam

don't you believe it

Good Luck (in mirror image writing)"

"Oh that 19th Hole.  It will not be the sauce without your good stories, (sometimes not so good)

Your golf partner,

Maury"

"Dear Gil,

Good Luck and Smooth Sailing Back Home

Etta"

"Our little Gil, May you soon grow up to be a big Commander

Sally"

"Here's hoping a 1 1/2 stripper gets to wear 4 on his sleeve soon."

Bill

"Gil P.P.

V is for Victory  I know that as soon as you get to San Diego and Hitler gets one look at you the war will be over.  Good Luck

Jean and Herman"

"Hi Keed--Don't worry about Eleanor--what's left here will never harm her--they're either too young or too old--

Ruth"

"Listen Captain:

Just send her weak ends to me

Ernest"

"Gil (j.g.) 

Go easy on the admiral's teeth and maybe you'll be an admiral some day.

Best of Luck

Joe"

"Will miss you, Gil, and hope you'll be back very very soon.

Ann"

"Gilbert--Past President of Santa Monica B'nai B'rith.  I repeat--Sorry to see you go but will look for your return as soon as possible. 

Harry Aronoff"

"To the J.G. Lt. Steingart (remember J.G. Steingart now and soon it will be Commander Steingart.) Just don't ever high hat.

Ruby Goodfriend"

"Good Luck Gil

Ruby & Martin"

"Dear Gil, Sir,

The U.S.M.C. salutes you on your entrance into the Naval Service.  May you always sail on stout ships and remain slender about the naval.  Good luck.

Dave"

Farewell Party Invitation

 "Chain" Greeting Card 

 

Letter from Gil's Sister

Thursday 13 January 1944

Dear Gil,

     Just received you letter and am answering immediately as I know how anxious you must be to settle up you affairs before you go.

     I haven't mentioned this before but Nat has applied for a commission and it looks like he will be in the service very soon.  We are expecting to hear any day now, so you see we ourselves are in the same boat as you folks.  We give Mother Frug $35 a month and Nat intends to give her the same amount even after he is in the service.

     I hope you can think of some solution because Mother doesn't make enough on her sewing to pay the balance of the rent her food etc.  Since Nat has his own mother to take care of and there is no one else, you will have to accept the responsibility. I don't know what else to suggest, Gil.  I'm sorry things are this way, but they are.

    I hope you will find you work in the Navy interesting.  Anyway, I do wish you all the luck in the world, Gil.

    Tell Eleanor the reason I haven't written lately is because my right forefinger is in a splint--I cut the tendon--and it is with extreme difficulty that I write.  I've written to Mother, of course, as I wouldn't want her to know about it.

    My love to all of you--

Libby

P.S. Do write to us when you can.

Undated photo of Libby

Parties

Sometime in December 1943

Clipping from the Santa Monica Evening Outlook

Reverse Side of Clipping

 Gift Cards

Uniforms

Monday 13 December 1943

Officers purchase their own uniforms.

The orders show a "Uniform gratuity" of $150 stamped on the bottom right side of the page. The gratuity wouldn't have covered cost of the uniform requirements. 

Short, Medium, Erect

Saturday 11 December 1943

Lieut. (jg) Gilbert Steingart drove from his residence and reported to the Director Naval Officer Procurement.  He passed  the physical with waivers. He was 2 inches under standard height and 26 pounds overweight. He returned home in time for lunch.

 Physical Examination

Orders

Orders Received

Thursday 9 December 1943

Lieut.(jg) Gilbert Steingart receives orders written on 7 December 1943.  

Ordered to Take Physical

Tuesday 7 December 1943

The Director of Naval Officer Procurement orders Lieutenant (jg) Gilbert Steingart to report for a physical. He is authorized to drive his 1941 Buick Sedan to carry out the orders.

The 1941 Buick parked in the driveway of 714 Euclid Street.

Telegram

Thursday 2 December 1943

Doctor Steingart had telegrammed a request to defer reporting for active duty until 15 January.  The request is acknowledged. The Bureau of Medicine and Surgery will issue orders to report on 17 January 1944. 

Letter

Pay, Subsistence and Transportation

Wednesday 1 December 1943

The Bureau of Navy Personnel sends orders to Lt.(jg) Gilbert Steingart regarding active duty pay and allowances chargeable against appropriation "pay, subsistence and transportation."

Report for Duty

Wednesday 24 November 1943

The Surgeon General, USN, orders the Doctor to report to the Naval Repair Base in San Diego for duty on 27 December 1943. Housing conditions in San Diego are deplorable. It is advisable to have your dependents join you after you secure accommodations.

Newspaper Clipping

Order from Bureau of Medicine

Took Oath

Saturday 20 November 1943

Gilbert Steingart took the Oath of Office accepting appointment as Assistant Dental Surgeon with the rank of Lieutenant (jg). He received a $150 uniform gratuity.

 Acceptance and Oath at the Bottom of the form

Uniform Gratuity shown at bottom of form. Was the $150 credit to help the defray cost of uniforms?

Lieutenant (jg)

Monday 15 November 1943

From the Office of the Director of Naval Operations Procurement: Dr. Gilbert Steingart's appointment to the U.S. Naval Reserve has been received from the Bureau of Naval Personnel.  Execution of oath and office and delivery of commission will take place on 20 November 1943.

DNOP(LA)--Director of Naval Operations Procurement, Los Angeles

Lieutenant (jg)--Lieutenant Junior Grade

DC-V(G), USNR -- an officer of the volunteer reserve for general service in the dental corps, United States Navy Reserve.

Assistant Dental Surgeon

Wednesday 3 November 1943

Gilbert Steingart executed an oath of office to the United States Navy Reserve as an Assistant Dental Surgeon with the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade).

Over weight and Underheight

Tuesday 2 November 1943

The Bureau of Navy personnel grants Dr. Gilbert Steingart waivers for physical defects. He is "over weight" and "underheight."

Appointment

Wednesday 27 October 1943

Certificate showing Gilbert Steingart's appointment as Assistant Dental Surgeon with the rank of Lieutenant (Junior grade) in the United States Navy Reserve.

Volunteered

Monday 27 September 1943

Dr. Gilbert Steingart volunteered to serve in the United States Navy Reserve.  His application was reviewed by the Office of Naval Officer Procurement.