Peaceful Pacific Misbehaved

7 August 1944, At Sea

Hello My Sweet,
     How are you today? Let's you and "Butch" and "Stinky" and I all get together and go someplace together. Well now let's see, I can't join you but for the next few minutes you can be with me.
     As I wrote you yesterday the peaceful Pacific misbehaved a little and continued misbehaving all night long. We had lots of sick men on board and "lots" went overboard too. As far as I'm concerned my appetite couldn't be improved on unless it gets considerably rougher--then who can tell.
     However this morning "lady" Pacific was much quieter and by now all should be feeling much better and by now all should be feeling much better. I visited with our navigator and watched him chart our course. He told me that last night at one
     Did you write to Dave about the Plymouth? Don't stall! Get rid of it if he hasn't found a buyer by now.
     My office is a mess. There are some pipe lines running through it and some work was done on them. These ship fitters must have been plumbers before they joined the Navy--what a mess. However all is secure now and tomorrow I'll resume work.
     Ate the usual breakfast. For dinner we had barbecued spareribs and sauerkraut with the usual salad, coffee, and dessert.
     So my darlings, we did have a few moments together. Bye till tomorrow.

Your loving,
Daddy

Lt (j.g.) G. Steingart

USS Ocelot 1944

Pitching and Rolling Dentistry

Sunday 6 August 1944, At Sea

Dearest Eleanor,   

     Another day well on its way.  I awoke this morning with the ship pitching and rolling. Went in for breakfast and all I could get was breakfast cereal, toast, bacon and coffee.  It seems the stove went on the fritz and they were just finishing the repairs.

     Wish I had my camera aboard.  The sea is a beautiful aquamarine blue with white caps crowning the glory of the waves.  It is a little rough and has been since I turned in last night. Aboard there are lots of seasick passengers laying all over the decks. Even some of the crew are not too happy.  

     After breakfast I went down to my office and began work by examining the pharmacist mates aboard and found plenty of work to do.  By that time it was 11:00 o'clock so I retired to my quarters and read a little while.  Thorne Smith's "Glorious Pool" is the book and it is very amusing.  Had dinner at noon.  Salad, fried chicken, and peas.  I passed up the potatoes. For dessert apple pie and cheese and of course coffee. 

     Then I returned to my office and removed an embedded wisdom tooth for my corpsman.  It came out so easily that he was surprised and so was I.  Working on patients with the deck pitching and rolling underneath you is quite an experience and I'll probably have more before this present tour of duty is over.

     This being Sunday makes no difference when you're at sea--just another day and really it is quite difficult to keep busy.

     Did you hear over the radio where Lloyd's is betting 8-5 that Germany will be out by the end of October?  Just think every day that goes by now means that many days less before we'll all be together again.

     Bye my Sweet and my two little lovelies 'til tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

Old Salt

Saturday 5 August 1944, 10:00 PM

Dearest,

     Now I'm an old salt.  Spent a quiet day.  Saw a few dental patients and went through a routine "general quarters" and "abandon ship" drill.

     It has been overcast and cool all day but rather smooth.  Just now we have quite a roll and a pitch, just the thing to rock me to sleep.

     Here is the menu for today. I must really begin to watch my waist line. Breakfast was French toast and coffee.  Lunch started with soup, then stuffed bell pepper and string beans with coffee and cake for dessert.  For dinner we had salad, steak, cobbler and coffee.

     After dinner we adjourned to the ward room and I got talked into a poker game.  You know how much I love cards but anything to be sociable. After three hours I lost the magnificent total of $1.05.  This ocean air is quite conducive to sleep so I decided to turn in early.  I'm really glad I wasn't ahead and could quit when I did.

     How are you and the kids?  Keeping your chin up?  I have the pictures of my girls here on my desk before me and I hope that when we reach our destination I'll find one of my Sweet to add to my collection.

Goodnight my Sweet till tomorrow

Your loving husband

Gil

Lt (j.g.) G. Steingart

Could these be the pictures of the girls?    They were taken in San Diego on July 16, 1944. 

Linda in front of  the neighbors's house 

Norma at the San Diego Zoo

Gear Squared Away

Saturday 5 August 1944, 8:20 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

     How is my Sweet this morning?  Just finished breakfast and thought I'd better write you immediately because I'll be busy today.

     Spent a quiet day yesterday.  Got my gear all squared away.  Now that Dr. Sayer has left.  Lots of room.  Went to the movie last night and saw "Christmas Holiday" with Deanna Durbin.  I still don't know whether I liked it or not.

     After the movie we retired to the ward room and drank cokes and chewed the fat.

     I must dash now, so with love to all three of my girls, adios.

Your loving husband,

Gil

Stuffed to the Gills

Friday afternoon, 4 August 1944

Dearest Eleanor,

    Just had lunch and I'm stuffed to the gills.  The menu consisted of stuffed celery, green and black olives, hard boiled eggs, tuna salad, sliced tomatoes, cream pie and coffee with a fruit punch on the side.  I did make a pig of myself and now I wish I had passed up the hot biscuits.

    Dr. Sayer moved out yesterday and I cleaned up the place a bit and now have oodles of room.  Several of the officers just received promotions and I spent a few minutes examining their mouths to qualify them for this advancement.

    That broken part on the dental chair will be repaired this afternoon.  Then I'll really go to work.

    By the time you get this you should be feeling in the pink so please take good care of yourself and my two little girls.  Daddy misses all three of you and is looking forward to an early reunion.

    Give my best to our mothers (yours and mine), Ruth, Harry, Babs and Dick and give Linda and Norma a big kiss from Daddy.  Always thinking of you.

Love,

Gil

Insignia from Gil's Navy Hat

Learning About the Ship

Monday 31 July 1944

Dearest Eleanor,

     Another busy day doing nothing.  Saw one patient this morning and spent the rest of the day learning about the ship and some of my duties.

     The chow is excellent.  Ate three meals today and that is one too many.  I'll have to really watch myself or I'll put on plenty of weight (and you Dr., who is censoring this letter, will have to take steps to reduce me).

     Saw a movie tonight--"The Canterville Ghost," a most fantastic picture.  I spent most of the afternoon and evening showing some of the doctors, whom I worked with ashore, around the ship. Methinks that practically all would trade with me. 

     I expect to see you tomorrow night and am looking forward to a very pleasant and thrilling evening.  I am hoping, but I can't be sure.  Anyway it won't be long before I see Leon's old haunts and the---? Who knows?

     In a couple of days I intend to begin a survey of the dental health of the crew and that will keep me busy for awhile.

     I still miss you and my two girls and feel that it won't be too long before I will see you all again.

Your loving husband

Gil

Jabbering Hens

Sunday 30 July 1944

Dearest Eleanor
     It is less than 10 hours since I kissed you goodbye and I'm already beginning to miss you.
     The train ride back was very quiet except for the jabbering of a couple of old hens behind me. However in spite of them, I dozed off for a little more than an hour and felt quite refreshed. I came aboard at noon after visiting with the watch officers at the clinic for a few minutes.
     Not a thing to do all afternoon but walk around the ship and visit with some of the officers in the ward room. I did have lunch aboard. A little more salad than the base mess. Steak with French fries, string beans and apple pie a la mode for dessert made up the balance of the meal. It is now almost six and time to eat again but I am not a bit hungry.
     Sweet, I'm afraid that we will be shoving off the same day that you are planning to return to San Diego, so our next meeting will be in the form of a real reunion.
     Kiss my girls Linda and Norma for their Daddy because he is going to miss them and you so much.

Love,

Gil

The ship--USS Ocelot--1944

Report to the USS Ocelot

Friday 28 July 1944

Lt. (jg) Gilbert Steingart is ordered for duty on the USS Ocelot (IX-110)as relief to Lieutenant (jg) Baldwin Sayer.  He reported to the commanding officer, Captain Samuels.

Dog Tags

June 1944

In June 1944,  Lt. (j.g.)Gilbert Steingart had a tetanus shot. The information on his dog tags:

name--Gilbert Steingart

service number--327933

T for tetanus and date--Inoculated in June 1944

blood type--B

branch of service--United States Navy Reserve

Dog Tags

No Gossip to Spill

Wednesday 5 April 1944, 1730

Dear Eleanor,
     Another day is over--another day closer to Saturday night, then Sunday, and then we'll all be together again.
     Went downtown with Gilman last night. Had a couple of drinks and turned in at 10:30 P.M. At noon today I bought a couple of emblems and a box of Nestlé's chocolate. After posting this letter I'm going to play volleyball till it gets dark and then over to B.O.Q. for a little bull session and so to bed.
     Glad to hear that you've got everything straightened out. I'm going to have to get a plumber over Friday afternoon to connect the gas range.
     Nothing new happening here, so no gossip to spill. I said I was going to play ball, but I was wrong. I must go and place my call to you. God alone knows when I'll get through.

Love and kisses to all my girls.

Your daily lover to be,

Gil

P.S.  Got a card from Ruth today.
Identification bracelets in sterling silver are $10.40. Priced same downtown last night at $18.50. Do you think Deb really wanted to go that high for a gift for Dave?

Shipping to San Diego

Wednesday 5 April 1944, 1145 o'clock

My Dearest,

    Here I am back at the old grind and I mean grind. I'll sure be glad when those 5 or 6 new officers arrive.  Although they may send out one or two that are already here, this addition will lighten the load considerably.

    As I told you over the phone, the Naval Supply Depot at San Pedro will call you relative to shipping our effects.  Arrange to have the stuff delivered Friday afternoon after 2:00 or 3:00 P.M.

    Last night I went to the U.S.O. they really put on a real show.  One girl in particular imitated Gracie Fields, Shirley Temple (as a child) and "frozen faced" Margaret O'Brien to a "T."

    Guess I'll take a rain check on tonight's show, "Stage Door Canteen."  Have no plans for this evening.  Tomorrow noon I'll run down and look the apartment over and then phone you in the evening.

    Gilman is coming alright so get four tickets for Saturday night.  After the show he's on his own.

    Hope Norma's leaky nose is better by now.  I wish I could get the kids something for Easter.  Maybe I'll find time Friday afternoon to do some shopping.

    It's 12:00 and time for a game of volleyball. Adios, My Sweet.

Love,

Gil

Gas and Light

Tuesday 4 April 1944, 1800 o'clock

Hello My Sweet,

     One day closer to our new life in San Diego.  This business has got me to the point of becoming absent minded.  I almost forgot to write.

     Went down at noon today and arranged for the gas and light.  I'll have to leave the keys with one of the neighbors because there is no way of telling what time of the day the utility man will be down.

     Saw "Cover Girl" with Rita Hayworth last night and really enjoyed it.  Lots of good singing and dancing routines.  No plans for tonight though we are thinking tentatively of having dinner out.

     How about the house rental?  Anything happen?  I hope you don't have to turn it over to an agent.  It's too much money to give away.  Guess we'll have to do the best we can.

     My corpsman gave me a one way ticket from San Diego to San Francisco.  I'll use it to come home on if no ride turns up.  Nothing has.  You'd better not expect me on Saturday 'til rather late.

Love,

Gil

Keys

Monday 3 April 1944 19:30

Dear Eleanor,

    Began a game of volleyball after dinner at 5:30 and been playing up to now.

    Went down at noon and paid the rent, got the keys and now I really feel like we have a place down here.  The trip down last night was quite easy.  I may have to take the train down on Saturday.  Nobody seems to be driving down.  However I'll keep my eyes and ears peeled.

    Will arrange for utilities tomorrow and then patiently wait for the weekend.

    Tonight I'm going to the 8 o'clock movie--"Cover Girl." I hope it's good.

    Can hardly wait until we're moved and settled.  Give my girls a big kiss and have one yourself. Impatiently.

Your loving hubby,

Gil