Pearl Harbor--Unhappy Situation

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

 USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
2 October 1944, 10:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Just returned from liberty and was very happy to find letters waiting. Three from you and one from Ruth. I should say I was happy until I read the mail, and now I'm very upset. It seems that you've just let go entirely and your actions are even causing a change in Linda's behavior. Now look Dear, there is nothing that either you or I can do to hasten my homecoming, but there is plenty you can and must do until I do return. No one can help you but yourself. You must take hold of yourself and make the best of a very unhappy situation. There are several million men overseas and many of the have wives and children at home. They have adjusted themselves to this temporary change and you must also. Further, don't be too sensitive. Remember your present state probably provokes unfavorable words and acts even from the best of our friends and you are the only one who can correct that. So much for the lecture I hope I won't need to say anything again.
     Now for the quiz program. Remember any question I ignore can't be answered because of censorship. Can't say anything about the ship so please don't ask any more. My sea duty figures from the date I reported aboard and regardless whether we're at sea or port, the time still counts as sea duty. However be assured that we'll be just as safe when we go on as we were up to now. My sea pay amounts to $18 a month extra. I may not get any promotion until February or March and the increase will only amount to $50. However we have sufficient reserve to tide us over for some time so please don't worry. The only clothes I wear are greys and I can get what I need aboard ship. Yes dear I still sleep raw.  My hair is no thinner or greyer and when you get my photo you will see for yourself. Some of your other questions are answered in some my recent letters so I'll pass them bye.
     Now about what I did today. Stayed aboard until after lunch and then Ambie and I went on liberty. I picked up my photos and as I was walking down the hall I bumped into a

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I went to dental school. Although we hadn't seen each other for over twelve years we recognized each other instantaneously and he invited me into his office for a visit. He poured Ambie and me drinks. The first scotch since my first liberty here. He was very cordial and if chance permits I'll see him again. Then we went over to the club I've written about and had a couple of drinks and dinner. By that time it was 7:30 and of all things, we decided to go roller skating. Well roller skate we did and for a solid hour. I only flopped once and my 170 some odd pounds didn't seem to hurt the floor a bit. Then we returned, tired, a little stiff, but at least in a happy state of mind that is until I read my mail.
     That is all darling please, please take things in hand. I do want to help but I can't so you must do it yourself. I love you sweetheart and pray that soon I'll be able to relieve you of your worries.

Your devoted husband

Gil

Photo

Pearl Harbor--She Loved a Soldier

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

 U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
1 October 1944, 10:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello darling, here I am again. This has been just another day aboard. Saw four patients this AM and spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon making up some routine reports due the first of the month. Showered about 4:30 and then went topside to relax. Played a game called "football." It was quite interesting. A board is marked off like a field and a 52 card deck is used for determining the plays. After you decide whether you wish to pass, run, or kick you turn up the next card in the deck and then look on a chart which gives you the result of the play. For example: I chose to pass and turned up the 3 of diamonds. Under pass, the 3 diamonds shows a gain of 6 yards. Catch on? Really is quite amusing.
     I've ordered additional recreational material for the crew and will pick it up in the morning. By the way we had a very good movie aboard today, "She Loved a Soldier" with Paulette Goddard. It is quite cool and comfortable sitting on the fo'castle, and I must say I am enjoying our movies much more since they are being shown topside.
     How are you getting along with Tante and Dolores? It doesn't sound to be working out as well as you had hoped. Really, as long as they don't promise to be permanent, I'd keep looking. You recall, when Edna came to us the situation was no better than it is now. You never can tell who will turn up. Anyway it still is your home, not theirs and such things as parties for Dolores seem to be expecting a little too much. However, you're the boss and you'll have to make the final decision.
     How are Linda's feet these days? Is she back at dancing school? What about Norma? What does she do to pass the time away? Besides yours, I wrote five letters last night. Soon I'll be all caught up. Nothing more for now. I'll finish in the morning after mail call. Good night Sweet, pleasant dreams. I love you.

Monday 2 October 1944, 9:30 AM

     Good morning, darling, hope you slept well. Read until after midnight last night and slept soundly until I was awakened for breakfast this AM. Nothing new to tell about this morning. The mail didn't bring anything but a New Year greeting from Temple Beth Shalom on a Uniongram form signed by Nan Goldman. Am I surprised! Guess I'll have to acknowledge it.
     Sweet, do you remember the night we spent up at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood? After this war we'll go to other winter resorts and enjoy the snow. Boy, wouldn't I like some now. Have work to do now dear, so till tonight so long.

Love,

Gil

Gil had the title of the movie wrong

Pearl Harbor--Jeep

Lt (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart
USS Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Saturday 30 September 1944, 9:30 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,
     What a busy day! Saw a couple of patients in the morning and then chased down to the Welfare and Recreation Office on the base. When I came back I found a couple of letters from you and one from Libby. I no sooner got started reading and Jim arrived and so I postponed that pleasure and showed him around the ship. He really was surprised at the size and facilities of the Ocelot.
     Jim had lunch aboard with me and we had an amusing incident. The Mess Caterer is an elective job that no one wants particularly. The Captain announced ahead of time that I was to be the next caterer. However all the officers got together and voted for another officer who wasn't expecting any such duty and boom he is now Mess Caterer. The Captain was a little provoked but couldn't do much about it. However he did dig up something else for me to do, Mess treasurer. That is that.
     Jim came over in a jeep. So after lunch, Hansen joined us and we all drove over to a

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and I ran into Alvin Klein. We had a little chat and plan to get together later. We then returned to the base and Ambie who used to be a 

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main took us through a large

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You can't possibly imagine how compactly built a

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is. Every inch of space is taken care of and it really was an interesting experience. Then we returned to the ship and Jim had to shove off. We still had an hour before dinner so we walked over to the Officers Club and had a drink or two. They have scads of slot machines and having three quarters in my pockets I took a shot at it. Got $4 out, put $1.50 back so I'm $2.50 ahead. Then we returned to the ship for dinner. I found another letter and the money order waiting for me.
     After dinner we sat on deck and listened to a recorded radio program until movie time.  Tonight we had "Crime at Night" and it was enjoyment, a murder mystery with a lot of humor. And so here I am.
     Now for the "Eversharp program." Keep my driver's license. I won't need one until I get back. I can't tell how soon I'll be back, anything can happen. Dinner out runs from $1.50 to $3.00. Most places just serve a la carte! Haven't eaten any tropical fish, but have tasted papaya. I didn't like it in the states and still think it's too sweet. When I go on liberty I usually don't get back until past 7:45 when the movie goes on. That's why I miss the movie rather frequently on liberty days. I've got you a locket, bracelet and earrings to match but they aren't of the charm variety. Keep you panties on till they get there. You have the San Diego deposit book. Look in my records file. Whew! Do I get the $64?
     I still think you should go to meetings and to h... with what people say. I'm not worried about it so why should you care. I'll write Ethel and Doc and the Vaneteks as soon as I close here. Good night, darling, my Sweet. I love you. I do!

Sunday 1 October 1944, 10:00 AM

     Good morning, darling. Sleep well? Sunday is just another day in the Navy. Just injected my third patient and while I'm waiting for the shot to take effect I'll finish off here. Nothing new since last night. Have several first of the month reports to make and also a survey of the oral condition of the whole crew and expect to be through by tonight. Sounds like I'm optimistic but I think I can do it!
     Do you remember when we would go out for breakfast on Sunday morning just for a change? Well sweetheart, after the war we'll always have breakfast together and wherever you wish.
     Now for our daily quiz program. Your

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After the war wherever we go our girls go and that includes Chicago. Frequently a couple of days will go by with no mail and then bingo! The jack-pot! Five or six all at one time. Sweet I don't care whether you write or type.  Just hearing from you and knowing all is well is all I ask for. Bye darling. I'm getting to be just like Jim except he has been away 18 months instead of the 9 weeks. I'm a man with 

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Figure it out for yourself.

Love,

Gil

Jeep Ride

Gil and Jim Frug

Another of Gil and Jim

Gil and Ambie (Hansen)

Pearl Harbor--Money

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
29 September 1944, 10:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Another day closer to when we'll be together again. A very uneventful day.
     Had my usual juice and coffee for breakfast. Then worked for about two hours. I've arranged another beach party for the crew and that took up the rest of the morning.
     Also, Jim called this morning. He is driving over to have lunch aboard with me tomorrow. After lunch I had a little more work and then mail to read. A card from my mother, a couple of letters from you and the September Journal of the Southern California State Dental Association. After I finished reading, I had my hair cut, showered and got ready for dinner. Then I sat around on the fo'castle listening to some more recordings of radio programs made for broadcast overseas. The records play for half an hour and are just as good as the original program.  Then movies, "The Merry Monahans," with Donald O'Connor, Peggy Ryan and Jack Okie. Very good entertainment--see it when you can.  After the movie we visited for awhile on deck and then--here I am.
     You mention Mike's visit. I dropped him a line about 10 days ago. Maybe that helped. Anyway I'm glad you're able to get along and don't have to walk or ride buses. Anything that is lost in moving should be claimed for. Notify Al and let him worry about it. That is why we pay those premiums. Make a claim for the movies and glasses along with the rest. By the way did you ever get that last roll of movie film back?
     I am drawing $118 a month. When I'm at sea, $35-40 will be all I'll need. However situated the way I have been here, money just goes. Been having liberty every other day and a drink here, a cab there, and meals beside and--not enough money especially after a few shopping tours. Figure it out for yourself. Dear, a "fruit salad" pin is a must on my next shopping tour. You may wear it and when I want to wear one I'll get another. Don't worry about Dr. White and his bill, although you might suggest paying him, he'll say no. Then go out and buy him something nice. I'm sure it will be OK. That charm bracelet you mention runs into money out here, but I'll look around and see what I can do. A couple of dolls are on my Xmas list as of now. Enough for now. I'll be with you again in the morning. Good night, dearest.

Saturday 8:30 AM

     Good morning, Sweetheart. Didn't sleep well last night. Some men working on the ship made a lot of noise and woke most of the officers up. Then those mosquitoes decided they had left me alone long enough and went to work. I've several beauties--not mosquitoes--bites.
     Nothing new since last night. Do you remember how you used to make lunch and bring it up to the office and have a bite with me? Seems so long ago. After the war we'll have lunch together often, won't we dear, and you won't need to bring it up. That is all for now, will be with you again tonight.

Loving you as ever

Gil

P.S. Regarding Mrs. Numma, I advised against having her teeth extracted and she went somewhere else to have it done. Then she came to me to make her a new set of dentures; the others didn't fit (?) Unless you know her you wouldn't understand the problem. However, dear, before communicating with patients in the future regarding any complaints, let me know first if possible.

Gil

Money

A Fruit Salad Pin

Pearl Harbor--Lunch and Dinner

Daughter Linda recalls that before the war, her parents held an open house every Wednesday evening. Two of Gil's cooking specialties were a fiery cocktail sauce and spaghetti. His crazy omelets always included onions, worcestershire sauce and tabasco. 

Lt. (j.g) Gilbert Steingart

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

September 28, 1944, 10:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Well here I am again. Just got back from liberty and now for our little visit. Several navy civilian employees invited us over to their house for some drinks and dinner. Nothing had been started in the way of food when we got there so I volunteered to make spaghetti. The shelves were loaded with mushrooms, tomato paste, tomato sauce and the condiments I usually use. I went to town. There were seven of us men and we sure cleaned up. I also fixed a bit of lunch, one of my crazy omelet combinations. The place was up in the hills so we left at 8:30 PM to get back at 10:00 PM and we just about made it.
     Got a letter from you this morning and am pleased to hear that you are getting settled. What happened to Wally that he is on crutches? A thirty days leave is usual when one returns from overseas.
     Glad to hear that you were too tired to write a long letter. I love to read your letters, but being so tired shows that you are keeping busy and I bet you'll sleep better.
     Just got a short note from Dr. White. He says he has had difficulty getting together with you on an appointment. Try to get your teeth completed and out of the way.
     Good night dear and I'll be with you again in the morning.

Friday 29 September 1944, 8:30 AM

     Good morning dear, isn't it wonderful what a good night's sleep will do? This climate would be ideal for the kids. You'd never have to worry about whether they were warm enough or dry. If they did get wet, they'd dry in no time. Living in a place like this does have its advantages.
     Well, I wonder what the morning mail brings. I've gotten replies to all my notes except those to Earl, Leon, Harry Sieger and Nina Hursey. Wrote Aranoff and Bergman but it is a little soon to expect a reply.
     Do you remember how much we enjoyed Wednesday night at home? After the war we'll continue but we'll know better about whom to ask.
     Bye Sweetheart must go to work now. How's about a nice big kiss before I go?

I love you,

Gil