Ulithi--1/2 Stripe

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Monday 2 April 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Another busy day today. I worked all morning and afternoon and wasn't through until 3:00 PM. I went to my room and censored some mail. The sun was out in all its glory so I spent from four till five on the poop deck improving on my tan. Then I returned to my room, showered, and dressed for dinner.  After chow we went back up on the poop deck and just relaxed and enjoyed the cooling evening breeze. Now here I am.
     Beginning with the May allotment, the check will go to the Santa Monica Bank of America so be sure and notify them to accept same and credit it to our account. I've increased the amount to $225 a month because I'm expecting the May ALNAV to give me that extra 1/2 stripe you've been looking for.
     I'm enclosing a money order for $100. Buy Linda a $100 bond and use the difference to buy her something more material for her birthday from her daddy.
     The mail today brought three letters from you, one from Herman Stein and one from your mother. Honey, I don't know what to say about the house except that if it needs paint and repairs why have it done. Of course I agree.
     I hope you won't get the "G's" down on you for the dress deal. You know how they like Ruth and may not like your giving her the dress. Anyway I'm too far away to know and say what to do. Use your judgment.
     You're sure making a great to do about   Linda's eyes. With all the fuss you're making it's no wonder she's all a twitter about wearing glasses. Take it easy dear and don't cross any bridges till you have to. Although Dr. Kinney is a good man, I wish you could have taken her to a Navy outpatient clinic. Nuff said, but please honey do take it easy and don't let everything aggravate you.
     Don't know what this Elsinore jaunt is all about. Guess one of your missing letters with explain when it gets here.
     Your letter written 5:00 PM on the 22nd is not complete. The last paragraph says and "now to your letter. Didn't you see Claudia, etc" and nothing more. No signature or anything. Guess you're all excited and busy getting ready for the Mah Jong game. I also gather that you've been teaching, but there are several letters still to come to fill in the blanks.
     The movie tonight is a stinker entitled "Tahitian Nights" with I don't know who but I guess I'll go anyway.
     So much for today darling. It is almost time to go to the movies and I'm all run out of stuff and such so--
     Goodnight, I'll see you in my dreams.        Love and kisses to you and our sweet girls.

Yours always,
Gil

Stripes

Ulithi--Bird Mail

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Sunday 1 April 1945, 9:50 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Just got back from a lousy movie. It was the "Big Bonanza" with Dick Arlen and the less said about it the better.
     I was quite busy this morning but I was all through by 11:15. I went to my room and read some from "Burma Surgeon." It is quite interesting.
     After lunch six of us officers got together and went ashore for a few "short" ones. We had a couple of beers and then went shell hunting. I found a few to add to my collection.
     We got back at 5:25 so I had just enough time to shower and change for dinner. After dinner I returned to my room and lay down for a short nap. I awoke at 8:30 and dashed off to the movies. I'd missed the short subjects but the feature hadn't started It would have been just as well if I had slept right on through.
     The only mail I got today was a Dental Digest. Gosh I wish some of the "bird" mail would begin to come through. I've gotten one letter in about a week. I bet there is a whole stack for me somewhere.
     Well dear, I'm just a wee bit tight and besides there isn't a darn thing to write about so I guess I'll sign off.
     Good night sweetheart, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,
Gil

"Bird" Mail

Ulithi--Counted $1,000,000

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Saturday 31 March 1945, 9:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Sweet, I just got back from the movie and here I am. The picture was a Charlie Chan murder story, "The Jade Mask," with Sidney Toler.
     This morning was the usual busy one. It was 11:30 before I was through. After lunch I began reading "Burma Surgeon" by Seagrave but I had some more appointments for the afternoon.
     I quit at 3:30 and began working on the wardroom mess statement. My money balanced out so the worst is over for another month.
After that I censored some mail, showered and dressed for dinner. After eating we had an unusually brilliant sunset which I shan't try to describe.
     Then the medical officer and I counted over a million dollars for the paymaster in order to certify a sum of money shown on his monthly statement. By then it was 7:30 so I went up on the fo'castle and enjoyed the cooling breeze until movie time. Now here I am as I told you before.
     No mail again today. Tomorrow I expect to hit the jackpot. The service this last week was very irregular and I'm way behind.
     Nothing new or different to say today Honey so I'll repeat those three little words, "I love you."
     Goodnight Honey, until tomorrow with hugs and kisses

Love,
Gil

Ulithi--Watch on Fritz

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 30 March 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,
     Hello Honey, here I am again. We didn't have any movie last night so I played checkers and gossiped in the wardroom until 11:00 PM. Then I went to my room, censored a batch of mail and read for awhile.
     I awoke this morning kind of late (8:10) but didn't realize it because my watch seems to be on the fritz. That makes two to go since I left. It seems this hot, moist climate is hell on watches. I did some tinkering on it this morning and it has been running most of the day. Maybe I've fixed it.
     I did some work this morning but really didn't strain myself. By noon the strong wind had abated and the sun broke out in all its glory. It's the first time in almost a week that we've even seen the sun. After lunch I saw a few patients. I censored some mail and went up on the poop deck for a little sun. Then I returned to my room undressed, showered and read until time to dress for dinner.
     After dinner I enjoyed the cool breeze and the cloud formations, but a colorful sunset never materialized. Now here I am.
     I got one precious letter today, so you guess who it was from. It was postmarked the 18th.
     We had the Disney hit "The Three Caballeros" aboard. I enjoyed parts of it a lot. I'm sure Linda and probably even Norma would get a kick out of it.
     I'm really looking forward to some colored snaps of you. I'm sure you'll look lovely--as you always have and always will where I'm concerned.
     I do hope your Arrowhead plans materialize, but it they don't maybe you'll have other plans to make for late summer that'll be real thrilling. I don't know anything but I am just hoping.
     The movie tonight is Claudette Colbert in "Practically Yours" or "Particularly Yours." I don't know which. It is rated as 4.0 so I shan't miss it.
     No more for now Sweet so I'll sign off. Good night my Darling and dream about those happy days to come and soon I hope.

Yours as ever,
Gil

Bulova Watch from 1940s 

Ulithi--Toothaches

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Thursday 29 March 1945, 7:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     It just poured all night and when I awoke this morning things looked black and stormy. It has been raining steadily all day.  After dinner the wind died down some.
     However toothaches and such have no respect for the weather. I was kept quite busy all morning.
     At 11:30 I went up to my room and found some mail, no letters however. There was a package containing a bunch of Sunday newspaper supplements and 2-1/2 pairs of earrings. The package was so beat up that one of the earrings must have fallen out. I received a second bill for my dental society dues. Did you pay it? You probably did because this letter was very long in coming. Also there was a package of thirty-two paper bound volumes for the library.
     After lunch I saw three more patients. Then returned to my room and finished "Wild Geese Calling." I've selected several books from those we just received for my reading in the next few days.
     Nothing new or different today. Just another day out on the Pacific too far away from the one I love.
     Well Sweetheart, I'm all through now so I'll say goodnight. Until tomorrow with loving thoughts and passionate desires I am still

Yours alone,
Gil

Ulithi--Pray!

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Wednesday, 28 March 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Sweet, here I am again and in much better shape than last night. I hope my letter wasn't too mixed up.
     Today was just an ordinary day. I had my appointments for the morning and was through by 11:30. This afternoon I saw two patients and then made a complete inventory of supplies on hand. We usually carry enough for six months so I had plenty to inventory.
     At 4:00 PM I went to work on another shell necklace. I think these will be much nicer. I should finish it tomorrow and then I'll make a charm bracelet of assorted shells and send them on.
     The mail today was practically barren. Just a Dental Society Bulletin and the B'nai B'rith War Service News.
     The movie tonight is not a very good one but I guess I'll go anyway. It is "Main Street After Dark" with Edward Arnold plus five reels of shorts.
     Scuttlebutt is flying around again and maybe I'll have some good news for you one of these days. Cross your fingers, eyes, legs and everything and pray!
     Gosh Honey there isn't a thing else to say but I don't believe I've told you in the last few days that "I love you and miss you." Well I do dear and just as much as you miss me and love me too, of course.
     Well, guess I'll sign off until tomorrow. Goodnight Honey I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,
Gil

Eleanor

Ulithi--Drunken Brawl

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Tuesday 27 March 1945, 11:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Sweet, here I am again. Did I have a busy morning. Besides a completely appointed morning I had six emergency patients to care for and it was twelve o'clock before I was through.
     After lunch a group of officers went ashore for a little party where some nurses were to be present, but I begged off. At 3:00 PM (I had patients until then), the captain and two other officers came down and insisted I join them and go ashore for the party. We took some steaks, sixty of them to be exact, a gallon of olives, a gallon of pickles, a pound of butter and away we went. Well it was a drunken brawl but I was a good boy and here I am. We just got back and we all had coffee before retiring.
     There was no mail today except a return on my correspondence course and a letter from Mary Regan. Do you remember her? She worked for the Board of Equalization in the Bay Cities Building and was sweet on Leon. Besides that she was a patient of mine, referred to me by Abe Cohen. Anyway she is now in the Coast Guard, stationed in Washington and is momentarily awaiting her orders to Pearl Harbor. She just received my Xmas Card and hence her writing me.
     Outside of that there is nothing new to write about. So considering the time and my present slightly (?) inebriated condition, I'll sign off.
     Good night Sweetheart, I'll be with you again tomorrow. I love you so!

Forever yours,

Gil

The Battle of Iwo Jima ended on Mar 25, 1945. Was the purpose of the party to celebrate?

Dave (Gil's brother-in-law and a Marine) must have clipped this article from the Marine Corps Gazette. The U.S.S. Ocelot was the flag for Squadron 10.

Ulithi--Entertainers

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Monday, 26 March 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     This has been one busy day. Believe it or not this is the first free time I've had since I got up this morning.
     I worked all morning and at 12:30 I took a liberty party of eighty-eight men ashore for a little recreation. It rained most of the afternoon and by the time we got back to the ship at 5:15 we were all thoroughly soaked.
     I peeled off my wet clothes and after a hot shower dressed for dinner. Just as I finished eating the exec informed me that Claude Thornhill and his show had been obtained for us for tonight and to get ready.
     The first lieutenant got his carpenters together and a small platform stage was rigged. I got the electricians busy on lighting and got our PA system hooked up. For a backdrop we hung a number of colorful signal flags. We were all ready at 7:45 and that was really making time.
     I met the entertainers on the quarterdeck and took them below. As I wrote before Jackie Cooper, Bobby Riggs (Mary Lou imitator of the radio) and several others are in the show. Claude Thornhill was an arranger for Castellanez (?spelling) as well as a band leader in his own right. His musicians are taken from many well known bands such as Goodman, Weeks, and others. The star attraction was Dennis Day and he really is good. He is an ensign. After the show he came up to the wardroom and we sat around and talked until his boat came for him. By the way, after the show we served ice cream to all hands. Now here I am.
     I hit the jackpot today. This morning, I got eight letters from you and one from your mother. When I came down to my office to write to you a few minutes ago I found two V-mails that came this afternoon, one from Libby and the other from Edward Rubin of the B'nai B'rith.
     Linda is getting to be quite the young lady. Movies on Saturday, dancing school and soon the piano. Well I'm hoping to be there when she starts in the fall.
     You mention Sophie and Fay several times. Are they the two service wives you recently met? Anyway I'm glad you've found some new congenial acquaintances.
     Such dreams! I have only one girl friend and you know who she is. No matter where I go when I get back my three girls are all going there with me.
     What about my girls' Mommy? Well gee whiz can't you wait and be surprised? If you can't you'll have to anyway.
     So Jerry and Marty are still feudin'. Well it's a small world with many "small" people.
     "The Angels Sing" and "A Song to Remember" are both very enjoyable and I'm glad you got to see them.
     I didn't know Dr. Lewis was back. Guess one of your letters telling me more about it will bounce in one of these days.
     I can't tell you what kind of shots we got but it really doesn't matter now, does it?
     I really didn't enjoy the American Weeklies much. Really, I have plenty of reading matter so please don't send any more unless there are some novelty books or magazines you think I'd enjoy.
     The Coast Guard pharmacist you mentioned--does he know the Ocelot or is he just speaking generally? Don't let it get you down dear. He could be wrong.
     Well this has been a long winded letter.  I hope I didn't tire you out. I'll sign off now as it's 11:20 and I should turn in.
     Good night Sweetheart and the next time dream about us being together.

Loving you always,

Gil

Going Ashore

Ulithi--Passover

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Sunday 25 March 1945, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Darling, here I am again. Today for a change I put in an honest day's work. I saw eight patients this morning and two more this afternoon. Besides that I spent some time digging out additional information for my annual and quarterly reports. Now the Dental Corps has more control over its administration. Seeing as I am the senior dental officer aboard I have more reports to make out (ahem!). It's a good thing there aren't any more dental officers or I'd probably be junior.
     I was beginning to run low on shorts so I bought a half dozen more today (35 cents each). It has been raining or threatening to rain all day so I spent my leisure time in my room reading and censoring mail.
     There was no mail today for a change. I do wish the service would settle down so that I'd get one or two letters every day instead of all at one time. Well, I shouldn't complain, I still get more than most aboard this ship.
     It's hard to realize that next week is Passover. All days are alike and as a matter of fact I'd never know it was Sunday except the chaplain is around. Talking about chaplains, one has been assigned to our ship and I'm looking for him to arrive most any time now. Won't I be glad. Then the job of Welfare Officer and Librarian will be taken away from me and given to someone who has the time and training to do a real job of it and at the same time give me more opportunity to do what I'm here to do.
     We finally got a boxing ring built on one of the hatches. While we are waiting for the chaplain, I'll try and promote some bouts before movies.
     By the way, in one of the letters yesterday you asked if I wanted some fruits and nuts. I've still got some left and have been laying off them because I've gained a couple pounds lately. There isn't much chance for exercise but I still eat two meals a day and even that seems too much. So the answer is "no thank you."
     The movie tonight is "Fighting Lady" a picture about the carrier, "Yorktown." It is very much like the movie we saw of the flying fortress "The----Belle." I can't remember the rest of the name. We saw it in Diego together. Also it is rated as excellent.
     I'm going to sign off now. Good night, my love, my Sweet. Till tomorrow with love and kisses.

Yours alone,

Gil

Lt. (j.g.) Steingart

Ulithi--Alaskan Highway

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Saturday 24 March 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Another day of loafing, but the last. The paint wasn't quite dry this morning, so I didn't open shop today. However tomorrow I have a pretty heavy day lined up.
     What did I do all day? First I censored some mail. Then I did examine a couple of officers who were up for promotion. By the time the inspection party came through sickbay it was past 11:00 AM so I went up to my room and read until chow.
     After lunch I killed more time but don't ask me what I did because I'm darned if I can remember. It has been cloudy and raining all day else I would have gone ashore. I just didn't feel like getting all wet.
     I got five letters from my darling today, two in the AM and three in the PM.
     The one marked February 20th explained about Hansen's phone call to you. No, he hasn't written yet. The others were marked the 13th, 14th and 15th of March and that isn't bad service at all. Maybe he did call Miss Rike a "young lady" but I'm not kidding when I say she'll never see forty-five again.  Maybe you'll meet her some day and you'll judge as to whom is "kidding" you.
     That article about the Alaskan Highway didn't surprise me as I read about it in the ship's news Bulletin some time ago. All work on the road has ceased. It seems they ran into insurmountable difficulties. Oh well, there are still ships sailing and that'll give us more time to ourselves (catch on?)
     The things I find most interesting in your letters are the things that you and the kids are doing. I really don't care much about what is happening to others, hence no remarks in the past (and in the future too). Of course I read your letters through and reread them when I'm writing you. I answer all your ideas that I think are necessary.
     I'm glad you got rid of those moles. Why are you so worried about being beautiful? You always did suit me fine and I'll take you just as you are.
     Yes the Army is advancing officers faster than the Navy now. I still prefer the Navy. Still think back to how long Iz Weiss was a First Lieutenant. At least in the Navy after sixteen months (May 1) I'll get my advancement and that is only about a month from now.
     Your list of real friends is small but I do believe that no one has many more. The rest are "fair weather" friends who don't really give a tinker's damn.
     Of course we'll be together when I get stateside duty, no matter where. That is a promise.
     We saw "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" years ago. "Virginia" is also an oldie which we saw together.
     It looks like Joe will ship out soon and when he does I do hope Anne comes back to Santa Monica. I know how much you must miss her.
     The Mrs. Allen of the P.T.A. you mention sounds like the wife of Mark Allen, the attorney in the Tower building. Next time you see her ask her if she is and if so say hello for me. I know her fairly well.
     Sorry that you and the kids all have colds.Hope you are all well when you read this.
     Painting the house sounds like a good idea if you can get help to do it reasonably.
     Well sweet that washes me up for tonight. The movie is "Strange Affair" with (?)--I never heard of them anyway and it's time to go.
     Goodnight Sweet, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Newspaper article published on March 24, 1945. Tells of the March 13 Japanese raid in Ulithi that damaged the aircraft carrier Randolph. A kamikaze, not mentioned in the article, buzzed the U.S.S.Ocelot.

Ulithi--Loafing

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Friday 23 March 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello honey, here I am again. Today was another day of loafing because of the painting of my office. I did get considerable done in the preparation of those reports I mentioned yesterday. I had to completely inventory equipment and supplies and indicate their value and condition. I also have to estimate supplies needed for the coming year and make recommendations to improve dental treatment in the area.
     I had planned on going ashore after lunch, but it was overcast and raining on and off. So I decided to stay aboard. Censored some mail and began another book "Wild Geese Calling." We saw the movie but so far, the book is totally different (as far as I can remember). At 5:15 I showered and dressed for dinner. After eating we stood around and just talked until a few minutes ago.
     The movie tonight is Donald Duck in "The Three Caballeros" and is supposed to be excellent. Last night's movie was enjoyable too but we had a real cloudburst and even with my raincoat on I was soaked to the skin.
     No mail again today, but that is the way it goes. Good service for awhile and then for no apparent reason the delivery slows to a snail's pace. Maybe tomorrow will be different.
     There is nothing new to talk about. Do you remember when every day we always had plenty to talk about and plan? Well maybe sooner than we think we'll be able to do it again (I hope).
     I haven't told you I love you lately so here goes, "I love you" darling and if possible more and more every day.
     Goodnight, I'll see you in my dreams.

Yours alone,
Gil

U.S.S. Ocelot
Movie Screen in Background

Ulithi--Ice Cream

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Thursday 22 March 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Just a lot of loafing today. I took care of a couple emergencies this morning and then secured so that my office could be painted. I spent the rest of the morning on some professional reading.
     After lunch I went over to another ship to visit with the dental officer there. I also picked up some information about reports that are supposed to be sent to the Bureau but of which no one seemed to know much about. I'll have several busy days getting them out.
     I got back at 3:30, had a coke and got comfortable in my room. Censored some mail and then studied the reports that I need to make. Soon it was 5:15 and time to shower and change for dinner.
     We had steak tonight. Of course, soup and fruit salad to begin with, and for dessert two big scoops of ice cream. We were able to purchase several hundred gallons of ice cream and keep it in our freeze box. Now we can have ice cream everyday as long as the supply lasts.
     After dinner we enjoyed the usual cool ocean breeze and brilliant colored sunset. Now here I am.
     No mail today but the six letters from you yesterday should sustain me for another day anyway.
     The movie tonight is "Music for Millions" and stars Margaret O'Brien, Iturbi, Durante, Marsha Hunt and others. It is rated as excellent so I'll go (as usual).
     Sweet, there is nothing new to talk about. Do you remember when (years ago) I'd come home and tell you that you had another "surprise" coming because I landed another large case? Soon they were coming so frequently we quit. Well after the war we we'll reinstitute that routine. OK?
     Good night Honey, until tomorrow.

Loving you always,
Gil

U.S.S. Ocelot