Leyte--Mazel Tov

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 24 July 1945, 10:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor

     Hello Honey how is everything today? Ever since the movies last night it has been raining, so everything is cool and comfy.

Today was just another routine day with work all morning and part of the afternoon as well.

     In the late afternoon I visited around for awhile and at five o'clock I showered and dressed. After dinner we played cribbage.

     The movie tonight was rather poor. It was "Son of Lassie." Then I went up to the wardroom, ate a sandwich and read the ship's daily news bulletin. Now here I am.

     Mazel tov! Today's mail brought me two letters containing the news about our new nephew. It must be a Sharlip tradition rushing things a wee bit. Bet everyone is glad it's over and that it's a boy. I'll still take our two girls and love them.

     One of your letters was of the 14th and it is a rehash of later letters received. All about Estelle Sieger--nuff said. Hetchky, hetchky, that is her all right.

     Your other letter was postmarked 17th and contained the news of the new son and heir of the David Gindoffs.

     Sorry Linda lost her bracelet. Shall I make her another or is it just a waste of time and energy?

     No I haven't heard from Earnest or Davis in a long time. At that they've done better by me than some of my so called friends.

     I have no reason to think I'll get back before eighteen months. Of all the dental officers who have gone back from out here, not one stayed out that long. They all went back in twelve to sixteen months after leaving the states. Why not me? Next month I'll send my request for Long Beach in and then we'll see.

     No more for now Sweet, so I'll sign off. Goodnight Darling, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love

Gil

Leyte--About Eniwetok

Misdated.  Correct date--Monday 23 July 1945

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Monday 23 July 1944, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello Sweetheart, how are you today. This has been one hot day and I found it was just as cool working on patients as trying to find a cool place on this ship. There just wasn't any.

     I showered at 5 PM, censored some mail and dressed for dinner. Just as we went to eat a cool brisk breeze came up and it's been blowing ever since. I hope it continues for things have cooled down considerably already.

     We just finished our cribbage game and now here I am. The mail brought me four letters from you and one each from Deb and your mother. Now here goes.

     I think I've told you before about Eniwetok but anyway here goes. We stopped there on the way from Pearl to Ulithi but we were only there two days. Fortunately I was able to get ashore and look around. Many didn't get off. The atoll is similar to Ulithi but the scar of war is indelibly marked on the islands. All that remains of many coconut palms are blackened, charred stumps. Bomb and shell holes are all over the island. The water is crystal clear and one could see to depths up to twenty feet. However the bottom was not a sight of beauty. There were sunken boats, fragments of uniforms and remains of soldiers.  Not a pretty sight to behold. Because of the lack of trees and shade the place was hot and dusty. I'm glad we didn't have to stay there long.

     Your descriptions of the house sound nice and I can't wait to get home to see it and for other reasons too.

     I had trouble making out Nina's letter but it does look like she appreciates him more after the separation. It doesn't sound like she likes the WACs either. Guess all in all being with her husband was a great improvement to what she's been putting up with.

     Getting your vacation straightened out certainly has been a problem. I know how you must feel about it all. I'm surprised you didn't tell them to forget about it all. It wasn't nice after asking you to so obviously indicate that they preferred not having you with them.

     I'm glad you are going to the Bowl and enjoying the programs. It's just another thing to take up you time till I get there. Then you won't have time for anything but me and not enough of that.

     Your ideas about a coat sound OK. Go ahead. When I get back we'll see about a fur coat.

     It would be a crime if Dick is released. What he needs is some real discipline and some hard work. Genius my eye. He is nothing but a selfish spoiled brat with no sense of obligation, loyalty, or honor. I'd just as soon not hear anymore about it.

     Our movie tonight is "Salty O'Rourke" with Alan Ladd and Gail Russell.

     No more for now so I'll say goodnight. So long Darling I'll be with you again soon.

Love

Gil

Eniwetok
Chared Stumps and Bomb Holes

Leyte--Eighteen Officers

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Sunday 22 July 1945, 10:50 PM

Dearest Eleanor, 

     Sunday, a day of rest at home. So just to make things more like home beginning today no appointments except emergencies.

     Nothing to do all morning except read. I also wrote a letter to Uncle Bill. I'm way behind in my correspondence again so soon I'll just have to take a day off to catch up.

     I failed to mention that we had a new officer report aboard to replace Jim Lyons. His name is Brossears. He is married; his wife lives in Oakland. He and I went ashore today. I told Simmie when I saw him on Friday that I'd be over this morning. Well we didn't get there until 3:00 PM and he had gone down to the beach. I left him a note and may see him Wednesday night. Anyway we went back to the club and had a few drinks. At five o'clock our boat picked us up and we returned to the ship.  I had just enough time to shower and freshen up before dinner after which we played our regular game of cribbage until movie time. We had a real oldie today but everyone enjoyed it. "Mutiny on the Bounty" was the cinema.

     I got three letters today and since I've already received later mail, most of the stuff you write about has already been hashed over by me.

     In spite of what Leon told you, orders come from the Bureau. Even he said in his letter that he wouldn't be surprised to get orders to ship out.

     I've written to Libby about my mother and should be hearing from her soon. Anyway it won't do any good worrying about it. We'll just have to wait and see.

     Sorry you didn't enjoy the Fleisher party. I still think you would have been more miserable had you stayed at home. Every chance you get to go out, do so. 

     Sweet I never was chaplain. I'm welfare officer which is the chaplain's job. Being chaplain is a full time job. I'm still a dentist, remember? Yes I'm still librarian. But now that everything is squared away, the enlisted man who runs it for me does all the work and I retain the title.

     I guess the mess treasurer's job is mine until I leave. When I was first appointed we only fed eighteen officers. Now we have seventy regular members and have better than two hundred guests each month. The captain insists there is no one else for the job so I'm stuck.

     About the linens you mention; all I've seen are bridge table size. As I've mentioned before, the Japs took everything they could and destroyed what they left behind. Where we are now there is no industry or agriculture so fancy linens are not obtainable.

     Our strange honeymoon sounds intriguing. All night long with my big girl and all day with all of my girls should keep me quite busy. I will love it!

     Well Darling, I'm getting sleepy and I've run out of things to say so goodnight until tomorrow.

Yours always,

Gil

Eighteen Officers (Gil is the short one in the middle row)

Leyte--Night Turned to Day

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 21 July 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Well it's been raining on and off ever since I wrote you last night. All in all things are considerably cooler now. Last night we had a really, terrific electrical storm. The lightening was so bright and the flashes so frequent that for awhile the night turned into day again.
     When I awoke this morning, it was still sprinkling. By the time I finished breakfast it had stopped. I worked all morning. When I came up topside at 1:00 PM the rain had begun again.
     After lunch I had to take the liberty party ashore and wasn't too happy because it looked like it would be a wet and muddy afternoon. However by the time we hit the beach the rain had stopped and then sun peaked out from the clouds and smiled down on us all afternoon. At 4:00 P.M. I mustered the men, got them aboard our LCI and headed back for the ship. A brisk breeze came up and we had a bouncy ride back in a rough and choppy sea.
     We were back aboard at 4:45. I had time to shower, censor mail, and dress for dinner. After that we had a most enjoyable game of cribbage and now here I am.
     No mail today. If the threatening weather persists, air mail will probably be delayed for a few days. I hope not. I'd rather have it hot and get my sugar report (mail from you) everyday.
     We have a good movie tonight and rain or not I'll be there. It is Sonja Heine in "It's a Pleasure" or "Isn't it a Pleasure." I don't recall which. With you it would be in either case.
     That's the extent of stuff and nonsense for tonight, Sweet so I'll sign off. Goodnight darling, with all my love just for you.

Your lonely and only

Gil

An LCI
Courtesy NavAsource.org

Leyte--Heat Is Terrific

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Friday 20 July 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello my Sweet, here I am again. I had my usual busy morning but this afternoon being field day I had no appointments and had all the time to myself.

     Several officers were going over to the beach on business so I tagged along. Just as we hit the beach it began to blow and rain like I've never seen before. We gathered at the club and drank beer until the squall abated and then we all went our own ways. I went out on the highway and thumbed a ride to the hospital where Simmie is stationed and visited with him for an hour. Then I returned to the club to meet the others. I had time for two more beers before we were all present. We shoved off but didn't quite make the first sitting of the wardroom and had to wait until 6:30 to eat. That gave me plenty of time to shower and clean up before chow and now here I am.

     I got six letters today. Three were from you, my darling. There was one each from Ethyl, Leon and Libby. Now here goes.

     I do hope all you Lake Arrowhead plans come off smoothly now. Another disappointment would be too much.

     I really feel okay and though my letters are short you shouldn't interpret that to mean I'm low and discouraged. Of course there is nothing to cheer about. I really do miss you and the kids. Yet I am safe and have as many comforts as one could expect and I am doing the work I like. However the heat is terrific and it does sap a fellow's enthusiasm and pep.

     I'm really hoping and planning to be with you on your birthday. Next month I'll send in my request for my next assignment. We'll just have to be patient, wait, and see.

     From the amount of time you've spent cleaning, the house sure must have been a mess when the painters and floor men were finished.  I hope you didn't overdo. You know that another day more or less wouldn't make any difference.

     Tonight's movie is "China Sky" with Randolph Scott and is supposed to be good.

     I just had my next correspondence course lesson typed up and after I've edited it, I'll send it off.

     That is all the dope for tonight honey so I'll sign off. Goodnight Sweetheart and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

36th Evacuation Hospital,San Salvador Cathedral, Leyte

Leyte--Hottest

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Thursday 19 July 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     It was a good thing I wrote to you when I did yesterday. After dinner last night at 6:30, we left the ship and went ashore on a tug. It's been eight months since I'd been ashore at night for a few drinks and relaxation. The change was most enjoyable. I'll have to do it more often. It was past twelve when we got back. I was a wee bit high and turned in immediately.

     The club we went to is very close to the hospital that Simmie is at. The club has dancing every Wednesday night. There were about fifty nurses, all escorted, and about four hundred officers. Every other dance was a tag dance. I danced twice and gave up. I couldn't get half way around the floor before someone else cut it. I'm not that hard up for a woman in my arms yet. At least not any woman. Now if a girl named Eleanor were there it would have been different. However, as I said before, being off the ship in the evening was nice for a change. We are planning to go over more often.

     Today has been the hottest I've experienced since we left the States. I was busy all morning with patients. This afternoon I got hold of a picket boat and ran into town to book another USO show for our ship. The round trip took one and a half hours and I was ashore for about an hour. By the time I got back my face was all tanned from the sun. Where my cap covered my forehead I have a white patch.

     Before I dressed for dinner, I went to my room, showered, censored mail, and read. After dinner, we played cribbage and here I am.

     There were no letters for me today but I did receive the package you sent with earrings, coffee drops and B'nai B'rith Bulletins. I also received the May "Temple Tattler."

     We have been barren of any scuttlebutt lately although a change is still pending. I'll probably have my orders before that transpires.

     The movie tonight is a western, entitled "Utah," with Roy Rogers. We also have two shorts.

     And that is thirty for tonight. Goodnight my Sweet, I'll see you in my dreams. That'll have to do me until we're together again. In the meantime, with love and kisses for all my three girls, I am still

Your loving husband,

Gil

Crew and Nurses in the Philippines

Leyte--What The "H"

 

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 18 July 1945

Dearest Eleanor,

     I have a few minutes open now and I'm going ashore with several of the officers at 6:30, so I thought I'd better write now. We'll probably have a few drinks and it'll eleven or twelve before we get back. Besides I might be a wee bit tight and my letter then wouldn't make any sense.

     Last night's movie "Saratoga Trunk" was excellent. Be sure to see it. This morning I was a busy as ever. Besides a fully appointed morning I had four emergency patients. I've already seen two this afternoon. The third is late. Hope he doesn't show up as it's too damn hot to work.

     I got three letters from you and here goes another lecture. First you complain about being left out of everything and about our friends having parties without asking you. Now you have an invite to the Fleischer's and won't go. What the "h" is the matter with you (excuse the language but that is my way of expressing exasperation). Even without me there, I know you wouldn't feel out of place with that gang. You must snap out of it dear. It does you no good to stay home and mope. I feel badly whenever I read that you aren't going out. Enough said on that subject.

     You're sure doing Xmas shopping early. However with the scarcity of things maybe that is the wise thing to do.

     Excuse, I have another emergency. Be back in a few minutes. Well now that didn't take long, did it? Exactly five minutes.

     Brewer sure is going places and when I get back so will we. Even though we'll have plenty of it, money isn't everything. You and I with our two little darlings, all together is the way I want it. Everything else is secondary.

     Leon is lucky to get a permanent assignment in Diego but orders come from the Bureau and they may catch up with him in a few months.

     I'm glad that Dave's new set up has cheered Deb up and I hope Dave makes the grade OK.

     Nothing more for now so I'll sign off. Good--I was going to say night but it isn't, is it? So instead, so long Sweet until tomorrow and remember that it can't be long before the Steingarts will be together again.

Loving you always,

Gil

Leyte--Deadly Routine

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Tuesday 17 July 1945, 7:15 PM

My Dearest,

     What a hot day this has been. I worked all morning and then saw three patients after lunch. I had practically decided to go ashore for a few beers but when I came up on deck it was so blasted hot that I couldn't see going ashore at all.

     Instead I visited with the skipper up in his cabin and found a shady spot with a little breeze on the bridge. After awhile I wandered down to the wardroom where I chewed the fat with several others. My room was too hot so I went down to my office, turned the fan on the operating chair. I sat there and read comic books until 5:15 when I showered and dressed for dinner.

     After chow we had the regular cribbage game. We finished a little earlier tonight hence I'm writing before the movie.

     The picture tonight should be good if it is anything like the book. "Saratoga Trunk" is the movie.

     All in all today was the usual exciting (?) day. This routine is deadly. I can see why men crack up out here. Keeping busy is the best bet and I manage fairly well.

     For the whole day on Sunday, I've been promised a picket boat for my own use. The boat is as large as the Spivak's boat and has two engines instead of one. I'm planning to run over to see Simmie and then over to look around a club about fifteen miles away. This boat is smooth riding and I hope Simmie comes along. Of course this all depends on the weather and certain priorities but I've gotten a similar boat before without trouble and should be able to do so again.

     I got a letter from you and one from my mother, both dated July 7. Others have gotten mail through the 10th and from the East coast.  So I bet I'll get a stack tomorrow.

     I'm glad Dave made the grade. As I explained in a previous letter, I just hope that this won't keep him in after the war. Anyway the training is very rugged and he may wash out at any time prior to the six month deadline.

     No more for now Sweet so I'll sign off. Goodnight Honey. Remember that even though the days seem to drag, every day brings us closer together. See you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

A Couple of Picket Boats

Leyte--Rain Gear

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 16 July 1945, 10:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello Darling, how are you tonight? Today has been a repetition of yesterday and every yesterday and probably many tomorrows. I worked all morning and part of the afternoon. Then I read for awhile and censored some mail.  Visited with some other officers in the wardroom and soon it was five o'clock and time to shower and change for chow. After eating we played cribbage until 7:30 when I went to my room to change into my rain gear to go to the movies. It even rains on schedule now. It begins to pour about 7:00 PM. At 8:00 PM when it abates slightly but continues until midnight.

     Tonight's movie was colorful but very slow moving and didn't come up to expectation.  It was "Sudan" with Maria Montez and Jon Hall.

     There wasn't any mail for me today but others got mail through the 9th so I expect I'll get a few letters tomorrow.

     I air mailed your little gift this morning. I hope you receive it about the time you get this letter.

     By the way there is a definite rule about sending packages via air mail that are specifically requested by men overseas. I am enclosing two requests--one for a Schick shaver head for a Captain Model "S" shaver and one for the repaired Sunbeam. Show the letters at the post office and they will accept the packages to send via air mail.

     I'm going to sign off Sweet. Gee I'd love to kiss you goodnight instead of having to write it on paper but "c'este la guerre" (lousy French). Goodnight Honey and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

P.S. When you send back the Sunbeam, send along a tube of sharpening compound.

Rain Gear--Parka and Overalls