Leyte--USO Show

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Monday, 3 September 1945, 1:30 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello darling. Here is your busy husband again. This has been one "bitch" of a day. I was busy all morning and ran into the toughest extraction to date. I worked for a whole hour. When we were through I was more worn out than the patient.

     Captain Hartfield got his orders yesterday and turned over his command to the new skipper this afternoon. I had several monthly reports that he had to sign. Since he was scheduled to leave about 5:00 PM I had to hustle to get them out.

     At 3:45 I took a VP over to Tolosa and brought back a USO show. It was called Lucky Seven and consisted of five women and two men. They are a colored troupe and they sure have rhythm. A colored lieutenant colonel (medical officer) came along with them. I had an interesting talk with him. The show was excellent and at 9:15 I had a picket boat pick us up to return the troupe to Tolosa.

     Just as we came alongside the dock it began to rain and our return trip was really rough. It blew and rained so hard that there was a solid sheet of rain around us and we couldn't see more than a few feet ahead of our bow. The run ordinarily takes thirty-five minutes, but it took one hour and fifteen minutes to get back to the Ocelot. Naturally when we sighted the Ocelot the rain eased up. Then I went up to the wardroom and sat around and talked until just a few moments ago.

     No mail today. I'll be glad when everything gets squared away again and the mail service becomes more dependable. You'll never know how disappointed I am when the mailman passes by my office without dropping anything from my Sweet off (split infinitives--such grammar!) Of course it isn't your fault. I know you write me every day, but I'm still registering my complaint.

     Today is Labor Day but until an hour ago none of us were even cognizant of the holiday. Oh well the only holiday I'm looking to is when I get back to my own sweet wife and darling kiddies.

     Goodnight Honey, it really is time for me to turn in. We have quarters for muster (line up in formation to be accounted for) at 8:00 AM so I'd better get some shuteye pronto. See you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Leyte--Picket Boat

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Sunday, 2 September 1945, 10:35 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Sunday, a day of rest or so it says in the "big book." I spent most of the morning working on next week's menus and getting the stewards squared away on how I wanted things done.

     After lunch I got me a tug and went over to Tolosa for a few beers. There were three of us in the party. We had a new tug today, a seventy-five footer with a crew of ten men. The US Navy got this ship from New Zealand, a reverse land lease deal. It cost $145,000. You've probably wondered why I've been using tugs most of the time. Well they are more comfortable than a VP or a whaleboat and make better time. Of course the picket boat is still my favorite but there are only two available and they are hard to get. Anyway we got back to the Ocelot at 6:30 just in time for a late turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

     After chow I went up on the forecastle and listened to music until movie time. We had another pyrotechnical display tonight to celebrate VJ Day. It didn't come up to the August 10 celebration. Do you realize that though it was September 2nd here when the treaty was signed that it was still September 1st in the United States? Tomorrow will be Labor Day here, but you'll be celebrating VJ Day. Confusing isn't it?

     Tonight's movie was "A Blonde from Brooklyn," a class B picture but not too bad. Also we had a short about Port Hueneme.

     No mail today so this is thirty for tonight. Goodnight Darling until tomorrow.

Loving you as ever,

Gil

Picket boat being launched at Kirkland Marine during WWII.

Leyte--Censorship Relaxed

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Saturday 1 September 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Darling,

     And now begins a new month. Today has been hot and sultry and I did have my usual busy morning. I spent this afternoon bringing the wardroom books up to date and closing them for last month. After eleven months on this job I finally convinced the Captain to appoint a new treasurer and what happens but I get elected as caterer. Instead of handling the money, I'll have to prepare the menus, and supervise the wardroom, officer's quarters and the stewards who work in officer's country. One consolation is that a new caterer is elected every two months and cannot be re-elected unless he is willing.

     At 5:00 P.M. I showered and dressed for dinner. After chow we played cribbage and then to the movies. We had "Nob Hill," with George Raft and Sally Blaine. Not a bad movie but nothing too exciting.

     Censorship rules have been relaxed to the extent that we can now say where we are but not where we are going. From the enclosed pictures you can guess where we are. If you'll look on a large map you'll find San Pedro (or Pablo) Bay in the Northern part of Leyte Gulf. We are anchored in the bay about 12 miles south of Tacloban which is the capital of Leyte. When I've mentioned using the tug I usually went there or to Tulosa which is about 8 miles east on Leyte. We are really closer to Samar and there is an excellent officers club there and also a large enlisted men's recreation area. The only objection is that one is confined to the area and there are no roads to go places and do things. Simmie is about 2 miles north of Tulosa and I've already been past Dulag which is 20 miles north of Tulosa. This town is rather primitive and the civilians are poor and live in filth and squalor. However the Navy Club is nice and is open at night which explains its attraction over the others that secure at 5:00 P.M.

     Has Leon left yet? If he has write him and if he hasn't tell him to look for the Ocelot when he reports in. We will be in that neck of the woods one of these days. By the way soon there may be no mail for five days or so but I know you'll understand.

I got four letters today, two from you and one each from Mike and my sister Libby. I was glad that Nat's operation is over and that all went well.

     Maybe we won't stay up north long. I have good and valid reasons but can't discuss them as yet. Anyway there is a good chance of us heading home in a month or two and I personally feel it would be a safe bet. Anyway the Ocelot is an old ship and would be one of the first to be decommissioned when the program gets underway.

     Please darling don't be too unhappy or pessimistic. This sudden end of the war has disrupted the rotation plan and we may be apart a month or two longer this way. But it is over and I'll be a civilian again a lot quicker than I ever dreamed a month ago. Points for sea duty will be given in a couple of months and I bet that fathers will also get extra points. Anyway I believe I'll be out by March but I'll be home months before that.

     Goodnight my love, I do miss you and need you and pray than soon we can talk things over instead of this long range correspondence.

Yours forever

Gil

Gil's Photos of Leyte

Leyte--Censorship Not Lifted

U.SS. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Friday 31 August 1945, 10:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Sweet. It is the end of another month. One of these days, the end of the month will be the time for sending out statements and paying bills. Will I love it!
     Had another busy morning but had nothing to do in the afternoon, field day you know. So I read for awhile and then showered and dressed for dinner. After that a little cribbage until movie time and after that here I am. Tonight's movie was "Salome, Where She Danced." She wasn't a bad little number but the movie itself stank. Guess we can't have everything, can we?
     I got letters from you marked the 22nd and 24th and one from my mother. I still haven't written anyone. I owe practically everyone. One of these days I'll get ambitious and catch up.
     Your letter of the 22nd was the letter Libby sent to you, so there isn't much for me to say there. She is really worried about Nat though she doesn't write like she is. At least that is my impression.
     I'm glad the Bergmans arrived. Now you'll company until you leave Lake Arrowhead.
     Tell "I" he has a refund coming. He gets an extra whiff of gas the next time I work on him.
     I really haven't thought too much about an office. I'll be back in the states with time to serve in the Navy. That'll give me a chance to look around. At least that's the way I've got it doped out now.
     Censorship has not been lifted as yet but as soon as it is I'll have lots to tell you.
     In the meantime darling keep hoping and maybe one day real soon the happy news that I'm coming home will become a reality. Night my love until tomorrow.

Devotedly,

Gil

Qualification report dated on this day, but not mentioned in the letter.

Leyte--Drills

 

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Thursday 30 August 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Sweet, here I am again. It was close to morning when we got back from the beach last night. I was fairly sober and after a good night's sleep I feel swell.
     This morning was the usual busy one with more requests for dental treatment than I could possibly handle. I take as many as I can and refer the others to nearby ships. This afternoon we had a series of drills: fire, abandon ship, and general quarters. Then back to my room I went. "Sodom by the Sea" is quite an interesting history of Coney Island and I'm enjoying reading it. At 5:00 PM I showered and dressed for dinner. After a delicious chicken dinner here I am.
     I got one letter from you today and it is postmarked the 18th, two days prior to the ones I received two days ago. I'm sorry you don't like the set up there. You sound sorry you went but I'm sure after a few days you'll get used to it and enjoy your stay. I figured you'd be nervous making the move by yourself which was why I suggested, when your plans got fouled up, that you stay home. Anyway by now you should be over your nerves and with a little company I'm sure everything will work out okay. Cedar Glenn is where we rented the Rausch House. Yes I do remember that vacation. A wonderful weekend, that is all it really was.
     The location opposite the Board of Education on 6th Street sounds okay but I bet the property is high. You can investigate it when you get home but don't do anything in a hurry.
     Tonight's movie is a real oldie, "Hurricane" with Dorothy Lamour and Jon Hall. Remember it?
     No more for now Darling. So good night and pleasant vacation.

Love

Gil

U.S.S. Ocelot

Leyte--Rumors

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Wednesday 29 August 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Today was supposed to be a busy one but I had some last minute cancellations so I really had an easy day. This afternoon I loafed around and read until 4:00 PM when I had an emergency extraction. Then back to my room for a shower and change of clothes before dinner.
     A group of us officers were going over to the beach tonight but our boat broke down and the tug we are getting isn't here yet. Hope she gets here soon because it'll take an hour to go over.
     There was no mail today, but I didn't expect any after yesterday's five letters. I haven't received the gold braid yet. I guess those letters were delayed. I've already gotten mail from Lake Arrowhead so the others should have been here by now.
     There isn't anything more I can tell you. All kinds of rumors are floating around--some that the ship will head stateside in a month or so and others that we'll be out here for months yet. Of course, I'm hoping that the ship goes back soon. Even if it doesn't my orders should be here in a month or so (I hope).
     That is all for tonight. Good night Sweet. Kiss our two darlings specially for me.

Lovingly,

Gil

Lt. Gilbert Steingart

Leyte--70 Degrees Is Cold

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

Thursday, 28 August 1945, 10:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Another routine day. Work, work, work all morning long and then lunch and more work. Anyway I was all through by 2:30 and the rest of the day was my own. Went to the wardroom and had a glass of iced coffee and then to my room for a little reading. I began "Sodom by the Sea," a story about the growth and development of Coney Island--quite interesting. At 5:00 PM I showered and dressed for dinner and after eating played cribbage. Then at 7:30 I went to the movies. We had "Adventures of Mark Twain" and I enjoyed it a lot. We had it aboard before but I missed it.
     The mailman was good to me bringing me four letters from you and one (a New Year's card) from my mother.
     I asked lots of questions about Lake Arrowhead in yesterday's letter and now I have the answers. I believe Sam Crawford's home is located in the development you are staying in. Anyway by the map it seems to be where I dropped him off one weekend when he came up with me.
     The Siegers are funny people. Their marital relationship is strange to people like us. Sorry you find it so difficult up there and hope the box arrived on time. Transportation is a difficult problem all right.
     From your description of the place it is nothing like the house we had. I do hope it won't matter and that you and the girls enjoy the stay up there.
     Nothing much that is new out here. It looks like we'll be on our way very soon and this time it'll be north to a more temperate climate. Gosh it'll be swell to feel cold for a change. They tell me that after living in the tropics even sixty-five or seventy degrees is really cold. Who cares? I'll love it.
     That is thirty for now, so goodnight Darling. I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Lt. Gilbert Steingart

Leyte--Maybe Censorship Will Be Lifted

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 27 August 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Another busy morning and afternoon, but by three o'clock I was all through so I retired to my room and finished Edna Ferber's "Great Son." Nothing to get excited about.   Then I showered, dressed for chow. And now having enjoyed a hearty meal, here I am.
     How is Arrowhead? Is the house comfortable and conveniently located? Gosh, I wish I was there so I could lug the lunch you had packed down to the beach and take the kids into the water. Next year it's a date.
     The captain's relief has fifty-four points. I have a hunch that the admiral won't allow the captain to leave until another relief comes out. So it goes.
     No mail today so I have little more to write about. In a few days VJ day will be here and maybe censorship will be lifted. Then there'll be lots of things I'll be able to write about.
     The movie tonight is a Roy Rogers western, "Bells of Rosarita." I don't have another thing to do so I guess I'll go.
     Goodnight darling until tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

Leyte--Prisoners at Large

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday, 26 August 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Today was Sunday and I really took a day off. During the USO show on Friday night two PALs (prisoners at large) broke into our armory, stole some guns and ammunition, commandeered a VP and headed for the beach. One gave himself up yesterday and the other was apprehended on the beach last night. This morning we sent a picket boat with an armed guard to bring the prisoner back, and I went along for the ride.
     By the time we got back it was 11:30 so I had just enough time to wash up before chow. Then at 12:30 my tug arrived and "Buzz" Brosseau, the supply officer who relieved Tom Glass, and I shoved off for the beach and a few beers. After a couple of drinks we thumbed a ride over to the 118th General Hospital and visited with Simmie. He and a lot of others there have orders to go up to Japan and are leaving soon. Bet he beats me up there.
     At five we boarded our boat and arrived at the Ocelot at 6:00 PM just in time for a scrumptious turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
     Then to the movies. Tonight we had a real oldie, "It Happened One Night" with Gable and Colbert. Everyone enjoyed it.
     The only news today is that Jack Hartfield, our skipper, has his relief aboard. He hadn't received his orders this morning, but I think he's gotten them since then. I haven't had a chance to ask him. Anyway he should be leaving in a week or so.
Well here's hoping that maybe my relief will pop up one day real soon and that when my orders do come I can up and leave. It sure beats waiting around for weeks or months as Cox did.
     The mail brought me a sweet card from you and a letter from Libby. I haven't "pinned up" anything Sweet. And of course I'm thinking of you and only you.
     No more for now Darling. So goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Leyte--Chit for a Tug

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 25 August 1945, 10:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Darling, here I am again. When I awoke this morning at 7:30 I really felt like sleeping in, but I had a busy morning lined up. No rest for the wicked. Anyway I had a hectic morning and had to work in five extra patients before I was through.
     At noon I relaxed in my bunk with another book, "Great Son," by Edna Ferber. I think I'll like it. Back to the old grind at one, but I was all through by two. Then a little visiting here and there around the ship and so the afternoon went. At 5:00 PM I showered and changed for dinner (as usual) and then cribbage (again as usual). My don't I lead an exciting life?
     I've got a chit in for a tug tomorrow. A few of us will go off on a jaunt at 12:30. I haven't been off the ship for recreation since last Sunday and I'm ready now.
     No mail today. Although after yesterday's haul I didn't expect any. If I don't get busy and write a few letters soon, you'll be my only correspondent. I owe about everyone.
     We had a pretty good movie tonight, Eddie Bracken and Veronica Lake in "Out of This World."
     That is thirty for tonight. Happy dreams Sweet and please put your cold feet on my back (soon now).

Love,

Gil