Okinawa--Watch

 

14 October 1945, 10:25 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Just got back from the show. We had a USO show and the movie, "The Princess and the Bellboy." We did see the picture more or less recently, but it did help the time pass. The USO show was just fair, but all the men out here liked it. Why? Just women!
     Today was very uneventful. I loafed around and then took a ride in a jeep. Before we leave it looks like we'll still have to decommission the "Mighty O" and salvage whatever equipment that can be saved. Hope we can finish the job in a couple of weeks, but if not it won't take much longer. Then it should be homeward bound for all of us.
     All the officers that are with the men in this camp are taking turns standing watch. Tonight, I have the midnight to 4:00 AM watch. We only have one four hour watch in each forty-eight hour period. My next one will run from 8:00 PM to midnight, so I'm sure I won't overwork.
     Tomorrow morning I'm going over to a neighboring CB camp and visit the two dentists there. Maybe I can make arrangements for me to take care of some of our men there. Anyway that is my idea.
     Don't know how my mail is getting out, but I do hope it won't be held up much. News reports have gotten out about the damage from the typhoon. I hope that you got my letters in time so you didn't have to worry.
     I'm going to close now and catch an hour's shuteye before I go on watch. Goodnight Dear, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Newspaper articles referencing the Ocelot

Okinawa--List

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Saturday, 13 October 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Here I am again for the second time today. Everyone is making up a list of items lost preparatory to filing claims with our Uncle. I'll get busy myself in a few minutes.
     Went to the movie tonight and saw "Swing Out Sister." We had it on the ship a little while ago, but I got a few laughs out of it anyway.
     I wrote Libby a letter which I'm enclosing because I don't recall her address. Please forward it.
     Good night darling. Hope we get out of here soon.

Love, 

Gil

Okinawa---Wind Hit 130 Knots

AMERICAN RED CROSS

13 October 1945

Dear Libby,
     I suppose that by now you know I've been shipwrecked again. The only difference is that this time we had to abandon ship and I've lost all my gear. We got ashore Tuesday at the height of a typhoon. The wind velocity hit 130 knots when the wind gauge went out. Just a light breeze. After wading around in mud up to my knees and in wet clothes for a day, we found temporary quarters for our officers and men. Yesterday we moved to more permanent quarters and here we'll remain until we return to the United States.
     We were all issued field green uniforms, field shoes and fur lined jackets. That is what I'll wear until I get home. For four days we ate nothing but C and K rations, but today we finally got some hot food. We are camped up in the hills overlooking a bay. The scenery reminds me very much of Lake Arrowhead. How long we'll be here is hard to tell. We could leave in a few days or weeks. It all depends.
     I'll drop you a line once in awhile but there is no use writing me unless I give you a new mailing address.
     That is all for now so I'll sign off. Give my best to Nat and Loretta.

Love,

Gil

Undated newspaper article confirming wind velocity