Okinawa--Killed the Evening

 Wednesday, 14 November 1945, 10:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Just another day with nothing new to go on. They've really gone to work stripping the ship, so maybe it'll be ready for decommissioning before long.
     The mail brought me two letters from dated the 7th and letters from your mother and Leon. That is one week service and that's pretty good. I have Leon's address. If I hit Frisco when I go back, I may call him. Having a car would help me get squared away and on my way home in one day.
     Tonight's movie consisted of three shorts and Chester Morris in "Boston Blackie Booked on Suspicion." Just average but it did kill the evening.
     It has gotten pretty cool tonight. It looks like I'll need three blankets to keep warm.
     That is the dope for tonight. Goodnight Sweet and keep smiling, it is practically all over but the shouting.

Love,

Gil

Shipping List

Picture Album from Shipping List

Okinawa--The Dope

 Tuesday, 13 November 1945, 10:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Nothing new or different today. This morning Leslie and I walked over to the CBs and arranged to have our officers' laundry done. I was OD today, so at 1:00 PM I mustered the men and passed out beer and coke.
     After dinner tonight we went to the movies and saw "George White Scandals" with Joan Davis and Jack Haley. The movie had all kinds of possibilities but somehow missed the boat.
     I'm making up a box of stuff to send home. Be careful of the box of shells. There are some cat's eyes in it and one of them is really tiny. You might not notice it and throw it out. Be sure to look for it. It'd be best to keep them in the box. I had a lot more shells, but they were lost. I'm also sending back the picture album, my Schick shaver and a few things I got here at Okinawa. The little dishes are what the natives drink "saki" out of.
     That is the dope for now. Goodnight Sweet, maybe I'll have some dope for you tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

Newspaper articles


Same article from the Evening Outlook except the date is missing

Okinawa--No Movie

 Monday, 12 November 1945, 8:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello again, this is me with nothing new or different to write about. Nothing at all.
This morning we were told to be ready to more to other quarters at 1:00 PM. Then the orders were changed, so here we stay. There is all sorts of scuttlebutt flying around. I should leave this island by December 1, but I'm not planning on anything till I get something more definite to go on. All I'm praying for is to be home by Xmas. I should make it if I get out on the first, but it would be a tight squeeze.
     After dinner tonight I went to see the movie, but because of a power failure the show was called off. Now this'll be an extra long evening with nothing to do.
     I'll sign off now. Goodnight Sweet, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

17th CB Theater on Okinawa where the movies were shown.

Okinawa--God Bless You Both

 12 November 1945

Dear Linda and Norma,
     How are my big girls today? Daddy is fine and is really trying and hoping to get home soon so that we can have a real, old fashioned "Merry Xmas" together.
     Bet it is getting quite cold now. Be sure you are well dressed when you go out. You must both keep well so that when I do get home we can go places and have lots of fun together.
     Goodnight now my darlings and God bless you both.

Love,

Daddy

Okinawa--Naval Efficiency

 

Correct date--Sunday 11 November 1945

Sunday, 12 November 1945, 8:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Well here I am again or should I say still. The same exciting routine prevails. Eat, sleep, read, and kill time.
     Two things happened today to break up the usual routine. First I got a New Year's greeting from my cousin Nat in Brooklyn. Remember him? He is the cousin with the bum arm. I wonder whether or not it is all right now. The second event just illustrates naval efficiency. Today three young ensigns reported for duty aboard the Ocelot. When they left the United States, the news about the storm and the fate of the "Mighty O" had already broken. Though they brought the facts to the attention of the authorities in Frisco, they were sent on anyway. Don't say it. I already have.
     That is all the dope for today. Nothing new, good or bad. In fact--nothing.
     Goodnight Sweet I hope your patience hasn't entirely run out.

Love,

Gil

P.S. Hope you've received my claim check. Just mentioning it so you'll know I sent it.
Tonight's movie was another repeat performance for us "Blonde from Brooklyn."
Gil

Fate of the "Mighty O"

Okinawa--Coming Home

 Saturday, 10 November 1945, 8:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Sweet, how is my lonesome wife tonight? I do hope this isn't getting you down any more than it has me. That is bad enough.
     Coming direct from the horse's mouth, the captain in this case. Leslie and I should be receiving orders in the next fifteen days. Don't get your hopes up too high. Just wait for the glad tidings and then smile, or if I know you well, cry with happiness.
     I've been in little better spirits this afternoon. Reason? Two whiskeys and coke plus three beers. All before dinner. Then after chow we went to the movies. The picture was "Guest Wife" with Claudette Colbert and Don Ameche. It was hilariously funny.
     I read another condensed story in Omnibook. This time it was "Coming Home" by Lester Cohen. From the way it reads the original must be excellent.
     For now, no more to write to my love, so I'll sign off. Goodnight Darling.

Yours alone,

Gil

Okinawa--Typhoon Hit a Month Ago

 Friday, 9 November 1945, 9:35 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     It was just a month ago today that the typhoon hit--that day and night I'll long remember. Last night it really rained and today has been overcast. At the moment the wind is howling through the trees and it will be cold enough for two blankets tonight. For my money they ought to give Okinawa back to the Japs and make them all live on it.
     Today was just another day to cross off the calendar. This afternoon we did get a stack of mail. I got letters from you dated October 29 and 30 plus a Dental Society Bulletin and a Dental Digest. You are quite concerned about equipment, but I'm not. I'd rather take my time looking around. First, the Los Angeles County Society has been canvassing dentists to find out who would like a returning service man in his office for awhile. The Army and Navy should be releasing some equipment soon. I'd like a crack at that too. Further I've learned with my ten years of experience that equipment can be good without Ritter or SS White tags on the individual units. You might consult with the California Professional Bureau about these different possibilities. Unless they say the case is hopeless don't obligate us for any equipment. A month more or less won't make any difference.
     Our exec got bureau orders today. My request went in just a couple of days after his. Maybe I'll get a break and get mine soon and then Xmas will be a happy holiday at the Steingarts. Don't know what to say about the possibility of meeting me in Frisco. It may be terribly crowded. As for myself I'd rather come straight home. We can always go away for a few days and be comfortable doing it. Maybe I'll be lucky and come in at San Pedro. Then we can meet in Long Beach or go somewhere together just the two of us. In any case it is all still "if." We'll have to wait and see.
     Tonight's movie was the "Hidden Eye" with Edward Arnold. Another repeat for us from the "Mighty O." The YP238 gang left today so there are only five of our officers left here and six still on the ship.
     That is all the dope for tonight. Goodnight Sweetheart I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Captain and Exec in front of Ocelot severed by the Nestor

Okinawa--YP238 Surveyed

 Thursday, 8 November 1945, 10:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Another day with nothing to show for it. Another day wasted. The YP238 was surveyed yesterday. Today their whole crew got orders to return to the United States. We were surveyed about a week ago. All estimates indicate that it'll take a month before we'll be decommissioned and the crew disposed of.
     The movie was "Brewster's Millions." I went to see it again. What else was there to do? I did give dental exams to three officers who were up for promotion but I'm afraid that with a tongue blade and a flashlight, the exams were not very thorough.
     Good night Darling. Though I can't be with you my thoughts are of you all the time.

Love,

Gil

Think Gil meant the YP 289 shown below. There is no YP 238 mentioned in reports about Typhoon Louise.

Okinawa--Eat, Sleep, Read, Play Cards or Checkers

 

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

c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

Wednesday, 7 November 1945, 9:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Another day to scratch off the calendar. Nothing new to write about. All I've done in the past few weeks is eat, sleep, read, and play cards or checkers. What an exciting routine.
     I picked up a few native souvenirs and will send them home as soon as I can find a suitable box. Won't wait for something to happen causing me to lose them again.
     Again, there was no mail, so there is nothing more to write about. Oh yes, tonight's movie. It was "Mollie and Me" with Gracie Fields and Monty Woolley. Even the second time it was good for a few laughs. Now I am reading "Bahama Passage." That is all for tonight.
     Goodnight Sweetheart I hope I'll have better news for you soon.

Love,

Gil