Gold Inlay

Tuesday 14 March 1944, 15:45

Dear Eleanor,

     Still plugging away. I like the change even with the increased amount of work. Today I was given a large gold inlay to make. Business is really picking up.

     Went to the move last night and saw "Heavenly Bodies," a very amusing picture. When I came out, it began to pour and I never did get to the B'nai B'rith meeting. However, tomorrow noon I'll go down and place those ads in the paper for the weekend.  Let us pray.

     Monday and Tuesday have come and gone but still no word from you.  I hope my mail reaches you more promptly.  Tonight is the monthly "Hospital Dance" and all the corpsmen and some of the doctors have been egging me on to go.

     They promise plenty to drink even if I don't care to dance.  I'm weakening, but I feel funny about going to a dance without you.  I'll tell you more about it tomorrow.

     Tomorrow night is my "watch" and then it is Thursday and on Friday I'll be home again.  I hope everything is OK by you then and we'll take up where we left off last weekend.

     Give Norma and Linda big kisses from Daddy.

As ever your lover,

Gil

P.S. Excuse this paper.  I couldn't get any Red Cross tonight.

Gil

Gil had the title of the movie wrong.

Bridges and Crowns

Monday 13 March, 1745

Dearest Eleanor,

     I don't like this change.  Worked like a dog and feel like I used to after a hard day in the office.  The only consolation is that I'll get more variety.  I made a crown today.  Bridges and crowns will be part of my work.

     Made good time last night. We got in at 1:15.  The sandwiches were delicious and everyone enjoyed the brownies.

     Well how is your "business?"  You'd better write and tell me all is well on that front.

     Tonight they are showing "Heavenly Body" with Hedy Lamarr and William Powell.  After the show I'll go over to the B'nai B'rith meeting.

     How is your mother today?  Has Norma's nose stopped running" Now that Linda is back in school things ought to be a little easier.  By the way everyone stops to admire the photos of our girls.

     Four more days and I'll be home to take up where we left off last weekend. Keep the "home fires burning" till later

Love,

Gil

Linda and Norma 

Guesstimate December 1943

San Diego--Dinner $2.25

Tuesday 22 February 1944, 1745 o'clock

Dearest,

     This has been a fairly busy day so tonight I'm going to catch up on my sleep.

     Went to the dental meeting and though I enjoyed it, next time I'll go after dinner. $2.25 is too much for a j.g. to lay out for dinner.  I met my accountant at the club where the meeting was being held and explained to him about the change in the tax return, so you don't have to worry about it anymore.  I also ran into two more classmates who are practicing here.  One in National City--the Manpower Commission has refused to release him. The other has applied to the Navy three times and was turned down each time.  I also saw a Jewish dentist whom I met at the B'nai B'rith last Monday.  The speaker talked for two hours on a subject which was interesting but it would take years to prove him right or wrong.  The topic was nutrition and its effect on heredity.

     It has been squally all day here.  Rain and wind intermittently all day long.  This is the first time I got more food at chow than I could eat.  Roast turkey and so much of it with ice cream for dessert.  The only reason we could figure out for the menu was Washington's Birthday.

     This is probably the last letter I'll write you this week (I hope).  I really am looking forward to Thursday.  All my love to you and the girls.

As ever,

Your lover Gil

Eleanor

Tight and Conservative

Tuesday 15 February 1944

Dear Eleanor,

     This has been a very busy day.  Worked steadily from eight this morning until four.  Went to class from four until five, then chow and now this letter.

     Went to the B'nai B'rith meeting last night. Was I disgusted! The Santa Monica lodge really has something to be proud of.  These fellows are as tight as they make them and just as conservative.   They give fifteen cents apiece to war service and think they're doing their part.  I was going to make a few remarks but I kept quiet when I saw what the situation was.  You were certainly right when you said that I would get a cool reception.  They were friendly alright but when housing was mentioned they all clammed up as if I was asking for a donation.

     I am going to see the "Fighting Seabees" tonight and then to bed after a little work on my course.

     How is everything with you?  I haven't received any letter as yet.  Hope nothing is wrong.  Will make a point of investigating those three bedroom flats this week and when you come down next week I am sure everything will be settled.

     We got a new dental officer today and they made room here by sending one of the other doctors to the auxiliary clinic. Nothing else to gab about.  I am looking forward to a swell weekend.

Your love,

Gil

Swell Time

Monday 14 February, 1944 1515 o'clock

Dearest Eleanor,

     Had a very uneventful trip back to the base.  Made swell time--three hours and fifteen minutes.  When I got into my room it was colder than he-- so I turned on the heater.  In ten minutes everything was nice and cozy.

     The doctors made quite a dent in the box of cake and fruit this noon.  I now have two special requests for those candies that Linda gave me.  If you can buy some more for next weekend please do so.

     At noon today one of the cooks brought in some nice thick fillet steak sandwiches--mm.  Then we all went over to do some pistol shooting.

     This has been a typical Monday.  Busy all day long.  I really could find a patient if I looked hard but I just feel a little lazy so I'm writing this letter instead.

     I have a class at 4:00 P.M. and chow at 5:00.  Then back to the barracks for a little freshening up and the B'nai B'rith meeting tonight.

     How are you feeling today?  Is everything alright? I hope now you have nothing to occupy your mind except our plans for moving.

     Kiss Linda and Norma and a big hug for you.  (I just had another visitor for more of your candies).  Don't forget our date (in bed) on next Saturday night.

Love,

Gil

The Pistol?

Lonely

Wednesday 9 February 1944, 10:40 o'clock

Dearest Eleanor,

     Please don't let yourself get so upset about every little thing.  I tried to phone tonight at 6:00 and the operator said that it would be 8:15 before I could get an open line.  I went to the movie and got back at 8:00 and found a note to call the Santa Monica operator.  It took another half hour to get through--so the delay.
     You keep on talking about phoning these different builders and realtors. If you could only hear what the different officers on the base say about conditions here you would know that phoning a stranger will get one absolutely nowhere. However, if we have an inspection Friday, I will have two hours for lunch. It only takes a few minutes by car to reach these different offices.  I'll make appointments and run out and see what the situation is. Monday night is the B'nai B'rith meeting which I will also attend. Frankly I feel more will be accomplished through one of their members than any other way. 

     In the meantime dear, please don't be so impatient and make yourself so miserable.  In spite of my daily activity, the evenings are very lonely for me too.  I didn't even enjoy a gory murder picture this evening with Laird Cregar, Merle Oberon and George Saunders. Knowing me as you do I'm sure that sounds at least unusual. And then from 8:00 PM every evening--what?  Go out and get drunk or chasing women?  You must see I'm just as anxious to have you and the kiddies here as you are to be here. Good night my Sweet until tomorrow.

Your, just as impatient husband,

Gil

P.S. This stationery isn't worth a darn--it is too thin so I'm going to use it up writing home.

Gil

The gory murder movie.

The Radio

The letter is misdated.  The correct date is Tuesday 25 January 1944. 

Tuesday 24 January 1944

1530 o'clock (3:30 P.M.) 

Dearest,

     The flurry of business we had yesterday was short-lived.  Today things are slow and easy again.

     The "watch" schedule was taken down last night and a new one hasn't been posted yet. The Captain is not here, so there is no way of telling what my schedule is going to be until the last minute.  However I am planning for Saturday and Sunday at home until I hear otherwise.

     Last night I was "dead" tired.  I phoned the president of the B'nai B'rith.  He told me they were having an open meeting with Dr. Nussbaum as the guest speaker.  I was so tired and with the uncertainty of my "watch" night, I decided not to go to the meeting. Instead I talked to him. Although he was not very encouraging, he promised to try and help out.  He gave me the name of a member who is in the realty business.  I'll try to reach him tonight.  I took a shower and turned in at 8:00 P.M.

Wednesday, 26 January 1944

1615 o'clock (4:15 P.M.)

      Dr. Thompson, in whose office I worked till this morning, returned.  Now I'm in another office.  The last man here cleaned out all the supplies when he left, so I've got to re-supply all the necessary items, but not from my pocket.

     Regarding hand pieces.  I have two straight hand pieces, one S.S. White and one Terry.  Sell the Terry. $20 is a fair price.  All the hand pieces are stowed in the full barrel. What a job finding them. Miss Earnest will have to do the best she can.

     The radio works well at my quarters.  I can't decide whether I want it there or here at my office.  If I were rich, I'd have two of them, one at each place.  But as a Lt. (j.g.), one will suffice.

     One of the doctors who has been married only a couple months came to me all excited.  His wife is "pregling" and what'll he do about it? Neither of them wants a baby right away and they are really desperate.  Of course there wasn't much I could advise except that if he had anything done to be sure to get a good man to do it.

          The wind howled and it poured "cats and dogs" last night. Today is sunny and quiet.

           Hope "Stinky's" nose is better, and tell Linda I'll be home soon.  I'll write to Deb about the chances of a hitch for the weekend.  As far as your coming here, we'd best wait and see what develops.  Impatiently till this weekend and with "lotenis" of love.

Gil

OXX   Here is a bigger kiss back to you and

oxx   Two little ones for Linda and Norma

Gil

Free for Nothing

Monday 24 January 1944

 1630 o'clock (4:30 P.M.)

Dearest Eleanor,

     Well--at last I can sit down.  We've really had a busy day today.  I put in twenty-four fillings and most of them were large ones.

     I took my time driving and got in at 7:30 A.M.  The other doctors here say I shouldn't take chances like I am.  If you're late for duty, car trouble is no excuse so I may have to rearrange my schedule.

     There really isn't much I can say.  I worked steadily all day.  Just dozed a little during the noon hour.  I really am sleepy and can't decide whether I should go to the B'nai B'rith meeting tonight.   I'll probably yawn and yawn.  However I shan't decide until after "chow."  Maybe a cup of coffee or two will wake me up?

     How is Norma's cold today?  Is Linda still naggy?  I hope they'll both be good this week.  I talked to the officer at the desk.  Long distance calls are hard to get through unless on official business.  So if you must reach me, you'd better wire instead of phoning.

     Your cookies made a big hit.  There were lots of seconds and thirds and they are practically gone.  I hope this week goes fast so I can get back to my three girls.

Love,

Gil

Note: The Red Cross supplies all this stationery "free for nothing."