No Gossip to Spill

Wednesday 5 April 1944, 1730

Dear Eleanor,
     Another day is over--another day closer to Saturday night, then Sunday, and then we'll all be together again.
     Went downtown with Gilman last night. Had a couple of drinks and turned in at 10:30 P.M. At noon today I bought a couple of emblems and a box of Nestlé's chocolate. After posting this letter I'm going to play volleyball till it gets dark and then over to B.O.Q. for a little bull session and so to bed.
     Glad to hear that you've got everything straightened out. I'm going to have to get a plumber over Friday afternoon to connect the gas range.
     Nothing new happening here, so no gossip to spill. I said I was going to play ball, but I was wrong. I must go and place my call to you. God alone knows when I'll get through.

Love and kisses to all my girls.

Your daily lover to be,

Gil

P.S.  Got a card from Ruth today.
Identification bracelets in sterling silver are $10.40. Priced same downtown last night at $18.50. Do you think Deb really wanted to go that high for a gift for Dave?

The Flat

Thursday 30 March 1944, 1900 o'clock

Dearest,

    Here I am. Been waiting almost an hour for the call to you to come through.  I'm sure I won't have to wait much longer now.

    At noon today I went down and saw the flat and was pleasantly surprised.  It really will look nice with a few decent sticks stuck around.  The living room is quite large about 12x18.  The kitchen is small but there is room for a refrigerator and stove such as we have at home.  However, I do think we ought to buy one of those four burners just half the size of the one we have now.  I saw one in Sears for $69.50. All the rooms have ceiling lights except the living room so you needn't worry about the light problem. Tomorrow I'll go back to the Supply Depot and find out about storage.

    I really wasn't very excited about this change but now that I've seen the place and its possibility and the prospect of having you and kiddies here with me all together again, I can hardly wait.

    I'm writing in B.O.Q. and Gilman is here to annoy me.

    Forgot to find out what's at the movie, guess I'll walk down and take in the second show if I haven't already seen it.

    I won't seal this letter until after I've talked to you which should be any minute. Until tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

Linda recalls that the flat had a stove something like this

Scuttlebutt

Wednesday 29 March 1944, 1815 o'clock

Hello Honey,

     Just finished a hot game of volleyball and now I'm going back to the B.O.Q. for a quiet evening in.

     Nothing much to say since I wrote but a few hours ago. Rumor still has it that six officers are due to arrive and the Exec thinks we may go on a double shift.  We hope that is true for it will give a fellow enough time during the day to attend to personal matters off the base.  Another rumor is that our whole department is going to move over to Camp Elliot. As far as we're concerned that wouldn't make any difference. However all this is "scuttlebutt" so we'll just have to wait and see.

     Love to my girls and a big XX to you.

Your lover,

Gil

Insignia from Gil's Officer's Hat 

Treatment and Surgery

Wednesday March 15, 1805 o'clock

Dearest Wife,

     Just finished talking to you and now I'm writing to you. As I told you a few of us- Taylor, Gilman, Thompson and I went to the dance last night.  The dance was held at Pacific Square, a ballroom as large as the Bon Ton. A navy band furnished the music. Admission was open only to Medical and Dental Corps and associated services i.e. nurses, Waves, etc. There were lots of extra girls but I didn't feel much like dancing.  So, we sat around and drank and felt pretty high by the end of the evening.

     You asked about my work. Well today a case was sent to me that I began to turn down because I felt the treatment would be futile. However, when I was told that the Captain had suggested the treatment I didn't have much choice but to accept the case. It's a treatment to be followed by surgery to remove a large infected area. I'll do it all myself. The fact that I've gotten at least one such unusual case each day this week and that none of the other doctors are getting any indicates to me that I may get some kind of break here. As far as corpsman instructor, no one has been chosen yet.

     Tonight is my duty night.It's my turn to sleep in B.O.Q. so I'll turn in early and get a good night's sleep.

     Please don't let the way you feel get you down. I'm certain this time everything is okedoke.  And this weekend we'll have a little more fun.  From you letter it looks like you have a pretty busy week--good!

     I'll place our ad tomorrow and keep my fingers crossed.

Love and kisses to all,

Gil

   

Pacific Square Ballroom in 1941

San Diego Naval Repair Base

Monday 17 January 1944

1830 o'clock (6:30 P.M.)

Dear Eleanor,
     Just got through unpacking and hanging up my kit. This sure is a busy place but they tell me things are quiet now, so I've got something to look forward to.
     The officer who took me around is a commander who just today received a promotion to captain. I believe he is leaving for the
Great Lakes Naval Station in a month. Tomorrow he will take me around to meet the bosses and arrange for my pay and transportation.
     There are two men in the dental department who went to school with me and the rest of them are so friendly that I should feel at home right smart quick. From what I was able to see today, the type of dentistry done here is of a very high level. All the talk you hear about dentistry in the service is untrue. Should you want to reach me after hours, I am at the B.O.Q.-- J room 4. The phone number is Main 7212. My work hours are 7:45 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 5:00. Send all mail addressed: Lt. (j.g.) G. Steingart DC-USNR, U.S. Naval Repair Base, San Diego 36, California.
     Noontime today I was aboard an airplane carrier. Lunch was 35 cents for meatloaf, potatoes, coffee and a whipped jello. Dinner was 45 cents. I had oyster stew, rare roast beef, potatoes, peas, coffee and cream pie. I am not eating any bread, potatoes or butter--must watch my waist line.
     Everything at the base is very informal. You only salute officers with the rank of commander or higher. Either the blue or grey uniform may be worn, so in a pinch I could wear by dress blue. I'll also wear my blue on Mondays if I come in just in time to go to work.
     Will write again tomorrow. Love and kisses to you, Linda Norma. As ever

Your loving husband,

Gil

Proceeded from Santa Monica to San Diego






Reported for Active Duty and Assigned Quarters