No Movies

 Tuesday 14 August 1944, At Sea

Dearest,

     As I sit down to write I find that all I can say is a repetition of what I have said in my earlier letters.  Work, eat, and sleep, with a little recreation in the way checkers, gin rummy, acey ducey, and walking around the deck is a good summary of my daily routine.

     I was a little busier in my office today and saw eight patients.  I also spent about an hour finishing up the cataloging the books in the ship's library.

     Finished a murder mystery last night and am beginning another today.  Movies are not shown at sea as a matter of security.  In case of an emergency it is felt that all the men aboard should not be congregated in one portion of the ship--so no movies.

     It is now almost time for supper so I'm going to shower and change shirts as I've done lots of sweating today.

          I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

WWII Propaganda Playing Cards

Concert by Ship's Band

Saturday 12 August 1944, At Sea

Dear Eleanor,
     Just another day at sea. Up as usual at seven, showered, dressed and had breakfast. Worked for a couple of hours, visited on the bridge and looked at ships looming up of the horizon guessing their identity, or trying to, before they got close enough to really tell. We've had company all day, another ship on the same course and evidently due at the same place and time as we are.
     After dinner of spaghetti and meat balls with salad, iced tea, and chocolate cream pie, we had a concert by the ship's band. They really sounded pretty good although they don't have much time to practice.
     Upon conclusion of the concert I returned to my office for more work. When he was in civilian life, one of my patients was a patient of Dr. Frankel. Small world isn't it? After that Dr. Bushyager, the medical officer, Mr. Hansen, the chief engineer, and I retired to the "chief's" quarters and with the accordion indulged in another hour or so of music (?). Then a fried chicken supper and another visit on the bridge. It has been plenty warm today and it is a little cooler up there than in most parts of the ship.
Well for a guy who had nothing much to say I did all right. I'm sure looking forward to our next port and to the letters from you my Sweet and I'll bet I get several from Linda too. By till tomorrow.

Love, 

Gil 

Dr. Steingart and Dr. Bushyager 

Corpsman Painting

Tuesday 8 August 1944, At Sea

Dearest Eleanor,
     What a beautiful day. I wish you could enjoy it with me. It is warm and sunny and the Pacific with its gorgeous blue is as smooth as a great big pond.
     Not much doing in the way of activity. They finally finished messing up my office and now my corpsman is painting it. I hope to be back to work tomorrow. Bought some shirts and trousers and a slipover sweater for nights when it's cool out.
     I'm going to miss a few meals. I'll bet I've already gained 5 pounds and I'll be darned if I'll keep them. Been trying to get someone to work out with the medicine ball but no takers.
     Well, my Sweet, when this is over, you and I will have to take a cruise together. Just think, you and I away on a holiday and it won't be long you'll see.

Bye Sweets,

Gil

Medicine Ball

Peaceful Pacific Misbehaved

7 August 1944, At Sea

Hello My Sweet,
     How are you today? Let's you and "Butch" and "Stinky" and I all get together and go someplace together. Well now let's see, I can't join you but for the next few minutes you can be with me.
     As I wrote you yesterday the peaceful Pacific misbehaved a little and continued misbehaving all night long. We had lots of sick men on board and "lots" went overboard too. As far as I'm concerned my appetite couldn't be improved on unless it gets considerably rougher--then who can tell.
     However this morning "lady" Pacific was much quieter and by now all should be feeling much better and by now all should be feeling much better. I visited with our navigator and watched him chart our course. He told me that last night at one
     Did you write to Dave about the Plymouth? Don't stall! Get rid of it if he hasn't found a buyer by now.
     My office is a mess. There are some pipe lines running through it and some work was done on them. These ship fitters must have been plumbers before they joined the Navy--what a mess. However all is secure now and tomorrow I'll resume work.
     Ate the usual breakfast. For dinner we had barbecued spareribs and sauerkraut with the usual salad, coffee, and dessert.
     So my darlings, we did have a few moments together. Bye till tomorrow.

Your loving,
Daddy

Lt (j.g.) G. Steingart

USS Ocelot 1944

Pitching and Rolling Dentistry

Sunday 6 August 1944, At Sea

Dearest Eleanor,   

     Another day well on its way.  I awoke this morning with the ship pitching and rolling. Went in for breakfast and all I could get was breakfast cereal, toast, bacon and coffee.  It seems the stove went on the fritz and they were just finishing the repairs.

     Wish I had my camera aboard.  The sea is a beautiful aquamarine blue with white caps crowning the glory of the waves.  It is a little rough and has been since I turned in last night. Aboard there are lots of seasick passengers laying all over the decks. Even some of the crew are not too happy.  

     After breakfast I went down to my office and began work by examining the pharmacist mates aboard and found plenty of work to do.  By that time it was 11:00 o'clock so I retired to my quarters and read a little while.  Thorne Smith's "Glorious Pool" is the book and it is very amusing.  Had dinner at noon.  Salad, fried chicken, and peas.  I passed up the potatoes. For dessert apple pie and cheese and of course coffee. 

     Then I returned to my office and removed an embedded wisdom tooth for my corpsman.  It came out so easily that he was surprised and so was I.  Working on patients with the deck pitching and rolling underneath you is quite an experience and I'll probably have more before this present tour of duty is over.

     This being Sunday makes no difference when you're at sea--just another day and really it is quite difficult to keep busy.

     Did you hear over the radio where Lloyd's is betting 8-5 that Germany will be out by the end of October?  Just think every day that goes by now means that many days less before we'll all be together again.

     Bye my Sweet and my two little lovelies 'til tomorrow.

Love,

Gil