Mail Delivery

Friday 25 August 1944, 4:30 PM

Hello Sweetheart,
     Here I am again. What did I do the last night in Diego? Well we met at the Playroom of the Grant and drank until 11:30 and then some Chinese food and back to the ship. This, being my second letter to you today, makes an average of one a day since we shoved off. Be patient and you'll probably receive them all. I received some postmarked August 17 and 18 before others dated a week prior. You just can't tell about mail nowadays.
    Darling as soon as I know anything that I can tell you I will. In the meantime be patient. Had quite a busy day today doing dentistry but nothing more to write about. I'll send those gifts along as soon as possible. When you are on a ship, any item that tells where you are can't be mailed until after you've left--so they'll be mailed the day we leave.
     Missing my three girls more and more every day. I am

Your husband

Gil

Pineapple Cannery

Friday 25 August 1944, 8:45 AM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Went on liberty again yesterday. Went over to the dental clinic and met Jackson. We had lunch at the Officers' Club and are planning to get together one day next week. Met some of the officers of our ship and went out with them. We returned to the base and did a little elbow bending at the Submarine Officers' Club. Then we returned to the ship. It was about 8:45 PM then, and we hadn't had any dinner so--we went into the galley and I concocted an omelet of catsup, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce and eggs. We ate every bit of it so it must have been, at least, edible.
     A few of us recently visited the largest pineapple cannery in the world. I drank ice cold juice and ate sliced pineapple until it came out of my ears, but I still like the stuff. The tour through the plant takes one hour and I was impressed by the cleanliness of it all. Every bit of the pineapple is used, even down to the shell which is used as feed for cattle.
     Well dear, nothing much else to tell. I took out a couple of juicy impactions and surprised myself. Even though I haven't done any real surgery in months everything went smooth and even the patients survived. Right now I'm waiting for an anesthetic to take effect. The patient says it is really numb so I've got to go back to work.
     Bye dear till tonight. I love you and miss you.

Your own husband,
Gil

World War II Dole Magazine Ad

Liberty in Pearl

Wednesday 23 August 1944, 11:00 PM

My Darling,
     Went on liberty yesterday. Joined the Officers Club for $1.00 and got a ration of whiskey. Had lunch there and ran into Barney Silver, Leon's friend. Bummed around downtown, had a few drinks, did some window shopping and returned to the ship. We really got pie-eyed, played the accordion, sang and raised hell until I literally poured myself into my bunk. Today I have what is known as a hang-over, but a good one. However I'm not sorry. I felt like it and I got it out of my system now--yep even the alcohol.
     Worked all morning on some men from another ship and saw three patients this afternoon as well.

censored

     Will tell you all about it tomorrow. Got three more letters yesterday and three today. You say I sound homesick--well why not with you and the kids so many miles away. I have some gifts in mind for you and the kids but may not be able to send them until we leave this place--censorship! Wish I could say we are returning soon--so far we are waiting. As I wrote you before, several weeks may elapse before anything happens and then where we go is still too remote to even hazard a guess although it looks like we'll be heading west.
     Gosh honey, as I sat out on deck and looked at the millions of stars in the sky and felt the cool breeze blowing in from the hills, I went back to past years when we enjoyed beautiful spots together. Dear, when this is over we'll enjoy many, many such things together. I wish I could just pour out of these pages the love I have for you in my heart but you know me--all I can say is I love you! Repeat many more times. Not enough room.
     No darling there is nothing I need that I can't buy here. There are many large department stores and a large Sears. Sell the Plymouth for whatever Bob gives you. Within reason, of course. Heard the war news this evening and things are really popping. Maybe this will be over even sooner than we dared to hope and I'll come home to stay. Anyway, there's going to be a hot time in the Steingart domicile when I return. Wish I could save all your letters but room is something there isn't much of. You save mine and I'll use it as a refresher when I return and tell you all about things and such.
     Good night my Sweet. I'll see you in my dreams.

Your loving husband,

Gil

P.S. Had to cut out where I was going on liberty. You might know where I am as if you didn't.

Gil

No Phone Calls

Saturday 19 August 1944

Dearest,
     Just another day. Kept pretty busy this morning taking care of men from one of the ships here that doesn't have a dentist. Nothing much doing outside of that. We're just waiting to see what happens next.
     I suppose you've wondered why no phone call. Well if one is based on the station here phone calls are permitted, but ship's personnel may not make any phone calls so that is that.
     Tomorrow is Sunday and I'm going on liberty at 10:30 AM. That is the thing about sea duty. When one is at sea he is on duty 24 hours a day 7 days a week. But when we hit a port, conditions being favorable, liberty is in a sufficient amount to satisfy most of us. You see, I have every other day from 10:30 AM to do as I like and nothing to do and no one to do it with. Gosh I wish you were here. I'm going sightseeing tomorrow. I should be able to see plenty in a whole day and then when this war is over we'll come here together and I'll really be able to show you around.
     How are my girls? I've been wondering what I could send them. Maybe as I look around I'll get some inspiration. And what would you like (besides me)? I'm going to wait until I hear from you before I buy anything foolish. Really, I'd rather buy something you particularly want instead of some useless souvenir.
     Sweetheart, don't worry about me. I'm well and safe. This separation certainly isn't going to allow us to drift apart. No as long as we have those ten happy years behind us, two darling little girls to love and care for and a whole life to live after this war is over. Just start making plans now and write me all about them and then will we enjoy life!
     Well darling, time for me to turn in. A big hug and kiss for you and another one for each of our little ones. Good night and pleasant dreams.

Loving you always,

Gil

USS Ocelot

Natives Ride the Breakers

Friday 18 August, 1944, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello my Darling. I went on liberty today and don't care if I don't go again for some time. Really the mess one has to wade through to get onto a bus or cab, into a bar for a drink, or into a cafe for a bite is simply awful. The redeeming feature is to sit in the open patio of the only hotel open now and enjoy the cool ocean breeze and watch natives ride the breakers. As I sat there I couldn't help but think back to our month at Catalina not so long ago when the whole gang sat out in from of the St. Katherine's without a care in the world.
     Well dear, before I headed into town, I went down to the dental clinic hoping to see Dr. Jackson. He had just reported in this morning and was away from the clinic getting himself squared away. I left him a note and will try to see him later. Just as I was leaving, Jerry Shapiro, a pharmacist mate who was stationed at Diego when I reported in there, greeted me. So we talked for awhile and off I went.
     I received a letter from Ruth and my sweetheart (guess who she could be) yesterday but nothing today. I better receive a big batch one of these days or else. Forget the temple membership. After this is over we're going to do more things as we like and to hell with trying to please everybody else. I enjoyed those snaps you sent me but where is the one of yourself? Buy a roll of film and have someone shoot some and send it to me pronto.
     You asked me several questions which should be answered by now. I'll bet the mail man staggered to the house just loaded down. As for things I need, there isn't anything I want (that money can buy), that I can't get here. Just send me your love and I'll send you mine and we'll both save it all up till we are together again and then??
     From the way things look now we may stay here for 2-3 weeks or more and then on to more new places. Right now it doesn't look like will be returning to the states for awhile but that is today. Tomorrow everything may be changed again (I hope).
     Good night Sweetheart till we meet tomorrow because I do feel I'm with you when I sit down and write.

Love,
Gil

Photos Taken at on Sunday August 6, 1944

at Ruth and Harry's House

Linda and Norma in Living Room

Linda and Norma In Front of the Backyard Playhouse

Wakiki Beach
Royal Hawaiian Hotel circa 1940s

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 

Dummies Alphabetized the Library

Thursday 10 August 1944, At Sea

Dearest,

     This has been a busy day. I had five extractions plus several treatment cases and a couple of fillings. As one of my duties I have charge of the library and it is a mess.  We have several hundred books without any catalogue of them and they are just thrown willy-nilly onto the shelves. So I had a couple of men detailed to alphabetize and list the books and after they got through I had to go back and do it over again myself. The dummies alphabetized the books on each shelf and so we had duplicate copies of books on several shelves. However it'll be squared away by tomorrow and then it will function smoothly.

     Other than that there isn't much to tell.  We are ahead of schedule and so we're barely moving along.  I still am eating three meals a day but no bread, butter, cream, sugar, or potatoes.  Still I am consuming too much.  Guess I'll just have to skip a meal now and then.

     Well it's time to turn in.  I really sleep soundly and if the mess attendant didn't call me every morning I'd probably sleep right on through.

     Darling, when I get back we really are going to make up for lost time.  Until then, take it easy.  Give my girls a big hug and kiss from Daddy.  Goodnight!

Your Sweetheart,

Gil

Lt (j.g.) G. Steingart

USS Ocelot

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

Old Salt

Saturday 5 August 1944, 10:00 PM

Dearest,

     Now I'm an old salt.  Spent a quiet day.  Saw a few dental patients and went through a routine "general quarters" and "abandon ship" drill.

     It has been overcast and cool all day but rather smooth.  Just now we have quite a roll and a pitch, just the thing to rock me to sleep.

     Here is the menu for today. I must really begin to watch my waist line. Breakfast was French toast and coffee.  Lunch started with soup, then stuffed bell pepper and string beans with coffee and cake for dessert.  For dinner we had salad, steak, cobbler and coffee.

     After dinner we adjourned to the ward room and I got talked into a poker game.  You know how much I love cards but anything to be sociable. After three hours I lost the magnificent total of $1.05.  This ocean air is quite conducive to sleep so I decided to turn in early.  I'm really glad I wasn't ahead and could quit when I did.

     How are you and the kids?  Keeping your chin up?  I have the pictures of my girls here on my desk before me and I hope that when we reach our destination I'll find one of my Sweet to add to my collection.

Goodnight my Sweet till tomorrow

Your loving husband

Gil

Lt (j.g.) G. Steingart

Could these be the pictures of the girls?    They were taken in San Diego on July 16, 1944. 

Linda in front of  the neighbors's house 

Norma at the San Diego Zoo

Stuffed to the Gills

Friday afternoon, 4 August 1944

Dearest Eleanor,

    Just had lunch and I'm stuffed to the gills.  The menu consisted of stuffed celery, green and black olives, hard boiled eggs, tuna salad, sliced tomatoes, cream pie and coffee with a fruit punch on the side.  I did make a pig of myself and now I wish I had passed up the hot biscuits.

    Dr. Sayer moved out yesterday and I cleaned up the place a bit and now have oodles of room.  Several of the officers just received promotions and I spent a few minutes examining their mouths to qualify them for this advancement.

    That broken part on the dental chair will be repaired this afternoon.  Then I'll really go to work.

    By the time you get this you should be feeling in the pink so please take good care of yourself and my two little girls.  Daddy misses all three of you and is looking forward to an early reunion.

    Give my best to our mothers (yours and mine), Ruth, Harry, Babs and Dick and give Linda and Norma a big kiss from Daddy.  Always thinking of you.

Love,

Gil

Insignia from Gil's Navy Hat

Learning About the Ship

Monday 31 July 1944

Dearest Eleanor,

     Another busy day doing nothing.  Saw one patient this morning and spent the rest of the day learning about the ship and some of my duties.

     The chow is excellent.  Ate three meals today and that is one too many.  I'll have to really watch myself or I'll put on plenty of weight (and you Dr., who is censoring this letter, will have to take steps to reduce me).

     Saw a movie tonight--"The Canterville Ghost," a most fantastic picture.  I spent most of the afternoon and evening showing some of the doctors, whom I worked with ashore, around the ship. Methinks that practically all would trade with me. 

     I expect to see you tomorrow night and am looking forward to a very pleasant and thrilling evening.  I am hoping, but I can't be sure.  Anyway it won't be long before I see Leon's old haunts and the---? Who knows?

     In a couple of days I intend to begin a survey of the dental health of the crew and that will keep me busy for awhile.

     I still miss you and my two girls and feel that it won't be too long before I will see you all again.

Your loving husband

Gil

We'll Be Together

Monday 27 March 1944, 1445 o'clock

Dearest,

     Well here I am again, tired and mad.  Tired because I worked hard again and mad because Dr. Boutte got surgery instead of me.  Why?  Just because they needed someone who could turn out the filling work and couldn't spare me.

     Had an easy trip back, arriving at 1:20.  Got a good night's sleep and after chow tonight I'll go see "Four Jills in a Jeep."  Hope it's good.  At noon I played volleyball and got a good workout.

     Tomorrow afternoon I'll attend to those chores you listed for me.  Then I'll give you a buzz.

     I'll sure be glad when the next ten to twelve days are gone and we'll all be together again.  We did have a nice weekend and from now on we'll have nice weeks and weekends.

     Nothing else to say.  So say hello to my girls and give them a great big kiss xxx and here are a couple for you too xxx.

Love,

Gil

Eleanor

Gas Ration

Thursday 23 March 1944, 1745 o'clock

Dear Eleanor,

     Another day and I really worked.  Put in twenty-four fillings and not all simple either.

     Stayed in last night, even the movie didn't sound interesting.  Tonight I'm going to see "Passage to Marseille" with Humphrey Bogart, Eric Dorn, Peter Lore and?  Hope it's good.

     I'm not going to do anything or make any arrangements about the flat until I've talked things over with you.  I suppose you're all excited now and making all kinds of plans.  Swell, but take it easy and don't make too many plans.

     Here at the clinic there is nothing new.  Six dentists are expected but who knows when?  There is room for five so that means someone is probably going to leave.  It'll probably be Dr. Saks, Dr. Jacobs or Dr. Boutte and then again maybe no one.

     It has really been warm out here and you know how much I like warm weather.  However a nice shower before retiring makes a big difference.  I think I'm still gaining weight, going to have to do something about that.

     I hope you disposed of the gas ration coupons. Don't put too much gas in the Buick but have enough for the weekend.  I'm planning on calling on Oscar V. for a little on Sunday. We'll have to get ahead plenty.  There'll be no place to chisel any gas down here.

     Not much else to say except that I'll try to be home early Saturday and I am looking forward to one hell of a weekend.  I hope you know what I mean.

Kiss my two girls,

Love,

You diddle partner

Wisdom Tooth

Thursday 16 March 1944, 1730

Dear Eleanor,

     What a day.  Nice and hot and lots of work.  So far this month I'm top man for work done and if I wanted to I could even do a lot more.  I removed a wisdom tooth that was embedded and showed the doctor in surgery a couple of new twists.  It was really slick even if I say so myself.  

     Nothing new about a house but I'm still hoping. I expect to leave early tomorrow so I should be home early. I hope Norma is better now.  It's a shame that she had to come down with such a bad cold. However Linda seems to have a lot more resistance than she used to have and that's a consolation.

     Going to a movie tonight and turn in early again.  Been a real good boy this week and haven't gone into town at all. After all this rest I should be raring to go this weekend and I hope so are you.

     Love to the kiddies.  I'll be giving you mine personally tomorrow evening.  As ever

Your diddler,

Gil

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

Examined a Draft of Men

Wednesday 8 March 1944,  1615 o'clock

My Dearest,

     Please don't upset yourself like you have been.  We must be patient and keep looking. Something is bound to turn up.  I'll call Diller tomorrow and try an ad in the San Diego paper this coming weekend again.

     Going to see "Souls at Sea."  The movie shown last night was so putrid that I didn't go.  It was the same one that was shown on Monday and the opinion seemed to be unanimous.

     As I told you over the phone, I examined a "draft" of men going out for sea duty. Along with me as dental officer there were four medical officers.  The 175 men are all lined up in their barracks and stripped down to the skin except for shoes and stockings. One doctor examines the throat, another the chest, another gives a "short arm" inspection and a fourth checks for rupture.  I walk around with a flashlight and look in each mouth as I go by.  If a man doesn't have enough teeth for chewing, I am supposed to pull him out of the "draft" until he is rehabilitated.  I passed them all. It took me about eight minutes to make the inspection. I got credit for 175 oral examinations. That's the Navy.

     Nothing more my Sweet.  Keep your chin up.

Love,

Gil