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

Corpsman Cleans Teeth

Wednesday 8 March 1944, 1530 o'clock

Dear Eleanor,

     And another busy day.  I did twenty fillings and a treatment.  I got tired and put my corpsman to work cleaning teeth.  As long as my chair is in use I can take it easy.
     Nothing panned out on the ad I ran. Guess I'll run another for the rest of this week and see what happens.

     Another man, Dr. Matson, who had been here six months got orders to go to Port (I don't know how to spell it) at Oxnard for duty with the Sea Bees.  Things seem to be moving right along.

     Was wakened last night a little after midnight by some dope who had been suffering for three days and "just couldn't wait any longer." You see I stood watch at the clinic.  Earlier in the evening I went to the movies and saw "See Here Private Hargrove." A very amusing picture.

     Dr. Doughty is coming back with me Friday night so maybe we'll leave early.

     The "Padre" was in here trying to convert some of the boys and we had a lot of good natured kidding.

     Adios my Sweet until I phone you tonight.

Love,

Gil

Click the link to see a YouTube video about World War II Dentistry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJLyH0sveNc

        

"A" Ration Coupons

The letter is misdated. It should be 2 March, 1944.

Thursday, 3 February 1944

1520 o'clock (3:20 P.M.)

Dearest ,

    I haven't heard from you since you left.  I hope it's only a delay in the mail and nothing else.  How do you feel?  If you haven't sent me the "A" book on the Plymouth please do so right away.

    This has been a busy day for me.  Not because we are particularly busy now but because I felt like working.  I only saw six patients but I put in twenty fillings.  I could just as well have made twenty sittings out of the six, but one gets tired of loafing all the time.

    One of Dr. Taylor's patients, a cook, brought in four large steak sandwiches for lunch.  I had one plus a bottle of milk and feel quite full still.

    Last night three of us went downtown.  Stopped in a bar for drinks.  Turned in.  Tonight I may go to a movie.  They are showing "Lifeboat."  Maybe I'll leave it for tomorrow night when I stand watch.  It all depends on how I feel.

    Everybody enjoyed the gingerbread cake (the icing was not sour).  I ate the apple for breakfast plus a couple of cookies.

    Excuse my rambling, but everything goes down as it comes up (I mean my thoughts).

    It's just been a couple of days since you left and I can hardly wait for Saturday night.

Love,

Gil

  

Envelope from the Bureau of Price Administration which issued ration books

 "A" Ration Coupons 

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."

All Hands Aboard

Thursday 20 January 1944

Dear Eleanor,

     How is my Sweet today? Just one more day and I'll be home and are we going to have fun.

     Last night an order came through for the Medical Department (including the Dental Corps) to have "all hands aboard" for an inspection by the Admiral on Saturday.  And was I in a dither!  That meant that I couldn't leave until after the Admiral made his inspection. This morning a change in orders came through.  We had to get ready for inspection by 1:00 P.M.  We did, he came, and everyone is happy.

     I ran into the younger Levison boy; he is an ensign.  I don't remember his first name, but his brother's name is Billy.

     I was a little busier today.  I placed twelve silver fillings, two porcelain fillings and cleaned a lieutenant's teeth.  Usually by 4:00 o'clock things drop off, but we must remain "aboard" until 5:15.

     Called Nina Hursey at her work yesterday.  She couldn't talk and asked me to call her at home.  I will one of these days.

     Well Dear, keep your panties on till I get home tomorrow (Friday night).

Love,

Gil