Played Accordion

Friday 11 August 1944, At Sea

Dearest,

     Another quiet day. Had a light breakfast and then stalled around until 10:30 for the weekly inspection. Saw a couple of patients then and three more after dinner. We eat dinner at noon and supper at 6 P.M. Dinner was a Salisbury steak with all the trimmings. For supper we had asparagus soup and breaded pork chops with all the trimmings.

     The sea has been like glass and sailing along as we are, one completely loses all track of time and even the war seems very remote.

     Last night a few of us got together and borrowed an accordion from one of the men aboard.  I had a lot of fun playing it.  It's quite a simple instrument to play if you know piano.

     Well, my Sweet, we should be at our destination before many days more.  We've been moving along rather slowly because we're ahead of schedule.

     The last two days we ran into several squalls.  It rains for a few minutes and then we're out again and the sun is shining.   The nights are really black and going from the ward room to my room is like playing "blind man's bluff."  I extend my hands and grope along until I find the door knob.

     So dear it's really hard to find what to write when one writes every day but I do love you and really miss you and the kids.

Goodnight dear 'til tomorrow,

Love

Gil

WWII Accordion from

National Army Exhibit

Inspected Hospital Portion of Ship

Wednesday 9 August 1944, At Sea

Dearest,

     Another quiet day.  The weather is balmy and the sea is smooth.  I'm thankful for the clouds in the sky else it would be plenty warm.

     Not much activity for me.  I worked for a couple of hours this morning.  After a light breakfast and after making a routine inspection of the hospital portion of the ship, I found I had the rest of the day to myself.  So I walked down passageway, up a ladder and down to another passageway several times around the ship just for the exercise.  I visited with the watch officers on the bridge for awhile and then retired to my bunk and read a magazine short story.

     Are you keeping busy?  Do my girls ask about their Daddy? Tell them I miss you all so much and that we'll spend all the time I have together when I get back.

          So sweetheart, I'll sign off till tomorrow.

As ever

Your loving husband,

Gil

Lt (j.g.) G. Steingart

USS Ocelot

Navy Way

Friday 18 February 1944

My Dearest,

     What a day! Saw three patients. One this morning and two this afternoon.  Wasn't able to chase down regarding an apartment this noon as I had planned.  My corpsman was sent to San Francisco for a week course in Gas School and with Captain's Inspection this afternoon I had to spend part of my noon hour seeing that everything was spic and span. The Captain didn't come through until 4:00 P.M. I had to stall with my last patient for more than an hour so that I would be busy when he came through. That is the "Navy way" of doing things.  I did attend to my life insurance today.

     I believe I forgot to mention it in my last letter, but the night that the fellows went downtown for a couple of drinks I ran into Harold Jiler and Maurry Green. They were not together but we all three ran into each other simultaneously. What a coincidence.

     Received three letters from you today, so I guess that your Tuesday letter was delayed somewhere along the line. It was postmarked 15th and the other two were the 17th and they all came together.

     I hope you are out of the "red" and feeling in the "pink" because we have an important date for Saturday night.  So until then my Sweet

Lovingly,

Gil


Link to a 1944 WWII Navy Training Film 
"The Duties of a Dental Technician"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJLyH0sveNc

A Good Spot

Friday 4 February 1944

 17:30

Dear Eleanor,

     Another day, another dollar and that's about all I made today.  Stalled all afternoon with a patient in the chair so that I would be busy for Captain's Inspection.

     Got another letter today which makes at least one for every day this week--a record.  Sorry to hear that you have a cold, hope it'll be better by tomorrow.

     So the draft is catching up with some of the men--ain't that too bad.  Marty is probably worrying although he probably has less to worry about than the rest.  Neither the Army or Navy will take him.

     Going to the movie tonight.  "A Chip Off the Old Block."  They say it's good so I'm going.

     Called Bailac at the Golden State but he was out.  I'll try his hotel tonight. Enclosed is the ad. It's in a good spot.  I'm really hoping for something.

     Love to the kids.  I bet I beat this letter home.

Your husband,

Gil

The ad is in a good spot at the top of the column.