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?

Keys

Monday 3 April 1944 19:30

Dear Eleanor,

    Began a game of volleyball after dinner at 5:30 and been playing up to now.

    Went down at noon and paid the rent, got the keys and now I really feel like we have a place down here.  The trip down last night was quite easy.  I may have to take the train down on Saturday.  Nobody seems to be driving down.  However I'll keep my eyes and ears peeled.

    Will arrange for utilities tomorrow and then patiently wait for the weekend.

    Tonight I'm going to the 8 o'clock movie--"Cover Girl." I hope it's good.

    Can hardly wait until we're moved and settled.  Give my girls a big kiss and have one yourself. Impatiently.

Your loving hubby,

Gil

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 

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

Breathing Spell

Monday 20 March 1944, 1545 o'clock

Dearest,

     A little breathing spell so here I am again. Tried to reach Diller twice but no answer at that number. That was at noon so I'll try again in a few minutes.

     Just got another letter from Libby so I sat down and dropped her a line also.

     Had a nice workout at noon playing ball.  Don't know what the movie is tonight but if I haven't see it I'll go and turn in early.

     Forgot to enclose Bruce's letter so here it is.

Love,

Gil

Navy Brass Button

That'll Save a Little Gas

Monday 20 March 1944, 1215 o'clock

Hello My Sweet,

     Stopped to see Leon on the way and with the delay I arrived at the base at 1:30. Deborah is still doctoring. That's what she wanted to see Leon about--a doctor to go to.
     Phoned about our ad, but no response as yet. But then yesterday was the first day.

Dr. Gilman was tickled pink with our invitation so you can go ahead and make reservations, etc.  By the way, don't plan on riding with Leon if you come to San Diego in three weeks.  He said he probably would be taking someone down with him and I imagine that someone will be a "she."

     Had a very busy morning and when 11:30 came, I tore into those sandwiches with a vengeance.  Were they good!

     Dave is taking his car down next week so I'll drive to Oceanside and leave the Plymouth there over the weekend.  That'll save a little gas.

     After this letter I'll drop a note to Miss Earnest and then go out and play a game of volleyball.

     In the meantime my Sweet, keep that smile on your face and a little more hope in your heart.  We'll be together in Diego yet.

     A big hug and kiss to all my girls.

Love,

Gil

Photo of Leon

Measles

Thursday 9 March 1745

My Dearest,

     Received two more letters from you today.  Of course we'll take an unfurnished place from Diller if that's what you want.

     Saw "Soul" last night.  I never did see it before--pretty good. Tonight they are showing "Sahara" so I'll pass it by.  Got a

nice box of candy and your pics. After lunch I went over to the pistol range and shot a pretty good score--got five bull's eyes out of the first ten and six out of the second ten. Then a hot game of volleyball. Now after dinner I am writing you.

     Tried to reach Diller but was unsuccessful. Will try tomorrow again.  For a change I'm going to try an ad for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

     Dr. Waterhouse, one of the dental officers, came in this morning feeling low.  He was sent to the hospital with the measles.  Hope I'm immune.  I was kidding around with him this morning.

     Nothing new in the clinic but I expect something different before the end of the week.  Got another inlay to make today and also a Commander from Medical as a patient.

     Hope Norma's cold is better and you have gotten over the blues.  A big kiss for each of you.

Love,

Gil

The movie--Soul 

A Record

Tuesday 29 February 1944, 1720 o'clock

Dear Eleanor,

     The same routine again today.  Worked all morning, lunch at 1130, volleyball at 1200, back to work at 1300 and plugged away all afternoon.  At 1530, instead of the regular lecture, we were shown pictures of the different types of ships and their armament and a reel on first aid aboard ship.  Went to chow at 1700 and back here at the clinic twenty minutes later to write my daily note to you.

     I got another letter from you today.  That makes three in two days--a record.

     I'm going to go to town tomorrow noon and place an ad for a place to rent.  If there are no results, I'll contact Sipper's friend at the Grant.  Or should I see him right away?  I'll discuss it with you by phone tomorrow.

     Don't know what I'll do tonight.  Saw "Lady and Monster" last night--a very interesting movie but you wouldn't like it.  It is also on tonight.  Taylor and Gilman are going downtown.  I may join them.  I'll see later.

     I really feel good today and hope that you and the kids are O.K. too.  Four more days and I'll be home and this is going to be a hard weekend.

Love,

Gil

Rent

Monday 28 February 1944, 1745

Dear Eleanor,

     Am surprised--received two letters from you today. I'm going to advertise as you suggested with rent in advance. If I don't get any results by the end of the week I'll see Sipper's friend.

     Yesterday was very uneventful.  Last night I saw "Where Are Our Children?" with Jackie Cooper.  Tonight I'll see "The Lady and the Monster.  I hope it'll be more entertaining.

     A lot of ships are in, so we are keeping pretty busy.  At noon today I played volleyball and had lots of good exercise and fun

     How is the weather now?  The sun came out Sunday early and it has been beautiful ever since.

     Glad to hear the kids are well and that you are keeping busy.

     Nothing more except a big hug and kiss to Linda and Norma.

Love,

Gil

Six Letters

Wednesday 16 February 1944

My Dearest Eleanor,

     Another busy day.  Guess they weren't kidding when they said the loafing was only temporary, but who cares.  I would rather keep busy than sit on my fanny all day.

     After the movie last night I returned to B.O.Q. and wrote six letters--the Fleischers, Collons, Goldie M., Frances and Jack, Ruth and Harry and the Aranoffs.

     At noon today the doctors got together and played volleyball.  We're going to do the same every noon.  We had a lot of fun and exercise but we sure looked soft.

     Dr. Tyler, who has been here for six months, got his orders for fleet marine duty.  This is considered the most rugged outfit there is.  The dentist trains right along with the marines and goes on all hikes under full pack.  In combat he goes over with the second wave.  All of this has made him very happy as you can well understand.  Now all the men who have been here for six months or more are expecting orders any day.

     Don't let this worry you.  I still will be here for at least six months and it can be a year or more before anything happens.

     You should be through riding the red pony by Saturday night and then we'll have a little serious business to take care of.  So until Saturday night keep those panties on and it'll be my pleasure to take them off.

Love,

Gil

Harry

Ruth