Tokyo Rose

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O San Francisco

Wednesday 15 November 1944, 6:30 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,
     Hello honey, here I am again. After missing yesterday I got twelve letters today, one from your mother, one from Libby and the rest from you. It evidently takes about

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days for an airmail letter to reach me so it you have to know something in a hurry you'll have to use your own judgment.
     I wouldn't worry about money. Where I am now there is very little to spend on. As a matter of fact I didn't draw any money on the first and none today and I still have $50 cash on me.
     I missed "Mr. Winkle Goes to War." It was shown onboard one night when I was on liberty. Last night, by the way, we had "Shadow of a Doubt" with Theresa Wright and Joseph Cotton. About half way through the showing we had a regular cloudburst and although we were all soaked to the skin we saw the picture through to the end. Tonight we have "Someone to Remember." The featured players are all unknown to me, but it has a high amusement rating so here's hoping.
     From your letters it sounds that you are finding plenty of things to do to take up your time and I'm glad. Being occupied makes the time go so much faster.
     Do I remember that "pencil?" Wait until I get back, will you be surprised! "Esquire" is still going through the mail. I don't believe it was ever actually stopped. That is one magazine I'll really enjoy receiving. By the way I did receive an Evening Outlook just the same as you sent several weeks ago so I guess they have my new address. I also received the American Dental Association Journal. I'm sure that now all my mail will soon catch up with me.
     Talking about records, they are the only dependable entertainment we have. We do get rebroadcasts of radio programs; sometimes they are good, but most of the time there is too much static. We do get "Tokyo Rose" often. To hear them we've practically lost the war. These broadcasts are meant for American consumption and it makes one wonder at the intelligence of the Japanese propaganda directors. We all listen to it just for the fun and discount all their claims about 100%. Besides the above reading, checkers and a game of cribbage make up the entertainment and recreation I indulge in now.
     Sorry you had car trouble. Yes the battery was a new one purchased when the car was painted. It had a thirty month guarantee by Western Auto. The date is stamped into the metal on the battery but I suppose it is too late now to do anything.
     It rains here almost every day but not for long--thank god. I'm getting used to the heat and until now had forgotten about it completely.
     Soon you'll receive the other package I sent. There are a few items there I know you'll like. The dolls were purchased through the Army Exchange Service and will be delivered just before Xmas. They are also going to bring you something for your birthday, but I won't say what it is.
     Well darling, I'm just about run out. I've been doing quite a bit of work and am meeting many new faces and making new acquaintances. I do believe my work is appreciated and I do treat every enlisted man and officers with as much consideration as I would if he were my patient in private practice. Believe me after some of their past experiences they do know the difference.
     I enjoyed the quotation and wish I could reciprocate with another to tell you the love I have for you in my heart. However having no references to go to I'll just say I love you more than ever before (if that is possible) and we'll make up for all we are missing now.
     Sweet, do you remember how we would start out downtown on Saturday morning with all our family to visit and shop? That's the way our family always will be--together. We'll always enjoy all our little pleasures and big ones too!
     That is all for now dearest. Goodnight and pleasant dreams many x's and hugs and exclamation points.

Devotedly

Gil

The Buick's red paint had oxidized, so the car was repainted green at Earl Scheib.

Officers' Club

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Monday 13 November 1944, 6:20 PM

My Dearest,
     I feel swell now. I got eleven letters from you and one each from your mother and mine and one from Edith. I'll send Edith's on to you so you can read firsthand about the wristwatch you want.
     Sure sounds like you've had a siege with household appliances. Oh well, who cares! As long as they can be fixed, why worry? I didn't draw my last paycheck and won't draw my next either. There is no place to go and spend money except for a few drinks at the Officers' Club.
     I did buy four suits of khakis (shirts and trousers) and I believe I'll buy more and lay away my greys. That way I'll have grey uniforms complete when I return. Otherwise the pants and shirts would be worn out and the blouses new. Anyway khakis are all you see out here and some of the higher ups dislike greys and have said as much.
     Glad to hear everyone is prospering. Just means there'll be more money to spend when I return to civilian life.
     The name of the magazine we sent Sol was "Our Navy." I can't give you the address of the publisher but Harry B. has it.
     I read an interesting book by James Cain. It is really three separate books under the title "Three of a Kind." Two of the stories, one entitled "The Embezzler" and the other "Double Indemnity" were made into movies. I don't quite recall the name of the third but all three are worth reading. Now I am reading a Charlie Chan mystery, "Keeper of the Keys."
     Glad that you liked the gifts I sent. I didn't know gum was so difficult. I'll see what can be done. Sorry I look fat in the picture. I am no heavier than when I left the states. As a matter of fact I think I'm a little lighter. I'm going to check as soon as I finish this letter.
     Bill Spivak is wrong and if you'll read what I told you about Leon you'll have the real answer.
     Well Honey, I've run out of question and answers so I'm going to sign off. But first, do you remember how we enjoyed the moonlight in a speed boat up at Arrowhead. Do you remember what came next? Well I do too. Will repeat at my earliest opportunity.
     Good night Sweet. I love you and miss you more than I can say.

Lovingly

Gil

Here is a link to images of WWII Navy Uniforms http://www.usww2uniforms.com/figures_navy.html

Sweat

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Monday 13 November 1944, 8:35 AM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Good morning, Sweet, how is my darling this morning? Saturday night after writing I saw the movie aboard, "The Rhythm of the Island," and although it was amusing I haven't seen any of the dusty beauties in their native costumes running around loose. Anyway I was amused and after the picture I turned in. This hot weather really tires one out. By 9:30 or 10:00 PM. I'm really ready to hit the sack.
     Yesterday was Sunday but unless you looked at a calendar it was just like any other day of the week. Eat and sweat, work and sweat, rest and sweat, and that goes for everyday. Then around 7:00 PM we had a real cloud burst. The rain came down in buckets so we stood under the awnings and just watched. It did seem like there would be no movie, but at 7:45 it stopped raining and the many, many twinkling stairs lit up the heavens once more. The movie was "Charter Pilot" with Lynn Bari and Lloyd Nolan. Just another picture is all I can say.
     After the movie I was tired so I read in bed until ten o'clock when all lights must go out at this place.
     Our skipper got his orders to go back to the states and our executive officer will be captain in his place. The shaver has not arrived as yet so I'm selling the captain the one I have now and will keep the new one when it arrives.
     I awoke this morning and it was raining again and it is still. But who cares! As long as it rains, the sun won't shine and that makes everything much cooler and tenable.
     Although we have been here now for several days, no mail has been received. I guess when it does come I'll get a sack full all for myself (I hope so). Anyway dear, don't worry if my mail doesn't come regularly. It's simple--a problem of transportation and distribution. I'm really well and safe.
     Goodbye for now. Love and kisses and a great big hug to you my darling and my two sweet girls.

Devotedly

Gil

God Bless You

Saturday 11 November 1944

Dear Linda,
     Hello Sweetie. How are you today? I hope you've been a good girl. I'm sending you some books and I want you to share them with Norma.
     It has been a long time since I wrote you but I've been very busy and conditions were such that I couldn't write when I was through working. However, I hope you are continuing to write me and I'm expecting a letter from you real soon.
     How is your painting at school coming? I hear that you are doing quite well. Maybe you'll send me one of your finished pictures.
     That's all for now honey, good night and God bless you

Love

Daddy

Linda

Armistice Day

NOTE IN ELEANOR'S WRITING: Received November 18, Postmarked November 12

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart
U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Saturday 11 November 1944, 6:45 PM

My Darling,
     Here it is Armistice Day and here am I in the Navy several thousand miles from home. I didn't realize what day this was until I sat down to write and looked at the calendar.
     It is so hot here that when I don't have any work I just look for a place to light and "crap out," the Navy turn for loafing. In spite of that I've been doing more work and keeping busier in the past few days than I have for several weeks. Today I saw nine patients by ten o'clock, extracted two teeth, filled five cavities and treated two men for trench mouth. At ten I made a sanitary inspection tour of the ship which took me to 10:45. By then I looked like I had taken a shower with my clothes on so I went up to the bridge and relaxed until 11:30 at which time we have lunch. After chow I played a few games of cribbage and at 1:15 I went back to work. I saw three more patients--all for gum treatment.
     Honey, do you remember the heat wave we had when Linda was a baby? How we undressed her completely and put her out in her buggy on the porch? We even have some movies of her turning on her tummy with her fuzzy head looking up at us. After this war I'm going to take a lot more movies of all of us so we'll be able to look back together and enjoy the past.
     Well Sweet, I'm going to sign off now. Last night we had "Whistling in Brooklyn" with Red Skelton. I don't know what we have tonight but anything will be OK by me. Good night my darling, I love you

As ever,
Gil 

Linda during heat wave. September 1939.

Roosevelt

NOTE ON LETTER IN ELEANOR'S WRITING: Received November 17. Postmarked November 11

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart
U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Thursday 9 November 1944 1:45 PM

My Dearest
     Here I am again. It's so blasted hot that I have a sheet of paper under my right hand and forearm to prevent this sheet I'm writing on from getting soaked from the sweat off my arm.
     I had an interesting experience today that I can talk about so here goes. I was talking to the doctor in sick bay when a young ensign who was visiting one of the patients saw my B'nai B'rith ring. He asked me what lodge I was a member of and it turned out that he is a Long Beach boy. He knows many of our friends. His name is Bill Spitzer and he is acquainted with Herman Stein, Mort Eisner, Bruce Stern, Dave Gindoff and Abe Weinberg. Isn't this a small world?
     Well, my Sweet, the election is over and Roosevelt is still president. We have a couple of "diehard" Republicans aboard and we've really had quite a time discussing politics and the future of our country. Personally I am happy about the results and do feel that our country will be better off than if Dewey had been elected.
     How is by you? I haven't received and mail since the last jackpot but I do hope to get another batch tomorrow. Don't worry about the irregularity of my mail, it just can't be helped. Anyway when I get back I'll have some interesting stories to tell.
     In the meantime, Honey, please be patient. My love for you is unending and you are in my thoughts always. Will write again tomorrow. Until then

Love
Gil

Gil's B'nai B'rith ring has disappeared.  This pin is similar in design.

Sanitary Inspection

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Tuesday 7 November 1944, 5:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello Sweetheart here I am again. Because there is so little I can say I'll begin with I love you my darling. Since yesterday it has been raining on and off all day and night. My routine is unchanged with the exception of one additional duty. The doctor banged his knee so I've been making the sanitary inspection throughout the ship. It only takes about an hour. But when it's hot, going up and down ladders, throughout all compartments of the ship sixty minutes is plenty long. When I'm done I really need a complete change of clothes for I was soaked.
     That is all that is new. There is plenty to eat and I get plenty of sleep. There are some interesting things I would like to tell you but they will have to wait.
     I'm going to sign off now Honey and with write more in the morning. Good night and pleasant dreams.

Love
Gil

Wednesday 8 November 1944, 11:15 AM

My darling,
     Good morning Dear, though lord knows what's good about it. It's been raining steadily since last night and the only thing in its favor is that it is cooler.
     As I didn't make the sanitary inspection, I've been doing dentistry all morning.
     Sweet, do you remember how when it would rain, you'd bundle the kids into the car and come down to the office to pick me up? Boy, oh boy, would I love to have that happen to me today. After this war, I'm going to be a changed man. All the little things that I took for granted will be looked forward to and enjoyed to the fullest. It takes a separation such as this to wake a guy up. I really never appreciated my blessings but believe me, from now on I will.
     Well dear, I'm going to close for lack of any more small talk. With all my love I am

Devotedly yours
Gil