5 Patients

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Tuesday 6 March 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     I really worked this morning. I only saw five patients but the count for the morning was fourteen fillings and three extractions. Besides that there were a couple examinations and a denture adjustment thrown in.
     I hit the jackpot this morning. I got nine letters and a card from you, a card from Linda, and a letter from Ruth. I also got a snapshot album from the Goodfriends and a can of almond butter crunch from Deb and Dave. The album is very nice and covered with tan leather. The candy is delicious and is practically gone. Everyone enjoyed it.
     This afternoon I attended to my Mother's Day shopping. Saw two more patients and then got forty-five minutes of sun. After that I had my hair cut, returned to my room and censored some mail. By then it was 5:15 so I showered and dressed for dinner. After chow we enjoyed the cool breezes and the usual pretty sunset and here I am.
     Honey, I know you are busy and if you don't get a letter off right on time don't let it worry you. I still have the sweetest, truest, most loving wife of any man aboard and I will understand.
     I'm glad you enjoyed the ballet and it's a date for next season--just you and I.
It is swell about Deb and Dave. Whether it's an accident or intentional I know they'll be happier for it in years to come. Yes dear it is their show and none of your business anymore than it was theirs when you were infanticipating.
     Honey your outlook on life bothers me. You hate to see anyone happy or making money and seem to delight when upsetting things happen to others. I know they say "misery loves company," but you never were that way. When I come back I want you to be as I knew you, a lovely gal with a great big heart.          Please understand Dear that what I'm saying is not a reproval but rather that you were so much happier with your previous attitude. I won't say anymore about it, but please snap out of it.
     Unless he is very careful about the care of his feet, Dick's athlete's foot business will be recurring as long as he's in the Army. We have it aboard and it's a "bitch" to cure.
     I'm placing the bag and bracelets on my list. Hope we get to somewhere that I may be able to buy some more novelties.
     The donations to the center fund are very heartwarming. It is an important project and will do our community more good than any temple ever did or will. I'm just sorry that some of the diehards won't quit and continue to block any attempt to accomplish anything worthwhile.
     The movie tonight is "The Angels Sing," with McMurray, Dorothy Lamour and Betty Hutton. It's 4.0.
     I'm all run out for now so I'll sign off. Goodnight Sweetheart and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Snapshot album from the Goodfriends 

Dr. Travis

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Monday, 5 March 1945, 9:50 PM

My Darling,
     How is my Sweet tonight? How's about a kiss? Gee thanks. I'll take a rain check on that one too.
     Had a full morning booked with patients from another ship, but they didn't show so I had the morning to myself. Just chased around doing little things but nothing to talk about.
     After lunch I saw a couple of patients. Then a Dr. Travis from another ship came over. We got a party together and went ashore for a few drinks. We got back to the ship about 5:00 PM feeling pretty good.
     I showered and changed for dinner. I invited the doctor to be my guest but the guy was pretty high and couldn't eat. After chow I took him down to sick bay and got him to take a cold shower and drink some coffee. I tried to get him to stay till morning but he insisted on returning to his ship. So I got a boat and took him back. Returned just in time for movies.
     The picture was a repeat "The Very Thought of You" with Dennis Morgan, but I enjoyed it anyway.
     No mail again today. Guess another stack will accumulate before I receive more. Then I'll have a gala day reading letters from my Sweetheart
     Nothing new or different Honey. I have a big stack of mail to censor as soon as I'm finished here. And then I'm going to bed and dream about us.
     Good night my darling, gosh but I feel loving tonight and not a damn thing I can do about it.

Yours always,

Gil

Technicolor

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Sunday 4 March 1945, 7:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Just a nice quiet Sunday for a change. Saw a couple of patients this morning and was through for the day. No emergency calls so nothing to do.
     I've been trying to figure out how I got the box of fruits and nuts so quickly and have decided that it was because you insured it. It came in perfect condition and so quick, too.
     Did lots of reading today but really nothing but trash. I'll settle down to some serious reading one of these days but the way I've been reading in five to fifteen minute snatches there just isn't any use at present.
     I really can't figure where the time went today because I didn't do much. I read in the afternoon, censored a stack of mail, showered and dressed for dinner. We had turkey with all the trimmings tonight. Delicious.
     After dinner we enjoyed a most beautiful awe inspiring sunset. We had an array of colors ranging from a yellow on down the spectrum to a reddish-purple and then grey. Well, there will come a day when we'll enjoy such beauties of nature together and I know my pleasure and enjoyment of such spectacles will be trebled.
     Tonight's movie is in Technicolor, "Virginia" with Madeline Carroll and Fred McMurray and is rated as very good.
     There was no mail today so no more of my interesting (?) remarks. I've really been fortunate about mail even if there are some packages missing. They may still show up. People at home can't realize what letters mean to our boys. If only they could read their letters as censors do--then many would write more often.
     Well Sweetheart, that is thirty for tonight. Bye and pleasant dreams

Loving you always,

Gil

Recreation Island

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Saturday 3 March 1945, 7:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Darling, here I am again. Awoke this morning at 7:45 feeling swell. Had my usual juice and coffee for breakfast and so to work.
     I had a busy morning and it was 11:40 AM before I was through with work. Lunch is at 11:45. After eating I took it easy for awhile on the poop deck and got some more sun. I'm sure getting tanned. Soon I'll look like some of those natives you've seen in the movies.
     At 1:00 PM I returned to my room and just read until 1:30 when I had another appointment. When I cleaned up my work I returned to my room and censored some mail.
     Today's mail brought a letter from your mother, a card from you written at Rene and Jean, a 5th District Dental Bulletin. The box of fruit you sent came in perfect shape. I know I'm going to enjoy it.
     It was 3:30 PM when one of the officers said he had a boat alongside which was going to the recreation island. How about joining the party? It took me two minutes to change shoes and cap and away we went. I had a few beers, picked up some more shells and got back to the ship at 6:00 PM, just in time to eat dinner.
     After chow I showered. After getting cleaned up, I dressed and went topside to enjoy a very pretty sunset. Then I went below for a cup of coffee and watch a crap game but they couldn't quite "seduce" me because it was time for our daily visit and here I am.
     Last night's movie, Carol Lombard and Robert Montgomery in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" was old but I couldn't remember having seen it and I enjoyed every moment of it. Tonight's movie is "Nevada" (with a bunch of unknowns) and several short subjects. Guess I'll go anyway.
     Time to go now Sweetheart, so good night and pleasant dreams. Love and kisses with a few hugs thrown in.

Devotedly,

Gil

Officers' Club Mog Mog Recreation Island
Gil front left

Back

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Friday 2 March 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Awoke this morning with my back feeling much better. All discomfort has practically disappeared so that's that.
     Worked all morning until 11:00 AM and then sat down to read four letters that had arrived.
     After lunch, I enjoyed the sun for 45 minutes, rechecked a copy of the mess statement and took care of an emergency extraction from another ship. When I returned to my room I found three more letters making a total bag of seven and all from you.
     I spent the afternoon reading as it was "field day." Then I censored some mail, showered and dressed for dinner.
     I intended watching what promised to be a pretty sunset but I got another emergency call and extracted another tooth. Since I was down in my office I couldn't think of anything I'd like better so--we are having our daily visit.
     So Leon is storing his car. Well I'll bet he loses more by keeping it than selling now. By the time he comes back, new cars will probably be on the market and his $4,000 will only be worth $500. I guess he can afford to lose it.
     Leon certainly expects a great deal when he says that he'll go to Pearl Harbor, Philippines and then China or Japan. That is probably all a good guess but if his unit is just forming I doubt whether anyone knows where they are going. Out in the forward area one can't tell from one month to the next leave alone a whole tour of duty.
     I'll drop a note to Dr. Ivie first chance I get. Mrs. Ivie is nice, why don't you try and get together with her some time.
     I figured the "Apostle" was a hand me down. Ruth knows I don't care for that type of fiction and I knew she did. Sorry about "Esquire," I'll say thank you properly next time I write.
     That note you sent to the banquet in my behalf is OK. However before we do any contributing I'm going to wait to see results not plans.
     There must be some letter missing because you refer to Mr. Hansen's phone call but say nothing as to where he is or how he is feeling. Guess it'll come in a day or so.
Your plan for our new home is 4.0 with me, even the location. As for my new office, it'll be a "killer-diller." When we get our heads together we'll give them something to talk about.
     The party I mentioned was for officers on the Ocelot and two or three other ships as well. Can't tell you any more about it.
     The movie last night was "House of Frankenstein." and when it was over they had revived and killed again, Dracula, the Frankenstein Monster and the Wolfman. Not so good. Tonight we have a real oldie, Carol Lombard in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" and it's just about time to go. So-----
     Goodnight darling, love and kisses to all my girls.

Your daddy,

Gil

Medical Report

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Wednesday 28 February 1945, 10:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello my darling, did you sleep well last night? It was past 2:00 AM when I finally turned in last night and I slept like a log until 8:45 this morning.
     I stayed up because the doctor was operating and there was a chance that he'd want me to give the patient ether. However the spinal worked perfectly and I didn't have a thing to do but catch up on my correspondence. I wrote notes to both mothers, Deb and Dave (swell news, eh!), Ethyl and Libby.
     Saw a couple of patients this morning and then worked up the wardroom statement for the month. Hope to have it balanced and completed by tomorrow night.
     My heat rash is much better, but I got about 45 minutes of sun just the same. I'm going to get rid of it and try to continue with the same treatment because it does come back.
     I didn't get to censor any mail yesterday because I was busy doing other things. So I had twice as much to censor today. I spent from 4:00 to 5:15 this afternoon on that. Then I showered and dressed for dinner.
     The movie tonight was very good. It was "The Woman of the Year" with Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn and Fay Bainter. You should see it if you haven't. I know you'd enjoy it.
     I've had a sore back all day and thought my kidneys were bothering me. Well a few minutes ago I got the doctor to take a look. It was just a tight muscle. He got one of our pharmacist mates to give me a good rub down and it feels much better already.
     There was no mail today, not even a magazine, but who am I to complain. After getting seventeen letters in two days I really shouldn't expect anything, but just the same I'll be disappointed if I don't get a letter from you tomorrow.
     Well, Sweetheart, that is thirty for today. I love you and miss you more each day. Wonder if we'll ever catch up with all that we've missed. Well we'll try and have fun doing it.

Yours always,
Gil

The movie

Recreation Island

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Tuesday 27 February 1945, 11:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Honey, here I am again. Began today as usual with work and was hard at it all morning. After lunch a few of us went over to the recreation island for a few beers.
     There is a grove cleared and picnic tables are scattered throughout. Five of us sat down at one of the tables and played hearts all afternoon. Whenever we were due for another round the highest score player bought the beer. It was really a nice quiet restful afternoon.
     We got back to the ship just in time for dinner and after eating, low and behold there was another stack of mail for me on my bunk. There were seven letters, four from you, one from Deb, one from Ethyl and one from Joe Orenstein writing for the B'nai B'rith.
     We had a double feature movie tonight. One was "Vigilantes of Dodge City" and the other was "Sergeant Mike." The second feature had just begun when I was called down to sick bay. The doctor was doing an appendectomy under spinal but the patient was so scared that he wanted me to pour ether.
     We just finished a few minutes ago and will be doing another one in about twenty or thirty minutes.
     Now to your letters. They at dated he 5th through the 17th and the 19th. I don't know why you're afraid to buy more "G" bonds. They are negotiable, redeemable at any bank and bear interest. If you need money, it will always be available.
     You seem to be doing quite well with your teaching. Two or three days a week should help take up the financial slack and also keep you busy.
     Don't do anything about a lot. There will be plenty of time and lots later on and the prices won't be as high. You just wait and see.
     So Ruth has Gus Loeb to gush over now. My, my aren't you thrilled? Gus is a swell guy and I hope he doesn't get stuck with Goldie. He's pretty smart though so I won't worry about him.
     I've gotten many nice notes from patients. They seem to miss me a hell of a lot more than some of my friends (?).
     Yes dear we can play back 33-1/3 as well as 78 RPM records. Be sure they are cut deeper and play them back once on the regular turntable not the recording unit. That should help to fix the groove better.
     Wish we were someplace where I could buy some of the things you ask for. Outside of Navy, to all intents and purposes we could be in the middle of the Sahara. There isn't a damn thing I can say good about this place and there certainly isn't anything to be purchased as a souvenir. I'm still hoping those boxes will come through.
     Again I ask, send me the addresses of Sol and Art. If they are on a ship I may be able to see them if they come out here. I'm in a position where I can check on who is here.
     Send the salami but no "borsht" or "gefulte fish." Some nice sardines or anchovies would be good or even some caviar. See what I mean? OK Honey, go to work.
     Well my time is up. Do you remember when I'd go to the office at night and you'd wait for me first patiently and then not so patiently? Well I promise to spend all my evenings with you. No more night work for me once I'm back with my three girls--no mam.
     Good night sweetie, until tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

Recreation Island

Mog Mog, Ulithi

Playing Hearts and drinking beer




Hearts all hearts plus the queen of spades too




Another game of Hearts