Ulithi--Food Problem Acute

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco
Wednesday 4 April 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Here is your hard working husband again.  Spent the morning and early part of the afternoon with patients. Until 4:30 I worked up the monthly mess statement. Everything is all balanced and out of the way for another month.
     Then I took the book " Burma Surgeon" went up on the poop deck and got the sun until 5:15. After a refreshing shower, I censored some mail and dressed for dinner. Following dinner I collected the mess bills from the officers and now here I am.
     Thirteen is my lucky number. That is how many pieces of mail I got today. I got seven letters from you, an Easter card from Norma and you, a letter from your mother, a card from mine and a letter from Leon and one from Ambie.
     Ambie is at the St. Albans Hospital in Long Island. He will be there for four to six weeks but actually will be home all of that time. All he has to do is put in an appearance Saturday morning for Captain's Inspection and his home is only 1 1/2 hours from there so he goes home. He says the reason he didn't say much to you was because you were talking over a phone. Suggest you write him at the hospital.
     Now your mail. They must not be too hard up for teachers if they let Mrs. Olsen go. Was she extra "lousy?" Anyway no need to worry, you could always make the grade but will never need to.
     I'm glad that Linda's throat is better and hope soon to hear that there is nothing wrong with her eyes either. Gee I wish I were home so you would have me to share your worries and other things too.
     That Arrowhead deal doesn't sound so hot. Be sure if you do take a place it is comfortable and close to the village.
     I would like "Earth and High Heaven" but I hate to see you spend the dough. As you please dear. Guess I'll get it by return mail!
     I'm well rid of my rash. The sun is the best remedy for it.
     The food problem must be acute. They've even ask us out here to cut down.
     Did you finally get to see "Our Hearts Were Young and Gay?" It is very amusing and I hope you did see it finally.
     I'm not worried about competition. I'll let Earl B join all the organizations but I'm planning to make new contacts that he can't have access to.
     It's time for the movie so I'll shove off now and finish afterwards. Don't go away!

9:45 PM

     Hello Dear, still with me? Just got back from the movie we had Deanna Durbin in "Must Keep Singing" and though she sings though the whole movie, I thought it was rather poor.
     Now back to your letters. The Navy must be pretty short on medical officers. Dr. Travis only had two months of stateside duty before he was shipped out. He is from Minnesota. We have an extra doctor aboard on temporary duty. He had one month in San Diego before he was sent out. He's married to a Venice girl by the name of Ferguson. However he practiced in Arizona and his family (wife and three kiddies) are now in Frisco. His name is Dr. Law. So you see it is possible that Jim will ship out soon. I'm glad that the dental officer problem is not so acute.
     By the way, the last time I was ashore I ran into a Dr. Love (dentist) who was in Diego the same time I was and reported aboard a carrier in September. He is an Los Angeles man.
     The photos of the kids are swell, but I'm still looking for a few snaps of you.
     Yes I remember Greenfield quite well. What is he doing now, do you know? Sorry you didn't feel so good when you went out with Marty and Ruby. We haven't had "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" but should soon.
     I'm glad my mail is coming through fast and regular. Wish the same was true at this end but it isn't. It's very sporadic as you can tell from my letters.
     Of course I mean Kosher dills. We have plenty of the others aboard.
     I'll give you the word when to close out the Diego account. As I explained in a previous letter, I've already arranged for the check to go to Santa Monica. We must be sure that the change has gone through before we do close the account in question.
     The bonds I've recommended come in $100, $500, and $1,000 denominations, so you can buy less if you think a larger purchase will run you a little short.
     That's a date for our 15th. Anyplace you say, just as long as we're together. Darling. I've already sent you a $100 money order for Linda so do it up nice for me.
     Your guess about us and the shots was correct but the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. We "ain't" going anyplace for a while yet.
     Your day at Ruth's sounds like a real nut house. However it always was so why expect any different. Your mother sure puts up with a lot, too. God only knows why.
     Course I mind if you cry awhile. Save those pretty eyes and keep them sparkling just for me. Besides crying never corrected anything, but then I'm not a woman. Maybe I'd do the same if I were. Well OK then have your little cry and then wipe your eyes and smile, please. That's better. Just the way I like it. Now don't change.
     I've rattled along enough dear so I'll sign off. Good night, Sweet I'll see you tomorrow.

Love,
Gil 

P.S. Forward the enclosed questionnaire, dear. It's taken a long time to reach me and may not do Ross any good but anyway send it on. Bye again Honey.

Gil

Sugar ration stamps were not used aboard ship

Ulithi--Damn Hot

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Tuesday 3 April 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     This has been one busy day. In addition to all the work I had, it has been plenty hot so I did plenty of sweating today.
     This afternoon at three o'clock when I finally cleaned up my last patient, I went to work on my monthly mess statement but after an hour's work I quit because it was too damn hot down here.
     So--instead I went up on the poop deck and got forty-five minutes of sunshine. Then I returned to my room, showered, censored some mail and dressed for dinner.
     After dinner we sat around on deck enjoying the cool evening breeze and the sunset. Now here I am.
     The mail brought me three letters today.  One from you, one from Dr. Ivie (a nice friendly one) and the last was an official letter relative to new reports that I have to send in.
     Your letter was written on the 15th and I've already received one written on the 22nd so there isn't much to remark about. I see you are teaching though you hadn't done that for several weeks. Guess you're glad to get back for a spell.
     "Lost Island" sounds like an interesting book. I would enjoy reading it. Send it along.
     The movie tonight is "Irish Eyes Are Smiling" with Monty Woolley and it is rated 4.0. Guess I'll go, as if I ever stayed away.
     I'm planning on answering Herman's letter next because I don't want to get behind.
     So much for now. Goodnight sweetheart, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,
Gil 

Gil's Dental Corp Insignias

Ulithi--1/2 Stripe

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Dearest Eleanor,
     Another busy day today. I worked all morning and afternoon and wasn't through until 3:00 PM. I went to my room and censored some mail. The sun was out in all its glory so I spent from four till five on the poop deck improving on my tan. Then I returned to my room, showered, and dressed for dinner.  After chow we went back up on the poop deck and just relaxed and enjoyed the cooling evening breeze. Now here I am.
     Beginning with the May allotment, the check will go to the Santa Monica Bank of America so be sure and notify them to accept same and credit it to our account. I've increased the amount to $225 a month because I'm expecting the May ALNAV to give me that extra 1/2 stripe you've been looking for.
     I'm enclosing a money order for $100. Buy Linda a $100 bond and use the difference to buy her something more material for her birthday from her daddy.
     The mail today brought three letters from you, one from Herman Stein and one from your mother. Honey, I don't know what to say about the house except that if it needs paint and repairs why have it done. Of course I agree.
     I hope you won't get the "G's" down on you for the dress deal. You know how they like Ruth and may not like your giving her the dress. Anyway I'm too far away to know and say what to do. Use your judgment.
     You're sure making a great to do about   Linda's eyes. With all the fuss you're making it's no wonder she's all a twitter about wearing glasses. Take it easy dear and don't cross any bridges till you have to. Although Dr. Kinney is a good man, I wish you could have taken her to a Navy outpatient clinic. Nuff said, but please honey do take it easy and don't let everything aggravate you.
     Don't know what this Elsinore jaunt is all about. Guess one of your missing letters with explain when it gets here.
     Your letter written 5:00 PM on the 22nd is not complete. The last paragraph says and "now to your letter. Didn't you see Claudia, etc" and nothing more. No signature or anything. Guess you're all excited and busy getting ready for the Mah Jong game. I also gather that you've been teaching, but there are several letters still to come to fill in the blanks.
     The movie tonight is a stinker entitled "Tahitian Nights" with I don't know who but I guess I'll go anyway.
     So much for today darling. It is almost time to go to the movies and I'm all run out of stuff and such so--
     Goodnight, I'll see you in my dreams.        Love and kisses to you and our sweet girls.

Yours always,
Gil

Stripes

Ulithi--Bird Mail

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Sunday 1 April 1945, 9:50 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Just got back from a lousy movie. It was the "Big Bonanza" with Dick Arlen and the less said about it the better.
     I was quite busy this morning but I was all through by 11:15. I went to my room and read some from "Burma Surgeon." It is quite interesting.
     After lunch six of us officers got together and went ashore for a few "short" ones. We had a couple of beers and then went shell hunting. I found a few to add to my collection.
     We got back at 5:25 so I had just enough time to shower and change for dinner. After dinner I returned to my room and lay down for a short nap. I awoke at 8:30 and dashed off to the movies. I'd missed the short subjects but the feature hadn't started It would have been just as well if I had slept right on through.
     The only mail I got today was a Dental Digest. Gosh I wish some of the "bird" mail would begin to come through. I've gotten one letter in about a week. I bet there is a whole stack for me somewhere.
     Well dear, I'm just a wee bit tight and besides there isn't a darn thing to write about so I guess I'll sign off.
     Good night sweetheart, I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,
Gil

"Bird" Mail

Ulithi--Counted $1,000,000

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Saturday 31 March 1945, 9:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Sweet, I just got back from the movie and here I am. The picture was a Charlie Chan murder story, "The Jade Mask," with Sidney Toler.
     This morning was the usual busy one. It was 11:30 before I was through. After lunch I began reading "Burma Surgeon" by Seagrave but I had some more appointments for the afternoon.
     I quit at 3:30 and began working on the wardroom mess statement. My money balanced out so the worst is over for another month.
After that I censored some mail, showered and dressed for dinner. After eating we had an unusually brilliant sunset which I shan't try to describe.
     Then the medical officer and I counted over a million dollars for the paymaster in order to certify a sum of money shown on his monthly statement. By then it was 7:30 so I went up on the fo'castle and enjoyed the cooling breeze until movie time. Now here I am as I told you before.
     No mail again today. Tomorrow I expect to hit the jackpot. The service this last week was very irregular and I'm way behind.
     Nothing new or different to say today Honey so I'll repeat those three little words, "I love you."
     Goodnight Honey, until tomorrow with hugs and kisses

Love,
Gil

Ulithi--Watch on Fritz

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 30 March 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,
     Hello Honey, here I am again. We didn't have any movie last night so I played checkers and gossiped in the wardroom until 11:00 PM. Then I went to my room, censored a batch of mail and read for awhile.
     I awoke this morning kind of late (8:10) but didn't realize it because my watch seems to be on the fritz. That makes two to go since I left. It seems this hot, moist climate is hell on watches. I did some tinkering on it this morning and it has been running most of the day. Maybe I've fixed it.
     I did some work this morning but really didn't strain myself. By noon the strong wind had abated and the sun broke out in all its glory. It's the first time in almost a week that we've even seen the sun. After lunch I saw a few patients. I censored some mail and went up on the poop deck for a little sun. Then I returned to my room undressed, showered and read until time to dress for dinner.
     After dinner I enjoyed the cool breeze and the cloud formations, but a colorful sunset never materialized. Now here I am.
     I got one precious letter today, so you guess who it was from. It was postmarked the 18th.
     We had the Disney hit "The Three Caballeros" aboard. I enjoyed parts of it a lot. I'm sure Linda and probably even Norma would get a kick out of it.
     I'm really looking forward to some colored snaps of you. I'm sure you'll look lovely--as you always have and always will where I'm concerned.
     I do hope your Arrowhead plans materialize, but it they don't maybe you'll have other plans to make for late summer that'll be real thrilling. I don't know anything but I am just hoping.
     The movie tonight is Claudette Colbert in "Practically Yours" or "Particularly Yours." I don't know which. It is rated as 4.0 so I shan't miss it.
     No more for now Sweet so I'll sign off. Good night my Darling and dream about those happy days to come and soon I hope.

Yours as ever,
Gil

Bulova Watch from 1940s 

Ulithi--Toothaches

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Thursday 29 March 1945, 7:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     It just poured all night and when I awoke this morning things looked black and stormy. It has been raining steadily all day.  After dinner the wind died down some.
     However toothaches and such have no respect for the weather. I was kept quite busy all morning.
     At 11:30 I went up to my room and found some mail, no letters however. There was a package containing a bunch of Sunday newspaper supplements and 2-1/2 pairs of earrings. The package was so beat up that one of the earrings must have fallen out. I received a second bill for my dental society dues. Did you pay it? You probably did because this letter was very long in coming. Also there was a package of thirty-two paper bound volumes for the library.
     After lunch I saw three more patients. Then returned to my room and finished "Wild Geese Calling." I've selected several books from those we just received for my reading in the next few days.
     Nothing new or different today. Just another day out on the Pacific too far away from the one I love.
     Well Sweetheart, I'm all through now so I'll say goodnight. Until tomorrow with loving thoughts and passionate desires I am still

Yours alone,
Gil