Leyte--Smoking a Cigar

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 13 June 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello my Darling, here is that guy again.  At present I'm smoking a cigar so draw your own conclusions.

     At 8:00 AM three of us shoved off for town. Each had with a particular errand. I had the job of lining up a USO show. Though I got nothing definite I did get a promise for next week. So I'll have to check up on it later. We got back at noon just in time for lunch.

     After chow, just to make a day of it, I joined a group going over to the club for a few drinks and now you can see the results. We got back at 6:00 and had a late dinner at 6:30. Someone gave me a cigar. Who I don't know but I'm smoking it anyway.

     When I returned, I had expected some mail. No luck. Hope tomorrow does better by me.

     The movie tonight is Bob Hope in "My Favorite Blonde." I think I've seen it before but hope it will be just as good a second time.

     We still don't have a copy of that particular ALVAV but I know it's out and the communications officer promised to have a copy for the old man (captain) tomorrow. Then I'll be a lieutenant officially.

     Nothing more for now so I'd better sign off before I say something foolish. "Nite-nite" my Sweet. I'll do better tomorrow night.

Love,

Gil

Gil in front of Officers' Club

Leyte--Devotion

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 12 June 1945, 10:45 PM

My Darling,

     Here I am again Sweet. It has been raining more or less steadily since last night and it certainly has cooled things down. As a matter of fact I had to pull up the top sheet and spread last night to keep warm. Hope it stays this way for awhile.

     This morning was the usual routine of examinations and fillings of teeth. I removed a difficult impaction in less than thirty minutes and was through for the day.

     Late this afternoon, I read a little and then showered and dressed for dinner. After that I played some cribbage until movie time. The picture tonight was excellent. It was "Devotion" with Ida Lupino and Olivia de Havilland and is about the Bronte family of literary fame. Do see it. I know you'll enjoy it.

     There was no mail for me today but I do expect some tomorrow. As I've said before the service out here seems excellent. How fast are my letters reaching you?

     Tomorrow morning I'm getting a boat to take me into town so I can arrange for a USO show aboard ship. I'll probably be gone all morning and maybe even part of the afternoon.

     Nothing more that is new or different to comment on. So I guess I'll sign off. Goodnight Darling and sweet dreams of the one who loves and misses you more than he's ever said.

Yours alone,

Gil

Leyte--Made Lieutenant

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Monday 11 June 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Greetings. Although our ship hasn't received the ALNAV, others have. I did make lieutenant this month after all. The communications officer will pick up all past messages on Wednesday so I'll have to wait until then before it becomes official.

     Spent my usual busy morning examining and filling teeth. After lunch I had my books audited. Then I took a boat over to another ship in an attempt to run down some USO shows that are touring out here. Wednesday morning, I'll run into town and make final arrangements.

     The mail today consisted of two letters from you and one from Libby. Even though we are considerably further from the states we still get seven day service. All the letters were postmarked the 4th and yesterdays were through the 3rd.

     Somebody had a good idea about souvenirs from out here which I intend to follow up on. He bought about $20 in unused stamps of different denominations. They can easily be sold in the states at twice face value. Also coins and a few bills will be added to my collection. I already have quite a bit of the Japanese invasion money that is used here. So all in all I'll have something to show that I was here. Okay don't get excited. I still intend to buy something for you and the kids.

     Now to your mail. I'm sure glad Norma is OK. I was a wee bit worried about her. So Dick is in the "dog house" at camp. In spite of Ruth, soft jobs certainly won't be passed out to him. It serves Ruth right for standing in the way. She ought to lighten up for a change.

     I don't believe Sol's ship will go to Manila, but rather come here. I'll keep a weather eye out for him. It would be nice if Dave did make sergeant. Who knows? Funnier things have happened.

     There you go again. $4 to the Junior Hadassah. Even if Mrs. G. did ask you, you could have said no. Those $4 items here and there add up. You've no business throwing money around especially if you don't intend to go to their meetings. Do I have to chide you all the time or must I put you on an allowance a la Goodfriend.

     I don't have Vic's and Simmie's addresses but I've already written you for them so I guess they'll get here in a couple of days.

     I'm almost certain to be home by Xmas. As a matter of fact I'd even bet money. You know how sure I am when I bet.

     How about making up a small package of dime store cosmetics i.e. lipsticks and small vials of perfume. Pack them in a cigar box or some such wooden container so they'll arrive safely. I'd also like some glassine envelopes for keeping the stamps I'm going to buy. See now, you've got another package to send me.

     We have a 4.0 movie tonight. "The Picture of Dorian Gray." I'll have to hurry if I want to get a good seat.

     Goodnight Sweet and no matter what I say I still love you.

Devotedly,

Gil

Vessels in Leyte Gulf

Leyte--Hospital Ship

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 10 June 1945, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Darling here I am again. I began
the day by examining members of the crew from 8:30 to 9:30. Then I got a boat and went over to the hospital ship to visit Jim Lyons. He is the officer who fell through an open hatch. He was in the operating room. After waiting for thirty minutes I was told that it would be another hour before he was out. In as much as I had a boat lying off and waiting, I decided to leave and come back again in a day or so. Got back just in time for lunch.

     After chow I came down to my office and found nine letters. There were six from you, one of "I" Bergman and one each from our mothers. I spent this afternoon getting my wardroom statement for May completed. Then I read for awhile.

     Now to your letters. Didn't I comment about my wife when I wrote about the snaps? How does she look? Lady you'll never know how good those snaps looked to me and how many times I bring out my album and thumb through the pages and dream of days to come. You look swell and not too fat. Or were you holding your tummy in?

     I'd like our kids to have skates. If we get them slow pairs to learn on, they should never exhibit anything more than a few black and blue marks.

     Naturally when I get orders, I'll try to get a ship headed for San Pedro but that is just a matter of luck.

     See you got a couple more days of teaching. Guess there won't be many more since summer vacation will be here.

     You mention Norma's eye and hand being swollen but said nothing definite. I do hope it was just an insect bite and she's over it. She's had enough for awhile and so have you.

     Nothing yet about my promotion and frankly I'm not looking for it this month anymore. However an ALNAV may come out and surprise me so we'll just have to wait and see.

     I like your idea about celebrating all the holidays and occasions that I missed. Just think--Xmas 44, New Years, my birthday, Linda's birthday and Norma's too, 4th of July, our anniversary. I shan't go any further. Maybe we'll be lucky to celebrate the remaining holidays of the year on time.

     We have another old movie tonight but like "Old Faithful" I never miss. This time it's "The Song of the Bernadette."

     Well Darling that is thirty for tonight. Goodnight my Sweet. I hope you're over your gas and bilious attacks soon and for good.

Loving you always,

Gil

A Hospital Ship

Leyte--Farewell Dinner for Commodore Carter

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 9 June 1945, 10:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,     
     Hello Sweet, how's my darling tonight? For myself I'm still at it. Worked as usual this morning and even took care of a couple of patients this afternoon. Then I worked some more on the gadget I'm making for you. I wrecked it so now I'm starting all over again.  I'll still try to finish tomorrow.

     We had a special farewell dinner tonight for the commodore and after chow the captain invited the doctor and me to join him and the commodore in a game of cribbage until movie time. The picture tonight was an oldie I had seen in San Diego. It was "Sensations of 1945" with Eleanor Powell. However there was lots of good music and entertainment in it. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. Do you remember the circus we attended in San Diego? Well the whole troupe was featured in the movie.

     There was no mail for me again today so I'm really hoping for the jackpot tomorrow.

     Although the weather out here was supposed to be just as hot and sticky as our last station, so far it has been more comfortable. We have frequent rains but the best part of the deal is that it is overcast a great deal of the time so the sun doesn't beat its rays down on us all day long. I sure hope it keeps up.

     Honey, I forgot to mention when I wrote about my tour of the town that I saw about five dental offices and one doctor's office. The next time I go into town I'm going to pay a call on one or two of the dentists and see how they practice out here. The most amazing thing, however, was the abundance of beauty parlors. They are so Americanized that the signs all have pictures of American women on them rather than native women.

     One of our officers fell down an open hold and broke his leg and wrists. Prior to evacuation back to the states, he is over on a hospital ship.

     That's all the dope for tonight. Goodnight Darling, gee how time is dragging this month. Wish I'd get busy again. Bye again Sweet and I'll see you in my dreams.

Loving you always,

Gil

Undated message from the Commodore Worrall Reed Carter below. 

Leyte--Scotch Whiskey

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Friday, 8 June 1943, 9:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello Sweet, here I am again and this time just a wee bit tight. 

     I've begun re-examining the crew and checked twenty men this morning. Then I worked until 11:30 and secured for the day.

     After lunch I joined a party of officers going ashore. We had a swell afternoon. For the first time since I left the states, I was able to get scotch whiskey. We all drank plenty of it. We got back at 6:30 just in time for a late dinner.

     After dinner I went down to my office and found three letters from you, one from Libby and one from Mary Regan. When I finished reading them it was time for the movies so I shoved off. The picture wasn't too good. It was "Leave it to Blondie" but there were two good short subjects with it, one a Leon Errol comedy and the other a travelogue about Cuba.

     Now your mail. One was an oldie of 8 May and the others were of the 30th and 31st of May. Looks like my wife is still trying to teach those brats and they just won't learn. Oh, well! No dear I'm not at Okinawa so quit worrying.

     Parkus is a lot of bull. I know because I did business with him. If Foreman and Gordon are his busiest dentists then he must be slipping. Nothing more to say. I think I'd better turn in.

     Goodnight darling. I'll try to do better tomorrow night for I do love you.

Devotedly,

Gil

P.S. No ALNAV as yet but scuttlebutt persists that I'll make lieutenant this month after all.

Scotch Whiskey Ad

Leyte--The Capital

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Thursday 7 June 1945, 11:05 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Sweet, here I am a little late but still, I made it. This morning was the usual deal of working on patients. At 11:30 I took charge of the liberty party and we shoved off.  Dr. Bushyager and the exec came along.   On the way to the recreation area, we all had lunch with Joe Goldfarb on his ship. I brought along the lox and gefilte fish, and the doctor brought some liver paste. That was our appetizer. We made the beach at 1:15. I logged in the recreation party and passed out the beer. Then my time was my own until 4:30.
     I went back aboard the LCI and we ran over to the town across the bay. This town happens to be the capital of the island and boasts several larger buildings badly in need of paint. The town itself would compare as second best to the place in Mexico where the Weinstein's uncle and aunt lived. Remember? No paved streets and no sewers. Just deep ditches on both sides of the road. The houses are old and run down and look dirty. Yet the natives looked surprisingly clean. The men and women wore a good deal of white and their clothes looked fresh and really white. I'm going to find out how they launder their stuff because soaps and bleaches are at a premium out here. We tramped around for over two hours, looking and shopping but bought nothing. I'm getting a line up on values and the next time we go over I'll probably buy some things for my three sweethearts at home.
     We got back to the beach and picked up the recreation party and arrived at our ship at 6:00 PM. After dinner until the movies, I played cribbage with the skipper and two officers. The picture tonight was an oldie but enjoyable "Hail the Conquering Hero."
     After the movie we all went up to the wardroom for little farewell get together for Dan Graves who is leaving in a couple of days.  We had a great big cake and enough ice cream. I made a pig of myself as did most of the others. Now here I am.
     There was no mail today so I'm just about run out of words. Oh yes, you asked about our chaplain. Well we are ready for him but the lord alone knows where he is or if we'll even get one. It has been recommended and approved but so far nothing has materialized.
     No more for now my love so I'll just say "nite-nite." Loving you as always.

Your sleepy husband,

Gil

Tacloban 

The Capital