Leyte--$15 for a Piece

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Monday 25 June 1945, 6:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello again. I've had quite a busy day today. To begin with I had a full morning and even had a couple emergencies from other craft. Then I had an early lunch, a steak sandwich from the general mess.

    At noon both doctors and I went over to a hospital ship to attend a meeting of Medical, Dental, and Hospital Corps officers. There was quite a mob. I'd guess over four hundred. They served a light lunch which I didn't partake except for the dessert, ice cream. Then several papers were presented on various Medical and Dental problems occurring in forward areas and under battle conditions. All in all it was an interesting and educational meeting. We are supposed to have another soon.

     I got three letters today marked the 15th and 16th. I see you taught right up to the end. Well now you can relax and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

     Don't worry about Norma's not talking so well yet. Many youngsters are like that and it is no indication of native intelligence.

     I do remember the Council House, but very vaguely. After the war we will observe more of the Jewish holidays for the sake of the kids. I always got a bang out of them and they should too.

     Don't worry about me doing anything foolish. I have good duty here and I'd think twice before asking for a change except back to the states of course.

     You ask about the natives out here. Well all the buildings and residences occupied by natives are "out of bounds" to military personnel. Of course there are many whose houses operate in spite of this order and many men are indulging and some to their sorrow later on. Several men from our ship went ashore and paid $15 for a "piece of ass." One did it three times in one afternoon for $45. Practically all the women are infected. One medical officer ashore stated that 100% of the women he had examined were infected and many with more than one venereal disease. I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole. It is too bad for the people but it seems that any place you go where the Japs have been before us, the same condition prevails. No female was spared if she was old enough to give them satisfaction.

     The clothes the natives wear are typically American, so there is nothing to buy.

     Last night's movie "Two Girls and a Sailor" is the best movie we've ever had aboard. Tonight we have Olsen and Johnson in "Crazy House" and I can't recall if I've seen it or not.

     No more for now so I'll sign off. Goodnight my Sweet, I love you.

Always yours,

Gil

 Market in Leyte

Clothes natives wear are typically American

 

Leyte--Photos of Kids

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 24 June 1945, 6.45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello Sweet, here it is Sunday again. It really isn't any different than any other day.  I did begin work at 9:00 AM instead of 8:30 AM but that was the only difference.

     After a busy morning and chow I finished reading "Postman Always Rings Twice" and began Thorne Smith's "Passionate Witch." Then I had to arrange Catholic and Protestant services on deck and before I knew it was 5:15 and time to shower and dress for dinner.

     No cribbage game so here I am a little bit early. The mail brought me one letter from you postmarked the 17th. I've still to receive the 15th and 16th but that's the ways it goes.  Today's letter really thrilled me. Those three photos of the kids are swell. My how they've grown. I'd better hurry home or my two little girls will be grown up young ladies. Oh well something should pop in the next month or two. Maybe I'll get home long before Xmas.

     I guess Norma's party was on the 17th instead of the 20th. The package I sent probably didn't get there in time but you should have received it by now. How long is it taking for my mail to reach you now?

     We have a good movie tonight, "Two Girls and a Sailor" with Van Johnson, June Allison and Jimmy Durante. However I always go, good or bad.

     So darling you are blue again. Now dear I'm lonesome and miss you and the kids but I try not to let it get me down. I know it's hard to do but I do, and I'm making the best of it. The letter I received from Dr. Ivie's several days ago indicates that he is quite homesick and unhappy. It's got the best of him. It does no good to feel sorry for yourself. In any case no one else will feel sorry for you. So the thing to do is to be cheerful and make the best of this situation. It can't be long now before there'll be some changes.

     In the meantime Honey, think about how much fun it'll be when we are all together again. Keep smiling.

Loving you always

Gil

Photos of Kids in Cowgirl Outfits
Norma and Linda

6 May 1945

Leyte--Booked

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 23 June 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello my darling, how is my sweet wife tonight? Today was another typical work day. I was busy all morning. I've got my afternoons booked up with prophys; my corpsman takes care of those so that gives me a little extra time.  However I'm afraid it is just a lull before the storm and soon I'll be as busy as I ever was.

     I read a short but interesting book this afternoon. "The Postman Rings Twice" by James B. Cain, the author of "Double Indemnity." The next book on my list is by Thorne Smith, "The Passionate Witch." These are both from a shipment of thirty-six books the library received. I choose my reading matter before I break the books into the library. Once they get into circulation it's hard to keep up with them.

     Today I got two letters postmarked the 16th, one from Ruth and one from your mother. Guess I'll get yours of the 15th and 16th tomorrow.

     After dinner tonight we played cribbage as usual. Then we went to the movies. We had an oldie, "You Were Never Lovelier" with Rita Hayworth, Fred Astaire, and Adolph Monjou. Quite good even a second time. Of course it's so old I couldn't remember a thing about it.

     There will be some changes made in our set up soon and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. No one knows what's going to happen because the Admiral isn't here yet. Here's hoping.

     There is no more for now Darling, so I'll sign off. Goodnight my Sweet. I'll see you in my dreams.

Yours always,

Gil

Leyte--GI Honeymoon

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco 

Friday 22 June 1945, 11:15 PM 

Dearest Eleanor, 

     Today has been just the usual thing. I worked all morning and from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. I was just in time to catch a boat going over to the beach and had a few drinks there. We got back at 5:30. I just had time to wash up before dinner. 

     After chow we played our regular game of cribbage. Tonight's movie was amusing but because of poor direction (I think) it missed being a swell sophisticated comedy. It was "G.I. Honeymoon" with unknown leads. The lines are good and in places quite suggestive. Either the Hays office turned over a new leaf or fell asleep. 

     After the movie we sat around in the wardroom discussing the post-war economy and then our educational system. If I hadn't quit we'd still be at it. 

     I got another letter of the 14th today so here goes. You've had quite a steady teaching assignment and I know the money will come in handy. Talking about money, I'm getting $352 a month now. Deduct $7.50 for insurance and the $225 I send you and I still have considerably over $100 left. When I get home I'll get $20 less (my sea pay) and will be glad not to get it. 

     We haven't had the movies you mention yet but should soon. 

     I do hope Betty isn't picking up any money left lying around. If she'll steal money, how do you know what else she'll walk out with one of these days? 

     It's late, I'm sleepy and I still have a stack of mail to censor so goodnight my darling. I'll see you in dreams. 

Love, 

Gil 

Leyte--Hotter Than Hades

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday, 21 June 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Darling, how was our baby's birthday yesterday? I'm missing so much now that it'll take years of catching and making up for it all.

     I had my usual busy morning and early afternoon. I found out just where Simmie is and will look him up in a couple of days.

     There is really nothing new or different to talk about. I haven't been ashore lately because the clubs have been so mobbed that there really isn't much fun in going over. In a few days things should quiet down a little and then I'll make up for last time.

     The mail brought me six pieces today. A letter marked the 14th, the Outlook which you sent and letters from my mother, Libby, Charlie Blume and Dave.

     My cold only lasted two days which is amazing because you remember how my sinuses would drain for days after a cold. It must be the climate but I'd still give it back to the Indians or Japs or anyone who really wants it. In the past few days, there has been no rain or overcast skies. It's been hotter than Hades. I sure miss the refreshing breeze we used to get at our last station.

     Last night's movie "The Great Mike" was a stinkeroo of the first order. Tonight we had an oldie but a good one, "Dixie" with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour.

     Graves was only out of the states for a year and he has gone back, so I'm still optimistic about being home in the fall.

     No more for now so I'll sign off with love and kisses to you and out sweet girls.

Devotedly,

Gil

The first few pages from "Leyte Lays," U.S.S. Ocelot song sheet. The Naval Censor Stamp is "signed" by Kathleen Windsor, the author of the sexy, racy novel "Forever Amber."

Leyte--Sheath Knife

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 20 June 1945, 6:50 PM 

Dearest Eleanor, 
     Today was just another day of work. I was busy all morning. I cancelled the afternoon appointments because of surprise inspection by the fleet medical officer. By the time he left sick bay it was after three so there wasn't anything more for me to do but crap out. 
     I stripped down to my skivvies, censored mail and read until 5:00 PM. Then I showered and dressed for dinner. No cribbage game tonight so here I am. 
     The mailman brought me five more letters today postmarked the 12th and 13th so here goes. I see you are still teaching. Bet you'll make as much this month as I do. 
     About money matters. The reserve account should be 100% available now and if it is, close it and transfer the funds to the checking account. About your spending I had my say and I know you'll be careful. 
     Is the knife you're sending me a sheath
knife? I bought one out here for $1.95 but it isn't much good, the regular Marine issue should be much better. 
     I'll try to look up Simmie the first time I go ashore. Now that I have his address he shouldn't be hard to find.
     I really enjoyed those little pictures but was disappointed in the minicolor shot. It isn't very clear, how much did it cost? I'm saving all pictures and I'm really looking forward to the rest if they are better than those you sent. 
     In about ten days I'm giving a little "wetting down" party at the club for a few ship's officers and will shoot the spool of film you sent me. 
     The movie tonight is Stuart Ervine in "Big Mike" and I hope it's good. 
     Outside of that there is nothing more so I'll say goodnight to my darling on our baby's third birthday. 

Love, 

Gil 

Marine Issue Sheath Knife 
 

Page from Gil's photo album. The minicolor shot is of Norma in a bunny costume. The color has faded away. The colored photo taken in Hawaii (Gil,Jim Frug and their jeep) is better preserved. 

Norma 3 years old

Leyte--Black and White

 

Lt. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Tuesday 19 June 1945, 10:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello my Sweet, here I am again and feeling much better than I did last night. I doped myself with Codeine, APCs, and some Black and White mixture. Had a good night's sleep and awoke with my cold practically gone.

     As usual, worked all morning. After lunch four of us got a boat and went over to the hospital ship to see Jim Lyons. He is doing nicely and certainly is in good spirits. He should be evacuated soon. We had a rough trip back. It took an hour and the spray soaked me down pretty well. Had a shower and then I censored mail until 5:30 when I dressed for dinner.

     After dinner we played cribbage until 7:30 and then went to the movies. We had "Without Love" with Hepburn and Tracy. It was very good.

     There was no mail today but I really didn't expect any. I'm practically through with "It is Still the Morning" and I'm really enjoying it.

     By the way I took a box of those "vitamin pills" over to Lyons. I still have another full box so you can see how much candy I eat. I also have a full box of salt water taffy that my mother sent.

     After this letter I'll write to our mothers, Libby, Ethyl and others if I'm still holding out which I probably won't.

     Not a thing that's new since yesterday so I'll sign off. Goodnight my Sweet, I'm just dreaming of our happy days together in the not too distant future.

Yours alone,

Gil

A Hospital Ship
U.S.S. Comfort 

Was this the Black and White mixture?