Leyte--Important Man

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco 

Tuesday 31 July 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello Sweet, here I am just as usual. Today has been another hot one. How I wish it would rain!

     I worked all morning and part of this afternoon and then I went to have my hair cut. After that I showered, censored mail and began another book, "Homicide for Hannah," a murder mystery. Soon it was time for chow and then our nightly game of cribbage.

     Our movie tonight was "Escape in the Desert" with Philip Dorn. Just fair. Now here I am.

     Again there was no mail this morning. But late this afternoon I got five letters from you written Saturday, Sunday and Monday the 21st, 22nd and 23rd.

     So Cousins is the most important man on his post. My, my! Well so am I with the select group of patients I have. An admiral, commodore, a mess of captains and commanders to say nothing of lower ranking officers all dependent on me for dental care makes me quite important too. Like hell it does. It's just Cousins all over again.

     Now that you have a firsthand report from my mother about Libby's home you aren't jealous anymore. As I matter of fact I can hear you meowing. Here, kitty, kitty! Shame on you.

     I'm glad the kids enjoy the beach. If the lake Arrowhead deal flops again, I wonder if going to the beach regularly would be the answer to your vacation problems. Sounds like the house is all fixed up now. Bet it's real nice and I can hardly wait until I can see for myself.

     I don't know why you have to have the family over. It hasn't been very long since you last had them over. It is too much for you and does cost money. What's the use of talking? By the time you've read this, you'll already have done it. I hope everyone enjoyed it. I know they did with your excellent planning.

     I'm glad you got the little remembrance I made in time for our anniversary. The shell sure takes a beautiful finish. You know there is no varnish or lacquer on it just a natural high polish. I'll put your order for necklaces like Norma's on order. I've just finished another shell bracelet. Each shell has been specially treated with acid to bring out some beautiful colors. I'm making earrings to match and earrings to match the last bracelet I sent you. I'd like Deb to have the one I sent you or maybe I'll get around to making another for her. We'll see.

     The proposed release plan for the Navy will do nothing more than release older men. It is amazing how few have sufficient points.

     I hope I get my shaver soon. So far I've been able to borrow one, but it is an old shaver and it'll likely to fall apart while I'm using it.

     No more for now Darling so I'll sign off. Goodnight Sweetheart. I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

U.S.S. Ocelot Dental Officer

Leyte--I Sweat

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 30 July 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Another hot day with no rain in sight. Sweat has been just rolling off me all day long. I'll be surprised if I don't get this paper wet before I'm through. 

     I worked all morning and part of this afternoon. Then I wrote a letter to Deb. At about 4:00 PM, I went to my room, undressed and showered. I censored some mail and finished "Captain from Castile." After dinner we played cribbage and now here I am.

     Again today, there was no mail. I was really disappointed. I guess I'll hit the jackpot tomorrow.

     Last night's movie, "Valley of Decision," was good but didn't measure up to the book. As a matter of fact I found it rather slow in places. Tonight we have an oldie in Technicolor, "Northwest Mounted Police" with Gary Cooper and Paulette Goddard.

     There are lots of rumors floating around about an early Jap surrender but all my early optimism has changed and I don't look for an end to this mess until the summer of 1946.

     In the meantime I sweat it out until my relief and orders get here. Then I'll hurry home to the one I love.

     Meanwhile Sweet I'll just say goodnight and I'll be with you again tomorrow.

Devotedly,

Gil

U.S.S. Ocelot

Leyte--Small Tug Boat

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 29 July 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Here I am again Sweet. Today was Sunday so I didn't have any scheduled appointments. Instead I wrote four letters this morning and then read in my room until noon.
     After lunch I got a small tug boat. The captain and other officers went ashore with me. We left at 12:30 and got back at 6:00 PM. We had a few beers, walked along the beach and just took it easy. We got back late, but we didn't play cribbage and ate with the first sitting. Now here I am.

     There was no mail today except for a B'nai B'rith Monthly. Mail has been very sporadic all week. I did forget to answer one question so I'll do so now. That information I sent to the Fleet Dental Officer was in response to an article published in an official naval bulletin. However in addition to that I'll send in a request to the Bureau. I'll make that request next month.

     We have what should be a good movie tonight Greer Garson in "Valley of Decision." Last night's movie had Chester Morris in it, not Richard Dix as I had stated. Anyway skip "Rough, Tough and Ready" when it comes around.

     No more for now Honey so I'll say goodnight.

Loving you always,

Gil

A Small Tug Boat

YTL44

Leyte--Ice Cream Machine

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 28 July 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Darling, today is another anniversary for me but I wish it weren't so. One year ago today I reported aboard the Ocelot. Was that a day! We were both so stunned that we didn't realize the meaning of it all until later. Now the greatest portion of our separation is behind us and soon we'll all be together again.
     This morning the admiral officially took over command of the Flag and a "change of command" ceremony was held aboard at 8:00 AM. From then on it was a typical Saturday morning with work and preparation for captain's inspection.
     This afternoon I finished "Leave Her to Heaven" and began "Captain in Castile" a historical novel of the time of the Spanish Inquisition. The setting is in Spain and Cuba. Very interesting. Because of the rather full depiction of torture methods, I won't recommend it for you.
     At 5:00 PM I showered, censored mail and then dressed for dinner. After chow we played cribbage as usual. By the way, we built our own ice cream machine and have the stuff every day. We make seventy gallons a day. There is enough for all.
     I got three letters from my Sweet today and one from each of our mothers. We must enjoy our movies a lot more than people at home do. The movies that you thought were just fair seemed excellent to me. Guess we appreciate the little entertainment we get!
     Wish you'd square up with Bessler. A bird in the hand, you know. Take $40 and if there is more we'll follow up on it when I get home.
     Guess I was right about Leon. The Bureau did catch up with him. Well he can't complain. He's had a long tour of duty stateside and Okinawa is pretty safe now.
     The money is bone-fide Jap invasion money. I have more, and the higher denominations show use. However the smaller bills weren't used because there wasn't anything to buy with them. Everything was sky high.
     Glad Deb and the baby are doing well. I must write in the next day or so. I've been so lazy lately.
     The movie tonight is "Rough, Tough and Ready," with Richard Dix and Victor McLagen. Probably just as poor as Jack Benny last night but I'll go anyway.
     Now I'll sign off. Goodnight Sweetheart and pleasant dreams.

Love,
Gil

The U.S.S. Ocelot, flag of Service Squadron 10, built it's own ice cream machine. However the squadron had an ice cream barge. The concrete hulled barge cost one million dollars to build in 1945. It had to be towed by tugs or other ships because it had no engines. 

Posted by Linda Frumkes 

Leyte--Peace Feelers

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 27 July 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

    Hello Sweet, this is me broadcasting again. News remains the same as yesterday except that promised showers did not materialize

    Today was the usual work day. In the afternoon we held field day so I had time to read. As hot as it's been my room has been cool. It was very pleasant stripping down to my skivvies and relaxing in my bunk. I'm reading "Leave Her to Heaven," by Ben Ames Williams. I do recommend it to you.

    At 5:15 I showered and dressed for dinner. Then we had our usual cribbage game. Now here I am.

    I am pessimistic about the end of the war. In spite of my attitude, Japan has put out some peace feelers. I pray that I was wrong. However they'll get no easier peace than Germany did. Lord alone knows if they'll quit under those terms at present.

    The only mail today was a letter from Ivie. He still sounds very unhappy. Aren't we all? But crying about it doesn't help. One just must be cheerful and make the best of an unpleasant situation. 

    Our movie tonight is "Horn Blows at Midnight," with Jack Benny. I hope it is better than his past efforts at humor.

    No more now Darling so I'll say goodnight. How about a visit in my dreams? I haven't seen you in a long time. I love you.

Always yours,

Gil

Leyte--Station G-I-L

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
Thursday 26 July 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello darling, this is station G-I-L on the air bringing you news and views in far off lands.

     Today has been a scorcher and the weather man predicts no relief in sight. Light showers followed by more sunshine and high humidity will add to the discomfort of local inhabitants.

     On the war front no activity to report but the local dental officer is just as busy as ever.

     Although a day late the baker aboard the Ocelot surprised the dental officer with a decorated cake saying "Happy Anniversary Dr. and Mrs. Steingart." The cake was served with ice cream at dinner in the ship's wardroom.

     That is thirty for tonight, Station G-I-L signing off. Goodnight.

     Well dear, that is the news for today. I was really surprised when the cake was brought to me. I took a picture of it. As soon as the roll is shot and developed I'll send it on to you.

     The Navy announced its point system for separation from the service but actually all they're doing is retiring overage men. Another system will undoubtedly be announced later on.

     I just messed around all afternoon, showered and censored mail before dinner and after eating played cribbage.

     Last night about fifteen officers went ashore and though I looked for Simmie at the Club I didn't find him. Anyway we all got pretty tight and returned safely to the ship about midnight.

     Tonight's movie is "Twice Blessed" but I don't know a thing about it. No more for now so I'll say good night Sweet. I love you.

Yours forever

Gil

Leyte--Inefficiency and Waste

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 25 July 1945, 5:00 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,

     Happy Anniversary Darling. I know that next year and forever after you and I will be together to celebrate this and all the other happy holidays of the year.

     Today has been another scorcher. The sun has been smiling all day and I've been frowning. Wish it would rain and rain. Then I'd be no wetter than I am now but I would be much cooler.

     I worked all morning but I didn't see any patients this afternoon. I got out some official letters to the Bureau requesting increases in allotments for our library and recreation. Then I found a cool spot and just sat there and talked with others who had the same idea that I had.

     I have a few minutes before showering and dressing for dinner so here I am. I got one love letter today so I really can't complain. Of all on this ship, I have the most loving, most faithful correspondent and everyone else knows it.

     The war news is good but frankly I don't think the war will be over until the middle of 1946. I was optimistic up till now but if the Japs were going to quit before total defeat they would have done so before now. It is evident that they'll have to be defeated decisively and I don't believe any large scale invasion can be expected until next spring. It took eighty-seven days to take Okinawa. Japan itself will certainly be at least as tough to take. So my guess is July 1946 for VJ day. I truly hope that I'm wrong this time and that it is sooner.

     You are constantly running into snags with you vacation plans but I do hope that everything gets ironed out before you get this letter.

     Yes Goldfarb is a friend of the captain. At present he is underway to a new station. However this place is much pleasanter than where he'll be.

     No your interpretation about the Flag set up is wrong, at least as it stands now. There is nothing definite and new scuttlebutt comes out daily. It varies so I'm ignoring it for the time being.

     No one could interest me in regular Navy with less than a captain's commission. That is impossible and is probably why I set that as a minimum. Frankly I've seen too much inefficiency and waste both of money and manpower to be interested. I'm not one to cow tow to another because he outranks me. Civilian first class for me. I'm doing my job as well and as efficiently as possible but I'm ready for a change in my status anytime it comes and the sooner the better.

     No more for now Darling so I'll sign off.  I haven't told you "I love you" lately but that is only because words fail me when I want to tell you how much. Would that you were near me and I wouldn't have to say a word. My actions would be all that you'd need. Goodnight Darling and pleasant dreams.

Your loving husband,

Gil

Gil wagered $1.00. When is VJ Day? His guess 25 July 1946. GCT stands for Greenwich Civil Time.