Leyte--High Powered

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 7 August 1945, 7:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello my Sweet here is your hubby, just a wee bit tight. I worked all morning as usual. But this afternoon I got lazy and went over to the club with several others. We got back just in time for dinner and now here I am.
     I got two letters today, one from you and the other from my mother. Your letter was of the 20th; yesterday's was of the 30th so there isn't anything worth rehashing. I've already done it before.
     We had another officer report in today which makes three new ones in two days. Hope they keep it up and get to me real soon.
     Have you sent the gold braid yet? You never know what'll happen. If you haven't done so, take care of it right away.
     Tonight's movie is another stinkeroo called "High Powered" with god knows who. That is all the news for now so I'll sign off.
     Goodnight Sweetheart, I'll see you in my dreams.

Your lover,

Gil

Leyte--Piano Tuner

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 6 August 1945, 10:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Another day, another dollar or so the saying goes. About 11:30 last night the medical officer we've been looking for arrived and this morning Cox's relief also showed up. Now Dr. Bushyager and Dr. Law are waiting to see who moves. Bushyager hopes he'll go back to the states as he has eighteen months out. It won't make any difference to Law. If he leaves here he'll get another assignment out here. Well, we'll wait and see.
     I worked all morning as usual and this afternoon. I took a picket boat for a run into town to see about a USO show. I've got one scheduled for Friday night provided I can find a piano tuner in the meantime. I've got a line on a couple but I won't know definitely until tomorrow.
     I got back to the ship at 4:30, reported to the captain and retired to my room. Took a shower and then censored mail and read until time for dinner. After chow we played cribbage until movies and now here I am.
     I got two letters, a copy of the Outlook and some Navy literature. So the visitors were uninteresting? I'm sorry they had to spoil an evening for you.
     My mother's report about Nat's office is surprising. Now is the time to make money and it can't be done under a set-up such as his. Somehow I can't feel about things as Jimmie does. Maybe I'll feel different when I'm closer to the activities. I feel I'm doing an important and necessary job and though our separation has been a long one we'll make up for it later and in many ways.
     Of course Ruth wants Leon to be there for Harry's 50th. However if she's going to make such a fuss about it how can she ask everyone to go Dutch. What's the matter? Did Harry lose a couple of thousand in the market? Gosh she's tight.
     Yes dear we got the dope on the plane crash into the Empire State. As a matter of fact we have a very complete newspaper that comes out every night.
     Tonight's movie was old and lousy. "Barbary Coast" with Edward G. Robinson, Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea.
     That is thirty for tonight so I'll sign off. Pleasant dreams my Darling.

Love

Gil

Time Magazine article about Ulithi dated August 6, 1945. The USS Ocelot was in Ulithi from November 3, 1944 until May 24, 1945.Commodore Carter, mentioned in The Three Bs was aboard the USS Ocelot.

Leyte--Pom-Pom and Tuba

Kay Kaine is mentioned.  My dad probably meant Kay Kyser.

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday 5 August 1945, 7:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Today is Sunday. As I've written previously, I am not taking any appointments on this day. So I have a whole day off. Well almost.
     Our baseball league competition began today so we took four teams over to the beach and ran two games simultaneously. After the game we served beer all around. We left the ship at 8:30 and got back at 11:30 just in time to wash and eat lunch.
     After lunch I settled the wardroom commissary bill. Then I worked up a rough draft of the mess statement. I read from "China to Me" until it was time to shower and dress for dinner.
     Chow this evening was excellent. We had chicken noodle soup, fruit salad, roast chicken with dressing, giblet gravy, peas and spuds (which are shipped). For dessert we had cookies and black walnut ice cream (I had two dishes). Then we played cribbage and here I am.
     Kay Kaines is out here and put on a shows last night and tonight. I was too tired to go last night and two lazy tonight. We sent a party of 150 men last night. They all enjoyed it except for five men who wandered off and got some "pom-pom" (guess what) for $10.00 and then drank some native brew called "tuba." When they got back to the ship they had to be carried aboard and have their stomachs pumped. Bet they never drink that stuff again. As to the pom-pom, prophylactic treatment was given. Although they'll undoubtedly get by, there is a terrific amount of venereal disease among the natives.
     I got two letters today. One from my Sweet and one from Libby. From the way Libby writes Nat's illness is serious. I do hope she is wrong.
     Today's letter was marked the 30th. Now I'm missing the 27th and 29th. I see you are still worrying about your weight. With all the running around and work you've be doing there shouldn't be any reason for dieting, unless of course you are stuffing yourself with candy. Are you?
     For tonight the movie is "Thrill of a Romance" and is supposed to be good. That is all for tonight so bye until tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

Another reference to pom pom on the 4th of July wardroom menu

Leyte--England Socialistic?

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 4 August 1945, 11:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Just another busy day for me dear. How was it for you? The same I hope. I was busy all morning with patients. This afternoon I took the liberty party ashore. Just as I prophesied yesterday. When we were ready to return to the ship it began to rain and we were all thoroughly soaked by the time we arrived. The rain cooled everything off considerably. I was going to change clothes after my shower anyway so no harm done.
     After chow we played our game of cribbage and then to the movies. Tonight we had "Earl Carroll Vanities" but it could have been a much better movie. Then to the wardroom to read the news (tomorrow's) and now here I am.
     The mail brought me a letter from you and one from your mother. I also got the box of cosmetics you sent. So now I'll see what kind of a horse trader I'd make.
     I took a few snaps on the beach today and will take some more tomorrow. I'm using Tom Glass' camera. So I'll have to use the film up in a hurry because he'll be leaving in a few days. I've found out why you haven't been hearing from any of the men who went back recently. The Navy has adopted a new policy of sending a man on to his home on leave the day he arrives in Frisco. So they really haven't had time to make any phone calls.
     Your letter was a short one. I guess there is an earlier one I'll get tomorrow. I am curious about the visitor from the East. I suppose I'll read more about it in a day or two.
     The perfume on the kiss you sent me has even permeated the paper I'm writing on. Its sweet aroma is very pleasing to "feminine aroma" starved nostrils.
     Has England gone out and out socialistic? I read of the change in Britain but nothing more has appeared in our news.
     Well in a day or two I hope you'll be on your way to Lake Arrowhead. I know you and the kids will enjoy the change.
     No more for now Sweet and so I'll say goodnight.

Loving you always,

Gil

From The Guardian

Leyte--Penicillin

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 3 August 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Sweetheart,
     Here I am still sweating it out. Worked all morning as usual but this afternoon was field day so no appointments. Instead I worked on the wardroom statement and read for awhile. I'm reading "China to Me," by Emily Hahn. It is an autobiography and quite interesting. Then I showered, censored mail and dressed for dinner. After chow we played cribbage and now here I am. My routine doesn't change very much, does it?
     It is still hot with no clouds to shade the ships and sea from old sol. Just to give you an idea of the heat. I was reading with a fan, just three feet away, blowing down on my back. My back was quite cool and yet sweat just poured off me where the air from the fan wasn't hitting me. I've given up looking for rain though I suppose it'll rain tomorrow because it's my turn to take the liberty party ashore.
     Tom Glass, our supply officer, got his orders today and returns to the states in about a week. Cox is still awaiting his relief. Hope when my orders come that I don't have to sit around and wait like he is. It has been almost 4 months. That would drive me nuts.
     I got two letters and the hunting knife from you today. It's a good knife. Although I don't expect ever to need to use it, it's good to have one. I had bought one aboard for $1.35 and sold it for $2.00 today. So everything is okay in that deal.
     When you are busy, I've notice that you are in much better spirits. I'm glad that you are able to occupy your time so well.
     God knows when the shaver will get here by parcel post. Packages are received out here via air mail but all the dope I could get on it was in the request letter I sent you. Anyway it is on its way now and maybe it won't take too long.
     Penicillin was first used by the Army and Navy. Its application is quite simple and its usefulness is quite universally known. Just some more Goodman propaganda I guess.
     Tonight's movie is "Don Juan Quilligan" with William Bendix. It should be good. I enjoyed "A Medal for Benny" last night. I hope you did too.
     That is thirty for tonight Sweet. So goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Yours forever,

Gil 

Penicillin

Leyte--Scented Kiss

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart 

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

Thursday 2 August 1945, 7:20 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     How is my busy wife today? I'm getting quite lazy. It is just too darn hot to work. My clothes are soaked with perspiration even when I'm sitting still. This is one helluva rainy season. I bet when it starts to rain it won't stop. The way I feel now, who cares?
     Still and all I did work all morning and would have early this afternoon except that at 1:00 PM we had a surprise fire and rescue drill pulled on us. There was a meeting of all division officers immediately following.
     I spent the late afternoon in my bunk reading and sweating. At 5:30 I showered and dressed for dinner. After chow, cribbage as usual and now here I am.
     I got three letters and a sweet scented kiss on a card from my Sweetheart. Also a letter from Ruth. Was the odor on the card the perfume I sent you? The fragrance has completely permeated my office and the odor of something feminine is really nice to have around.
     I'll have to read the material you sent me on Zionism. I'm afraid that till now I've been against the principle of the thing. But I guess I can be convinced otherwise. Our girls must have really changed since I last saw them. I'll have to take plenty of time getting reacquainted with them.
     Thanks for Dave's address. I'll write him soon.
     I even had our anniversary date wrong. I had it as the 25th. I guess because of the heartbreak in 1934 I will always be fuzzy on the date.
     So you got thinner? Well take it easy and don't overdo. You'll need all the energy and pep you can muster when I get back. So will I. That's a date for our twelfth--a double celebration.
     Tonight's movie is "A Medal for Benny." I hope it's good. Last night we got back a few minutes past midnight. By the time I had a sandwich and coffee it was 1:00 AM. Now I'm a little sleepy. If it isn't too hot, I'll turn in right after the movie.
     No more for now Sweet, so I'll say goodnight. See you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Wedding photo July 24, 1934
The nuptials had been scheduled for June 25, 1934, but were postponed when Gil's father died.

Leyte--Fry Eggs on Steel Decks

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 1 August 1945, 5:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Hello Sweet here is your perspiring hubby again. The sun's smile has changed to a leer. Its hot rays beat down unmercilessly on our ship. It's so hot you could fry eggs on our steel decks. Out here it is supposed to be the monsoon (rain) season. Nary a drop in five days. Maybe tomorrow.

     Had my usual schedule today and worked all morning. This afternoon I helped organize a softball league. We have twelve teams on board who will play in inter-division competition with the winner representing the Ocelot against all comers. Prizes and fun are in store for all participants.

     I counted up my cash in preparation for balancing my mess statement. After that I censored some mail and finished the mystery story I was reading. By then it was 5:00 PM so I showered dressed and here I am. I'm writing before chow because I'm going over to the beach with several officers. It'll be past midnight before we get back. Don't worry. I won't drink too much. I'll be very careful.

     The mail today brought me the book "101 Years of Entertainment," the collection of mystery and detective stories and the May B'nai B'rith Bulletin.

     Tonight's movie, though I won't see it, is "Dodge City." We saw it together, remember?

No more for now darling so I'll say so long, until tomorrow your

Hot and perspiring old man,

Gil

U.S.S. Ocelot