Leyte--Where Do We Go From Here

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 15 August 1945, 7:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Well the war is really over now, the fighting has ceased. All everyone wants to know is when do we go home? There are all kinds of rumors but it'll be a couple of weeks before any plans will be formulated and announced.
     As usual I worked this morning and most of the afternoon. Then I loafed and listened to the radio.
     At 5:00 P.M. I showered and dressed for chow. After eating we played cribbage. Now here I am.
     I got four letters and the book "Lost Island" from Ethyl. Lately I've noticed that your letters are often postmarked two or three days later than the writing date. Three of the letters were postmarked August 6. They were written on the 3rd, 4th and 5th. No wonder I've been missing days!
     Gosh it would be fun to take the kids swimming. Maybe I'll be doing it real soon. I don't know why you had to accept cast off of Loretta's clothing for our kids. I hope you won't take anymore.
     Our bank balance is way down. Have you paid anything on my life insurance policies or didn't you get any notices? Looks like I'll have to get out and hustle soon or there won't be any surplus left.
     I looked up the Time write up about Ulithi. July Fortune also has as article of interest with a picture of the anchorage showing the Ocelot very clearly.
     How about Leon? Does he report and ship out or have his orders been changed? If he does go, it will indicate that there won't be any change in tour of duty and I can expect to get back as planned.
     You are peeved at a lot of people about how they've treated you. Yet when I get back, I bet you'll forgive and forget and I don't know that that isn't the way I want you to be. However we'll never feel the same way about a lot of our supposed friends.
     Tonight's movie is "Where Do We Go from Here" with Fred McMurray. I hope it's good. That is thirty for tonight so goodnight my Sweet and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

P.S. Did you take care of the braid for my blue? We might move up to Japan. I'll need the braid there.

Gil

Leyte--Nips Accept Peace Terms

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Tuesday 14 August 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Another hot day with plenty of work to make it hotter. I worked all morning. This afternoon I took things easy. The war is still on. At 3:00 PM we heard that Japanese Domei News said the Nips will accept the peace terms of the allies. Maybe tonight we'll get official confirmation. We've had so many false rumors that I don't even get excited anymore.
     I don't know how the peace will affect my coming home. Reliefs may be sent out as before or they may be slowed down. Anyway, I would be surprised if we were to wind up in Japan proper before I return home. Of course there are a lot of "ifs" about the whole deal, but I can't discuss it now.
     No mail again today so tomorrow should bring a whole sack full. Tonight's movie is "Swingin' on a Rainbow" with several unknowns. Hope it's good.
     It is hard to believe that the war is practically over and soon I and many, many others will be returning to wives and sweethearts to begin life where they left off when they donned the uniform. Just think dear, it's quite possible that when I return I might even be released without any additional duty in the states. Dare we hope for such luck? Anyway, we know we'll be together forever without any reservations.
     That is all for now my love. I'll see you in my dreams. Goodnight, my Sweet, until tomorrow.

I love you as ever,
Gil

Leyte--Pray VJ Day Is Here

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday August 12, 1945, 11:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Darling here is your tourist hubby again. Today being Sunday I loafed around all morning. At 11:15 I went to my room to read. I had just sat down when in walked "Bud" Schurr, Sara's brother. Now last night's mystery is solved.
     I had arranged to go ashore with a commander. He was to pick me up after lunch so we took Bud along. We covered as many miles as I had on Friday and even had time to stop at one of the clubs for a few drinks. Bud had flown in from Manila and is on his was to New Guinea. If the war ends, he'll probably fly back to Manila instead of going to New Guinea.
     We did a lot of talking and reminiscing. The terrain around here is never changing. Thick swamps and jungles are alongside the dirty, rough roads. In every clearing there are native shacks with natives of course.
     We got back to town at 6:15, dropped Bud off, got our boat and returned to the Ocelot. It has been more than ten years since I last saw Bud. If I hadn't had the message from him yesterday I wouldn't have recognized him. He is much older looking and has put on weight (as have others you know). However he does look well in spite of his three years out here.
     I got aboard at 7:30. The stewart fixed me a turkey plate with ice cream for dessert. Then to the movies. We had "Affairs of Susan" with Joan Fontaine. It was a most enjoyable comedy.
     By the way, the book "Generation of Vipers" has several good chapters in it. Although it's non-fiction you'd enjoy parts of it.
     The mail brought a lone letter from your mother, so I have nothing more to say tonight.

Goodnight, my love, until tomorrow.

Yours forever,

Gil

P.S. Now that we have submitted a counter proposal to Japan, the war should be over tomorrow. I pray VJ Day is really here so that I may be home soon with you, my sweet.



Scenes from Leyte

Sailors


Natives


Animal Life

Leyte--The Peace That Isn't

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday, 11 August 1945, 12:10 AM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Here is your night owl husband again. Last night's news hopped me up so much that it was 2:00 AM before I fell asleep and I awoke at 6:45 AM. I worked this morning and the let down about the peace, that isn't yet, was very evident all over the ship.
     This afternoon I dozed for an hour and at 4:00 PM. I got a message from a Captain Schurr asking me to meet him at the landing in town. I immediately sent him a message and arranged to be there at 7:30 PM. I went over in a picket boat. No Captain Schurr. I checked with the communications office and found my message hadn't been received yet and that Schurr is an Army captain. I can't place him unless he is related to Silvia and Sara. Anyway I left without seeing him. No sooner had we gotten out of the inner harbor that a storm hit. So we turned back and waited over an hour for it to abate. Though it was still quite rough and raining at 10:45 PM, we got underway again and got back without any mishap. All I can show for the trip is two hours of lost sleep.
     We had a real treat for dinner tonight. Fresh cantaloupe and ice cream. It was good. Yum, yum.
     I got two letters from my Sweet today so here goes. Yes the sub base had some wonderful things, but so expensive. All stateside stuff that could be bought for less money at home. I feel badly about your attitude concerning our anniversary. I didn't forget and really the amount of time I put in plenty of time on the lapel gadget. Had I sent you $100, you'd have blown it, no doubt. Money doesn't grow on trees. No, not even on lieutenant's trees.
     About the cake, I just happened to mention that on the 25th I'd be married eleven years. The baker overheard it. So without a word to anyone he baked a cake and left it for me in my office. It served eighty men, so it wasn't small.
     No more for now Darling, I can hardly keep my eyes open. Goodnight with love and kisses.

Yours forever,

Gil

Leyte--Corroboration of Victory

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 10 August 1945. 12:40 A.M.

(Really Saturday morning)

My Dearest,
     The wonderful news that the war is over came over the air about nine o'clock this evening. Although officially the war is still on and they are still fighting I pray that corroboration of victory will be made by morning.
     I worked all morning and after lunch the skipper, another officer and I got a boat and headed for town. There we picked up a jeep and really saw the island. We covered over ninety miles by land and about twenty-five by sea and didn't get back to the ship until 11:45 PM in a pouring rain. However there was ample shelter on the boat and we didn't get very wet.
     It was while we were drinking beer at a club ashore that the news came over the radio and pandemonium broke out in the club. The harbor was suddenly lit up like a Xmas tree. There were tremendous numbers of red, green and white lights plus long fingers of searchlights reaching out and illuminating the heavens. Sirens and boat whistles were blowing and rockets and flares rose to add to the illumination of the skies.
     We got into our jeep and headed back to our boat which was docked a mere twenty miles away. The roads were jam packed with servicemen and civilians. Horns were blowing, engines were roaring and cries of victory pervaded the atmosphere. By the time we reached town there were plenty of drunks on the street. Tomorrow there will be many big, aching, heads. Still, in spite of all the excitement I can just imagine how people back home celebrated. There was I'm sure, plenty of everything I described plus many an aching hearts and tears as well. Such is VJ day. I really fear for world civilization if another conflict should occur in years to come.
     There is plenty of speculation aboard as to what happens now and when we will go home. No one knows now but certainly in a few days policies will be adopted. Then we'll know better where we all stand.
     No mail today except for the August Esquire, so I have very little to add. Goodnight Sweetheart, I'll see you in my dreams (if I can sleep -- too excited.). I guess I'll read a little first. I began a book by Phillip Wylie entitled "Generation of Vipers." It is a critique on the American way of life. Though it sounds like heavy reading I'm finding it quite interesting and easy to read.
     Again my darling goodnight and pleasant dreams that will soon come true. Kiss our girls for me. Tell them their daddy loves them and you too and misses you all so much.

Love,

Gil

Victory Celebration pictures at Service Squadron Ten Anchorage, Leyte Gulf. The U.S.S. Ocelot was the flagship for the squadron. Note the proviso "This picture is not mailable under existing censorship regulations. Printed aboard U.S.S. AJAX"




Pictures Taken From the USS Ocelot in Leyte Gulf on August 10

Leyte--Second Atomic Bomb

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 9 August 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Still hot and I'm still sweating. It looks like rain tonight; I sure hope it does rain. The war news is very encouraging with Russia being in it and the second Jap city already hit by the new "atomic bomb." Imagine the possibilities if such energy could be harnessed for useful purposes.
     Had quite a busy morning. This afternoon I took a few pictures and then had my mess statement audited.
     I've been offered the use of a jeep for tomorrow afternoon. So the skipper and I are going ashore after lunch to do some sightseeing.
     I had a haircut this afternoon and then after showering and censoring mail, I finished "China to Me."
     In the mail today I got three letters from my Sweet. It seems that you and I are seeing the same movies now. I missed a good one when I went ashore yesterday, but I'll probably catch it later. It was "Incendiary Blonde."
     Glad to hear you Lake Arrowhead plans are shaping up okay and I hope you have a swell stay there.
     Sweetheart, I wouldn't disappoint you for the world. I do hope to be home by fall but you know I don't write orders, I just comply with them. Maybe the war will suddenly end and the ship will return to the states even before that date. Who knows?
     Tonight's movie is the "Chicago Kids." Enough said. Goodnight Sweetheart until tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

Leyte--New Atomic Bomb

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Wednesday 8 August 1945, 4:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Had a busy day but didn't do a lick of dentistry. To attend to some recreation matters, I took the picket boat into town this morning. It was 11:30 before I got back. Washed up and had chow.
     After lunch there was a meeting of all division officers in the captain's cabin. Then I went to work and finished the wardroom statement.
     The mail brought me four letters and the cutting head for my Schick. Now I'll be okay till the other shaver arrives. Three of the letters were from you Sweet and the other was Deb and Dave's baby announcement.
     You are continuously complaining about Betty's inefficiency. Can she really be trusted with the girls? I often wonder about that.
     I'll go to work on the lockets. I think I can work something out for the whole family.
     I do hope Jimmy is right too. If his experience has been the same a mine as to dental officers going back early maybe it is becoming a general policy with the bureau. Anyway with the new atomic bomb and all, maybe the Japs will give up in a few days and we'll all be coming home. What a wonderful thought.
     I'm saving the $100. I really want to be there when you buy your fur coat and maybe I'll have enough saved by the time I get back to be able to pay for it in full.
     The reason I'm writing early is because I'm going over to the club with a group of officers this evening. We don't drink much but we have a lot of fun singing and talking and telling stories. Tsk, tsk.
     No more for now Darling so I'll sign off. Goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Hiroshima Atomic Bomb

Town Scenes--Leyte