Leyte--Rumors

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office

San Francisco, California

Wednesday 29 August 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Today was supposed to be a busy one but I had some last minute cancellations so I really had an easy day. This afternoon I loafed around and read until 4:00 PM when I had an emergency extraction. Then back to my room for a shower and change of clothes before dinner.
     A group of us officers were going over to the beach tonight but our boat broke down and the tug we are getting isn't here yet. Hope she gets here soon because it'll take an hour to go over.
     There was no mail today, but I didn't expect any after yesterday's five letters. I haven't received the gold braid yet. I guess those letters were delayed. I've already gotten mail from Lake Arrowhead so the others should have been here by now.
     There isn't anything more I can tell you. All kinds of rumors are floating around--some that the ship will head stateside in a month or so and others that we'll be out here for months yet. Of course, I'm hoping that the ship goes back soon. Even if it doesn't my orders should be here in a month or so (I hope).
     That is all for tonight. Good night Sweet. Kiss our two darlings specially for me.

Lovingly,

Gil

Lt. Gilbert Steingart

Leyte--70 Degrees Is Cold

U.S.S. OCELOT (IX-110)

c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

Thursday, 28 August 1945, 10:45 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Another routine day. Work, work, work all morning long and then lunch and more work. Anyway I was all through by 2:30 and the rest of the day was my own. Went to the wardroom and had a glass of iced coffee and then to my room for a little reading. I began "Sodom by the Sea," a story about the growth and development of Coney Island--quite interesting. At 5:00 PM I showered and dressed for dinner and after eating played cribbage. Then at 7:30 I went to the movies. We had "Adventures of Mark Twain" and I enjoyed it a lot. We had it aboard before but I missed it.
     The mailman was good to me bringing me four letters from you and one (a New Year's card) from my mother.
     I asked lots of questions about Lake Arrowhead in yesterday's letter and now I have the answers. I believe Sam Crawford's home is located in the development you are staying in. Anyway by the map it seems to be where I dropped him off one weekend when he came up with me.
     The Siegers are funny people. Their marital relationship is strange to people like us. Sorry you find it so difficult up there and hope the box arrived on time. Transportation is a difficult problem all right.
     From your description of the place it is nothing like the house we had. I do hope it won't matter and that you and the girls enjoy the stay up there.
     Nothing much that is new out here. It looks like we'll be on our way very soon and this time it'll be north to a more temperate climate. Gosh it'll be swell to feel cold for a change. They tell me that after living in the tropics even sixty-five or seventy degrees is really cold. Who cares? I'll love it.
     That is thirty for now, so goodnight Darling. I'll see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Lt. Gilbert Steingart

Leyte--Maybe Censorship Will Be Lifted

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Monday 27 August 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Another busy morning and afternoon, but by three o'clock I was all through so I retired to my room and finished Edna Ferber's "Great Son." Nothing to get excited about.   Then I showered, dressed for chow. And now having enjoyed a hearty meal, here I am.
     How is Arrowhead? Is the house comfortable and conveniently located? Gosh, I wish I was there so I could lug the lunch you had packed down to the beach and take the kids into the water. Next year it's a date.
     The captain's relief has fifty-four points. I have a hunch that the admiral won't allow the captain to leave until another relief comes out. So it goes.
     No mail today so I have little more to write about. In a few days VJ day will be here and maybe censorship will be lifted. Then there'll be lots of things I'll be able to write about.
     The movie tonight is a Roy Rogers western, "Bells of Rosarita." I don't have another thing to do so I guess I'll go.
     Goodnight darling until tomorrow.

Love,

Gil

Leyte--Prisoners at Large

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Sunday, 26 August 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Today was Sunday and I really took a day off. During the USO show on Friday night two PALs (prisoners at large) broke into our armory, stole some guns and ammunition, commandeered a VP and headed for the beach. One gave himself up yesterday and the other was apprehended on the beach last night. This morning we sent a picket boat with an armed guard to bring the prisoner back, and I went along for the ride.
     By the time we got back it was 11:30 so I had just enough time to wash up before chow. Then at 12:30 my tug arrived and "Buzz" Brosseau, the supply officer who relieved Tom Glass, and I shoved off for the beach and a few beers. After a couple of drinks we thumbed a ride over to the 118th General Hospital and visited with Simmie. He and a lot of others there have orders to go up to Japan and are leaving soon. Bet he beats me up there.
     At five we boarded our boat and arrived at the Ocelot at 6:00 PM just in time for a scrumptious turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
     Then to the movies. Tonight we had a real oldie, "It Happened One Night" with Gable and Colbert. Everyone enjoyed it.
     The only news today is that Jack Hartfield, our skipper, has his relief aboard. He hadn't received his orders this morning, but I think he's gotten them since then. I haven't had a chance to ask him. Anyway he should be leaving in a week or so.
Well here's hoping that maybe my relief will pop up one day real soon and that when my orders do come I can up and leave. It sure beats waiting around for weeks or months as Cox did.
     The mail brought me a sweet card from you and a letter from Libby. I haven't "pinned up" anything Sweet. And of course I'm thinking of you and only you.
     No more for now Darling. So goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Leyte--Chit for a Tug

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Saturday 25 August 1945, 10:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Hello Darling, here I am again. When I awoke this morning at 7:30 I really felt like sleeping in, but I had a busy morning lined up. No rest for the wicked. Anyway I had a hectic morning and had to work in five extra patients before I was through.
     At noon I relaxed in my bunk with another book, "Great Son," by Edna Ferber. I think I'll like it. Back to the old grind at one, but I was all through by two. Then a little visiting here and there around the ship and so the afternoon went. At 5:00 PM I showered and changed for dinner (as usual) and then cribbage (again as usual). My don't I lead an exciting life?
     I've got a chit in for a tug tomorrow. A few of us will go off on a jaunt at 12:30. I haven't been off the ship for recreation since last Sunday and I'm ready now.
     No mail today. Although after yesterday's haul I didn't expect any. If I don't get busy and write a few letters soon, you'll be my only correspondent. I owe about everyone.
     We had a pretty good movie tonight, Eddie Bracken and Veronica Lake in "Out of This World."
     That is thirty for tonight. Happy dreams Sweet and please put your cold feet on my back (soon now).

Love,

Gil

Leyte--Brought the Overhead Down

The date was actually Saturday 25 Aug 1945, 12:15 AM

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 24 Aug 1945, 12:15 AM

Dearest Darling,
     Here is your busy hubby at last. I've been on the go since I woke this morning and I'll sure sleep tonight. To begin with I had a full morning booked and had to move right along to be able to take care of three emergencies that dropped in. After lunch, just as I was getting comfortable in my bunk, I was called to my office again to care for another emergency. However it being Friday and field day I didn't have any work planned for the afternoon so I was through right after the emergency. At three o'clock we (two officers and myself) shoved off to pick up the USO show. It was 5:15 before we were back on the Ocelot. After dinner we got everything squared away and the show went on at 7:30. The name of the show was "Comedy Caravan" and consisted of a male master of ceremonies, a magician, and accordionist. Then there were three women, two young and one about forty. The show was excellent and the men almost brought the overhead (ceiling to a lubber) down over their heads. I was really pleased at the success of the show because the commodore doesn't favor having women aboard. After seeing the morale lifting effect of such entertainment I know he won't object anymore. After the show I brought the entertainers up to the wardroom for coffee and sandwiches. At 10:30 we headed back to the beach. It had been raining but had just cleared up and a nice moon was shining. We really made time. The round trip only took a one and a half hours.
     As for mail I really hit the jackpot today. I got five letters and a Parent Magazine from you plus a letter from your mother. Yes the war is over but VJ Day is still a few days away. Until that day and until we actually occupy Japan we are still in a state of war and all wartime restrictions and precautions exist. So----censorship is still in effect and will be until the Navy Dept says otherwise.
     Don't worry about me and office space. I'll be in the states and in still in the Navy before I'm finally released. I'll have time to look around. I'll also want to take some refresher courses before I start practice and so there is really no hurry. Of course it would be nice to get tied up with some men of Dr. Lewis' reputation but if nothing works out don't worry.
     Deb certainly has had her troubles. I hope that by now she is over her arm infection and stays well for a change. As for Ruth, she always was a selfish person and I hope I won't have to remind you when we are back together again and living our own lives of how she acted towards you. Just to make you feel better dentists are not on the exception list. As soon as the point system is liberalized, which won't be too long, I'll be eligible for release.
     The snaps are a wee bit fuzzy but I enjoyed them just the same. I like your new bathing suit or is it a sun-suit? Anyway it looks OK.
     Glad you finally heard from the Siegers and hope you and the kids have a swell rest and change. Have a good time. Just think next year we'll be together again doing all those things we enjoy.
     I'm not surprised that there were deaths in Los Angeles as a result of the celebration. I wrote you about the celebration out here.   I've learned that several men were killed and many were injured on the roads around her.
     Yes, I'd be interested in a medical building set up. Find out what you can and let me know. However remember that we can't go in too deep.
     My what a long letter. I'm really sleepy. It is ten minutes to one and I'm ready to turn in.
     Goodnight Sweet and do have a nice vacation. Until tomorrow with love and kisses to my three sweethearts.

Yours alone

Gil

P.S. I missed a good move tonight because I had to take the show back to the beach. We had "Rhapsody in Blue" the story of George Gershwin. Darn.

Gil

Bathing Suit or Sun-suit?

Leyte--USO Show

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 23 August 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,
     Another hot day just like yesterday. I had quite a busy morning and early afternoon. I finally got hold of a piano tuner and now our piano is okay. Got a dispatch this morning saying that we could have the USO show tomorrow night. Naturally we accepted. Tomorrow afternoon I'm taking the picket boat to pick up the show. If the advance dope is anything to go on, we've got a swell night's entertainment to look forward to.
     A lot more scuttlebutt about where we are going and when has been going around the ship today. However there is nothing definite to go on. Just the same, I'll be glad when we leave. Any place will be better than here.
     After chow we played cribbage and then went to the movies. We had a double feature "Three's a Crowd," a murder mystery and Laurel and Hardy in "The Bullfighters." Nuff said.
     No mail again today. I suppose mail service will be very poor until the initial occupation of Japan is complete. Anyway the war is over and I feel pretty sure of being a civilian in about six months.
That is thirty for tonight Sweet. Bye for now and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil