circa. early summer 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Responds to a series of comments that Estelle had raised in a previous letter. Speaks about a "friend" of Sidney's who has attempted to date Estelle. Also discusses another friend who did not enlist and managed to acquire $2000 somehow. Instructs Estelle to respond to any of her mother's questions regarding the war vaguely. Discusses his hopes of being made an officer, and how advantageous it would be for them financially. Describes loneliness of life of a soldier. Outlines the day's events, which included a lecture on military discipline, one on different gases, two sessions on…

GLC09120.042

circa. early summer 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Writes that he is suffering from the "empty week-end blues". Sidney puts this down to a visit from his parents, which was accompanied by constant references to home and Estelle.

GLC09120.045

circa. early summer 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Expresses concern that Estelle is losing weight, and reassures her that he has attempted to stay away from anything dangerous and that he has every intention of returning. Registers surprise at the fact that his Southern compatriots had never tasted Chinese chow mein before, and instructs them on how to eat it when presented with this food at dinner. Describes a lecture that the company had received on dealing with chemical agents, protection against them, use of gas etc.

GLC09120.047

17 December 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond congratulates Estelle on her "junior phi-beta Kappa appointment". He tells her that his expert gunner exam is the following day.

GLC09120.156

16 January 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond reassures Estelle of how faithful he is to her.

GLC09120.176

19 January 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses the "agony" of not being able to speak to Estelle.

GLC09120.179

22 January 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his room to Estelle. He then tells her about an exchange that had taken place between himself and one of his men who had been worried that he could not stop thinking about his wife, and the possibility that she was being unfaithful. He informs Estelle that he is preparing to act as scorer on the firing range for one night. drawing on upper left corner.

GLC09120.180

25 January 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond continues to describe his abode to Estelle. Sidney also instructs Estelle to save him a "corner of [her] mind and when [he] come[s] home [they] can oil it up, take of [sic.] the mist, dust it off and [they'll] [illegible] the same as always." drawing on upper left corner.

GLC09120.181

29 January 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond apologizes for not having sent Estelle a Valentine card. drawing on upper left corner.

GLC09120.183

28 February 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the experience of making a telephone call to Estelle.

GLC09120.195

1 March 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond declares his love, stating that he is "afraid that this affection will remain for a very long time, a very long time."

GLC09120.196

15 March 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond promises Estelle that he is not having sex with his "women". Instead, he just practices old jokes, eats and dances with them. Sidney continues to describe his journey down South and the types of homes and scenes that he has passed.

GLC09120.201

16 March 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he is "desperately in love".

GLC09120.202

1 April 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond reminisces over his first date with Estelle. He also tells her during the day, he had been forced to crawl within 500 yards of his target in order to get some decent observation

GLC09120.209

April 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the Dales, a family that lives nearby to the camp. He writes that the "woman of the family epitomizes the motto of these backwood Southerners - 'Keep 'em pregnant and barefoot and you'll never have trouble with 'em!'

GLC09120.219

3 May 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he should be home on a short period of leave on May 8th. Sidney asks Estelle if she will marry him.

GLC09120.224

20 May 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Letter written upon Sidney's return from the leave during which the couple became "engaged".

GLC09120.225

21 May 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses his "unsurpassable proposal" to Estelle, and then describes the train journey back from New York to Texas.

GLC09120.226

May 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he intends to marry her.

GLC09120.227

27 May 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond comments on the fact that the couple's engagement had been announced in the Hunter magazine.

GLC09120.230

9 June 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he loves wearing the ring that she bought for him as it brings her so close to him.

GLC09120.239

9 June 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond asks Estelle to scold his mother for him, as he had just received a letter from a girl named Arlene.

GLC09120.240

12 June 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond congratulates Estelle on her "excellent" business proposition.

GLC09120.241

20 June 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond ends the letter by telling Estelle that "…no matter how [he] come[s] out of this [he's] to report to [her] for final disposition…the future'll tell all".

GLC09120.244

22 June 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond promises Estelle that "…no matter how [he] may be maimed [he's] to return…" He then describes his outfit with his new men - Jewish, Catholic, Protestant - mentioning that they care little for racial distinctions or inane political conversation, they just want to get their jobs done.

GLC09120.245