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to Estelle Spero
22 August 1943
Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945
Diamond describes an incident of "cowboys and Indians" when he had thought that a cow in the bush had been an enemy.
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August 1943
Diamond informs Estelle that he has been moved "temporarily" from platoon leader to second-in-command of the company. Diamond describes the "mutual friendship" that had arisen between himself and the men that he had trained, saying that his voice...
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September 1. 1943
Diamond informs Estelle that he "must get into combat in the near future", or he'll "rot completely down here".
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4 September 1943
Diamond writes that he now has a lot to do with naval and marine personnel, commenting on the superior conditions that the navy enjoys.
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5 September 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that she cannot possibly realize "what fortitude and elation mail from home occasions". Sidney proceeds to give detailed history of all contact with a girl named Harriet in order to quash Estelle's fears about his relationship...
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7 September 1943
Diamond comments on his new palatial home, although complains about the abundance of mosquitoes.
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10 September 1943
Diamond responds to various questions that Estelle had asked, reassuring her that a "date" he had mentioned was a trip to the movies with a French teacher and his wife, and also telling her that he had very much wanted to get engaged. He then asks...
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11 September 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he feels like "worn and shredded and turned out" heel, in need of repair if "the foot is to be comfortable". He writes about the difficulties he will face being "re-habilitated" back at home, and that his ideals and dreams...
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12 September 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he received a mystery letter, and asks Estelle to help him solve who the anonymous sender was.
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14 September 1943
Diamond appeals for Estelle's understanding as he tries to quell rumors about another girl.
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17 September 1943
Diamond informs Estelle that he expects to be leaving the "luxury duty" shortly.
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18 September 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he seems to have lost his sense of humor somewhere in the South Pacific, but that he has not lost his temper. He then apologizes, explaining that he has had a trying day.
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22 September 1943
Diamond wishes Estelle a "swell Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur".
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Diamond describes a hunting and fishing excursion that he, three officers and four sergeants had gone on over the weekend as a way of avoiding the "ennui". He tells her that they had got trapped in a hurricane, and that he had been forced to swim...
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23 September 1943
Diamond informs Estelle that the "colored boy" who worked in the florist shop is on the island with him: "Coincidences galore."
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26 September 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he has sent his "fancy get-ups" home as he has no need for them in his present location. He writes that he would love to be in the European Campaign as "this jungle fighting" is not for him.
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1 October 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he realizes now how fully and totally he loves her: "You are my foundation. The fundamental element of my construction."
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10 October 1943
Diamond informs Estelle that he's just completed a most exhausting few days of training on the northern end of the island.
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17 October 1943
Diamond informs Estelle that, at the termination of a long period of extremely arduous intensive jungle training, he had thought of her constantly. He tells her that "[F]rankly it's been rough", commenting that this "jungle nonsense" is a little out...
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19 October 1943
Diamond writes to Estelle that time is creeping up on the both of them, commenting that he feels so much older and wiser than before.
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Diamond writes that from her recent correspondence, he can sense that something is brewing, and asks of her to "bring it to a boil" as he cannot "take much more of these inuendos."
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20 October 1943
Diamond apologizes for his mail having been "slightly slow during the past few weeks", explaining that he has been extremely busy.
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21 October 1943
Diamond complains that "[N]othing has occurred to disrupt the sameness of…existence here." Sidney instructs Estelle to have enough fun for the both of them, telling her that she should know that he would never condemn her for anything except wasting...
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22 October 1943
Diamond includes a poem written by one of the men in the company in the letter.
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24 October 1943
Diamond discusses the upcoming General Election with Estelle, expressing frustration with his parents for not having sent adequate information pertaining to the political parties and candidates.
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25 October 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he yearns for battle as it's his "mission to fight".
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Diamond explains that due to circumstances beyond his control, he may sometimes find himself "without ample opportunity to write."
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26 October 1943
Diamond writes that he is now "even more impatient to get at the Japs."
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27 October 1943
Diamond writes that he finds himself "at loss for words."
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28 October 1943
Diamond writes about the humidity, and informs Estelle that Mary, "the cocoa addict of El Paso", had sent him a package.
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November 1943
Diamond writes that he has been working on an invention of no practical value.
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7 November 1943
Diamond describes one of the "natives", mentioning that they "appear a great deal more savage" than those on the other island.
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8 November 1943
Diamond complains about the difficulties of laundering clothes in the jungle.
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16 November 1943
Diamond describes an evening of "revelry and ribald entertainment" that he had enjoyed the night before. Sidney tells Estelle that they are fairly well set up now on the island, having even put together their own shower, providing Estelle with an...
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18 November 1943
Diamond informs Estelle that he has just received five of her letters in one go, commenting on her seductive pose in a picture that she had sent him. He then responds to various pieces of information included in her epistles. Sidney ends the letter...
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25 November 1943
Diamond reassures Estelle that his communicating with other girls does not mean that he is "deceiving" her. He tells her that her happiness means more to him, now, "than life itself." He describes the ten days and nights that he has spent training...
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28 November 1943
Diamond provides Estelle with a vivid description of the jungle.
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29 November 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he enjoys thinking of her "more than contemplation of any thing or person." He then describes his company commander, who is "a stickler for having things done his way".
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Letter is typed in order to practice typing. He writes that he imagines her sitting before him.
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30 November 1943
The letter is typed due to lack of light, and Diamond complains about the difficulties of typing in the dark, making a vow that within a month he will be able to work the typewriter with his eyes closed.
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Diamond discusses what he has been reading, and describes what he imagines Estelle to now look like.
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3 December 1943
Diamond discusses a book that he had recently read entitled "The Story of Damon and Pythias," relating it to his and Estelle's relationship.
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4 December 1943
Diamond responds to various questions that Estelle had asked in a series of her letters that he had just received through airmail. He promises her that they will get married as soon as he returns, if not sooner.
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December 1943
Diamond encloses $20.00 with the letter, prescribing a "date" that she should go on with a friend, to be financed by the money. He then describes some of the "native boys" that he has been working alongside.
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12 December 1943
Diamond instructs Estelle to go out and enjoy herself, despite his being away at war.
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13 December 1943
Diamond chastises Estelle for placing him on a pedestal and belittling herself. He expresses concern that his postal vote for the election had been disregarded.
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15 December 1943
Sidney admonishes Estelle for accusing him of wearing "roseate glasses", asking her permission to describe how he feels after he talks of casualties, when he reads of cheating, strikes, race riots.
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Diamond reassures Estelle that there are no women around, as the "natives" had fled to the hills when the fighting took place. He asks Estelle to send him clippings of articles about chemical troops in action.
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25 December 1943
Diamond informs Estelle that at last he has paid back the loan that he took out in order to purchase her engagement ring.
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Christmas Greetings card to Estelle.
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