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to Estelle Spero

Informs Estelle that he has an "uncanny premonition" that he is to be shipped before they had arranged to next get together. Pleads with Estelle that, if he is unable to get a pass for the following week, she should come to the training camp...

GLC09120.068

to Estelle Spero

Diamond expresses concern about obtaining a pass. Sidney then describes his day, which has consisted of a review of chemical agents and first aid for casualties, being paid, a review of the 50 and 30 caliber machine gun, completing the obstacle...

GLC09120.069

to Estelle Spero

Diamond outlines the day's course of events, which included watching two films - one on "Booby traps" and one on signal communication, instructing a group on map-reading and map-making,

GLC09120.070

to Estelle Spero

Sidney tells Estelle that he is almost certain that he will be granted a pass for the weekend. He proceeds to outline his day's activities, which included a lecture on the handling, storing and shipping of chemical warfare equipment and ammunition...

GLC09120.071

to Estelle Spero

Sidney explains to Estelle that he will not have much time to write to her as in an attempt to separate the men eligible for officer candidate school, the entire company are being subjected to the same levels of discipline enforced in the training...

GLC09120.072

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes to Estelle an overnight training trip which had been interrupted by an air raid alert back at Arsenal.

GLC09120.073

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes a visit to the Toxic Gas Yard where all of the gas tanks are stored prior to shipment. He tells Estelle about "the most exacting inspection" his platoon has ever experienced, and also his firing of the 4.2 mortar.

GLC09120.074

to Estelle Spero

Letter written after a visit from Estelle.

GLC09120.075

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his day to Estelle, which has consisted of a lecture concerned with military discipline and courtesy, a session on first aid, a sessopn relating to the identification of American and German aircrafts and a session on drilling.

GLC09120.076

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that, if his applications to both officer training and the air corps are unsuccessful, his line of duty will most probably be as a communications sergeant in charge of message centers. He also writes about the task of working...

GLC09120.077

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the guard duty that he has just come off. He then outlines to Estelle the rest of the day's schedule - a film on the movements of the rifle squad and platoon in battle, a drill, and an interview with the captain for the officers'...

GLC09120.078

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the process of becoming an officer, and also the restrictions he would have if commissioned. He also answers Estelle's questions regarding a meningitis epidemic.

GLC09120.079

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his morning, which has consisted of watching a film on explosives and demolitions and another on Japanese aircraft. Sidney mentions that he has still not been called up for his screening interview.

GLC09120.080

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has been "hot and heavy" with his text books. He describes a discussion about war and people that he had had the night before.

GLC09120.081

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes a six-mile hike that he had gone on that day, two miles of which was done wearing a gas mask.

GLC09120.082

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs that he will be moved at some time the following week, but that he is still unaware as to where he is being sent. Sidney then describes the day's activities - a session on "night operations" in the morning, and the afternoon spent in...

GLC09120.083

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses the possibility of his receiving a pass for that weekend. He also expresses frustration at the fact that the board has not met yet.

GLC09120.084

to Estelle Spero

Diamond mentions that he has seen a film on the use of the bayonet. He also informs Estelle that it would be impossible for anyone to comprehend the sensations that he now experiences in terms of fatigue and weariness.

GLC09120.085

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his interview with the board.

received August 10, 1942

GLC09120.086

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes what his day has consisted of - a film on bayonet use, a film on how to disarm armed men, and another one on sex hygiene.

GLC09120.087

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he won't be granted a furlough in his company. He also states that out of the six men accepted by the board, only three will actually get to O.C.S; the rest will be shipped overseas. Sidney then outlines his day - an...

GLC09120.088

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his day, which has included a film on military discipline, another on "identification of aircraft", a two-hour drill, and a baseball game. Sidney addresses Estelle as his fiancée, and mentions that he has now become accustomed to...

GLC09120.089

to Estelle Spero

Diamond clarifies some points from earlier letters, defining what he means be a furlough and also explaining that the training that he had mentioned was referring to training in order to become a sergeant. Sidney describes the process that he has...

GLC09120.090

to Estelle Spero

Diamond mentions that his company is now living in tents, and that he is to have classes every day in the officer candidate school (OCS). Sidney explains that from now on, he will have little time to write to Estelle, but that this does not reflect...

GLC09120.091

to Estelle Spero

Diamond mentions that he is now sharing a tent with some veterans of the "Pearl Harbor affair", and speaks about the need to prevent "such barbaric gangsterism".

GLC09120.092

to Estelle Spero

Diamond apologizes for the brevity of the letter, explaining that he has a lot of studying to do. Sidney also mentions that life in the OCS is replete with rules and regulations.

GLC09120.093

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that four men have gone before the Battalion board and have been subsequently put on probation. He expresses worry about a chemical tactics test.

GLC09120.094

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes an episode of racial discrimination at a show sponsored by the Camel cigarette company. He informs Estelle that he has had three exams in the past week. He also relays a lecture that he has had on the clothing and equipment of an...

GLC09120.095

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has gotten down to a "pretty set schedule".

GLC09120.096

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he has just received his report card for Block A. He describes exhibitions on flamethrowers and incendiary bombs that he has witnessed. He also relates going through a gas chamber and a chlorine gas chamber, for very...

GLC09120.097

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses with Estelle the advantages of matrimony. Sidney outlines his day - student presentations in the morning and an inspection in the afternoon. He also describes his accommodation which now constitutes a tent.

GLC09120.098

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes a visit that he had received from his parents.

GLC09120.099

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses with Estelle an upcoming visit to New York. Sidney describes a minor accident that he was involved in.

GLC09120.100

to Estelle Spero

Diamond mentions that he has two major exams looming - one on chemical agents and the other on material. Sidney describes the hectic two days that he has just had - a masked agent identification test, an afternoon spent firing FS smoke shells, a...

GLC09120.101

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that they must remain "above petty jealousies".

GLC09120.102

to Estelle Spero

Sidney attempts to clear up a disagreement that the couple have had in their correspondence.

GLC09120.103

to Estelle Spero

Diamond outlines his day for Estelle - watching a series of films on defense against mechanized war agents, sitting through a lecture on sex hygiene, participating in a dismounted foot drill, two hours of instruction in basic signal communication...

GLC09120.104

to Estelle Spero

Diamond gives Estelle a description of an air raid alert.

GLC09120.105

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the train ride back from visiting Estelle, during which he sat next to a young NYU graduate who had been forced to move to Virginia to find work during the war

GLC09120.107

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes a visit by South American dignitaries.

GLC09120.108

to Estelle Spero

Diamond pops into a Catholic church while in town in order to take a break. He writes to Estelle that, "while seated there, alone, in the strange hush that only religion can bring about, the thought of death overcame me." He then describes looking...

GLC09120.109

to Estelle Spero

Diamond hints to Estelle that the sweater that she has been knitting him would come in very handy in the cold weather.

GLC09120.110

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that his first choice of position in the military will be in the Air Service. He also warns Estelle that "[t]his is going to be a dull, dreary, bestial, cruel world when this conflict is over."

GLC09120.111

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he has too little time to think out logical replies to her many and varied questions.

GLC09120.112

to Estelle Spero

Letter written while in a program and instruction class. Diamond gives Estelle a definition of the terms lecture, military training, policies, sanitation, scouting and patrolling and field fortifications. He also informs her that he has received...

GLC09120.113

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes a visit to Baltimore that he had made the previous Saturday night. Sidney also mentions the "cracking tension" that he has been experiencing.

GLC09120.114

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that eighteen members of his platoon have been selected to go before the board, and of this number five to ten will be asked to resign. He also mentions the 60% casualty rate at the "Dieppe incident".

GLC09120.115

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes a "Make the Boys Happy" show that had been performed for the troops in the Recreation Hall.

Written at Edgewood Arsenal

GLC09120.116

to Estelle Spero

Diamond explains that, at this point, graduating candidates will be selected not only by their grades, but also personality.

GLC09120.117

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses Congress' contemplation to prohibit the sale of liquor near army posts.

GLC09120.118