15 July 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 and an eight-mile hike while carrying full field-packs

GLC09120.071

20 July 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 school.

GLC09120.072

23 July 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

25 July 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

26 July 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Letter written after a visit from Estelle.

GLC09120.075

27 July 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

29 July 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 in the headquarters kitchen.

GLC09120.077

30 July 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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' candidate school. Diamond informs Estelle that he must still be successful in a more intensive interview with a screening board and then pass a physical examination in order to be accepted to the elite program.

GLC09120.078

31 July 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

1 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

2 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

5 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 the field making field sketches for maps. He expresses frustration that the board selecting the soldiers to attend officer candidate school has not yet contacted him.

GLC09120.083

5 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

10 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

10 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his interview with the board. received August 10, 1942

GLC09120.086

12 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

12 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 extended order drill in the morning, and then a four-hour long bayonet drill. Diamond tells Estelle that he probably will not be shipped until the end of the week.

GLC09120.088

13 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 calling her that.

GLC09120.089

15 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 undergone of "changing from an independently thinking individualist of mediocre physical strength to a well disciplined, hardened, automaton willing to throw himself into the enemy without thought of death." Discusses his opinions regarding the use of the bayonet.

GLC09120.090

16 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 on his feelings for her.

GLC09120.091

18 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

19 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

20 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

23 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 officer.

GLC09120.095