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to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.225

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.226

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he intends to marry her.

GLC09120.227

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes discomfort caused by a typhoid injection, being officer of the day on a Sunday and the immense heat of a summer day in Texas. He apologizes for not having written on Friday or Saturday, explaining that he had been on a battalion...

GLC09120.228

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the tests of physical endurance that he is both carrying out and overseeing, for example a five-mile hike executed in just one hour.

GLC09120.229

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.230

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes having spent the weekend in Austin, and also serving on the defense counsels for the court-martials.

GLC09120.231

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he does not know when his company is to actually leave.

GLC09120.232

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes life in the "home for the aged".

GLC09120.233

to Estelle Spero

Diamond complains about having been served pork for all meals recently. He also describes a mock court-martial that took place the day before, in which he played the defendant.

GLC09120.234

to Estelle Spero

Diamond responds to a series of comments made in Estelle's letter of 31 May.

GLC09120.235

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that she will receive notice of his safe arrival from the Adjutant General's office when he is finally moved.

GLC09120.236

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that as his men are aware of the fact that they may leave soon, they have "thrown all caution to the wind".

GLC09120.237

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he hopes his dying word to be "bench".

GLC09120.238

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

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

to Estelle Spero

Diamond congratulates Estelle on her "excellent" business proposition.

GLC09120.241

to Estelle Spero

12 p originally, but first 8 pages are missing. Letter written about moving from Texas to California, but main body of the letter is missing.

GLC09120.242

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that the conditions are far superior in his new barracks than those in Cause Swift.

GLC09120.243

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

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...

GLC09120.245

to Estelle Spero

Diamond expresses frustration about the strikes etc. taking place in Detroit while he is trying to carry out his patriotic duties. He reminds Estelle to immediately use V mail as soon as she receives the card with his new address.

GLC09120.246

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that the superb bracelet has arrived, describing it as very "classy". Sidney then offers a prayer, including a plea to God to "[l]et [him] return, the same".

GLC09120.247

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes out his "articles of faith". These include a promise to remember his and Estelle's "mission for a prolonged and happy life together", a promise to return to Estelle, and, if necessary, a promise to leave this life as he tried to live...

GLC09120.248

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes having acted as defense counsel in a recent court-martial case.

GLC09120.249

to Estelle Spero

Diamond apologizes to Estelle for being in a "crummy state", and promises that it is not because of her.

GLC09120.250

to Estelle Spero

Diamond provides a detailed description of the journey and the experience of being at sea. He tells her about "the heat which pounds one's body continuously." Written at sea

GLC09120.251

to Estelle Spero

Sidney informs Estelle that although he is in "dangerous waters', she would "scarce realize" how little they fear their "yellow friends, their submarines, their airplanes". Written at sea

GLC09120.252

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the "hot, sweltering horror" of the climate in the Tropics". He outlines the books that he has read on the voyage, giving Estelle short reviews of each. Written at sea

GLC09120.253

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that no one seems to be worried about what confronts them as battle is most probably still far off. He also complains of having been suffering from acute diarrhea. Written at sea

GLC09120.254

to Estelle Spero

Diamond answers Estelle's questions regarding other women and finances.

GLC09120.255

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses the time difference between his present location and New York. He tells her of his desire to share this spot, this experience with her, and writes that once the war is over, if they have sufficient funds, he would like to spend a...

GLC09120.256

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he is located on a large island in the Southwest Pacific, where the language spoken is French. He tells her that they have been building the base camp, and that there is a large town about 22 miles away.

GLC09120.257

to Estelle Spero

Diamond complains about the "interminable rain".

GLC09120.258

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that "[l]ife continues along the usual pattern of army routine."

GLC09120.259

to Estelle Spero

Diamond responds to a letter sent on July 14th in which Estelle admitted that she had not liked Sidney's collar at her prom.

GLC09120.260

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes an incident of "cowboys and Indians" when he had thought that a cow in the bush had been an enemy.

GLC09120.261

to Estelle Spero

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...

GLC09120.262

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he "must get into combat in the near future", or he'll "rot completely down here".

GLC09120.263

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he now has a lot to do with naval and marine personnel, commenting on the superior conditions that the navy enjoys.

GLC09120.264

to Estelle Spero

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...

GLC09120.265

to Estelle Spero

Diamond comments on his new palatial home, although complains about the abundance of mosquitoes.

GLC09120.266

to Estelle Spero

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...

GLC09120.267

to Estelle Spero

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...

GLC09120.268

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he received a mystery letter, and asks Estelle to help him solve who the anonymous sender was.

GLC09120.269

to Estelle Spero

Diamond appeals for Estelle's understanding as he tries to quell rumors about another girl.

GLC09120.270

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he expects to be leaving the "luxury duty" shortly.

GLC09120.271

to Estelle Spero

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.

GLC09120.272

to Estelle Spero

Diamond wishes Estelle a "swell Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur".

GLC09120.273

to Estelle Spero

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...

GLC09120.274