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to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that Mario Colin, presumably a friend, had written that "the average soldier doesn't know what he's fighting for" in a letter addressed to Sidney. Diamond then refutes this: "…I believe wholeheartedly in the way of government...

GLC09120.431

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he intends to break up the monotony of the day by getting a haircut, and going to an "artist" to have a picture of Estelle copied together with a portrait of himself, "just so we can see what we look like together…" Sidney...

GLC09120.432

to Estelle Spero

Diamond responds to a series of points raised in Estelle's recent letters. He instructs Stella to "get the most out of [her] stay at Northwestern." He explains the "rotation deal" which could allow him some leave after two years spent overseas.

GLC09120.433

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he has now spent almost a month in hospital, and proceeds to describe to Estelle his schedule there.

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to Estelle Spero

Diamond complains about his "tyrant ward boy" in the hospital.

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to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he has been in the "purgatory" of hospital for twenty nine days. He includes a short poem to Estelle, and then playfully describes his fictitious history as a poet.

GLC09120.436

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that, although he was meant to have been discharged that day, his physician changed his mind upon removing the bandages. He complains that the period of time for wounds to heal is extended due to the tropical climate. He expresses...

GLC09120.437

to Estelle Spero

Diamond responds to the series of letters that he has received recently from Estelle. He mentions that he now has a punctured ear drum as a result of being exposed to constant and intense firing. He also writes that he cannot understand Natalie's...

GLC09120.438

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he has been released "after exactly 33 days in the hospital." He attempts to quell Estelle's jealousy about his having relationships with other women.

first two pages typed, rest handwritten

GLC09120.439

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that they are "doing little else besides train and train some more." He describes a party that a Lieutenant Rubin had given in honor of his fiancée's marriage to another man: "killed a bottle of scotch - laughed - joked…" He also...

GLC09120.440

to Estelle Spero

Diamond reports to Estelle that his housewarming party had been a success. He mentions that all is quiet, except for the sound of a radio, and "a whistle blows occasionally at a basketball game - a negro team is playing our team - It's a pleasure to...

GLC09120.441

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that his "only gripe is some of the water training" that they do.

GLC09120.442

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that his gardening is going well, and that he had gone to see a motion picture that evening.

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to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that a Canadian border man has been helping him with his French.

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to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that the night before he had seen "Best Foot Forward", a film starring Lucille Ball, which he describes as a "stinker". He states that he loves Estelle for her "scolding".

GLC09120.445

to Estelle Spero

Diamond comments on the amusing nature of the advertisements in popular magazines. He writes that he has received no mail from Estelle that day, "as usual".

GLC09120.446

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle he has just been appointed Company orientation officer, a position that entails preparing lectures and aid in making the "American soldier the best informed soldier in the world." He writes that the topic for the following...

GLC09120.447

Handwritten notes on U.S Foreign Policy

GLC09120.448

to Estelle Spero

contains love poem

photocopy

GLC09120.449

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he is in an "ugly mood", but that it will have passed by the morrow. Sidney comments that Estelle is now the "traveler": "You're meeting new people, doing different things - seeing new sights…"

GLC09120.450

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he had given a lecture to an infantry outfit that morning. Sidney writes a short "scene" between a man and his wife.

GLC09120.451

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes to Estelle in a mocking tone their "control baby".

photocopy

GLC09120.452

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that there is "nothing new to report - all is the same…" Sidney discusses an article in Readers Digest that he had read about the "white-black relationship in the South".

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to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses his dislike of Frank Sinatra.

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to Estelle Spero

Diamond reports that the battalion is undergoing a "reorganization to conform with a new table of organization for chemical battalion."

GLC09120.455

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that the day was spent in an "insane squabble to straighten out an ammunition expenditure report, censoring mail, a lecture on voting - and an afternoon at the beach -" Diamond proceeds to complain about the complexity of the army...

GLC09120.456

to Estelle Spero

Diamond relates a lengthy conversation that he had had with officers from New Zealand.

GLC09120.457

to Estellle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he had received a letter from Harvey Salb, an infantry platoon leader who had taken part in the invasion of France: "They had a very rough time of it - With all the jungle and discomfort I'm glad we're here - not there -"

GLC09120.459

to Estellle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has enclosed a page of the Pacific Pony edition of "Time". He writes that it is "really revolutionary. No advertisements, no fancy frills, every ounce of paper utilized." He mentions that the day before he had drunk...

GLC09120.460

to Estellle Spero

Diamond writes that he is "disgustingly jealous" of Estelle's roommate as she can be with Estelle, and talk to her.

GLC09120.461

to Estellle Spero

Diamond describes his "home" in the jungle to Estelle, writing that although it "isn't large", he could squeeze her in

GLC09120.462

to Estellle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has received "a billet-doux from Georgey", in which an obvious question was posed: "What's organized labor planning for the returning soldier?" He continues to discuss this problem.

GLC09120.463

to Estellle Spero

Diamond writes that the night before he had seen the film "Going My Way", starring Bing Crosby. He mentions that he is "getting tired" of giving lectures.

GLC09120.464

to Estellle Spero

Diamond writes that the day should be named "D" day as it has been thoroughly discouraging. He describes a visit from the Inspector General's Department and a lecture that he gave on mortar to an infantry outfit. He closes the letter by stating...

GLC09120.465

to Estellle Spero

Diamond apologizes for the letter that he had sent the day before: "The letter written last evening was putrid, rotten, cruel…The blame is mine -" He tries to describe to Estelle how helpless he feels.

GLC09120.466

to Estellle Spero

Diamond describes a humorous event that had occurred the night before while the "gang" were "reminiscing good old home."

GLC09120.467

Handwritten notes

Story about being on an observation post during a "Jap attack", and a faulty cartridge preventing Diamond from killing the target.

GLC09120.468

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that the rain in the tropics "stops all, paralyzes life". Diamond describes a conversation with Capt. Holmes, a medic who patches up "Jap prisoners" in the nearby evacuation hospital.

GLC09120.469

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that there are some U.S.O. entertainers on the island, allegedly containing a female.

GLC09120.470

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the U.S.O show, starring "the first white woman" that Sidney has seen in eight months.

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to Estelle Spero

Diamond thanks Estelle for the "stuff" that she had sent him.

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to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes an essay that he had read by Charles Sank about the Jewish people.

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to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the earthquake that had taken place the previous night.

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to Estelle Spero

Diamond reports that he has eaten some of the produce from his "garden". He also informs Estelle that the day before he had given a "successful lecture", and goes on to describe it.

GLC09120.475

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses the "dismal rains".

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to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that, even though he was jealous of "Stan", he is unable to "stay sore" at her. He mentions the fact that they seldom have political discussions in his company, continuing to discuss the one Southerner's attitudes towards...

GLC09120.477

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that she has been very good to him, and requests that she allows him to spend the rest of his life repaying her. He apologizes for having gone "off the deep end" at her.

GLC09120.478

to Estelle Spero

Diamond mentions that the sixth anniversary of the couple's meeting has passed, and proceeds to discuss their relationship. He writes about army policy regarding different races.

GLC09120.479

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes the letter as a fake memo on the subject of "Miss Estelle Spero", addressed to "The world

GLC09120.480

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has been snowed under with work. He then proceeds to discuss how much he misses her.

GLC09120.481