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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

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that the "colored boy" who worked in the florist shop is on the island with him: "Coincidences galore."

GLC09120.275

to Estelle Spero

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.

GLC09120.276

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he realizes now how fully and totally he loves her: "You are my foundation. The fundamental element of my construction."

GLC09120.277

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he's just completed a most exhausting few days of training on the northern end of the island.

GLC09120.278

to Estelle Spero

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...

GLC09120.279

to Estelle Spero

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.

GLC09120.280

to Estelle Spero

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."

GLC09120.281

to Estelle Spero

Diamond apologizes for his mail having been "slightly slow during the past few weeks", explaining that he has been extremely busy.

GLC09120.282

to Estelle Spero

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...

GLC09120.283

to Estelle Spero

Diamond includes a poem written by one of the men in the company in the letter.

GLC09120.284

to Estelle Spero

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.

GLC09120.285

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he yearns for battle as it's his "mission to fight".

GLC09120.286

to Estelle Spero

Diamond explains that due to circumstances beyond his control, he may sometimes find himself "without ample opportunity to write."

GLC09120.287

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he is now "even more impatient to get at the Japs."

GLC09120.288

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he finds himself "at loss for words."

GLC09120.289

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes about the humidity, and informs Estelle that Mary, "the cocoa addict of El Paso", had sent him a package.

GLC09120.290

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he has been working on an invention of no practical value.

GLC09120.291

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes one of the "natives", mentioning that they "appear a great deal more savage" than those on the other island.

GLC09120.292

to Estelle Spero

Diamond complains about the difficulties of laundering clothes in the jungle.

GLC09120.293

to Estelle Spero

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...

GLC09120.294

to Estelle Spero

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...

GLC09120.295

to Estelle Spero

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...

GLC09120.296

to Estelle Spero

Diamond provides Estelle with a vivid description of the jungle.

GLC09120.297

to Estelle Spero

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".

GLC09120.298

to Estelle Spero

Letter is typed in order to practice typing. He writes that he imagines her sitting before him.

GLC09120.299

to Estelle Spero

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.

GLC09120.300

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses what he has been reading, and describes what he imagines Estelle to now look like.

GLC09120.301

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses a book that he had recently read entitled "The Story of Damon and Pythias," relating it to his and Estelle's relationship.

GLC09120.303

to Estelle Spero

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.

GLC09120.304

to Estelle Spero

Diamond talks about making an "ark" in which to escape the rain, and then rowing to fetch Estelle. He writes that someone has taken out a subscription of "In Fact" for him, complaining about its biased nature.

GLC09120.305

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that they have experienced a short respite from the "interminable rain". He also writes that he believes that his suffering from diarrhea has been caused by lack of consistency in his diet.

GLC09120.306

to Estelle Spero

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.

GLC09120.307

to Estelle Spero

Diamond instructs Estelle to go out and enjoy herself, despite his being away at war.

GLC09120.309

to Estelle Spero

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.

GLC09120.310

to Estelle Spero

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.

GLC09120.311

to Estelle Spero

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.

GLC09120.312

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he returned the night before from spending the past two days in the jungle, commenting on how accustomed he has become to its discomforts. Sidney asks Estelle again for a lamp so that he can read and write at night.

GLC09120.313

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the "natives" on the island. He then discusses the banian tree, drawing diagrams to illustrate.

GLC09120.314

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that at last he has paid back the loan that he took out in order to purchase her engagement ring.

GLC09120.318

to Estelle Spero

Christmas Greetings card to Estelle.

GLC09120.319

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he is in the midst of carrying out an inventory and audit. He tells her that he has once again been working with "native boys", describing them as "cute".

GLC09120.320

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes a conversation with one of the "natives" about love and marriage.

GLC09120.321

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that they will get married immediately upon his return. He states that if anything happens to him she should know one thing: "I've led a full pleasant life - I missed out on but one thing - marriage…"

GLC09120.322

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he had gone into the jungle to inspect the impact area of yesterday's firing. He describes a discussion with the other officers based upon the question: "What will the people back home say to us when we return?""

GLC09120.323

to Estelle Spero

Diamond complains about the hypocrisy of friends back home who are giving speeches in his honor, but who have failed to write to him

GLC09120.324

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has been made a First Lieutenant.

GLC09120.325

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the soldiers from New Zealand that he has been working with.

GLC09120.326

to Estelle Spero

Diamond refers to some of Estelle's letters that he has received.

GLC09120.327

to Estelle Spero

Diamond provides commentary on the photographs that he has enclosed.

GLC09120.328

to Estelle Spero

Diamond reassures Estelle that the nurse featured in one of the photographs that he had sent home is engaged.

GLC09120.329

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that, upon his return, he plans to lock himself in a room for month and "sleep and sleep and sleep".

GLC09120.330

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses problems pertaining to the soldiers' ballot for the presidential election.

GLC09120.331

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he feels surprisingly calm about the prospect of going into battle: "there is only the quietness of heart & body".

GLC09120.332

to Estelle Spero

Diamond instructs Estelle to be good, happy and to keep her level head.

GLC09120.333

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that they are "bon-voyaging again."

GLC09120.334

to Estelle Spero

Diamond asks Estelle to send V-mails in addition to her lengthy air mail letters, as he receives his parents' fairly regularly.

GLC09120.335

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that the "situation continues as usual", with everything "wet, damp, moldy" from the rain.

GLC09120.336

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that "the hunger for home grows increasingly great".

GLC09120.337

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that "there is little if anything new to report".

GLC09120.338

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his "politics" to Estelle.

GLC09120.339

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that the lack of mail has been caused by his being involved in combat, "front line stuff". He writes that he has "seen 'war' minus hollywood's beauty."

photocopy

GLC09120.340

to Estelle Spero

Diamond praises his men in their initiation into battle. He complains about the difficulty of seeing clearly on the front line, and also writes that he would give up a year's salary for a decent night's sleep.

GLC09120.341

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he is "used to it by now. [His] nerves have settled down to their usual steady jangle."

GLC09120.342

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he wants "home - out of this mess…"

GLC09120.343

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the telephone operator, Kallor, as a Jewish dress cutter from New York who is in Sidney's father's union.

GLC09120.344

to Estelle Spero

Diamond comments that he has never been ill during his army career.

GLC09120.345

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes Estelle a "short note in field on message & overlay paper."

GLC09120.346

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that their "apartment will have a double apron barbed wire fence about it covered by a slew of machine guns to keep all relatives away…"

GLC09120.347