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to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that the day had been spent climbing steep hills to O.P.s (observation posts), and describes the view from them. Sidney gives Estelle some instructions pertaining to the "money order" enclosed and requests some garden seeds...

GLC09120.367

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that she has become an integral part of his daily routine.

GLC09120.368

to Estelle Spero

Diamond implies that since it was a leap year, Estelle should have proposed to him.

GLC09120.369

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that they are working on maps and overlap. He comments that he doesn't feel "poetic, romantic, jocular".

GLC09120.370

to Estelle Spero

Diamond mentions that "nearly everyone around has discovered someone they knew from back home

GLC09120.371

to Estelle Spero

Diamond thanks Estelle for the New Yorker that she had subscribed to for him, and then proceeds to "rampage through the 'mag'

GLC09120.372

to Estelle Spero

Diamond complains that they have termites in the camp.

GLC09120.373

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he is recovering from a 96 hour stretch without sleep: "I needed your shoulder badly".

GLC09120.374

to Estelle Spero

Diamond wonders "how these Nips can keep getting literally slaughtered." He comments that this is one period that he doesn't want to share with anyone: "I'm spending the rest of my life forgetting it."

GLC09120.375

to Estelle Spero

Diamond apologizes for the brevity of his notes, explaining that he doesn't have the time, place or imagination to write more. He promises to "come out of this mess."

GLC09120.376

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes a reconnaissance trip that all of the officers had gone on that afternoon.

GLC09120.377

to Estelle Spero

Diamond comments on how sad it is "that man must come to destroy, scar, and burn."

GLC09120.378

to Estelle Spero

Diamond compares his current situation to attempting to descend an upwards-bound escalator: "One steps down only to be brought back to the starting point."

GLC09120.379

to Estelle Spero

Diamond states that he seldom writes when in the field, primarily "because there is nothing of consequence to relate."

GLC09120.380

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he is writing in a hole, with a small lantern providing light.

GLC09120.381

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the closest to real fighting that he has experienced.

GLC09120.382

to Estelle Spero

Diamond comments on how sad it is "that man must come to destroy, scar, and burn."

GLC09120.383

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes bumping into a girl from Coney Island.

GLC09120.384

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that the oriental inscription on the ring that Estelle bought for him causes him embarrassment, as people assume that he "Got that off a Jap".

GLC09120.385

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he has heard that Passover is the following day, but that his "holidays are celebrated by destroying the enemy." Sidney describes firing on some "Japs".

GLC09120.386

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he thinks that he is at his zenith.

GLC09120.387

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he is using the lantern that Estelle sent him for the first time, and consoles her for the confusion that she is experiencing concerning her job.

GLC09120.388

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes on his birthday that he feels "one hundred years older." He recommends that she reads "The Robe" by Lloyd C. Douglas.

GLC09120.389

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has gone from platoon leader to Company Executive Officer. He also mentions that they are now allowed to divulge that they are somewhere in the Solomon Islands

GLC09120.390

to Estelle Spero

Diamond complains about being encouraged by the Army to read the periodical "In Fact", as it offends his liberal sensibilities.

GLC09120.391

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he worries about the administrative side of his job.

GLC09120.392

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that the "days are completely devoid of any activity." He mentions that a rotation policy is being started, whereby men who have spent between eighteen months and two years in overseas service will get an opportunity to go home....

GLC09120.393

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the contents of a package that his parents have sent him. He recalls the day that he proposed to Estelle, and comments that nearly a year has passed since that date, May 18th. He then discusses how important Estelle is to him in...

GLC09120.394

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he is bored and "craves movement."

GLC09120.395

to 82nd Chemical Battallion

Note commending the 82nd Chemical Battalion for the assistance that they provided the 37th Division with.

GLC09120.396

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he spent Passover participating in a push. He discusses the horrifying effect of encountering great masses of dead bodies.

GLC09120.397

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he is writing the letter having just completed the previous one, so as "to prevent the continuity, the nearness from being disturbed."

GLC09120.398

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he has just returned from a musical entitled "Reveille with Beverly". He reports that sometimes, to break the monotony of his current existence, he goes to visit the units on the front.

GLC09120.399

to Estelle Spero

Diamond reports that the rainy season has begun once more. He writes that he has finished reading Voltaire's "Candide".

GLC09120.400

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that the day had served as a holiday for those not engaged in combat, as it marked the two-year anniversary of the existence of the 82nd Chemical Battalion. Sidney states that he craves movement.

GLC09120.401

to the 82nd Chemical Battalion

Farewell letter from the departing Lieutenant Colonel. He writes of the battalion's reputation as "a crack outfit."

GLC09120.402

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses the trials of being so far from one's sweetheart. He recounts the story of his former sergeant, who had been engaged, but whose ex-fiancee is now using the bedroom set that he had purchased with her new husband. He mentions that...

GLC09120.403

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that his living standards have improved immeasurably since the "days of fox-holes and C rations." Diamond comments on the frequency that Shuster appears in "Time" magazine.

GLC09120.404

to Estelle Spero

Diamond reports that his battalion has received several commendations for their work "during the recent show with the enemy."

GLC09120.405

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses his opinions regarding pre-embarkation marriage.

GLC09120.406

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that some day he hopes to visit New Zealand or Australia. He comments that he has read part 2 of "France et La Vieux".

GLC09120.407

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he broke the clasp of the bracelet that she gave him when disassembling a Japanese machine gun.

GLC09120.409

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he has enclosed a questionnaire that "concerns two misguided morons who for no other reason than lust, financial gain, and imbecility consider the problem of spending the rest of their natural lives making each other miserable."

GLC09120.410

to Estelle Spero

Diamond passes comment on the previous night's entertainment. He also discusses an army film on England, which he writes gave "a direct, frank, and uncolored recognition of white prejudice towards the negro and an appeal…for understanding and...

GLC09120.411

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes the letter while "comfortably loafing on hospital bed", waiting for surgery on a cyst. He tells Estelle that if her cousin joins the infantry and goes into active combat, he will have tremendous respect for him: "Truly the infantry is...

GLC09120.412

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes "hot & bothered", with "bandages sticking". Diamond expresses frustration about the fact that all press about the "work" that has been done in the South Pacific accredits all success to the "God damned marines."

GLC09120.413

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the experience of receiving surgery in the army hospital the day before.

GLC09120.414

to Estelle Spero

Diamond expresses frustration about being "shackled" to his hospital bed while recuperating. He describes a conversation that he had with his "cell mate" from New Zealand, who had been amazed "at American soldiers not getting the fullest...

GLC09120.415

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he was menat to go to the general hospital to have his surgery, but instead he had managed to persuade the doctor to operate on him in the line hospital. Had he been moved, he "would have left on a certain morning on a...

GLC09120.416

to Estelle Spero

Diamond jokingly complains about his doctor and the ward boy, and their treatment of him.

GLC09120.417

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that wherever she happens to be on her birthday, she should know that he will be thinking of her. He also writes that there is "nothing new to report from 'sick bay'".

GLC09120.418

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that there are rumors that some nurses may be sent to the army hospital. If this transpires to be true, he states that they will be the first white women that he has seen in seven months.

GLC09120.419

to Estelle Spero

Diamond responds to a number of Estelle's letters. Regarding "that hotel deal," he writes that he regrets not having had "those few moments free from fears of curious eyes, of parental scrutiny, - just to be alone -." He informs Estelle that once...

GLC09120.420

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he is still "sojourning at the 52nd Field Hospital." He then responds to a series of letters that he has just received. He relates an argument that he has had with "Bud", about the concerns of the soldiers overseas. He...

GLC09120.421

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes a short note informing Estelle that work has piled up, but that he is so happy that she is "the gal."

GLC09120.422

to Sidney Diamond

Letter thanking Diamond for his informing the magazine that the poem that they published in their April issue appears on a tombstone in the Bronx, and not Indiana as they claimed. Diamond then appends the letter with a short handwritten explanation...

GLC09120.423

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his daily routine in the hospital.

GLC09120.424

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the other patients in the officers' ward of the hospital.

GLC09120.425

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he does not want a large family, but that he plans on "consulting" Estelle first.

GLC09120.426

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that the night before, the radio broadcast Fiji music, and he expresses surprise that "somehow the music - melody - intonation - of those not marred by civilization can be so completely expressive." He then goes into a lengthy...

GLC09120.427

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses the "news of the continental invasion."

GLC09120.428

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tries to understand why Estelle is angry with him.

GLC09120.429

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the Texan ward boy. He also explains that, although he had already written Estelle a letter that day, he "felt like being with [her]."

GLC09120.430

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.

GLC09120.434

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.435

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.

GLC09120.443

to Estelle Spero

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

GLC09120.444

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".

GLC09120.453

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses his dislike of Frank Sinatra.

GLC09120.454

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