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to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the process of interviewing eighteen men believed to be incapable of withstanding the rigors of battle, and discussing their geographical origins, educational background, social classes etc.

drawing in upper left corner

GLC09120.169

to Estelle Spero

Diamond briefly describes his day to Estelle - testing of individual proficiencies, rifle marksmanship, a three-mile run and a general clean-up.

GLC09120.170

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes meeting the Jewish population of El Paso.

drawing of feet on the back by his name

GLC09120.171

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has just received an $100 clothing allowance check.

GLC09120.172

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the ways in which "his" trucks must be cared for.

GLC09120.173

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he is "attempting to learn the basics of Spanish".

GLC09120.174

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle of a recent discovery of another instance of petty theft. Sidney also tells her that the company has been increasingly practicing rifle marksmanship.

GLC09120.175

to Estelle Spero

Diamond reassures Estelle of how faithful he is to her.

GLC09120.176

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes watching a group of cavalry officers warming up for a fox-hunt. He also discusses his Spanish class.

GLC09120.177

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that twenty two of the men are in the hospital with severe colds. He also explains that if he changes during his stint in the army, it is because he is forced to for the protection of his men. Sidney describes a trip to the...

GLC09120.178

to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses the "agony" of not being able to speak to Estelle.

GLC09120.179

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his room to Estelle. He then tells her about an exchange that had taken place between himself and one of his men who had been worried that he could not stop thinking about his wife, and the possibility that she was being unfaithful...

GLC09120.180

to Estelle Spero

Diamond continues to describe his abode to Estelle. Sidney also instructs Estelle to save him a "corner of [her] mind and when [he] come[s] home [they] can oil it up, take of [sic.] the mist, dust it off and [they'll] [illegible] the same as always...

GLC09120.181

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the experience of scoring on the firing range for another company. He tells Estelle that the following day, his company will start to go on the range.

drawing on upper left corner.

GLC09120.182

to Estelle Spero

Diamond apologizes for not having sent Estelle a Valentine card.

drawing on upper left corner.

GLC09120.183

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he is embarrassed about how poorly he performed on the firing range at Castner.

drawing on upper left corner.

GLC09120.184

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he is to leave for Don Anna Range on the coming Monday, and remain there until 6th February.

GLC09120.185

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that after they return from the firing range on 6th February, they are to go back on the 8th for combat firing.

GLC09120.186

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he has enclosed some notes scribbled in class while at Edgewood that he found in the pad on which he is writing. He explains that it mentions one of his nicknames, G. T., and also informs Estelle that his new nickname is...

GLC09120.187

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he has successfully qualified as an expert rifleman.

GLC09120.188

to Estelle Spero

Photocopy

…" He then describes his men's combat firing practice. The following day, he is to go out to a nearby range and practice the emplacement of mustard land mines.

GLC09120.189

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes having lost his temper after a squad leader let loose a chemical gas attack forgetting that two men were in front of him.

GLC09120.190

to Estelle Spero

Diamond warns Estelle that she will receive no mail for the next week as he is taking the men on a grueling four-day trip.

GLC09120.191

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the "torture" of the past few days, a trip which consisted of simulated battle situations.

GLC09120.192

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle about another petty robbery that occurred within the ranks. He also informs her that the Eighty Second Chemical Battalion is to go to Louisiana next, but that he has no information as to when they might leave. He discusses his...

GLC09120.193

to Estelle Spero

Diamond has enclosed a photograph of the officers of Company D with the letter, and proceeds to name all of the officers featured in the photo. He also informs Estelle that they have found further evidence against the company thief.

GLC09120.194

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the experience of making a telephone call to Estelle.

GLC09120.195

to Estelle Spero

Diamond declares his love, stating that he is "afraid that this affection will remain for a very long time, a very long time."

GLC09120.196

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the preparations being made "for the move". He then discusses his platoon sergeant, a man who has been "[r]aised in the back-woods of Mississippi".

GLC09120.197

to Estelle Spero

Diamond states that "the day of movement rapidly approaches". He also mentions that his company have been getting rid of many of the "over-age men", or men over thirty-eight years of age.

GLC09120.198

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the poverty, hunger and crime found in the border town. He also asks Estelle to send him an identification tag.

GLC09120.199

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes Louisiana and the journey down there. He comments on the expansive nature of the country.

GLC09120.200

to Estelle Spero

Diamond promises Estelle that he is not having sex with his "women". Instead, he just practices old jokes, eats and dances with them. Sidney continues to describe his journey down South and the types of homes and scenes that he has passed.

GLC09120.201

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he is "desperately in love".

GLC09120.202

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the East Texan scenery that he is surrounded by.

GLC09120.203

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the company mascot, Mabel the dog, digging a slit trench for herself to sleep in.

GLC09120.204

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he just spent an entire day cleaning equipment.

GLC09120.206

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that they are devoting the next period of time to providing additional training to the men, teaching them about camouflage, discipline, depression etc.

GLC09120.207

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes having fought a forest fire during training that day.

GLC09120.208

to Estelle Spero

Diamond reminisces over his first date with Estelle. He also tells her during the day, he had been forced to crawl within 500 yards of his target in order to get some decent observation

GLC09120.209

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes having taken his troops on a trip to practice compass. He tells Estelle about the surrounding Louisiana scenery.

GLC09120.210

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that April 24th will mark a year of army service for him, an experience that has transformed him into a "frowning, quiet, determined man who refuses to listen to excuses".

GLC09120.211

to Estelle Spero

Diamond expresses surprise to Estelle that in a few days time he will turn twenty-one years of age. He also tells Estelle that he is bored by the extended rest period that he is currently in. Sidney informs her that he feels ridiculous and...

GLC09120.212

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that it is raining hard, but that his tent does not appear to have been greatly affected so he will still be able to sleep in it that night.

GLC09120.213

to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he has half an hour free, and expresses apprehension about the next four days, promising to write when he returns.

GLC09120.214

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that the following day he shall turn twenty-one, and that to mark the occasion he has been inflicted by a bad case of diarrhea. Sidney compares democracy to a map cause, in that when things are easy, people are "prone to get...

GLC09120.215

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his birthday, which was celebrated with a quiet luncheon. However, Sidney reports back that festivities were disturbed by an act of insubordination (a staff sergeant talking back to the company commander), a tremendous quarrel, a...

GLC09120.216

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that the company has just received orders for the next move which will most probably be to East Texas. He also informs her that on Monday evening he had attended a seder.

GLC09120.217

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes this letter after the troops have been traveling for thirty-seven hours. He describes the journey thus far.

GLC09120.218

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the Dales, a family that lives nearby to the camp. He writes that the "woman of the family epitomizes the motto of these backwood Southerners - 'Keep 'em pregnant and barefoot and you'll never have trouble with 'em!'

GLC09120.219

to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes that he has just returned from a lesson teaching him how to drive a two and a half ton truck. He proceeds to describe Leesville as the typical small army town, with the number of soldiers exceeding that of local civilians tremendously...

GLC09120.220

to Estelle Spero

Diamond instructs Estelle as to what information should be engraved on his identity bracelet. He then describes the contents of his field abode, a peep tent.

GLC09120.221

to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes the experience of having been train quartermaster for the duration of the journey from Louisiana. He then discusses the pleasure of sleeping in a bed and showering after six weeks in a tent.

GLC09120.222

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that the part of camp that he is stationed on is known as "Wake Island" as it's so isolated.

GLC09120.223

to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he should be home on a short period of leave on May 8th. Sidney asks Estelle if she will marry him.

GLC09120.224

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