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May 1944
Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945
to Estelle Spero
Diamond describes his daily routine in the hospital.
GLC09120.424
2 June 1944
Diamond describes the other patients in the officers' ward of the hospital.
GLC09120.425
4 June 1944
Diamond informs Estelle that he does not want a large family, but that he plans on "consulting" Estelle first.
GLC09120.426
5 June 1944
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
7 June 1944
Diamond discusses the "news of the continental invasion."
GLC09120.428
8 June 1944
Diamond tries to understand why Estelle is angry with him.
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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]."
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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
9 June 1944
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
11 June 1944
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.
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13 June 1944
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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June 1944
Diamond complains about his "tyrant ward boy" in the hospital.
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15 June 1944
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.
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16 June 1944
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
18 June 1944
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
19 June 1944
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
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23 June 1944
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
24 June 1944
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
25 June 1944
Diamond writes that his "only gripe is some of the water training" that they do.
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28 June 1944
Diamond writes that his gardening is going well, and that he had gone to see a motion picture that evening.
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30 June 1944
Diamond writes that a Canadian border man has been helping him with his French.
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1 July 1944
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".
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2 July 1944
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".
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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
July 1944
Handwritten notes on U.S Foreign Policy
GLC09120.448
contains love poem
photocopy
GLC09120.449
5 July 1944
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…"
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6 July 1944
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.
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7 July 1944
Diamond describes to Estelle in a mocking tone their "control baby".
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9 July 1944
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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10 July 1944
Diamond discusses his dislike of Frank Sinatra.
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11 July 1944
Diamond reports that the battalion is undergoing a "reorganization to conform with a new table of organization for chemical battalion."
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13 July 1944
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
15 July 1944
Diamond relates a lengthy conversation that he had had with officers from New Zealand.
GLC09120.457
17 July 1944
DeCaux, Len, fl. 1944
to Sidney Diamond
Letter written from the publicity director of the Congress of Industrial Organizations in response to a letter that Diamond had written on July 2. The letter answers some of Diamond's questions pertaining to membership of CIO unions, postwar plans...
GLC09120.458
27 July 1865
Hayward, J.H., fl. 1865
to Amos J. Harding
Does not feel much like writing this afternoon but remembered his obligation and will say a few words. Arrived at St. Louis one week ago this morning (Thursday) at 3 o'clock. His company had been mustered out the day before. Panicked about getting...
GLC02178.11
21 September 1865
Clark, W. I., fl. 1865
Writes that Harding's kind and appreciated note on 17 September came today and he wants to reply quickly to Harding's kind sentiments. Writes that if he has been of service to Harding, which it was certainly in his power to be on the occasion that...
GLC02178.12
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 -"
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19 July 1944
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
21 July 1944
Diamond writes that he is "disgustingly jealous" of Estelle's roommate as she can be with Estelle, and talk to her.
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22 July 1944
Diamond describes his "home" in the jungle to Estelle, writing that although it "isn't large", he could squeeze her in
GLC09120.462
25 July 1944
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.
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26 July 1944
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.
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27 July 1944
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...
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28 July 1944
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.
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29 July 1944
Diamond describes a humorous event that had occurred the night before while the "gang" were "reminiscing good old home."
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Handwritten notes
Story about being on an observation post during a "Jap attack", and a faulty cartridge preventing Diamond from killing the target.
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30 July 1944
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.
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3 August 1944
Diamond writes that there are some U.S.O. entertainers on the island, allegedly containing a female.
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Diamond describes the U.S.O show, starring "the first white woman" that Sidney has seen in eight months.
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