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9 February 1943
Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945
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
27 February 1943
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
1 March 1943
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
16 March 1943
Diamond tells Estelle that he is "desperately in love".
GLC09120.202
April 1943
Diamond describes having taken his troops on a trip to practice compass. He tells Estelle about the surrounding Louisiana scenery.
GLC09120.210
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
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
June 1943
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
10 August 1942
Diamond mentions that he has seen a film on the use of the bayonet. He also informs Estelle that it would be impossible for anyone to comprehend the sensations that he now experiences in terms of fatigue and weariness.
GLC09120.085
12 August 1942
Diamond describes what his day has consisted of - a film on bayonet use, a film on how to disarm armed men, and another one on sex hygiene.
GLC09120.087
20 August 1942
Diamond informs Estelle that four men have gone before the Battalion board and have been subsequently put on probation. He expresses worry about a chemical tactics test.
GLC09120.094
September 1942
Diamond gives Estelle a description of an air raid alert.
GLC09120.105
8 November 1942
Letter written just after having visited Estelle, and Diamond writes of "the odor of [her] hair still playing with [his] senses". Diamond also talks about the "confusion of inefficiency" that reigns at home, as soon as the "men are gone".
GLC09120.126
30 April 1942.
Describes the punishment of walking for eight hours a day with a pack filled with bricks for a period of four days given to a boy who had gone missing for three days. Discusses impatience as to when he will be moved on from the training camp.
GLC09120.004
circa 1942
Describes the process of being given an army uniform, and how it creates a sense of equality in the company. Warns Estelle not to trust soldiers.
GLC09120.010
Describes his elation with his new post in Edgewood Arsenal, where everyone behaves "like a gentleman and a soldier". States that the Chemical Warfare Service is merely a year and a half old, and consequently "acts its age - young, militant...
GLC09120.011
Outlines what his day has consisted of - primarily an array of lectures on decontamination techniques and different incendiaries. Written at Edgewood Arsenal.
GLC09120.013
Circa. May 1942
Apologizes for brevity of letter, explaining that he has a lecture on the Blitzkrieg tactics of the Germans that evening. Outlines the day's events which consisted of a motion picture on personal health and a lecture on chemical warfare. Describes...
GLC09120.022
circa summer 1942
Diamond describes to Estelle the day that he has spent on the firing range. He also expresses frustration about the rumors circulating concerning when they are to get married.
GLC09120.064
11 July 1942
Diamond discusses the logistical difficulties attached to finding a room for Estelle should she come to visit. Also speaks of the "disturbing signs of nearing shipments."
GLC09120.067
4 January 1944
Diamond describes the soldiers from New Zealand that he has been working with.
GLC09120.326
3 February 1944
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
13 February 1944
Diamond asks Estelle to send him a book once a month to entertain him.
GLC09120.351
18 February 1944
Diamond writes that he imagines embracing Estelle.
GLC09120.355
25 February 1944
Diamond tells Estelle that he no longer has "that burning hatred of the jungle and its mysteries", commenting on how peculiar it is that "a man can adapt himself to this way of living".
GLC09120.361
Diamond describes writing to the wife of one of his men about his death, an experience that made him realize the "ridiculous emptiness of words".
GLC09120.362
29 February 1944
Diamond informs Estelle that his vocabulary is too limited to express how grateful he is for everything that she has done for him.
GLC09120.365
3 March 1944
Diamond informs Estelle that she has become an integral part of his daily routine.
GLC09120.368
21 March 1944
Diamond comments on how sad it is "that man must come to destroy, scar, and burn."
GLC09120.378
30 March 1944
GLC09120.383
12 April 1944
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
24 April 1944
Diamond reports that the rainy season has begun once more. He writes that he has finished reading Voltaire's "Candide".
GLC09120.400
25 April 1944
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
29 November 1943
Letter is typed in order to practice typing. He writes that he imagines her sitting before him.
GLC09120.299
27 December 1943
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
19 May 1944
Diamond describes the experience of receiving surgery in the army hospital the day before.
GLC09120.414
30 May 1944
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
May 1944
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
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
8 June 1944
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
13 June 1944
Diamond writes that he has now spent almost a month in hospital, and proceeds to describe to Estelle his schedule there.
GLC09120.434
June 1944
Diamond complains about his "tyrant ward boy" in the hospital.
GLC09120.435
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".
GLC09120.446
1 January 1945
Diamond writes to Estelle: "It is unnecessary for me to describe my eternal devotion to you - " Written en route to the Philippines
GLC09120.557
21 July 1944
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
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
10 August 1944
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
18 August 1944
Diamond informs Estelle that he has been snowed under with work. He then proceeds to discuss how much he misses her.
GLC09120.481
6 September 1944
Diamond tells Estelle how much he desires to see her.
GLC09120.496
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