Diamond, a retired Air Force senior master sergeant, spent 20 years as a public affairs spokesman for the U.S. Army Pacific Command and the last four years as the chief of public affairs for the U.S. Army Installation Management Command-Pacific at Fort Shafter. During his military career, Diamond worked in radio as a broadcaster in the days before they called themselves disc jockeys. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked at K-59, KKUA and KULA.

"Mr. Diamond really knew his public affairs business,"said Stan Sokoloski, who retired last week as the regional director of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command-Pacific. "He was one of the best around. It was interesting that he was a character. I don't mean that in a negative way. He was a person who had his convictions and always knew what the right thing was to do."

Diamond was diagnosed with cancer only recently, said his daughter, Sharon Diamond Pascual. His desk is still in the office, said Sarah Fishburne, U.S. Army Pacific community relations officer.

"He was so knowledgeable," Fishburne said. "Everyone knows him — especially the old-timers in Hawai'i."

Diamond serviced in the Alabama Army National Guard in 1955 and served for 23 years in the Air Force, retiring in 1980. He served in Vietnam and held tours of duty in Japan and Thailand. He will be buried with full military honors on Friday, Sokoloski said. His medals, however, will be kept aside, Pascual said. He earned the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

"I'm so proud of him," Pascual said. "He got all these medals in the Air Force. He never really talked about it. He wanted us to save his medals for his grandchildren so they'd know what he accomplished.

"He was so patriotic. It was all about standing up for the country."

During his career as a spokesman, Diamond chose to always remain behind the scenes. He was often tapped to write speeches and emcee events, Pascual said.

"He had a distinguished deep voice that he used more for live shows," she said. "It was his writing and speaking he was known for. He was one of those who could flawlessly pull off a recording."

He is survived by his wife, Kimeko; three daughters: Shana Diamond-Hoshino, Sheryl Diamond-Yamashita and Pascual; six grandchildren; and a sister.

Visitation is planned for 6 p.m. Thursday and a service will be at 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Fellowship in Mililani, 95-1080 Ukuwai St.

Burial will be at 1 p.m Friday at the Hawai'i State Veterans Cemetery in Kane'ohe.