The “Six Triple Eight,” formally known as the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, will receive the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony at the Capitol Visitor Center, recognizing their crucial role in World War II as the only Black, all-female unit serving in Europe. This honor comes after a prolonged campaign to celebrate their contributions and the barriers they faced.
The battalion addressed a significant mail crisis by clearing a backlog of 17 million pieces of mail within three months, achieving this twice as quickly as expected. After their time in England, they continued their service in France before returning home, but their accomplishments were largely overlooked compared to their white counterparts. House Speaker Mike Johnson and others will present the medal posthumously to Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley’s family.
Kim Guise from the National WWII Museum remarked on the long delay in recognizing these women’s achievements, noting that only two of the original 855 members are still alive. Wisconsin Rep. Gwen Moore emphasized the overdue nature of this honor, proudly acknowledging constituents like Anna Mae Robertson for their service. The Congressional vote to award the medal passed unanimously in 2022.
Retired Maj. Fannie Griffin McClendon, the first female commander of an all-male squadron in the Strategic Air Command, recounted the battalion’s success in organizing mail using innovative systems, processing about 65,000 pieces each shift.
Over the years, the unit’s legacy has gained traction, with monuments erected and documentaries produced, including an upcoming Netflix film directed by Tyler Perry. Their story serves as an inspiring testament to resilience and service during a challenging period in history.
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