The all-Black female WWII unit, the "Six Triple Eight," received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award from Congress. On Tuesday, the 6888th unit, also known as the "Six Triple Eight," was recognized for their efforts during World War II, specifically for their role in delivering millions of pieces of backlogged mail to boost morale among U.S. personnel in Europe.
The unit's innovative system of 7 million ID cards helped overcome the challenge of delivering mail to soldiers with similar names. This manual process significantly increased the number of letters received by soldiers, enhancing their morale. The award comes three years after the Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 was signed into law by former President Joe Biden in 2022.
Led by Lt. Col. Charity Adams-Earley, the highest-ranking Black female officer in WWII, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was the only unit of Black women serving overseas during the war. Comprising 855 women of color, the unit played a crucial role in boosting morale among soldiers stationed in Europe.
During a ceremony attended by over 300 descendants and family members of the 6888th, Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted the unit's impact on improving morale among soldiers. The unit's motto, "No Mail, Low Morale," reflected their dedication to ensuring soldiers received letters and packages from home.
Despite facing a backlog of mail in a warehouse in England, the 6888th managed to sort through it in just three months, a task initially estimated to take six months. The unit's story was later adapted into a movie titled "The Six Triple Eight," directed by Tyler Perry and starring Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, and Milauna Jackson.
For more updates and news stories, follow Julia on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or reach out via email at jgomez@gannett.com