6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all African American Women’s Army Corps Unit
In this week in military history, we explore the Six Triple Eight Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all African American Women’s Army Corps unit deployed overseas during World War II, which was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on March 14, 2022.
The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was established in 1942 and included African American women, albeit as segregated units. Charity Adams Earley was in the first WAAC officer class, which eventually became the WAC in 1943, having dropped the “Auxiliary” from its name. Because of Adam’s demonstrated leadership, she was ultimately promoted to lieutenant colonel and selected to command the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. More than eight hundred women of the 6888th deployed to England, then on to France. Of the more than 6,500 African American women who served during World War II, this was the only all-female, all-African American battalion sent overseas during the war. Like other units, women that signed up for the 6888th went through basic training.. Their fame stems largely from their successful mission of boosting troop morale. More than eight hundred women of the 6888th deployed to England, then on to France to work through the tremendous backlog of accumulated mail.
Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower recognized that when soldiers do not receive mail, morale plummets. By early 1945, most soldiers fighting across France after D-Day and into Germany after the Battle of the Bulge, had not received mail in months. When the 6888th arrived in Europe in February 1945, over seven million U.S. personnel were stationed there; most had not received mail in months. Though there were over 7,500 Robert Smiths and addresses bearing varied aliases---Bob, Robby, Bert, etc.---the 6888th quickly reduced the backlog.
They accomplished the mission by working around the clock in three 8-hour shifts. When one thinks about combat multipliers during World War II, they think of armaments, munitions, and men in battle. It is safe to say that receiving mail motivated the war-weary troops, and the 6888th certainly fits the bill as a combat multiplier. Though the battalion was recognized through various honors since their service ended, the Congressional Gold Medal awarded in March 2022, is perhaps the ultimate recognition.
Join us next time for another segment of This Week in Military History with the Pritzker Military Museum & Library.