BLACK FEMALE WWII UNIT, THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT, WILL RECEIVE THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL
The only Black, all-female unit to serve in Europe during WWII, known as the Six Triple Eight, will be receiving the Congressional Gold Medal on Tuesday, recognizing their efforts. The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion is credited with solving the mail crisis in England, and later inspired generations of Black women to join the military.
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Overcame Adversity
Despite being hit with unfair and unjust discrimination, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion got much accomplished. As the only all-female, all-Black battalion in WWII, the 6888th Central Directory Postal Battalion experienced much racism and sexism; thus getting recognition at home was far from easy.
They trained hard for the conditions of a war-torn Europe. Often in lesser conditions with fewer resources because they were Black women. Part of the Women’s Army Corps in WW2, the WAC unit, would be put into four postal directory companies: A, B, C, and D. Additionally, there was also a headquarters company handling support, overhead, and administrative duties.
The Six Triple Eight’s motto of “no mail, low morale” and the leadership of Major Charity Adams, kept them going as a successful force that helped lift the spirits of Americans fighting in Europe.
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion is credited with solving a growing mail crisis in England. When they returned, their dedication and accomplishments positioned them as role models to generations of Black women who joined the military.
Like many Black units during World War II, their exploits never got the attention they deserved. However, now, they are finally being recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal.
U.S. Department of Defense Removes Web Pages Honoring the Battalion
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Defense removed web pages honoring the 6888th to comply with Trump's anti-DEI orders.
Millie Dunn Veasey was one of the women whose webpage was taken down. She was one of the 855 Veterans of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. She died in 2018, shortly after her 100th birthday.
U.S. Rep Deborah Ross sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth asking for the pages to be restored.
According to the Department of the Army, no profiles of individuals laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery have been permanently deleted from the sites, only recategorized. The page for the Six Triple Eight can now be found under, "Prominent Military Figures."
The 6888th Battalion Will Receive a Congressional Gold Medal
A ceremony presenting the 6888th Battalion with a Congressional Gold Medal is being held in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center. The ceremony is scheduled for April 29th, 2025.
House Speaker Johnson will present the medal to the family of the unit commander, Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley. The Senate voted on legislation to bestow the medal in 2021, and in 2022 the House unanimously voted to follow suit. Former President Joe Biden then signed the act into law in 2022.
Due to the time required to design the medal, the ceremony was not scheduled until recently. Urging the scheduling of the ceremony, dozens of senators wrote a letter to House Speaker Johnson, urging him to schedule a medal ceremony.
"Today only two members of the Six Triple Eight are know to be alive. Those still surviving ought to not wait any longer to receive their long-awaited recognition they rightfully deserve," they wrote.
The Six Triple Eight Film Shares Their Story With the World
Tyler Perry’s Six Triple Eight headed up by Kerry Washington tells their story. Along with Susan Sarandon, Dean Norris, Sam Waterston, and Oprah Winfrey, this Netflix drama delivers to audiences the story of a segregated group of women working to lift the spirits of those fighting overseas, with an all-star cast.
In addition to the talent above, writer/director Tyler Perry is enlisting a host of young talents such as Ebony Obsidian, Pepi Sonuga, Milauna Jackson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Jay Reeves, Jeanté Godlock, Kylie Jefferson, and Moriah Brown to help portray this epic story.
The film won all five of its nominations at the 56th NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding Motion Picture. The film's featured song, "The Journey" was nominated for Best Original Song at the 97th Academy Awards.
Updated by Lauren Piette
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