The Six Triple Eight Central Postal Directory Battalion was the only all African American Women’s Army Corps unit deployed overseas to both England and France during World War II.
According to the US Army historical records, The Six Triple Eight Central Postal Directory Battalion had the nicknamed ‘Six Triple Eight’. The Battalion’s motto was “no mail, no morale”. In 1945 they sailed to the UK and were solely responsible for managing US Army post overseas, some of which had not been delivered in two years.
They cut through the two- to three-year backlog of mail in just three months, surpassing the goal of six months set by U.S. Army leaders who felt the lack of mail was hurting the war effort.
After their success in England, the “Six Triple Eight Batralion received follow-on missions in Rouen, France, and Paris to clear mail backlogs.
The unit disbanded in 1946, and the women came home quietly without any parades or awards to welcome them.
The Six Triple Eight was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on March 14, 2022.
1.2 million African American men and women served during World War II. However, their stories and experiences have been omitted from the remembrances, narratives and documentaries about the war. ~ African American Experience Diring World War II
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