The Six Triple Eight: 5 Shocking Facts About The All-Black Female WWII Battalion That Inspired The New 2024 Netflix Film
The "Six Triple Eight" is a name that has recently surged into the global spotlight, an essential piece of World War II history finally receiving its long-overdue recognition. As of late
Their heroic efforts, often overshadowed for decades, represent a powerful testament to dedication, resilience, and the fight against both the Axis Powers and racial and gender discrimination within their own ranks. From their arrival in a war-torn Birmingham, England, to their historic Congressional Gold Medal award, the legacy of the 855 women of the Six Triple Eight is a story of triumph that every American should know.
The Unbreakable Commander: A Profile of Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley
The success of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion is intrinsically linked to the extraordinary leadership of its commanding officer, Major Charity Adams, who would later be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley. She was not only the commander of the "Six Triple Eight" but also the first African-American woman to become an officer in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), later the WAC. Her biography alone is a testament to breaking barriers.
- Full Name: Charity Edna Adams Earley
- Born: December 5, 1918, in Kittrell, North Carolina
- Education: Graduated from Booker T. Washington High School (Columbia, South Carolina) and earned a B.A. in Mathematics from Wilberforce University. She also attended Ohio State University for graduate work.
- Military Service: Commissioned as a first lieutenant in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in 1942.
- Historic Role: Commander of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, leading 855 women overseas to Europe during WWII.
- Later Life: After the war, she earned a master's degree in vocational psychology and guidance. She married Stanley Earley Jr. and wrote the memoir *One Woman's Army: A Black Officer's Graphic Account of Military Service in World War II*.
- Rank Achieved: Lieutenant Colonel, the highest-ranking Black woman in the U.S. Army during WWII.
Her leadership was tested immediately. Faced with a general who threatened to replace her with a white officer, Major Adams famously stood her ground, declaring, "Sir, over my dead body." This act of defiance cemented her reputation as a fierce advocate for her troops and a woman who refused to accept racial prejudice.
Fact 1: The "Impossible" Mission and the Motto That Changed Morale
When the 6888th arrived in Birmingham, England, in February 1945, they were faced with a daunting challenge. The mail situation in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) was catastrophic. Warehouses were crammed with an estimated 17 million pieces of undelivered mail, letters, and packages, some dating back two years. This massive backlog was destroying soldier morale, giving rise to the famous, and dangerous, phrase: "No mail, low morale."
The women of the "Six Triple Eight" quickly adopted the phrase as their own unofficial motto: "No Mail, Low Morale." The military command predicted it would take six months to clear the mountains of forgotten correspondence. Working in freezing, rat-infested warehouses, the battalion implemented a rigorous, three-shift (24/7) system. By creating a new, efficient mail tracking system, they were able to process an incredible average of 65,000 pieces of mail *per eight-hour shift*. They cleared the entire Birmingham backlog in just three months—half the predicted time. They then moved on to Rouen and later Paris, France, repeating their success and ensuring that contact between soldiers and their families was restored.
Fact 2: The Only All-Black, All-Female Unit to Serve Overseas in WWII
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion holds a unique and singular place in American military history. It was the only all-African American, all-female unit to be deployed overseas during World War II.
The unit was composed of 855 women—31 officers and 824 enlisted women—many of whom were college-educated. Their deployment was a direct result of pressure from civil rights leaders and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who advocated for the inclusion of Black women in the Women's Army Corps (WAC). Their service was a powerful, on-the-ground challenge to the segregation and racial prejudice rampant in the U.S. military at the time. They operated under their own command, proving that Black women were capable of performing complex, mission-critical tasks under extreme pressure, despite facing discriminatory treatment and inferior living conditions compared to their white counterparts.
Fact 3: The Recent Recognition—From Forgotten Heroes to Congressional Gold Medalists
For decades after World War II, the extraordinary service of the "Six Triple Eight" went largely unrecognized by the U.S. government. The unit was quietly disbanded in 1946, and its members returned home to a segregated America, receiving no parades or public accolades.
However, thanks to the tireless efforts of historians, advocates, and surviving members, a wave of recognition has finally come. The most significant honor was bestowed on March 14, 2022, when President Joe Biden signed a bill awarding the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion the Congressional Gold Medal. This is the highest civilian honor bestowed by the U.S. Congress, finally placing the "Six Triple Eight" alongside other legendary figures and units in American history.
This recent recognition, along with the dedication of monuments and memorials, highlights a national effort to correct the historical record and celebrate these forgotten heroes. Surviving veterans, such as Maybelle Rutland Tanner Campbell, Elizabeth Barker Johnson, and Lena Derriecott Bell King, have been central figures in these ceremonies, sharing their stories for the first time on a national stage.
Fact 4: The 2024 Tyler Perry Film That Immortalized Their Story
The most significant recent development bringing the "Six Triple Eight" to popular culture is the 2024 American war drama film, *The Six Triple Eight*. Written and directed by filmmaker Tyler Perry, the movie features an all-star cast including Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams Earley, and Oprah Winfrey as the fictional character of Goldie Lomax.
The film, which had a limited theatrical release in early December 2024 before its major streaming release on Netflix on December 20, 2024, has become a cultural phenomenon. Its production and release mark the first time the story of the 6888th has been given a major Hollywood treatment, ensuring that the women's struggle and triumph—from the freezing warehouses of Birmingham to the streets of Paris—will be seen by millions around the world. The film's featured song, "The Journey," also received significant attention, further cementing the unit's place in modern discourse.
Fact 5: The Global Footprint and the Cost of Service
The "Six Triple Eight" left a distinct global footprint during their deployment. Their main operational locations were:
- Birmingham, England: Where they tackled the initial, overwhelming backlog.
- Rouen, France: Where they continued their work, clearing more mail for soldiers fighting on the continent.
- Paris, France: Their final station, working to keep the mail flowing as the war in Europe concluded.
Their service was not without tragedy. While overseas, three members of the battalion died: two in a jeep accident and one from a pulmonary embolism. These women—Sergeant Dolores Browne, Private First Class Mary J. Barlow, and Private Anna Mae Wilson—were buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, a profound symbol of the sacrifices made by the "Six Triple Eight" alongside all other American service members. Their resting place in France serves as a permanent memorial to their courage and dedication.
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