April 29th 2025.
On April 29, 2025, the groundbreaking achievements of the all-Black, all-female 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, also known as the Six Triple Eight, will finally be recognized and honored with the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal. This recognition comes after a long campaign to shed light on the unit, which has received little recognition for their service during World War II upon returning to the U.S.
Led by unit commander Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley, the 855 Black women of the Six Triple Eight were the first of their kind to be deployed overseas during the war. In just three months, they successfully cleared out a staggering backlog of 17 million pieces of undelivered mail, solving a crisis that had been ongoing for months. As reported by The Associated Press, this accomplishment is a testament to their dedication and service to their country during wartime.
Kim Guise, senior curator and director of curatorial affairs at the National WWII Museum, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the accomplishments of these women and the challenges they faced while serving their country. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Congress, and in 2022, the bill to award the Six Triple Eight with this honor was passed with a unanimous vote of 422-0. Wisconsin Representative Gwen Moore, who co-sponsored the bill, expressed her joy and pride in ensuring that these heroes receive the recognition they deserve.
Out of the 855 women who served in the Six Triple Eight, only two are still living. Major Fannie Griffin McClendon, one of the oldest living members, recalls the determination and hard work of the unit in fulfilling their duties. She shares that despite being told they would be overseas for two to three months, they managed to solve the mail crisis in just a month and a half. After their time in England, the unit also served in France.
The American Veterans Center, a supporter of the campaign to award the Congressional Gold Medal, has introduced bills to Congress in support of the Six Triple Eight. Additionally, award-winning director Tyler Perry has brought their story to light in his 2024 Netflix documentary, "The Six Triple Eight." Finally, on April 29, 2025, the unit will be honored in a ceremony at the Capitol Visitor Center's Emancipation Hall, where the Congressional Gold Medal will be presented to the family of Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley by House Speaker Mike Johnson and other dignitaries.
As we celebrate and honor the groundbreaking achievements of the Six Triple Eight, it is important to remember the sacrifices and contributions of all Black women who have served and continue to serve our country. This recognition is long overdue and serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of these remarkable women.
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