​​The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, also known as the “Six Triple Eight,” was a unique unit in the history of the Second World War. Composed entirely of African American women, it was the only all-Black, all-female battalion deployed overseas by the United States Army during the conflict. Activated in 1945, the battalion was formed to address a critical morale issue among American forces in Europe: an overwhelming backlog of undelivered mail.​By early 1945, warehouses in Birmingham, England, were filled with millions of letters and parcels intended for American servicemen. Mail had piled up due to poor storage, misaddressed letters, frequent troop movements, and the impact of the ongoing conflict. The situation affected troop morale, leading the War Department to deploy the 6888th to restore the mail system’s efficiency.&nbsp;​Led by Major Charity Adams, the highest-ranking African American woman in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), the battalion arrived in England in February 1945. Comprising over 800 women, the unit was divided into four companies and began work in Birmingham under harsh conditions. The women operated in cold, poorly lit facilities with windows blacked out due to the threat of air raids. They worked in shifts around the clock, sorting and redirecting mail using a card index system that recorded over 7 million names.&nbsp;​The battalion cleared the six-month backlog in just three months—half the time allocated. In May 1945, the 6888th was sent to Rouen, France, where they faced a similar backlog. Once again, they succeeded in restoring mail service efficiently. Later, they were transferred to Paris, continuing their work until the end of their deployment.&nbsp;​Despite their success, the women of the 6888th faced racial and gender discrimination both during and after the war. They received no formal recognition at the time and returned home largely unacknowledged. Their service has since been re-evaluated and honoured: in 2022, the unit was collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.​&nbsp;

United States

Somewhere in England, Maj. Charity E. Adams, Columbia, S.C., and Capt. Abbie N. Campbell, Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Ala., inspect the first contingent of members of the Women's Army Corps assigned to overseas service.

Photograph of WAC Officers Inspecting the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

Paris, France. WACs sort packages, taken from the mail sacks by French civilian employees, at the 17th Base Post Office.

Photograph of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in France​

Eating mess at table in foreground at WAC quarters somewhere in England

Photograph of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in England

The first WAC unit in continental Europe takes part in a ceremony in Rouen, France, celebrating Joan of Arc Day. 6888 Central Postal Directory Bn.

Photograph of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in France

General view of parade which followed ceremony in honor of Jean D'Arc, at the market place where she was burned at the stake. It was the WAC battalion's first parade on the continent. 6888 Central Postal Directory Bn. Rouen, France.

Le 6888e bataillon postal

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