Just yesterday we watched the new Netflix movie Six Triple Eight. It was a masterpiece based on a true story – which I always love to watch! I had seen the trailer on Facebook and read several comments that stated that Kerry Washington should get an Oscar for her performance and people wondering why we had never heard of this remarkable Army Battalion. Others were like “why haven’t they taught this in school history?” Another person remarked that she had been a part of the Women’s Army Corps and had never heard of the 6888th Battalion. So, who were the women of the 6888th and what did they do?
Spoiler alert – if you haven’t seen the movie and want to, you may want to come back to this post after you’ve watched it. If you have seen the movie, feel free to read on. See the official trailer here.
During World War II, the Army recruited women to help with the war effort. They filled jobs that were left void by male soldiers who had been sent to the front lines or jobs that they thought that “women could do.” They trained physically and prepared themselves just as an Army soldier would. They were led by then-Captain Charity Adams.
Capt Adams was formidable on her own. She was the first black female officer in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). She excelled at an early age and majored in math, Latin, and physics and taught middle school until she joined the Army in 1942. In 1943 she was promoted to the rank of Major, making her the highest ranking female officer at Fort Des Moines and one of the highest ranking WAC officers in the nation. In December 1944, she deployed to Europe leading the first black WAC unit to serve overseas. She commanded the 6888th Central Postal Battalion stationed in Birmingham, England.
Her battalion was given the task of sorting and delivering 17 million pieces of backlogged mail in only 6 months time. These women were given no resources, no support, and even had to fight against the ever present bigotry and racism that existed at that time and still exists today. They organized themselves into 3 shifts, working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This group of brilliant and talented women were able to successfully complete this gargantuan job in less than 90 days – less than half the time they were given to complete it!
Their work provided an uplift in morale for the United States’ troops stationed in Europe and to their families back in the States. Communication was restored along with the hopes and dreams of millions of people around the world.
The 6888th moved on to France after clearing the backlog in England and they were able to organize more undelivered mail to the European theater. Adams served in Europe until late 1945 and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, the highest possible rank for a solider in the WAC. After the war, she worked at the Pentagon before requesting a discharge in 1946.
She completed her Master’s degree in vocational psychology, married, raised two children, and devoted the rest of her life to education and activism. She continued to speak up and speak out for a better life for herself, her children, and those who struggle against bias and racism.
Lt Col Adams passed away in 2002. In 2023, Fort Lee was officially renamed Fort Gregg-Adams in honor of Lt Gen Arthur Gregg and Lt Col Charity Adams. Her accomplishments in the face of adversity from the enemy and from those around her are still being recognized today.
These amazing, brave, talented, and courageous women did the impossible because of their determination, grit, resiliency, along with their passion to make a difference and serve their country. Their story is one that should have been shared decades ago, but I’m so glad it’s being told now.
May the sacrifices they made so long ago continue to make the world a bette place for years to come and may we celebrate them together!
