Instant Insight

30-Second Take

• The Six Triple Eight, an all-Black, all-female unit, is receiving the Congressional Gold Medal for their WWII service.
• They cleared a 17-million-piece mail backlog in England in just three months, significantly boosting troop morale.
• Only two of the original 855 women are still alive to witness this long-overdue recognition.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the Six Triple Eight, was the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve in Europe during World War II. Despite their critical role in clearing a massive mail backlog, their contributions were largely overlooked until now.

Core Players

• Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley – Commanding officer of the Six Triple Eight.
• Maj. Fannie Griffin McClendon – One of the two surviving members of the unit.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson – Presenting the Congressional Gold Medal during the ceremony.
• Kim Guise – Senior curator at the National WWII Museum.

Key Numbers

• 855 – Total number of women in the Six Triple Eight unit.
• 2 – Number of surviving members from the original unit.
• 17 million – Pieces of mail cleared by the unit in three months.
• 65,000 – Pieces of mail sorted and delivered per shift.
• 1945 – Year the unit served in Europe.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The recognition of the Six Triple Eight’s achievements comes nearly eight decades after their service. This delay underscores the historical oversight of the contributions of Black women in the military.

“That really shows how long this recognition took,” said Kim Guise, senior curator at the National WWII Museum. “It is really important to recognize the accomplishments of these women and what they went through to serve their country in wartime.”

Inside Forces

The unit’s task was monumental: clearing a 17-million-piece mail backlog in England that was threatening troop morale. They worked around the clock, sorting and delivering over 65,000 pieces of mail per shift. Their efficiency and dedication were instrumental in resolving the crisis.

Maj. Fannie Griffin McClendon, one of the surviving members, reflected on the honor, saying, “It’s something I never even thought about.”

Power Dynamics

The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation’s highest civilian award, and its presentation marks a significant acknowledgment of the unit’s service. The ceremony, held in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center, involves key figures such as House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The recognition also highlights the broader struggle for recognition and equality faced by Black women in the military during WWII.

Outside Impact

The Six Triple Eight’s story has started to gain wider recognition in recent years. A monument was erected in 2018 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the unit received the Meritorious Unit Commendation in 2019. A documentary and a Netflix movie directed by Tyler Perry have also been produced to honor their exploits.

This recognition serves as a model for future generations of Black women in the military and underscores the importance of acknowledging and celebrating diverse contributions to national service.

Future Forces

The awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal sets a precedent for recognizing overlooked historical contributions. It also emphasizes the need for continued efforts to honor and remember the sacrifices and achievements of all military personnel, regardless of their background.

As the story of the Six Triple Eight becomes more widely known, it is likely to inspire further research and recognition of other underappreciated military units and their contributions.

Data Points

• 2022: President Trump signed legislation to award the Six Triple Eight the Congressional Gold Medal.
• 2018: A monument was erected at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to honor the unit.
• 2019: The unit received the Meritorious Unit Commendation.
• 2024: A Netflix movie directed by Tyler Perry was released about the unit.
• Apr. 29, 2025: The Congressional Gold Medal ceremony took place.