By Tamara Shiloh

Many historical accounts of wars do not include women. The word “soldier” often brings to mind a man in uniform. Yet by definition it refers to anyone, including women, serving in the military.

American women were allowed to serve in the army during World War I (1914–1918). Many were nurses and staff who cooked for, and catered to, injured soldiers. Because slavery and racism prevented Black women from giving their services to America, many of these women were White.

Women were recruited and trained until May 1942. The Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps was formed, and women of all races were officially allowed to serve. In July of that same year, women were given full benefits in the military, and the word “auxiliary” was removed from their name. The Corps then became known as the Women’s Army Corps (WACs).

Although the military trained women of all races in all divisions and sections of the army in preparation for war, division among the races remained. Black women were encouraged to become WACs. In other divisions, such as the Navy, Black women were excluded almost entirely. The Army Nurse Corps only allowed 500 Black nurses to serve despite thousands who applied.

But the tables were turned in 1945 when the world’s first all-Black female battalion was sent from the United States to serve in parts of Europe during World War II (1939–1945).

Known as the 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion, or “the SixTripleEight,” the battalion served in parts of France and England to clear the backlog of mail in the European Theater of Operations. The battalion boasted 855 Black women, both enlisted and officers, and was led by Major Charity Adams Earley. It was the only all-Black, all-female battalion overseas throughout the war.

Many of the women serving were handpicked by civil rights activist and educator Mary McLeod Bethune.

Confronted with racism and sexism from their own leadership and troops, the battalion served with honor and distinction completing their mission in six months. By war’s end, the SixTripleEight had cleared over 17 million pieces of backlogged mail ensuring the troops stayed in touch with their loved ones back home.

Although the SixTripleEight had a motto, “No mail, low morale,” they accomplished more than distributing letters and packages. As the largest contingent of Black women to ever serve overseas, they dispelled stereotypes and represented a change in racial and gender roles in the military.

Between 1945 and 1946, the majority of the women worked under the mail service. Others served as cooks, mechanics, nurse assistants and in other roles when necessary. Working conditions were dangerous and risky, as the women were placed in abandoned and infested aircraft and offices throughout the war.

Women of the SixTripleEight were later honored with the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal while they were still in service.

The last of the battalion returned home in March 1946.

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