Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal Campaign

Six Triple Eight veterans Maybelle Tanner Campbell (L) and Indiana Hunt-Martin (R) at the 2019 National Memorial Day Parade.

The history-making 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the Six Triple Eight, was the first and only all-female African American unit deployed overseas during World War II. They were sent to Birmingham, England and Rouen, France to sort through the two year logjam of mail to send to American troops overseas. The American Veterans Center has had the honor of talking with several of these legends.

In February 1946, the last of the Six Triple Eight returned to the U.S. and to Jim Crow laws that enforced segregation. The unit was disbanded at Fort Dix, New Jersey, without ceremony or official recognition of their service and achievements. Seven known veterans of the unit are still alive.

The Six Triple Eight has never received any type of unit award. The AVC is proud to support the campaign to recognize the women of the Six Triple Eight for their incredible service during the Second World War.

MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION CITATION

During the period between 14 February 1945 and 15 February 1946, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion displayed meritorious service while deployed to England and France as part of the Women’s Army Corps in the European Theater of Operation in World War II. The unit conducted combat support operations which impacted the morale and welfare of United States service members fighting across the European continent. The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion’s professionalism and dedication are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon themselves, the Women’s Army Corps, and the United States Army.

Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal Bills

The following bills have recently been introduced to Congress in support of the 6888 Congressional Gold Medal campaign.

• S.633 – Introduced in the Senate by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.  
• H.R. 3138 – Introduced in the House by Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI-4) referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker.

AVC Six Triple Eight Interviews

Anna Mae Robertson served in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II, and was assigned to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Ms. Robertson shared her experience, along with her daughter Janice Banyard, and they reflected on the legacy of the Six Triple Eight. Janice was inspired by her mother’s service and worked for the US Postal Service for many years. They currently live in Milwaukee, WI, where she lived for most of her life after the war. 

Elizabeth Bernice Barker Johnson is a World War II veteran of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion of the Women’s Army Corps. She trained as a truck driver in Fort Devens, Massachusetts. After her discharge from the Army, she attended Winston Salem State University, graduating in 1949 with a degree in Education. She was born in Elkin, North Carolina and currently lives in Hickory, North Carolina. 

Deloris Ruddock enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps in October 1943 in Washington, DC. Ms. Ruddock trained as a postal clerk at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. She would be assigned to the history-making 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. After the serving in the Army Ms. Ruddock moved to New York and worked in banking for many years. She currently lives in Maryland.