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pnwmom

(109,630 posts)
Sun Dec 16, 2018, 10:44 PM Dec 2018

Army's only all-female, African American WW2 unit honored with monument

https://connectingvets.radio.com/articles/6888th-central-postal-directory-battalion-receives-monument-fort-leavenworth

The contributions of over 800 African American women who sorted mail in a segregated unit during WWII were recognized Friday in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, with a monument erected in their honor.

“No mail, no morale,” was the motto of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the U.S. Army’s only all-African American and all-female unit during the Second World War.

Often referred to as the “Six-Triple-Eight,” the unit was made of up 824 enlisted and 31 officer women, who were originally from the Women’s Army Corps, Army Service Forces and Army Air Forces.

While many African American nurses served overseas in combat zones, WAC units remained separated and women of color were only allowed to serve overseas depending on the “needs of the Army.” The military faced pressure for African Americans WACs to serve in overseas components and eventually a request for 800 women to serve in the European Theatre was approved.

SNIP
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Army's only all-female, African American WW2 unit honored with monument (Original Post) pnwmom Dec 2018 OP
Great motto! Letters from home vital for morale, war effort Ciaphas Cain Dec 2018 #1
Pretty cool! PatrickforO Dec 2018 #2
Thanks for the posting. TomSlick Dec 2018 #3
You're welcome! pnwmom Dec 2018 #4

Ciaphas Cain

(124 posts)
1. Great motto! Letters from home vital for morale, war effort
Mon Dec 17, 2018, 12:17 AM
Dec 2018

I'm grateful for you sharing this! I didn't know about this unit!

PatrickforO

(15,126 posts)
2. Pretty cool!
Mon Dec 17, 2018, 01:51 AM
Dec 2018

My dad was a tech sergeant in a radar platoon on Morotai Island during WWII. One of the few things he'd ever say about his experiences during the war was how very much it meant to him to get letters from home.

I actually have one he wrote to his grandmother from boot camp. I have none he received while over there.

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