The Texas 6888th Project: An American Love Story. Honoring the Black Texan Women Who Served in The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion During WWII In 1945.

 

The Texas 6888th Project: An American Love Story. Honoring the Black Texan Women Who Served in The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion During WWII In 1945. Pastor K.P. Tatum, Sr., Project  Curator 

Video: https://youtu.be/G2_0HZMv2dA  | Website: https://www.womenofthe6888th.org/

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - In 1945, the world was at war, but love, courage, and resilience burned brightly in the hearts of over 40 remarkable women from Texas. These women, daughters of the Lone Star State, answered their country’s call during its darkest hour, leaving behind their families, communities, and the familiar landscapes of Texas to become part of an extraordinary chapter in American history—the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the “Six Triple Eight.”

This is not just a story of war; it is a story of love—love for their country, their people, and the shared belief that justice and equality could triumph even in a segregated America.

These Black Texan women were young teachers, nurses, farmers, and domestic workers, bound by a collective desire to serve and prove their worth in a society that often sought to limit them. With heads held high, they marched into history as part of the first and only all-Black Women’s Army Corps (WAC) unit deployed overseas during World War II. They became apart of the 855 women in the Six Triple Eight, forming a battalion that would make an indelible impact on the morale and success of Allied forces.

From Texas to Europe: Answering the Call | https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-66045635

The journey began with basic training, some at Fort Sam Houston Army Base in San Antonio, Texas, where they faced both the rigors of military life and the sting of segregation. Yet, their grit and determination were unshakable. In early 1945, these Black Texas women joined the Six Triple Eight on a transatlantic voyage to Birmingham, England, where their mission was nothing short of monumental.

Amidst the chaos of war, a staggering backlog of over 17 million undelivered letters and packages sat untouched in warehouses, threatening to sever the crucial lifeline of communication between soldiers and their loved ones. The Six Triple Eight’s mission was clear: to sort, organize, and ensure that every piece of mail found its way to its intended recipient.

In freezing warehouses with limited resources, the women worked around the clock, adhering to their self-created motto, “No mail, low morale.” Within three months, on a six month assignment, the battalion achieved the impossible, clearing the backlog with a meticulous system that prioritized efficiency, accuracy, and human connection.

Love Beyond Borders

For the Black Texan women, their time in Europe was transformative. As they navigated the complexities of war-torn cities, they found themselves ambassadors of American resilience and hope. Letters passed through their hands containing whispers of love, words of encouragement, and promises of home. Each package reminded them of the universality of human connection, reinforcing their belief in the power of love to transcend borders, race, and the trials of war.

In moments of rest, the women formed bonds with local communities, learned to navigate foreign lands, and supported one another as sisters. Their shared experiences forged a unique kinship that would endure long after the war ended.

Coming Home: The Battle Continues

When the war concluded, the women of the Six Triple Eight returned home to a nation still wrestling with racism and inequality. Despite their heroism, they were not met with parades or public accolades. But these Black Texan women carried with them an unshakable pride, knowing they had played a vital role in a global effort to secure freedom.

Their love story did not end in 1945—it continued in the lives they rebuilt, the communities they uplifted, and the barriers they shattered. They became teachers, nurses, activists, and mothers, passing down stories of resilience, service, and hope to future generations.

Legacy of the Six Triple Eight

The Texas 6888th Project celebrates this American Love Story as one of courage, unity, and sacrifice. It honors the Black Texan women who stood shoulder to shoulder with their sisters, defying societal norms to deliver hope in the form of millions of letters.

Through educational initiatives, commemorative plaques, and traveling exhibits, the project ensures that their story is not just preserved but celebrated as a testament to the power of love and determination to overcome even the greatest of challenges.

The Six Triple Eight was more than a battalion—it was a beacon of love, hope, and the enduring spirit of justice. The Black Texas women who served within its ranks remind us that even in the face of adversity, an American love story can emerge—a story of service, sacrifice, and the unwavering belief that a better world is always worth fighting for. January 7, 2025.

The Texas 6888th Project: An American Love Story. Honoring the Black Texan Women Who Served in The 6888th Central Postal Battalion During WWII In 1945. 

Allen, Hazel PFC; Booker, Bessie PVT; Boyd, Erma Pauline PVT; Brown, Ruth Verjil T5; Chinn, Freddie William PFC; Cole, Florence Marie T5; Ellis, Marguerite J PFC; Goodloe, Juanita SSG; Hill, Mary Louise PFC; Hooper, Mildred Lois PFC; Hopkins, Pauline Lewis PFC; Howard, Dorothy Lee CPL; Hughes, Ernestine Elizabeth T5; Hughes, Georgia Clarence PFC; Jackson, Ella Mae PFC; Lawrence, Jerrell SSG; Lee, Catherine PFC; Lewis, Lucille SGT; McClung, Ruby Lee SGT; McKnight, Martha Anna PVT; Mills, Ophelia PFC; Minor, Helen Beatrice PFC; Nelson, Catherine Louise SGT; O’Brien, Ruby M SGT; O’Riley, Essie Oralea PFC; Ortiz, Mablyne T5; Pate, Kate PFC; Penn, Essie Lee PVT; Peterson, Mildred Elizabeth PVT; Powell, Calonia V 2LT; Rettig, Jewell T5; Revernal, Minerva Loraine PVT; Richards Eddie, T PVT; Richardson Winnie, B PFC; Roberts, Onnie Lois PFC; Robey, Florida Elizabeth T4; Smith, Erma L PFC; Smith, Lucille PFC; Stuart, Rose T4; Taylor, Millie Mary PVT; Walton, Johnnie Mae CPL; Wright, Myrtle Elizabeth PFC; Zenon, Mable Jeannette PVT.