Tyler Perry released The Six Triple Eight a new film December 20 on Netflix spotlighting a lesser-known story from World War II. The film which is written and produced by Tyler Perry based his script on a WWII History Magazine article by Kevin M Hymel. Kerry Washington stars in the movie playing the role of Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams portraying a real life hero from history .
6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion First All Black Female Unit Serving In Europe During World War II
The Six Triple Eight as it is nicknamed is the only group of black women that comprised the Women's Army Corps during WWII in Europe. Their task included sorting over 17 million undelivered letters that needed to get to American soldiers based abroad so their families back home can have continued contact. The 6888th motto was “no mail low morale” highlighting importance in maintaining effective communication with soldiers at war.
Accomplishing the Impossible: The Six Triple Eight Sort 17 Million Parcels in Only Ninety Days
The Six Triple Eight far exceeded expectations and sorted those millions of parcels in 90 days which was originally projected to take twice as long that time frame to achieve showing hard work. Tyler Perry shared with People in 2024 he wanted these stories of powerful women to be known and celebrated by wider audiences showing recognition of historical contributions. The movie features a strong ensemble cast that includes Kerry Washington Ebony Obsidian Milauna Jackson plus Oprah Winfrey Sarah Jeffery Susan Sarandon Dean Norris Sam Waterson to show case many talents to share this unique story.
Lt Col Charity Adams The Leader Of The 6888th: Trailblazing Officer of the Women's Army Corps
The movie The Six Triple Eight highlights Kerry Washington portraying Lt Col Charity Adams. Born in Kittrell North Carolina December 5 1918 and raised in Columbia South Carolina Adams attended Wilberforce University in Ohio she became the first black female commissioned into WAC. Adams taught mathematics and science before she joined the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps in 1942 serving in the first African American officer school and rising to the rank of Major before being put in command for the deployment for this unit. Charity Adams led the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in their European tour in 1945 demonstrating significant dedication. She died on January 13 2002 and she had married Stanley A Earley Jr. in 1949 and they have two kids Judith and Stanley.
Corporal Lena Derriecott King A Key Figure and Inspiration behind "The Six Triple Eight"
The movie depicts Ebony Obsidian playing the role of Corporal Lena Derriecott King and the film highlights her role within 6888. Born on January 27th 1923 in Washington Georgia King lived with her aunt and mother after her parent’s divorce before graduation from Germantown High School. She worked as nurse and joined the Women’s Army Corps for overseas duty as part of the 6888th in Europe and had met her husband Hugh Bell at Douglas Army Airfield. Perry when researching this story met Lena who was 99 at the time she resided in Las Vegas. Tyler Perry stated Lena gave him key elements for the film following a few hours of speaking with the historical figure. King who passed away January 18 2024 received many birthday honors prior her passing where Ebony Obsidian her film counter part spent her birthday with her.
6888th's Purpose to Sort and Deliver Vital Letters to Soldiers and Families Alike
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion led by Adams had a task to sort millions of undelivered parcels which stretched back over a two year period. They arrived in Scotland February 12 1945 with mail housed in packed warehouses in Birmingham England. They reorganized all mail and rerouted the delivery to where it needed to go under six months completing their objectives quickly while adopting the motto “No Mail Low Morale”. Tyler Perry highlighted importance these women in helping to communicate between soldiers and their families that showed the humanity of this unit. Corporal King stated the importance for service men and women and the high importance of home communication when being so far away.
Six Triple Eight: Successful Mission Completion and Its Importance within World War II
The 6888th far outpaced expectations for accomplishing their military objective when they finished the sorting operation in 90 days half of the planned allocated time. They moved to Rouen France where they again continued mail organization. A 6888 member C Garcia expressed pride at serving their country despite facing issues surrounding that decision. During that time period women in general had a harder time in war environment however 6888 displayed unique capabilities.
Organization and Discipline of the 6888th Through Dedicated Three-Shift Schedule Created By Charity Adams
Lt Col Charity Adams successfully created and managed three shifts spanning eight hours throughout all days for organization which shows strong leadership. Her crew according to Adams processed up to 65000 pieces every shift utilizing new address lists and any prior mail data as a form of redirection . The women used innovative techniques to manage high volume mail operations which also involved working through very limited time and very challenging situations at their base camp. Johnson who was a member of 6888 explained they sorted mail stacked to the ceilings changing old addresses for delivery demonstrating how organized the process was despite its hectic work flow and the amount of volume needing attention. Adams was promoted to lieutenant colonel after successful mission and became the most highly ranked black woman within the United States army showing her achievements at the young age of 27. Adams broke through social barriers and opened opportunities for other Black females within all US forces. She received numerous awards along with schools named in her honor along with an army fort in Virginia being named in honor of both herself and retired Lt General Arthur J Gregg the army’s first Black three star general. Romay Davis Robinson Adams motor pool driver mentioned that Adams’ natural state of being was to show leadership skills during her life.
Challenges During 6888 Deployment Racism, Sexism, and Hostilities During Military Operations
The 6888th Unit encountered a magnitude of challenges that involved racism sexism logistics issues. This included segregated quarters within the former King Edwards Boys School and utilizing innovation they created their own social centers. The unit had strong support for Adams when she challenged segregation and she uttered the line “over my dead body” highlighting her bravery. Sorting parcels in unheated rodent-filled warehouse made conditions far harder also mail was unreadable due to weather and time and poor lightning making work tasks a constant grind. Bombs and aerial attacks occurred frequently creating major stressors and issues . King said that the people treated 6888 like heroes in Birmingham while many white American servicemen used racial slurs and showed the duality of how these hard-working women were viewed by general public at that time.
Life After Service: Accomplishments and Legacy of 6888 Unit Members Long After Completion of Duty
Charity Adams gained her masters from Ohio State and worked in the VA followed her military career and worked in universities as well serving in groups like the American Red Cross in her retirement years. Other unit members found jobs with government groups including Abbe Campbell who became a Tuskegee VA nutritionist, Anna Tarryk at VA Insurance Division and also Evelina Rachel Griffin had full VA careers highlighting impact within US governmental offices. Many of the women utilized the G I Bill with Barker Johnson also a unit member receiving educational benefits and returning back to the education industry as teacher. Lena King even though passing recently saw her legacy being highlighted by Perry’s film and gave approval with great regard and joy. Three 6888 unit members out of over 9000 Americans who were buried in Colleville-sur-Mer Normandy American Cemetery and fourteen members of 6888 are interred at Arlington National Cemetery highlighting that even in death this unit had unique influence during its time. Currently as of December 2024 two members of 6888 are still living and they are Fannie McClendon and Anna Mae Robertson.
Honors and Recognitions For 6888 Battalion Including Film TV and Literature Coverage
In 2016 Six Triple Eight received honor into the Army Women’s Hall of Fame the US military awarded them with the Meritorious Unit Commendation in 2019 while Fort Leavenworth inaugurated a monument November 30th in 2018 highlighting major recognition gained with time . The House of Representatives all agreed to award the 855 members of Six Triple Eight with a Congressional Gold Medal and In 2019 Lena King along with the other surviving unit members received the Audie Murphy Award during a public American Valor Awards Ceremony which were honors to celebrate each individual's contributions to that time period. The stories also extend in movies like Perry's film and books which are helping to create widespread support for this group including the musical Six Triple Eight and the book by Sheila Williams a historical novel titled No Better Time as well as numerous nonfiction books all capturing attention across different platforms and demographics who all want to understand this heroic group better.