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Filmmaker Tyler Perry highlights a largely unknown chapter of World War II history in his film The Six Triple Eight which was released on Netflix December 20 with his writing direction and production style. This film based on a World War II History Magazine article by Kevin M Hymel follows the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion led by Lt Col Charity Adams starring Kerry Washington an all-Black female unit within the Women's Army Corps in Europe during the second world war . While intended to be educational some critic reviews do question certain elements of this production that highlight Perry's known directorial tendencies.
The 6888th battalion nicknamed Six Triple Eight had an important mission to sort through seventeen million pieces of undelivered mail which directly impacted American troops stationed in Europe and this became the focal point of The Six Triple Eight’s contribution. Letters served as primary contact from home to soldiers so the battalion slogan became ‘no mail low morale’. Though tasked with finishing the mail sorting in six months they completed this in an amazing ninety days creating positive feelings amongst servicemen during an arduous war. Tyler Perry mentioned these women were essential to ending the conflict with their role as the mail force being extremely necessary for that period. Tyler Perry stated it is very important stories of certain groups be highlighted to combat erasing their contributions to history. the importance of recognizing Black women's crucial roles are emphasized within The Six Triple Eight film to bring visibility.
Kerry Washington stars in The Six Triple Eight playing Lt. Col. Charity Adams while other cast includes Ebony Obsidian and Milauna Jackson alongside Kylie Jefferson Sarah Jeffery Susan Sarandon Dean Norris Sam Waterson and Oprah Winfrey all creating strong characters. These casting choices brought together a well-balanced collection of characters who portray the events surrounding this all-black female unit during the war. These casting decisions also provided opportunities to connect audiences to the historical period as a vehicle for sharing stories that normally are ignored by mainstream cinema.
the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was officially the sole unit of color in the Women's Army Corps deployed in Europe at that time creating strong support among female members and setting them up for continued success despite overt bigotry. Charity Adams the first Black woman in WAC history got a mission to serve in Europe late in 1944. The members of this unit 855 in total were sent overseas by February 1945 proving that many diverse experiences are important to remember. The unit which became well known connected troops from America with families through the mail. Kerry Washington as Adams says to her troops that they "have been ordered to provide hope" reflecting their important work during war times.
The real Charity Adams the character played by Kerry Washington in movie was born on December 5 1918 in North Carolina and was a student at Wilberforce University in Ohio graduating with math physics and Latin degrees after becoming class valedictorian for Booker T Washington High School. She became math and science teacher before she joined Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps WAAC (later WAC) back in 1942 after starting service. She then continued to excel in her career becoming the highest ranking female officer in 1943 after an attendance in the African American Officer Candidate School at Fort Des Moines in Iowa. Adams led 6888th battalion during their specific task during 1945 overseas after her military success. Adams married Stanley A Earley Jr in 1949 and passed away in 2002 age 83 leaving legacy for generations of Black women in leadership roles.
Ebony Obsidian who is portraying Corporal Lena Derriecott King the character based in historical facts was born January 27 1923 in Washington Georgia as an only child to separated parents she resided with her mother and her aunt during her formative years after attending Germantown High School in Philadelphia Pennsylvania she decided to sign up for the army at only 18. She was in the Army Air Force at the time starting her active service duty in 1943. Corporal Lena Derriecott King had her initial duties as a nurse at Douglas Airfield in Arizona when she would meet her future husband at the base. She was in the group of 855 women who made up 6888th unit. Tyler Perry made contact with Corporal Lena King before passing on January 18 2024 at 100 years old after she approved of her portrayal in a rough version of The Six Triple Eight.
The film mentions Adams mission while traveling to Europe would see her be in charge of an all-Black all-female unit to solve the backlog of seventeen million pieces of undelivered mail from a two-year period to all the soldiers. The battalion arrived to England on February 12 1945 before the unit was moved to warehouses in Birmingham. On March 12 the 6888th unit started it’s important task to organize and redirect parcels so they could be sent out in an already specified six months. The mission of this unit was a crucial connection between those who fought and their families at home during the war and was directly reflected through “no mail low morale” motto in the film reflecting the importance communication. King told WWII History Magazine back in 2019 that everyone looked forward to mail showing a desire to feel that others cared and remembered.
The women from The Six Triple Eight group finished their mail distribution in just 90 days despite having an initially given task time limit of six months. These women then transferred to Rouen France where they began operation at a French monastery proving their efficiency. Cresencia Garcia who was a member of 6888th explained in 2023 how women who helped in the effort did not always feel they were needed and appreciated. After successfully helping out she explained it with much pride and satisfaction in her words with History Channel's HistoryTalks.
Adams led her crew using system of three eight-hour shifts working every day while sticking closely to their motto which helped to establish an efficiency that was crucial in achieving their objectives. Adams recalled about sixty five thousand pieces of mail that her team handled during each of those shifts from working around the clock which added pressure to an already complex task during the time. Elizabeth Bernice Barker Johnson recalled working during long hours through stacked mail needing to reorganize information plus illegible addresses. King also reiterated this saying readdressing many letters was tedious and kept people extremely busy. The success allowed for promotion of Adams to Lieutenant Colonel thus making history at only 27 years of age making her the highest ranking Black woman in the US Army. The Six Triple Eight also allowed more chances for women to join in the armed forces following their success.
The Six Triple Eight unit had to navigate major problems during overseas tours including racism and sexism also unique logistics plus vast cultural differences they had never experienced. These women had a very difficult situation in segregated living at a former King Edwards Boys School where they began organizing spaces with food halls plus hair salons. When Adams boycotted these segregated spaces the general in charge at the time used racial slurs. Adam responded with “over my dead body” making an act of true strength in the film while receiving full support by members in her group despite backlash. The mail which consisted of seventeen million items presented their own separate set of challenges including being molded some had become unreadable or damaged due to pest infestations. The women also worked long hours in unheated rat infested buildings where it was too dark to read easily due to blackout procedures that protected them from any possible German attacks.
During a previous interview Corporal King said that residents in Birmingham always gave the 6888th group a heroes welcome even when that was not the case from American servicemen specifically white men. During a social dance a white serviceman called her a racial slur demonstrating discrimination even during an international military campaign for peace. She shared how she felt disappointed as the same citizens they fought with alongside were also causing immense pain and disrespect and they were supposed to have fought along side them.
Adams resigned one year after The 6888th mission which would see her pursue further education while eventually serving on boards for American Red Cross plus working at schools in both Tennessee and Georgia. She also was a volunteer and a founder for multiple projects demonstrating her high levels of activity among the public and communities around her for generations. Barker Johnson plus several of the women continued careers in the government such as Abbe Campbell, Anna Tarryk and Evelina Rachel Griffin. Also some women used education benefits to expand opportunities in education showing a determination to gain equal treatment in post war environments. King passed in 2024 but gave Tyler Perry a green light for using her story in film before she died. The members of 6888th are buried in several military graves in locations across the world with only 4 being women in Colleville-sur-Mer Normandy. Only Fannie McClendon plus Anna Mae Robertson remained alive by December 2024 as survivors of Six Triple Eight unit showcasing the time that had passed since then.
The 6888th received much needed recognition and appreciation when being inducted into Army Women's Foundation's Hall of Fame in 2016 in the modern era and awarded Meritorious Unit Commendation from the army back in 2019 showing continued support despite several decades since. The monument dedicated at Fort Leavenworth for them during 2018 demonstrated significant support over several years of campaigning for recognition. U.S House of Representatives voted to honor all the 855 members from Six Triple Eight during 2022 with Congressional Gold Medal in appreciation of all they did which would never be forgotten . Other tributes range from Audie Murphy Award and Honor Role Award by King plus additional plays and literature documenting events. Perry's film is a piece of larger narrative where this important story is being shared more widely today in our media and the wider culture.