Six Triple Eight Finally Receives Congressional Gold Medal

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the 'Six Triple Eight,' was the only Black, all-female unit to serve overseas during World War II and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in a Capitol Hill ceremony, nearly 80 years after their service. Originally deployed to England and later serving in France, the 855-member battalion cleared a backlog of 17 million pieces of mail in just three months, greatly improving troop morale. Despite these achievements, the women received little recognition upon returning home, and only two members are alive today. Over 300 descendants attended the ceremony, where congressional leaders highlighted the battalion’s lasting legacy and role as trailblazers for Black women in the military. The bipartisan effort to honor them, led by Rep. Gwen Moore, sought to address a longstanding historical oversight. The story of the Six Triple Eight has recently inspired books and movies, bringing overdue national attention to their contributions.