Cover image: Six African-American WACs in Paris
Image in the public domain

When talk turns to the African-American military presence in Europe during World War II, rarely are women mentioned in any context.

Until recently, I had never heard of African-American women soldiers mentioned in this context.

It was only in researching Black soldiers who are buried in the American military cemetery in Normandy that I learned of three African-American women who died while serving in the European Theater of Operations (ETO). 

Their stories led me to the discovery of the phenomenal 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion – a majority Black Women's Army Corp (WAC) unit that served in Birmingham in England and Rouen and Paris in France.

6888th Battalion - Joan of Arc parade in Rouen
Image in the public domain

Most information about the "Six Triple Eight" indicates that the 800+ member battalion was entirely African-American.  But the organization's Website indicates that Puerto Rican and at least one Mexican woman were also members of the battalion.

The 6888 was tasked with distributing a massive two-year backlog of mail to U.S. troops in the ETO from February/March 1945 through February/March 1946.  The women fulfilled their mission in half the estimated time required, performing their duties in each of the three locations mentioned above.

By the time they headed for Paris in October 1945, many of the women in the unit had earned enough points of service to be discharged.  This meant that there were many fewer personnel to perform the same amount of work.  Though morale and performance suffered somewhat as a result, the battalion continued to faithfully execute its duties.

The living quarters occupied by the 6888 in Paris were by far the most lavish of those experienced during their tour of duty.  The enlisted women "bunked" at the large Hôtel Bohy Lafayette at Square Montholon in the 9th arrondissement, while the officers stayed at the smaller Hôtel Etats-Unis (which I believe was the location for the current Hôtel Etats-Unis Opéra on rue d'Antin in the 2nd arrondissement). Both groups of women enjoyed carpeted rooms, maid service, and meals prepared by hotel staff.

Hôtel Bohy Lafayette postcard
Fair use claim
Image source: Ebay 

To see additional vintage images of the Hôtel Bohy Lafayette, click HERE.

Building that housed the Hôtel Bohy Lafayette
© Entrée to Black Paris

The mail sorting facility – the 17th Base Post Office – was a warehouse-type building about a half-hour drive from both living quarters.

Sorting mail with French civilians in Paris
Image in the public domain

Major Charity Adams was the commander of the 6888 throughout its entire tour of duty.  In her autobiography entitled One Woman's Army - A Black Officer Remembers the WAC, she describes in some detail the activities the WACs enjoyed once they shifted the backlog of mail in Paris.  She noted how the women "took in the shows, the shops, and the scenes ... learned to get around on public transportation, and occasionally, dared to use a taxi..."

One Woman's Army - book cover

Major Adams also noted that "... the French did not observe us.  It seemed that many citizens felt that if we, U.S. military personnel, had to be there, we should be invisible." She indicated that the women under her command developed French acquaintances and were invited to people's homes to participate in or observe family rituals such as weddings and funerals.

As the number of soldiers in the 6888 dwindled and the prospect of a less-than-desirable reassignment loomed, Major Adams submitted her request to be discharged.  She arrived home just after Christmas in December 1945 and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel on December 26, 1945.  She was the only African-American WAC to achieve that rank – the highest possible in WAC – during the Second World War. 

Lieutenant Colonel Adams was released from active duty on March 26, 1946.

For additional information about the Six Triple Eight, visit the following sites:

Women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

Army Women's Foundation - The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

Library of Congress: 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion: A Guide to First-Person Narratives in the Veterans History Project

Sorting the Mail, Blazing a Trail: African-American Women in World War II

LTC Charity Adams - Oral History 1990