soft-shell crab exporterVietnam crab exporter
Find us on Google 📌 America's birthday 🎂 Start the day smarter ☀️ Get the USA TODAY app
NATION

The only female unit to serve overseas in WWII gets a congressional medal 80 years later

April 30, 2025, 10:14 a.m. ET
The "Six Triple Eight" of World War II, officially known as the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, was a group of all-Black women in the Second World War tasked with fixing a three-year backlog of undelivered mail. On April 29, 2025, members of the 6888th earned a Congressional Gold Medal for their service. The Six Triple Eight were the only female unit in the US military to serve overseas in World War II. Here, members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion take part in a parade ceremony in honor of Joan d'Arc at the marketplace where she was burned at the stake in 1945 in in Rouen, France.
The "Six Triple Eight" of World War II, officially known as the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, was a group of all-Black women in the Second World War tasked with fixing a three-year backlog of undelivered mail. On April 29, 2025, members of the 6888th earned a Congressional Gold Medal for their service. The Six Triple Eight were the only female unit in the US military to serve overseas in World War II.

Here, members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion take part in a parade ceremony in honor of Joan d'Arc at the marketplace where she was burned at the stake in 1945 in in Rouen, France.
Smith Collection/Gado, Getty Images
The Congressional Gold Medal for the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion is displayed at a ceremony in Emancipation Hall on April 29, 2025 in Washington, DC.
The Congressional Gold Medal for the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion is displayed at a ceremony in Emancipation Hall on April 29, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Kayla Bartkowski, Getty Images
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) applaud as U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) presents Stanley Earley, son of Col. Charity Adams Early, with a Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony honoring the "Six Triple Eight" of World War II at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., April 29, 2025.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) applaud as U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) presents Stanley Earley, son of Col. Charity Adams Early, with a Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony honoring the "Six Triple Eight" of World War II at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., April 29, 2025.
Nathan Howard, REUTERS
U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks during a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the "Six Triple Eight" of World War II at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., April 29, 2025.
U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks during a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the "Six Triple Eight" of World War II at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., April 29, 2025.
Nathan Howard, REUTERS
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) speaks during a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the "Six Triple Eight" of World War II at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., April 29, 2025.
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) speaks during a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the "Six Triple Eight" of World War II at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., April 29, 2025.
Nathan Howard, REUTERS
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos attends a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the Six Triple Eight in Emancipation Hall at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on April 29, 2025.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos attends a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the Six Triple Eight in Emancipation Hall at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on April 29, 2025.
DREW ANGERER, AFP Via Getty Images
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) delivers delivers remarks during the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion's Gold Medal Ceremony in Emancipation Hall on April 29, 2025 in Washington, DC.
U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) delivers delivers remarks during the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion's Gold Medal Ceremony in Emancipation Hall on April 29, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Kayla Bartkowski, Getty Images
Featured Weekly Ad