Maj. Charity E. Adams and Capt. Abbie N. Campell inspect members of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion. National Archives

How to register:
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• Select a field trip from the Museum’s public event schedule
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Audience: All audiences. Content appropriate for Grades 6-12.

Goal: Recognize the commitment, challenges, and sacrifices African American Women’s Army Corps members during World War II.

Program Description:
Since the Revolutionary War generations of African Americans have served the armed forces, but it was not until World War II that Black women joined the Army as part of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC).

In February 1945 members of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion arrived in Birmingham, England. Nicknamed the “Six Triple Eight,” they were the first and only all-Black WAC unit sent overseas during World War II. They faced the daunting task of sorting and delivering mail to the roughly 7 million service members stationed in the European Theater. Their mission boosted the morale across the entirety of deployed forces. They completed their mission in three months’ time before deploying to France to undertake the same work. The battalion was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of their dedication and service to mission in 2022.

Explore the commitment, challenges, and sacrifices of the Six Triple Eight. Learn how their actions, along with thousands of other Black WACs, contributed to the Allied victory. Examine the legacy of their service and its impact on the civil rights movement.

Objective: At the end of this lesson students, will be able to

• Discuss how World War II further women’s professional opportunities.
• Recognize the challenges faced by African American Soldiers during World War II.
• Understand how African Americans have used military service to advance civil rights.
• Describe the impact of African American military service on the home front during and following World War II.

Guiding Questions:
How have African American women used military service to expand civil rights?

Curriculum Connections

Common Core Standards

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2

Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

History and Social Science Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools

• United States History: 1865 to the Present
  • USII.6 The student will apply social science skills to understand the major causes and events of World War II and effects of America’s role by
    • f) identifying the roles and sacrifices of American armed forces, including prisoners of war, women, and segregated units, as well as other notable heroics, including but not limited to the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, the Women Airforce Service Pilots, the Navajo Code Talkers, and the Bedford Boys;
• Virginia and United States History
  • VUS.14 The student will apply social science skills to analyze the Untied States’ involvement in World War II by
    • • d) evaluating and explaining the contributions of heroic military units including but not limited to segregated, minority units, women, and the role of Virginia units in the American war effort.