Lena King, 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion U.S. Army, World War II
Dec 05, 2019•29 min
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Episode description
As World War II in Europe unfolded, the U.S. Army encountered a massive backlog of mail for the troops. Officers knew that no mail for meant low morale, so the 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion was born.
This unit of African-American women in the Army was was sent to Birmingham, England, and tasked with organizing a three-year pile of mail in six months. They did it in three months. Then they tackled a similar mess in Rouen, France.
Yet, when the women of the 6888 came home, there was no parade and not even a thank you from the U.S. government. But 75 years later, the recognition finally came.
Listen in as 96-year-old Lena King, one of the few remaining veterans of the 6888, shares her story of service in World War II and the legacy of this historic unit in military history.
This unit of African-American women in the Army was was sent to Birmingham, England, and tasked with organizing a three-year pile of mail in six months. They did it in three months. Then they tackled a similar mess in Rouen, France.
Yet, when the women of the 6888 came home, there was no parade and not even a thank you from the U.S. government. But 75 years later, the recognition finally came.
Listen in as 96-year-old Lena King, one of the few remaining veterans of the 6888, shares her story of service in World War II and the legacy of this historic unit in military history.
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