The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Friday, July 16, 2021

Black Female WW II Unit Hoping for Congressional Gold Medal-- Part 2: To get the Mail Delivered

Major Fannie Griffin McClendon said:  "I just wish there were more people  to, if it comes through, there were more people to celebrate it."

The 6888th was sent overseas in1945, partly as a result or black organizations to include black women in the Women's Army  Corps and to allow them to join their white counterparts overseas.

"I think the 6888th, the command inherently knew that their presence overseas meant more than clearing the mail backlog," said Retired Army  Colonel Edna  Cummings, who was not a member of the 6888th but has been advocating for greater recognition for them.  "They were representing  opportunity  for their sisters in arms back in the  United States who were having a hard time dealing with the racism and sexism  within the ranks.

The unit dodges German U-boats on their way  to England and scramble to  escape a German rocket once they reached Glasgow.

They were deployed to unheated, rat-infested  airplane hangers in Birmingham, England, and given a daunting mission:  Process the millions of pieces of undelivered mail for troops, government people and Red Cross workers.

--GreGen


No comments:

Post a Comment