By Dr. Darrell Williams, Ph.D.
Reel Urban News is pleased to honor Congressional Gold Medal Recipient, Anna Mae Robertson, a 100-year-old World War II veteran and member of the historic 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion (Six Triple Eight Unit). Anna Mae Robertson is one the last living Soldiers of the historic (Six Triple Eight Unit…which is the first, last and only all Black female unit in military history in World War II. Out of approximately 850 black women Soldiers who served in this unit, only 2 are known to be alive today. YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE TO THIS NATION IS HISTORIC, GREATLY APPRECIATED, AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
Anna Mae Robertson (formerly Anna Mae Wilson) was born March 5, 1924, and grew up in Osceola, Arkansas, where her family worked on a crop farm. But determined to become self-sufficient, Anna Mae Robertson enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps in 1943 and was eventually assigned to the 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion—known as the “Six Triple Eight”—and by 1945, she was on a ship headed to Birmingham, England. Robertson and the more than 850 other women were tasked to sort and distribute years of backlogged mail intended for U.S. troops, government personnel and Red Cross workers serving in the European theater.
Under the leadership of 26-year-old Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley, the Six Triple Eight worked around the clock sorting through undelivered mail. Their motto became, “No mail, low morale.” The Six Triple Eight processed an average of 65,000 pieces of mail per shift, often having to decipher the intended recipient based on little information. The unit was given six months to process over 17 million pieces of mail that had filled hangars for years. Amazingly, they did it in three. Because of their efforts, the mail was Signed, Sealed and Delivered to Soldiers which boosted their morale and helped them to see the light during the very dark days in a war zone. Hence, the crux of the Six Triple Eight Unit motto of “NO MAIL! LOW MORALE” manifested.
After the war, Robertson ‘eventually’ moved to Milwaukee and worked primarily as a nursing assistant at what is now the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Milwaukee.
After more than 70 years, in 2022, thanks in large part to the advocacy efforts of Congresswoman Gwen Moore and others, members of the Six Triple Eight Unit were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Biden.
During World War II, and with racism at its peak, the women of the Six Triple Eight Unit displayed great courage as they fought for a cause much greater than themselves.
As I watched the movie, there were moments of anger and tears that shed at the blatant discrimination these Soldiers had to endure, especially by their fellow Soldiers in higher command. They were literally fighting for the very freedom that was being denied to them. However, suddenly, I began to express tears of joy at the dedication, commitment and the courage of the women of the Six Triple Eight Unit to succeed despite the odds and the barriers placed to ensure their failure. Their ingenuity and resilience serve as a shining example for others, especially our youth, not to give up when faced with difficulties and challenges.
In October 2024, prior to the Six Triple Eight Unit movie being released in December 2024, I had the honor of co-hosting Kerry Washington at the home of Mrs. Anna Mae Robertson (formerly Anna Mae Wilson who is also pictured at the end of the movie). During this historic and emotional visit, Kerry Washington paid homage and thanked Mrs. Robertson for her service and sacrifice. While Mrs. Robertson was all smiles, Kerry Washington became overwhelmed with emotion after meeting and talking with her. When we got outside, I asked Kerry if she was alright. Kerry said, “It was just so emotional meeting her and thinking about everything that she and the others had to go through.”
I was honored to work with the Robertson family, the Kerry Washington team, Michelle Bryant, Martha Collins and Stephanie Butler to coordinate this historic and emotional visit. A special thanks goes to Mrs. Anna Mae Robertson and her family for accommodating us on such short notice and welcoming us into her home for the visit. Currently, the movie about the Six Triple Eight Unit, has been released and can be viewed on Netflix and across various media.
I want to applaud Tyler Perry, his team and NETFLIX for making the world aware of the Six Triple Eight Unit and the contributions of African Americans, especially Black Women in the combat zone during WWII and other conflicts around the world. I also want to applaud Kerry Washington and the cast for bringing the spirit of the Six Triple Eight Unit to life on screen for the world to see.
As noted, only two members of the 850 plus members of the distinguished and historic 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion are known to be alive…and Anna Mae Robertson is one of them. Next month, Anna Mae Robertson will turn 101 on March 5, 2025. It would be an honor if Tyler Perry and Kerry Washington could visit and thank her personally on this special day.
