AARP Hearing Center
![Romay Davis, at the remarkable age of 103, the eldest surviving member of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, affectionately known as the 'Six Triple Eight,' was warmly welcomed by the distinguished Buffalo Soldiers as she graced the ceremony held at Montgomery City Hall in Montgomery, Alabama. This special event was dedicated to honoring her outstanding service and marking her as a distinguished recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal. The 6888th, an all-African-American Women's Army Corps (WAC) unit, was the sole unit dispatched to Europe during World War II with the formidable task of addressing the monumental backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail in England and France. Their historic contribution is a testament to their dedication, resilience, and invaluable service during that critical period. romay davis world war two veteran aged one hundred three in a wheelchair being welcomed by buffalo soldiers in alabama](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/aarpe/en/home/home-family/voices/veterans/info-2023/celebrate-black-wwii-heroes/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/container_image/articlecontentfragment/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/home-and-family/voices/veterans/2023/11/1140-romay-davis-buffalo-soldiers.jpg)
Seventy-five years since the historic Executive Order 9981 desegregated the U.S. military, photographer Michael A. McCoy captured portraits of some of the few surviving Black veterans of World War II who served the country in the face of racial injustice and discrimination.
Two groups were the focus of McCoy’s portraits: the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and the Montford Point Marines. The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, a unit within the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), had 855 women in its ranks, primarily of African American descent. The unit was tasked with clearing a backlog of 17 million pieces of mail destined for troops in Europe, providing a boost in morale for the soldiers who eagerly awaited letters from their loved ones.
![member card Image Alt Attribute](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/experience-fragments/uxdia-folder-structure/en/features/membership/inline-membership-promo/default/master5/_jcr_content/root/responsivegrid/container_copy/container/articleimage.coreimg.75.1140.png/content/dam/uxdia/membership-card-d-and-t.png)
AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Find out how much you could save in a year with a membership. Learn more.
The Montford Point Marines, active from 1942 to 1949, were the first African American men admitted to the Marine Corps. Their training took place at Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina, under less favorable conditions than their white counterparts faced. By the war’s conclusion, approximately 13,000 Montford Point Marines were deployed to locations including Saipan, Guam, Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Read on to learn more about these unsung heroes.
![At 103 years of age, Romay Davis, the most senior living member of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, fondly referred to as the 'Six Triple Eight,' poses for a portrait within the comfort of her home. The 6888th, a pioneering all-African-American Women's Army Corps (WAC) unit, made history during World War II as the sole contingent dispatched to Europe. They undertook the monumental task of clearing an astounding backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail in both England and France, leaving an indelible mark on the wartime effort. romay davis at one hundred and three is the most senior living member of the six triple eight central postal directory battalion womens army corps unit](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/aarpe/en/home/home-family/voices/veterans/info-2023/celebrate-black-wwii-heroes/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par4/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/home-and-family/voices/veterans/2023/11/1140x1055-romay-davis.jpg)
Now 104, Romay Davis made history with her service in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, affectionately known as the Six Triple Eight. The women’s living quarters, mess halls, recreational facilities and water fountains in basic military training were segregated.
![Private First Class Anna Mae Robertson, aged 99, the most junior living member of the historic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, affectionately known as the 'Six Triple Eight,' poses for a portrait against the backdrop of her home's exterior. This pioneering unit, comprised entirely of African-American Women's Army Corps (WAC) personnel, earned distinction during World War II as the exclusive contingent dispatched to Europe. Their formidable mission: to tackle the colossal backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail in England and France, marking an enduring chapter in wartime history. private first class anna mae robertson of the six triple eight aged ninety nine](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/aarpe/en/home/home-family/voices/veterans/info-2023/celebrate-black-wwii-heroes/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par5/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/home-and-family/voices/veterans/2023/11/1140x855-anna-mae-robertson.jpg)
Pfc. Anna Mae Robertson, 99, is the most junior of the living members of the Six Triple Eight. During the battalion’s deployment, the women sorted through 7,500 undelivered letters addressed to “Robert Smith” alone, requiring them to look for clues within the mail’s contents to determine the intended recipient.
![Major Fannie Griffin McClendon, at the age of 103, takes a moment to pose for a portrait in the serene surroundings of her home. Remarkably, as of today, Major McClendon stands as the solitary surviving officer among the 855 members of the renowned 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, affectionately known as the 'Six Triple Eight.' This pioneering unit, the only all-African-American Women's Army Corps (WAC) formation deployed to Europe during World War II, was entrusted with the monumental responsibility of clearing an overwhelming backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail in England and France. Their service remains a pivotal chapter in the history of the wartime effort. major fannie griffin mc clendon of the world war two six triple eight at home aged one hundred three](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/aarpe/en/home/home-family/voices/veterans/info-2023/celebrate-black-wwii-heroes/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par6/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/home-and-family/voices/veterans/2023/11/1140x855-fannie-griffin-mcclendon.jpg)
Maj. Fannie Griffin McClendon, 103, is the only surviving officer from among the 855 members of the Central Postal Directory Battalion.
Members of the 6888th worked in eight-hour shifts around the clock, seven days a week. Their motto wasn’t ambiguous: “No mail, low morale.”
More From AARP
A Caregiver's Story: The Struggle to Link Dementia to Military Service
Navigating the maze of VA benefits is a challenge many veterans faceA Combat Veteran’s Journey From the Front Lines to Off-Road Racing
The Warrior Built Foundation serves as an alternative therapyVeterans, Service Members of Color Grapple With Disparities
New military study finds racial and ethnic minorities face challenges over jobs, finances, discrimination