The Six Triple Eight true story, as explained by director Tyler Perry and star Kerry Washington

As I delve into the captivating tale of Charity Adams, I am struck by the indomitable spirit that shines through her extraordinary life. Her journey from a humble servant girl to a decorated military leader is nothing short of inspiring. The adversities she faced, the resilience she displayed, and the accomplishments she achieved are a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

There are many unacknowledged heroes from around the world whose contributions during catastrophic events like World War II have gone unnoticed for far too long and deserve proper recognition.

But even so, it’s shocking that no one has celebrated the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion up until now on screen.

During World War II, I was part of the unique and pioneering all-Black Women’s Army Corps unit, the Six Triple Eight, who served overseas – a rare achievement for us at that time. We played an instrumental role in shaping history by providing a much-needed morale boost to our soldiers when they needed it most, contributing significantly to American spirit during those challenging times.

In February 1945, they were dispatched to England, where their mission was to tackle an overwhelming pile of unshipped mail that everyone believed was beyond their capabilities.

They not only achieved their goal, but they did it despite significant obstacles, overcoming them swiftly and finishing the job ahead of schedule – within three months, rather than the initially assigned six.

Perry asserted that the portrayal is approximately 90% true. Kerry Washington also stated it’s around 97% accurate. However, there are many more aspects of the story that Lena Derriecott King disclosed to me and Charity Adams detailed in her book.

Although there were deeper aspects I desired to explore, unfortunately, we only scratched the surface due to audience fatigue after approximately two hours. Consequently, I opted to stay with the material already presented.

While The Six Triple Eight does a commendable job of narrating the story, as Perry notes, there are limitations to what can be conveyed within a movie. Here’s where we step in to provide additional insights.

In this article, you’ll discover the actual events that served as the basis for Netflix’s film “The Six Triple Eight”, and the remarkable individuals who influenced its creation, such as Charity Adams and Lena Derriecott King – true heroes in real life.

The Six Triple Eight true story explained

1941 marked the year that America entered the global conflict, prompting women within the United States to advocate for the opportunity to serve in the armed forces.

Notable individuals in that movement were Dovey Johnson Roundtree, one of the earliest Black female police officers in the U.S., as well as Mary McLeod Bethune, a prominent Civil Rights activist often associated with Oprah Winfrey. Together, they collaborated with Eleanor Roosevelt, portrayed in this context by Susan Sarandon, and Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers to formulate the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) resolution.

By 1942, a law was enacted, and by 1943, the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) – as it was referred to at that time – granted both white and African-American women the opportunity to serve.

Initially, it was solely white WAC soldiers who were dispatched overseas. However, it wasn’t until Bethune and Roosevelt advocated for a change that this practice was challenged, ultimately resulting in the creation of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.

Although frequently referred to as an “all-Black” unit, the 855-strong battalion actually had at least two non-Black Latina women and possibly more. Nevertheless, the majority of the Six Triple Eight were Black women, even in the highest ranks. This was quite unusual because during that time, white officers typically commanded most Black military units.

The individual in discussion was Major Charity Adams, who made history by being the first African-American woman to hold the position of a U.S. Army officer. At the tender age of 26, she also achieved another milestone as the inaugural Black female commander of an overseas battalion within the U.S. Army, taking charge of the 6888th unit.

Washington expressed: “I collaborated extensively with Tyler to seek a role and portrayal unlike any I’ve done before, aiming to explore fresh dimensions in my vocal and physical capabilities. So, it’s gratifying when dedicated Scandal fans, who are often referred to as ‘huge Gladiators’, comment, ‘I didn’t realize Olivia Pope.’ This feedback fills me with pride because it suggests they were fully engrossed in the narrative. These characters deserve this level of engagement, and their time and legacy matter greatly.

Prior to becoming the legendary figure she is today, Adams first honed her skills as a commander, conducting basic battle training and gas mask drills at Fort Oglethorpe in Georgia. This preparation took place before they were deployed overseas on a mission. It wasn’t until their arrival in the UK on February 14, 1945, that the true objective of their operation – clearing mail – was unveiled.

Initially, members of the 6888th encountered discrimination that mirrored their experiences during U.S. training drills. The American Red Cross refused to cater to Black officers, instead setting up a distinct facility for them in London. Adams organized a protest against the organization’s facilities, which was successful albeit with an alternative that wasn’t significantly better.

6888th workers found themselves battling through grueling conditions while sorting out 17 million pieces of mail in chilly, filthy, vermin-ridden warehouses. Many packages carried decayed food items that surpassed their expiration dates, enticing the rats inhabiting these spaces.

Under those extreme winter conditions, there were no heaters available, compelling the battalion to don ski trousers and heavy coats just to endure the freezing cold. They even had to take their showers outdoors, even during the heart of winter. Furthermore, due to the need for concealment from German forces, blackout conditions were enforced, which resulted in discomfort for many who worked under near darkness, causing eye strain for several individuals.

Despite this, the 6888th unit managed to be completely independent, operating their very own cafeteria and barbershop to boost morale and prevent discriminatory work environments.

Regardless of the circumstances, these women tirelessly worked day and night, dividing their time into eight-hour stretches for seven consecutive days. They understood the crucial role their work played in the ongoing war effort. Amidst damaged packages and their disorganized contents, they painstakingly sorted them based on dates and packing materials. Additionally, they scrutinized letters to ensure there was no sensitive information that required censorship, all in support of our country’s struggle during wartime.

Working under the slogan “Less Mail, Lower Morale”, the battalion efficiently processed 65,000 items of correspondence during each shift, completing the task twice as quickly as anticipated, wrapping up the mission in a mere three months rather than the projected six.

Before they impressively finished the assignment early, a white male general inspected the 6888th, and despite their hard work, he found it inadequate. Enraged by discovering that a third of the women were resting upon his arrival, the general threatened Adams, stating he would assign a white lieutenant to teach her how to perform her duties effectively. The major’s retort? “Not over my dead body, sir.

At that point, Adams was 26 years old, as Washington shared with us. Despite holding the Army’s principles and regulations close to her heart, she defied her own values by telling her superior officer, a high-ranking military general, “Not over my life.

She exclaimed, “It was an exceptionally rare occasion,” she went on, “that scene, as I felt it granted me the chance to voice the sentiments of all women. Charity Adams was entrusted with the duty of nurturing and guiding these women. That instance symbolized our struggle to uphold their worth and their essence, while they battled tirelessly for a system that often failed to acknowledge their fight.

In reality, the general didn’t resign swiftly like in the movie. Instead, he quickly initiated court-martial proceedings against Adams, but these allegations failed to hold because members of the Six Triple Eight retaliated with charges of their own. They accused him of using forbidden racial slurs. Eventually, facing counter-charges, the general chose to abandon his case, leading the 6888th to follow suit and drop their own accusations.

After the Six Triple Eight had left, Adams was paid a visit by the general who had treated her so harshly only a few months prior. As recounted in Adams’ memoir, he said to her: “It’s difficult to express what I’ve come to say. The only black individuals I have ever known were those who served me or were under my command in the Army. It’s been a long time since anyone stood up to me, either black or white, but you did. You outwitted me, and I am proud to know you.

Besides facing discrimination and harsh working conditions, the battalion suffered a heartbreaking loss when three of its members – Mary H Bankston, Mary Jewel Barlow, and Dolores Mercedes Browne – tragically perished in a Jeep accident. A corresponding scene is depicted in the film, followed by an on-screen portrayal of their funeral. In reality, these young officers were solemnly buried at the Normandy American Cemetery.

The movie doesn’t show that after the 688th, they moved to Rouen, France in June 1945, to process additional mail. In an astonishingly quick five months, they managed to sort through three years’ accumulation of undelivered letters and packages. By the time they completed this task, the war had ended as well, and by February 1946, the entire battalion was back at Fort Dix in New Jersey, where it was disbanded.

Following the conflict, there were no public celebrations or ceremonies held to honor their achievements. It wasn’t until March 2022 that Adams was bestowed with numerous accolades for her leadership, and it was then, under President Joe Biden, that the entire group was presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor.

In 1946, Adams earned a Master of Arts degree from Ohio State University. Following this, he held several administrative positions and tied the knot with Stanley A Earley Jr in 1949. The couple chose Dayton, Ohio as their home, where Adams served on the board of directors for the local Red Cross chapter. The Smithsonian National Postal Museum honored her with a celebration in 1996, before Adams passed away at the age of 83 on January 13, 2002.

In the movie, Adams plays a significant part, however, it was Perry who was motivated to create and direct The Six Triple Eight following their encounter with Lena Derriecott King (portrayed by Ebony Obsidian) in April 2022. Sadly, she passed away a couple of years later, in January 2024, but before that, Perry managed to show her a preliminary version of the film at her bedside.

According to Perry, Lena wasn’t physically in the hospital at the time, but mentally, she was present. She paid close attention, cheered, and even gave a salute. Her joy and excitement were palpable. It was a truly touching moment, and he feels incredibly proud of that instance.

Currently, only two individuals from the 6888th Battalion are alive: Fannie McClendon and Anna Mae Robertson. Once they pass away, Perry’s film will serve as a memorial to honor them, along with all the other women who displayed incredible courage and grace while serving their country in challenging circumstances during that time.

Perry found great pride in the opportunity to share the stories of these 855 women and pay tribute to them collectively, as he expressed: “It feels like I was given a mission to narrate their tales and make their world known, to honor each one of these 855 women. Few can claim such an incredible privilege – to honor so many women simultaneously. This is something that fills me with immense pride.

It’s a shame they can’t be present, as I’d really enjoy observing their reactions when they see this.

2024-12-20 13:34

The Six Triple Eight true story explained

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