Charity Adams Earley made history as the first Black woman to command American troops overseas during World War II. Her leadership of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion helped solve a critical mail backlog, boosting troop morale in the European Theater.
First Black Female Officer Faces Wartime Challenges
Earley joined the Women’s Army Corps, becoming the U.S. Army’s first Black female officer. Her journey wasn’t easy. On a train ride home, she faced discrimination when rail workers tried to bar her from the dining car. Only the intervention of a fellow officer allowed her to dine.
At home in Columbia, South Carolina, Earley attended an NAACP meeting where her father spoke. The family later learned that the Ku Klux Klan was waiting for them. Undeterred, her father armed the family, and the Klansmen never attacked.
Tackling the Massive Mail Backlog in Europe
Deployed to England in late 1944, Earley took command of the 855-woman 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Their mission: tackle an enormous backlog of undelivered mail for Allied soldiers.
The New York Times reported, “The backlog, piled haphazardly in cavernous hangars, amounted to more than 17 million letters and packages addressed to Allied military personnel scattered across Europe.”
Overcoming Obstacles with Determination and Skill
Earley felt immense pressure, knowing that “the eyes of the public would be upon us, waiting for one slip in our conduct or performance.” She was determined to make her unit “the best WAC unit ever sent into a foreign theater.”
The task was daunting. Many soldiers shared names, complicating delivery. Over 7,500 Robert Smiths served in Europe alone. Despite these challenges, Earley’s battalion completed their six-month mission in just three months, working around the clock.
Standing Ground Against Discrimination
During a surprise inspection, a U.S. general threatened to replace Earley with a white lieutenant when he saw fewer women than expected. Earley stood her ground, declaring, “Over my dead body, sir.”
The general initially wanted to court-martial her but eventually backed down. Earley’s unwavering leadership earned her a promotion to lieutenant colonel upon returning to the U.S., making her the first Black woman to achieve that rank.
Legacy of Leadership and Activism
After the war, Earley continued her fight for racial justice as a civilian activist and leader in Dayton, Ohio. Though she passed away before the Army awarded her battalion the Meritorious Unit Commendation in 2019, her impact lives on.
At her funeral, two honor guards – one from the Army and another from the Air Force, mostly women – paid tribute to this pioneering leader. They “helped lay to rest the commander of the Six Triple Eight and the first Black woman to ever lead American troops overseas.”
Charity Adams Earley’s story is one of perseverance, leadership, and breaking barriers. Her contributions to the war effort and the fight for equality continue to inspire generations.
