Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley: Pioneer of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

Charity Adams Earley, born on December 5, 1918, in Columbia, South Carolina, was a woman of extraordinary courage and dedication. Her unwavering spirit and commitment to service propelled her to become a trailblazer in the United States Army, significantly impacting the lives of African American women in the military.

A Life of Determination and Dedication

Adams Earley, the eldest of four children, grew up in a home that prioritized education and community involvement. Her father, a minister, instilled in her a strong sense of purpose and a desire to make a difference in the world. She went on to attend Wilberforce University, a historically Black university in Ohio, where she graduated in 1938 with a degree in physics.

Accomplishments

Charity Adams Earley’s military journey began in 1942 when she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the first African American woman to achieve the rank of major. In 1944, she was chosen to command the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first and only all-Black WAC unit to serve overseas during World War II.

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

Under the leadership of Major Adams, the 6888th was tasked with a monumental challenge: sorting a massive backlog of mail and packages that had accumulated in Europe. Their dedication and efficiency were pivotal in boosting the morale of American troops stationed overseas, as receiving mail from home was a source of great comfort.

Bibliography

• Adams, Charity. One Woman's Army: A Black Officer Remembers the WAC. Texas A&M University Press, 1989.

• Earley, Charity Adams. A Black Officer Remembers the WAC: One Woman’s Army. Texas A&M University Press, 1989.

• Lee, Ulysses. The Employment of Negro Troops. Center of Military History, United States Army, 1966.

• McLeod, Jonathan. Black Women in the Army: A History. Diane Pub Co, 1993.

• Putney, Martha S. When the Nation Called: A Third WAC in World War II. Scarecrow Press, 2004.

Quotes

• "I didn’t think about being the first Black woman major. I thought about doing my job and doing it well."

• "We had to prove that we were as good as anybody else, and we did."

• "The mail was a lifeline for the soldiers. It kept them connected to home and family."

Clips

• Interview with Charity Adams Earley

• The 6888th: Sorting the Backlog

• A Tribute to the 6888th

Charity Adams Earley’s legacy continues to inspire generations of individuals, particularly African American women, to pursue their dreams and break down barriers. Her unwavering commitment to service and her dedication to equality and justice serve as a shining example of the power of the human spirit.