Major Charity Adams reviews the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion
“The unit was set up to determine the value Black women brought to the military. They ultimately ran the fastest mail service in the European Theater during World War II. More than 6,500 Black women ultimately served in the auxiliary corps during the war, as both officers and enlisted women. They came from all over the country, many in search of opportunities unavailable to them in the civilian sector.”
Taking care of business in wartime.
The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, nicknamed The Triple Nickles, was an all-black airborne unit of the United States Army during World War II. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/555th_Parachute_Infantry_Battalion_(United_States)
See also “Trailblazing paratrooper broke color barrier in secret” http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/25/black.paratrooper/index.html?hpt=C1
“The 761st Tank Battalion was a separate tank battalion of the United States Army during World War II. The 761st was made up primarily of African-American soldiers, who by War Department policy were not permitted to serve alongside white troops; the U.S. military did not officially desegregate until after World War II. The 761st were known as the Black Panthers after their unit’s distinctive insignia; their motto was “Come out fighting”. The battalion received a Presidential Unit Citation for its actions. In addition, a large number of individual members also received medals, including one Medal of Honor, 11 Silver Stars and about 300 Purple Hearts. They have been called “one of the most effective tank battalions in World War II” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/761st_Tank_Battalion_(United_States)
The most famous member of the 761st was First Lieutenant Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson. During the 761st’s training, a white bus driver told Robinson to move to the back of the bus. Robinson refused and was arrested. Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Paul L. Bates refused to consider the court-martial charges put forward by the arresting military policemen. The post commander transferred Robinson to the 758th Tank Battalion, whose commander was willing to sign the insubordination court-martial order. Robinson was acquitted of all charges. After the war, he was instrumental in desegregating professional baseball. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Robinson#Military_career
The 442nd Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the United States Army and best known for its history as a fighting unit composed almost entirely of second-generation American soldiers of Japanese ancestry (Nisei) who fought in World War II. Many of the soldiers from the continental U.S. had families who were being held in internment camps while they fought abroad. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/442nd_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team was the most decorated unit for its size and length of service, in the entire history of the US Military. In total, about 18,000 men served, ultimately earning 9,486 Purple Hearts, 21 Medals of Honor and an unprecedented seven Presidential Unit Citations. https://www.goforbroke.org/learn/history/military_units/442nd.php
Senator Daniel K. Inouye (1924~2012) was born in Hawaii and served in the U.S. Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team during WW II. For his combat heroism, which cost him his right arm, Inouye was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart with Cluster. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Inouye#Assault_on_Colle_Musatello