The Rest of the Story of the Six Triple Eight
Major Charity Edna Adams and the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion
Hopefully, many of you have already seen the movie “The Six Triple Eight,” which is now streaming on Netflix after a short run in selected theaters. The film is based on the true story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-Black and all-female battalion, in World War II. It centers on their commanding officer, Charity Adams, played by actress Kerry Washington in the film.
The film showed some of the adversity the women faced while trying to contribute to the war effort. It’s generally a feel-good movie intended to inform but entertain. When they faced racism, it was typically centered on the actions of single individuals like fictional characters General Halt or Chaplain Clemens without acknowledging how deep systemic racism ran in the yet-to-be-integrated armed forces.
I ended watching the movie wondering how much was true and what was left out. I’ll touch on a few of the dramatic scenes and compare the movie to what occurred in real life.
“Sir, over my dead body, Sir!” —Major Charity Adams
Did Charity Adams really tell General Holt, “Sir, over my dead body, Sir,” after he said he’d disband…
