Washington, D.C.–Descendants of one of the women who was a member of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Women Army Corps (WAC), Jean Palmer of Paris, were privileged to be a part of the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony for members of the ‘Six Triple Eight’.
The ‘Six Triple Eight’ finally gained fame through the popular motion picture directed by Tyler Perry.
Private Jean Palmer, whose full name was Lima Jean Howard Palmer, served two terms on the Henry County Commission and was the first woman and the first African-American on the commission.
The ‘Six Triple Eight’ was the only all-female, all-African-American Women Army Corps Unit during World War II. Her unit was deployed overseas to Birmingham, England and Rouen, France.
Mrs. Palmer passed away on February 6, 1984 at the age of 60 and is buried in Maplewood Cemetery.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Retired) Wanda Bruce Graham and her husband William “Bill” Graham, MSgt. USMC (Retired) traveled from Brentwood to D.C. April 28. “This was a much anticipated journey as we would be two of the four descendants of ‘Aunt Jean’ attending the Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony to be held at Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol. Her granddaughter, Midori Hutcherson Carpenter from Covington, LA and her husband, Paxton Carpenter, Sr. also attended.”
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor that can be awarded by the U.S. Congress.
Graham recalled, “As Bill and I flew to Reagan National Airport, I remarked to him that I wouldn’t believe the ceremony was going to take place until I was seated at the Capitol. There were so many people there for this long-awaited recognition, men, women, children–all of us there to witness for our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and sisters. I know Aunt Jean would have been humbled but excited for the event.”
“Midori and I with our husbands were so proud to be there to represent Aunt Jean. I took a copy of the article written by Shannon McFarlin in PARIS! Magazine to Midori and when we took photos by the replicas of the gold medal she held it up,” she said.
As a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and descendant of Aunt Jean, she said, “I am so very, very proud of the 6888th unit of 855 Black and Brown women who were the only all women unit of the Women Army Corps deployed to the European Theater during World War II being awarded Congressional Gold Medal 80 years after their awesome accomplishment. Processing over 17 million pieces of undelivered mail to our troops overseas is no easy feat and the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion accomplished this feat without computers, scanners, email, or internet! I know the magnitude of the task then Major Charity Adams later Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams-Earley and the 6888th had before them. I served four years as the Commander of the Joint Military Postal Activity-Atlantic stationed at the JFK International Airport Postal Facility located at Jamaica, NY and was responsible to the effective and efficient transportation of military mail for over 550,000 military personnel, their family members, Department of Defense and State Department civilian personnel, and retirees in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Central & South America, Caribbean Basin, Southwest Asia, North America to include Greenland & Iceland. This military mail emanated from several primary Atlantic Gateways located in New York, New Jersey, Miami, Chicago, Dover AFB, DE; Washington, DC, & Dallas/Fort Worth, TX. I had a staff of 44 personnel (40 military & 4 civilians) plus both Army & Air Force Reservists called to active duty after 911 attacks on America to support Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom.”
Graham said, “Even with my military postal experience, I can’t begin to imagine how Major Adams and these remarkable women accomplished the feat of processing the mail in record time in the face of double discrimination as women of color and with inadequate supplies and support. They overcame many obstacles to achieve great success which positively impacted the morale of our U.S. troops. It was estimated that it would take over six months to sort and deliver it all but these extraordinary women of the 6888th to include my Aunt Jean accomplished the task in three months!”
“Sitting in Emancipation Hall on Tuesday, April 29th before the ceremony began was a surreal moment as I allowed my mind to imagine all of them present for this most worthy recognition. There are only two known survivors but over 300 descendants and family members attended the ceremony. I was so proud to be counted in that number with Aunt Jean’s granddaughter and our husbands. One descendant said, “They were history and we are too, because they instilled those things in us”, Graham recalled.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “This remarkable story has rightly captured imaginations, it has now inspired books and movies, stirred the conscience of millions of Americans who are just now hearing and sharing this incredible story. Today here in the people’s house, we add to that story….”
Representative Hakeem Jeffries also spoke at the event and emphasized the importance of this long-overdue recognition and said, “These fiercely passionate, patriotic and persistent members of the Women’s Army Corps deployed, knowing that they would confront the dual challenges of racism and sexism at the hands of their own military and beyond. We salute the ingenuity with which they sprang into battle….They will never, ever be hidden figures again”.
Graham said, “I will forever hold the 6888th Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in the Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol as a “most unforgettable event in my life”. Because the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion served especially Private Lima Justine Howard, aka “Lima “Jean” Howard Palmer” of Paris, TN, I had the privilege and honor to successfully serve my country as well.”
Photo: Wanda Graham, right, and Midori Hutcherson Carpenter (holding PARIS! Magazine).
