Elizbeth Helm-Fraizer, US Army

As the nation commemorates the 75th anniversary of WWII’s Allied victory in Europe and navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, we celebrate these Six Triple Eight veterans’ birthdays and a COVID-19 survivor.

Due to the efforts of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Dr. Mary McCleod Bethune to integrate African-American women into the war effort, in February 1945, the “Six Triple Eight” deployed to Europe as the only all African-American WAC unit sent overseas.

On November 30, 2018 at Fort Leavenworth, KS, five living Six Triple Eight veterans and the family of a deceased 6888th veteran, Vashti Murphy, daughter of AFRO publisher Dr. Carl  J. Murphy, attended the unit’s monument dedication In February 2019, the Secretary of the Army awarded the Six Triple Eight the Meritorious Unit Commendation, their only military award for meritorious service.

In March 2019, Lincoln Penny Films premiered an award winning documentary about the unit featuring seven living 6888th veterans and AFRO Manager, MAJ (Ret.)

Edgar Brookins, recognition of the Six Triple Eight’s service and contributions to our country, some members of Congress agree that they deserve The Congressional Gold Medal—one of the nation’s highest civilian awards.