ST. LOUIS – An effort is underway to honor the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, better known as the 6888th with a U.S. Forever Stamp.

The all-female, all predominantly Black unit was the first and only group of women in the U.S. Army deployed overseas to serve during World War II.

Their mission appeared insurmountable–redirect millions of pieces of mail to U.S. troops fighting on the front lines of battle to help boost morale. The military women didn’t let racism or sexism prevent them from accomplishing their goal.

They created a system and worked around the clock seven-days-a-week in challenging conditions, and amid the backdrop of war to clear the massive backlog of mail.

Guided by their motto: “No Mail, Low Morale,” the 6888th achieved remarkable success getting mounds and mounds of long-awaited cards, letters and packages to the troops, despite limited information, as well as in record time. 

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (CPDB) Stamp Team is leading the charge to honor the 6888th, one of the most iconic battalions in U.S. military history with a Forever Stamp.

The CPDB has collected nearly eight thousand signatures on Change.org If you would like to sign the petition, visit here.

The CPDB is also requesting letters of support be emailed to: the6888stampproject@gmail.com or to: The Stamp Project, P.O. Box 616, Bowie, Maryland 20718.

Elizabeth Anne Helm-Frazier, U.S. Army Retired Master Sargeant, and spokesperson for the 6888th CPDB Stamp Team, says the 6888th should be recognized with a Forever Stamp.

“They served. They served honorably. They did what they were supposed to do,” Helm-Frazier said.

Helm-Frazier says there are three things that are important to any military person.

“It is getting paid, food and shelter, and mail,” she said. “Mail can make a bad day, a good day, if only for a little while.” 

Helm-Frazier says the online petition and letters of support will be sent with a letter of summary to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee for recommendation to the U.S. Postal Service to issue the Forever Stamp.

“If you get a Forever Stamp, it is in the system forever, and we want people to remember the 6888th forever,” she said.