ASSEMBLY MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 211

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 17, 2025

      The Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably an Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Joint Resolution No. 211.

      This substitute designates May 18 of each year as Six Triple Eight Day in New Jersey.

      World War II was a global conflict involving nearly all the world’s countries, with the United States deploying approximately 16 million military personnel.  The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of the United States Army, eventually known as the Six Triple Eight, was the only predominantly African American, all-female unit sent overseas during World War II, with approximately 850 officers and enlisted personnel.  The first contingent of the Six Triple Eight arrived in Glasgow, Scotland on February 12, 1945, and the second contingent was organized on March 4, 1945 in Birmingham, England where they were charged with the task of redirecting 17.5 million parcels of backlogged mail that had remained stagnant for two-three years, and filled six airplane hangars for delivery of military mail at a facility until after the end of the war in Europe.

      The women of the Six Triple Eight were given six months to complete their task.  They worked three shifts, seven days a week in poor conditions, including no heat and minimal lighting, rodent infestations, and mold and mildew.  Despite experiencing difficult working conditions, racism, and sexism, the Six Triple Eight successfully delivered over 14 million pieces of backlogged mail in just three months to seven million American service members and civilian personnel stationed in Europe.

      Shortly thereafter, the Six Triple Eight was moved to France to complete an identical job of redirecting backlogged mail which was completed three months ahead of the established deadline.  On February 27, 1946, the Six Triple Eight boarded the SS Claymont Victory for its return to the United States and was disbanded in March 1946 at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

      On March 14, 2022, President Biden signed a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.  At least 28 women from New Jersey served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, including Gladys Eva Debman-Blount and Marion VanOrkey.

      The Allentown Village Initiative recognized Marion VanOrkey, born in Allentown, New Jersey on May 18, 1914, by hosting a program to tell the story of the battalion and honoring those who served as its members.  Since several members of the Six Triple Eight are from the State of New Jersey, it is altogether fitting and proper for this State to designate May 18 of each year as Six Triple Eight Day in honor of the dedicated predominantly African American, all-female unit of the United States Army that succeeded at their mission despite numerous hardships.