Anna Mae Robertson, one of the gallant all-Black American female battalions who served in Europe during World War II, has passed away at the age of 101. Per FOX6 News Milwaukee, Robertson’s death comes after she was honored for her heroics during a February 2025 event in Milwaukee.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of Ms. Anna Mae Roberston’s passing. Ms. Robertson was a hero who served her country in the Six Triple Eight Central Postal Directory Battalion, helping connect service members during World War II to their loved ones at a time when letters were the only way to stay in touch. Their selfless service played a crucial role in boosting morale during World War II. The story of the Six Triple Eight Battalion has since inspired Americans across the country,” Rep. Gwen Moore said in a statement.
“I am honored to have championed legislation to award Six Triple Eight members a Congressional Gold Medal. After receiving the Congressional Gold Medal and national recognition decades after her heroic service, I am thankful that my constituent, Ms. Robertson, was able to receive her flowers while she could still smell them. Though Ms. Robertson was born and raised in Arkansas, she moved to Milwaukee and established roots here, and we are so appreciative of that. I join our community in mourning her loss and remembering her trailblazing legacy.”
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Known as the 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion, the all-Black female battalion of the Women’s Army Corps was sent to parts of France and England to contribute to solving problems that the Second World War brought.
READ ALSO: America’s renowned all-black WWII female battalion honored with monument
In September 2018, Face2Face Africa brought to light this piece of history that had for many years been swept under the carpet. The success of the formation of the all-Black female battalion was thanks to Mary McLeod Bethune, an African-American civil rights activist who, at the time, appealed to the then-first lady of America, Eleanor Roosevelt, to create more meaningful roles for Black women in the army to help balance out the shortage of soldiers. Bethune’s appeal gained the attention of the first lady who then helped the military create a space for an all-Black female group to work in the war in Europe.
In 1945, history was made when the first all-Black female battalion in the world was sent from the U.S. to serve in parts of Europe during the Second World War. With the main task of clearing several years of abandoned and backlogged mail in Europe, The 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion was trained and sent off to help with managing the postal service in Europe.
The battalion sent to Europe was made up of 855 women who served under the command of Major Charity Williams. Their motto was, “no mail, no morale”, and they were popularly known as the “six triple eight”.
The women worked under dangerous and risky conditions in abandoned and infested aircraft and offices throughout the war. For their hard work, they were honored with the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal while they were still offering service. In March 2022, former President Joe Biden awarded the women Congressional Gold Medals. That is the highest honor by Congress.
