Status: 07/28/2022 12:57 p.m
Romay Davis served in the US Army’s only African-American women’s battalion overseas during World War II. Only now has she been honored for a mission that was primarily intended to boost the morale of the soldiers.
Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill – the US Congressional Gold Medal is the highest expression of national recognition for outstanding achievement. Now, on the 74th anniversary of the US Army’s desegregation, she has received a special veteran: Romay Davis. During the Second World War, the 102-year-old was responsible for field post delivery in the only Afro-American women’s battalion.
In a wheelchair, Davis is driven through the guard’s honor guard. She beams all over her face, while black women soldiers of various ranks furtively wipe tears from the corners of their eyes. Davis is a pioneer, a role model for many of them. She paved the way for them.
A scene that brought tears to the eyes of many soldiers: Romay Davis received in the US Congress
Image: AP
74 years end of racial segregation
“I think this award is long overdue. But it’s not just mine. It’s for all of us!” Thanks the 102-year-old. She is the oldest of six surviving servicewomen from the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion – nicknamed the “Six Triple Eight”. The only unit of African-American servicewomen deployed overseas during World War II – to deliver field mail.
In February 1945 millions of mail items destined for members of the US military serving in the European war zone were stacked in warehouses in Birmingham, UK. Letters and parcels, often poorly addressed. In addition, many of the approximately seven million Americans had the same name – 7,500 alone were named Robert Smith. There was a lack of qualified postal workers. Generals reported back home that the lack of reliable mail delivery was visibly affecting the morale of the troops.
An African American woman in uniform – many men in the US Army resisted this idea for a long time.
Image: Romay Davis
Field Post Chaos in Europe
A special task for a special force: The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Women were permitted in the US Army by law signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on July 1, 1943. This also applied to African American women, although the army was racially segregated.
“Six Triple Eight” included 824 female soldiers. They were trained at Fort Oglethorpe in the US state of Georgia for their foreign assignment: the women learned to identify enemy planes, ships and weapons, climb ropes, board and evacuate ships and cope with long marches with backpacks.
“I really enjoyed the stint. It was exciting and there was a lot to see for a country girl. I had to grow up fast,” recalls Davis today.
Romay Davis and other women soldiers from the Field Post Battalion
Image: Romay Davis
No mail, low morale
On February 3, 1945, the women sailed to Europe. “No mail – low morale, that was our motto. That’s why we wanted to clean it up as soon as possible.”
She herself was not in charge of sorting the mail, but primarily as the driver of the postbuses. That was warmer. Because the warehouses were unheated and dimly lit, the windows were blacked out so that no light could come in during night air raids.
Within the army, the servicewomen faced hostility from the “6888” – from soldiers who resented the fact that black women were allowed. But the Europeans treated the soldiers in a friendly manner, Davis recalls: “I’ve only had positive experiences with Europeans. They were glad we were there.”
After efficiently clearing the mail jam in Britain, the women were transferred to France after the war ended. There they were cheered on by the newly liberated French and drew a lot of attention: the military police at the barracks had to be reinforced to keep out unwanted visitors.
Finding the right recipients among thousands of identical last names: Romay Davis and the servicewomen of “6888” sorting field mail.
Image: Romay Davis
No appreciation so far
The women were deployed until February 1946. Upon their return to the United States, the battalion was disbanded. There were no parades, no public tribute, and no official recognition of their achievements. It was only many years later that their story was reappraised.
Romay Davis paved the way for generations of young black women in the US Army, according to the certificate that the 102-year-old has now been awarded. Honored with the highest honors by Congress – 77 years after the deployment, 74 years after the end of racial segregation in the army.