[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 4, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN TRIBUTE TO ANNA MAE WILSON ROBERTSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 4, 2014

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and honor a mother, 
volunteer and veteran, Anna Mae Wilson Robertson. Mrs. Robertson, a 
long-time resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will celebrate her 90th 
birthday with family and friends on March 8, 2014. Annie Mae Wilson 
married John Robertson, who passed away in 1982, and their 33 year 
union produced 8 children. Mrs. Robertson work history included jobs at 
Marquette University and St. Camillus Health Center.
  Mrs. Robertson enlisted in the Army in 1945 and served in the Women's 
Army Corps (WAC) 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion (The Six 
Triple Eight). The 6888 comprised of 855 women has a long list of 
firsts and accomplishments, including the first African American all-
female battalion and the first and ONLY all women battalion to be 
deployed overseas. The 6888 confronted life threatening German U Boats 
on route to Europe in February, 1945 and upon their arrival in England 
were greeted by Buzz Bombs.
  Letters and care packages vital to the morale of soldiers were 
delayed across Western Europe. The 6888 developed a new mail system 
housed in three air hangars from floor to ceiling for distribution to 
the 7 million Army, Navy, Marine Corps, civilian and Red Cross 
Personnel in Europe. The task was daunting with many letters addressed 
improperly; some letters were over two years old, and nearly 7500 
Robert Smiths to be properly identified. The working conditions were 
abysmal with no heat in the hangars, windows blacked out due to air 
raids and the poor light contributed to eyestrain. However, the 6888 
successfully processed 65,000 pieces of mail on each of the 3 shifts, 7 
days a week.
  The 6888 operated under the challenges of ``dual segregation'' being 
women and African American; they were not allowed to sleep, shower or 
eat with other female personnel or soldiers while in Birmingham, 
England. They were housed in a former boarding school and out of 
necessity operated their own mess hall, hair salon, and motor pool 
adding to their workload. The 6888 completed their assignment in 3 
months instead of 6 months and were then reassigned to Rouen, France. 
While in France, they no longer faced the challenges of segregation. 
Again the 6888 completed their assignment in 3 months in Rouen, France 
and were reassigned to Paris, their last assignment with the war ending 
a short time later. Three women of the 6888 lost their lives overseas 
and were buried in France.
  The 6888 was shipped home to Fort Dix and immediately disbanded. Anna 
Mae Robertson Wilson was a member of this ``Band of Sisters'', who 
served honorably, and whose story was largely untold and its successes 
not celebrated. Mr. Speaker, Anna Mae Wilson Robertson and the 6888 
Central Postal Directory Battalion performed above and beyond 
expectations. I am proud to celebrate her 90th Birthday and her 
accomplishments as a veteran and resident of Milwaukee.

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