LOUISIANA (KLFY) -- During World War II, the mail system in Europe was backlogged by more than two years. This resulted in U.S. soldiers being unable to get mail or send letters to their loved ones back home.
When no one was able to get the mail system back on track, the military called on the 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion, a multi-ethnic female unit of the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. that was predominately Black, to head to London and get to work.
"They sent them overseas, horrible conditions, and gave them six months to get everything up to date. They did it in three months," said Dianne Mouton-Allen.
According to a website managed by the Buffalo Soldier Educational and Historical Committee, the mission of the 6888 Battalion "was to clear several years of backlogged mail in the European Theater of Operations" and that the women worked in "cold, dirty, dark rat-infested aircraft hangars with broken windows."
Mouton-Allen is the niece of one of the last surviving members of the battalion, Fannie Griffin McClendon. She said her Aunt Fannie didn't share much about her experience in the war until two years ago when the 6888 received a Congressional Gold Medal.
According to the Library of Congress, McClendon was born in Louisiana but she and her family later moved to New York.
She served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps from 1942 to 1945, when she was part of the 6888 Battalion. She returned to military service in 1950, joining the Air Force as a first lieutenant, until 1971 when she retired.
Per the Library of Congress, her military accomplishments include her work with the 6888 Battalion, reaching the rank of major, and being selected to serve as squadron commander for an all-male squadron, among other things.
Read more about McClendon's life and military career on the Library of Congress website, Here.
With their story finally making its way into the public eye, it caught the attention of Hollywood legend Tyler Perry. Perry is bringing this story to screens worldwide in his new film "The 6 Triple 8."
It's a film that means so much to the now 104-year-old McClendon and the rest of her family.
Mouton-Allen shares her feelings of gratitude as her Aunt Fannie's name will now live on through film forever.
"It's extremely important to me because I've been noticing a lot of stories, the things that are being shared now that I truly appreciate," she said "...People need to know about these women and we're going to make sure that the story is told."
The movie will be available on Netflix beginning Dec. 20.
