Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley

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Brief

     In 1942, Earley (1918-2002) became the first Black woman to be commissioned as an officer in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). After initially serving as a staff training officer, station control officer, and company commander at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, she was promoted to major in September 1943, coinciding with the transition from WAAC to WAC (Women's Auxillary Corps). In 1945, During World War II she commanded the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (The Six Triple 8) and led the only all-Black, all-female battalion to serve overseas. The 6888th was responsible for sorting and delivering mail to nearly seven million soldiers in the European Theater of Operations. She ultimately achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel, the highest rank available to women in the WAC at that time.

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Collection & Papers

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Book(s)

One Woman's Army A Black Officer Remembers the WAC

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Attributions
Attributions
Attributions
Birth
December 5, 1918, Kitrell, North Carolina
Death
January 13, 2002 (age 83) Dayton, Ohio
Resting Place
Country
Language(s)
English, German
Spouse(s)

Stanley A. Earley, Jr. (m. 1949)

Partner(s)
Relatives
Associate(s)
Alma Mater
Influenced
Influenced By
Colleague(s)
Collaborator(s)
Children
Awards & Honors
Parents
Occupation
Certification(s)
License(s)
Education
Wilberforce University, 1938 (B.A. Mathematics & Physics); Ohio State University 1946 (M.A. Psychology)
Organization(s)

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Appointment(s)
Notable Performances
Notable Works
Notable Moments
Military Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Years of Service
Political Affiliation
Associations
Genre(s)
Preceptors
Legacy
Thesis
Books
Website
*some sources say April 6, 1845

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Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley
In 1942, Earley (1918-2002) became the first Black woman to be commissioned as an officer in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). After initially serving as a staff training officer, station control officer, and company commander at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, she was promoted to major in September 1943, coinciding with the transition from WAAC to WAC (Women's Auxillary Corps). In 1945, During World War II she commanded the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (The Six Triple 8) and led the only all-Black, all-female battalion to serve overseas. The 6888th was responsible for sorting and delivering mail to nearly seven million soldiers in the European Theater of Operations. She ultimately achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel, the highest rank available to women in the WAC at that time.

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