As part of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), First Lieutenant Fannie Griffin McClendon was in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the “Six Triple Eight.” The 6888th was the only all-Black, all-female WAC battalion to serve overseas during World War II.
Lieutenant Griffin arrived with the 6888th in Birmingham, England, in March 1945. Their mission was to organize mail delivery in the European Theater. The 6888th cleared a six-month backlog in three months by sorting nearly two hundred thousand pieces of mail daily, working in three shifts around the clock.
In 1949, after receiving a recruiting letter to return to the US Army, Lt Griffin chose instead to join the US Air Force for its new opportunities.
Griffin used her training as an Army Quartermaster and her 6888th experience to work as a supply officer with Strategic Air Command (SAC). In 1957, Major Griffin assumed command of the 509th Services Squadron, making her one of the first women to command an all-male squadron in SAC. She retired in 1970 after serving her country for over twenty years.