This is article appeared in VA News.  Both women were members of the WWII unit, 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion, "SixTripleEight."
https://news.va.gov/100811/bertha-harrison-dupre-and-elizabeth-barker-johnson-sisters-in-arms/
Bertha Harrison Dupre and Elizabeth Barker Johnson served together in Company C of the the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during WWII. When they returned home from the war, each used the G.I. Bill and launched careers as teachers, administrators, government employees and volunteers.

Bertha Harrison Dupre: An administrator and renaissance woman
Born in Washington, D.C., Bertha Harrison Dupre enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) on September 1, 1943. Prior to that, she worked for the War Department, according to the Salisbury Post. In August 1944, she joined the segregated Black female WAC unit, Company C of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the “SixTripleEight.” When the unit arrived in Birmingham, England, they learned of their mission to clear the mountains of backlogged mail stuffed to the ceiling in Quonset huts. Working around the clock, seven days a week, they processed for delivery over 17 million pieces of mail in three months.

Dupre achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. She received an honorable discharge at Fort Dix, NJ on December 7, 1945 – exactly four years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, according to her military service records.

When Dupre returned home from the war, she found employment with the then-known Veterans Administration helping Veterans enroll in school. According to her obituary, she also joined the WAC Reserve and was called up to serve again during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Before retiring, she worked for Amtrak’s Montrealer that ran from Washington D.C. to Montreal.

In her 70s, she moved south to Charlotte, North Carolina, in search of warmer weather. There, she kept busy with classes in jazz, dance and art. She died, at 97, on Dec. 19, 2018. Web visitors can read her tribute at NCA’s Veterans Legacy Memorial: https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/BERTHAHARRISON/77E9565.

Determined that she would not die alone
Dupre spent the last few years of her life at Concord Transitional Healthcare. When she died, no one came forward to claim her cremated remains. That is when her Social Worker Rhonda Fernandez and Veterans Service Officer Lori Hinson went to work.

The two reached out to Andrea Lefko of Carolina Cremation in Salisbury, and Russ Roakes, Powles Staton Funeral Home, in Rockwell to determine Dupre’s eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery. The more Roakes and Lefko learned of Dupre’s story, the more they wanted to do something special in her memory. After contacting the Salisbury National Cemetery and the National Scheduling Cemetery Office in St. Louis, they agreed on March 22, 2020, as the date of interment.

“We were determined that Ms. Dupre would not be buried alone,” Roakes said.

On Friday, March 22, 2020, at 11 a.m., hundreds of people formed a queue at the Powles Staton Funeral Home for the 15-minute ride to Salisbury National Cemetery. The Patriot Guard riders led the way. Behind the hearse rode 99-year-old Elizabeth Barker Johnson, Dupre’s sister-in-arms from the “SixTripleEight,” and her daughter Cynthia.

“Students from East Rowan High School stood aside the road waving American flags,” Roakes added.

At the cemetery were several American Legion chapters. The Rowan County Veterans Honor Guard performed the rifle salute, and the North Carolina National Guard folded the American flag.

“Although these committals are normally a solemn ceremony,” said Micah Lee, program support sssistant at Salisbury National Cemetery, “this one had the feeling of a celebration of life. More than 250 people attended to show their support.”

Sitting front row center, Johnson accepted the American flag.

Elizabeth Barker Johnson: An Educator and Volunteer
Johnson joined the WACs on March 11, 1943, after seeing a flyer in the mail which read, “Uncle Sam Wants You.” She received training as a truck driver at Fort Devens and her first assignment was Camp Campbell in Kentucky as a truck driver, mainly transporting soldiers to the train station. She was transferred to the “SixTripleEight” in August 1944.

“She did not have enough money for college, so she enlisted,” said her daughter, Cynthia.

By May 1945, the SixTripleEight was sent to Rouen, France to clear the backlog of mail there. With some time spent in Paris, Johnson returned home aboard the Queen Mary on Nov. 4, 1945, and was discharged at Fort Bragg, NC, on November 12.

She enrolled at Winston-Salem Teachers College, now Winston-Salem State University, in 1946.  She was the first woman at the school to use the G.I. Bill to pay for her college education. She taught for 32 years and stayed active as a volunteer for another 15 years.

She died on August 23, 2020, six months after attending Dupre’s funeral.

We honor their service.

Salisbury National Cemetery

MSG Harrison, I want to give you my personal "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, MAME".  I am SO VERY PROUD of what you have done with your life.  As of my 71 years, I often look back and wish that I had joined the medical field in the military.  May you always be proud and RIP!


I am grateful for the service of MSG Bertha Harrison.  She helped keep up the morale of thousands of fighting men in World War II by sorting mail and packages to be delivered to men throughout the European theater.  Mail and parcels delivered from home lifted spirits and helped keep alive a vision of what men were fighting for.  I salute MSG Harrison for her hard work, sacrifice, and service to our nation at a time of crisis.  May she rest in peace knowing that she is not forgotten.

Hello Ms. Harrison on this Memorial Day 2021.  

I thank you for your service and for being part of what has become the legendary "SixTripleEight."   6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion.  In 2018, a monument was dedicated to your unit at Buffalo Soldiers Park, Fort Leavenworth, KS.  What a grand ceremony it was in November 2018, a month before your passing. 

Five of your sister soldiers (Anna Mae Robertson, Lena King, Elizabeth Johnson, Maybelle Campbell, Deloris Ruddock) attended so you were there too. Sadly, only Ms. Robertson and and Ms. King are still on this planet, but the spirit and legend of the SixTripleEight carries on. 

In April2019, a Documentary "The SixTripleEight" screened at the Military Womens Museum at Arlington National Cemetery.  Ms. Campbell, Ms. Ruddock, and Ms. Indiana Hunt Martin were there. The 200-seat theater was standing room only. After the screening and Q&A were complete, LTG (now retired) Nadja West, first black female to achieve 3-star rank and the 44th Surgeon General was on hand to present the three, and the entire SixTripleEight, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal (MUC) for Meritorious service from February 3, 1945 to March 4, 1946. During that time, as you remember quite clearly, you 855 women processed for delivery over 17 million pieces of mail for the troops in Europe in three months. Such an incredible achievement. 

After you received the MUC it was on.

In May 2019, the US Ambassador to the Court of St. James, Robert Wood Johnson, had a blue commemorative plaque placed on the King Edward's School where you all worked. England still loves and respects the "SixTripleEight."  

In September 2019, the Congressional Black Caucus recognized the "SixTripleEight" with a certificate. 

In October 2019, at a black-tie event in Washington DC, the American  Veterans Center presented the "SixTripleEight" with the Audie Murphy Award. Six of your sister warriors were there (Ms King, Ms. Hunt Martin, Ms Ruddock, Ms. Robertson, Ms. Campbell) and when they came on stage the 500+ audience erupted to applause and a 5-minute standing ovation.  

The awards and recognition kept on coming throughout 2020. The Documentary won Best Documentary feature at five festivals and it screened at the WWII museum in New Orleans and elsewhere.

That takes us to 2021, Ms. Harrison. Congress was so taken by the "SixTripleEight" and your incredible story that both houses of Congress submitted legislation for you to receive the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM), the nation's highest civilian award. The first one was given to George Washington in 1775 by the Continental Congress.   Since then, only 162 have been awarded. Not an easy recognition to achieve.

Here's the good news Ms. Harrison. The "SixTripleEight" will be awarded the CGM this Congressional cycle. The Senate has passed the legislation and the House has 115 of 290 cosponsors needed to pass. They wont fail you. I am confident of that. After passing an actual gold medal will be struck by the US Mint and smaller replicas for attendees at either a White House ceremony or one at the US Capitol. My instincts tell me White House as for the first time in US history a black female was elected as Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. 

Add to that national media (Associated Press, CNN, BBC, CBS Evening News, NBC Today Show, New York Times, Washinton Post and a score of other national, regional, and local media have carried the "SixTripleEight" story. 

And you Ms. Harrison also appeared in media.  In December 2018, at 97, after your passing  no family came forward to receive your remains.  Having no children and distant relatives only, you may have outlived everyone except the friends you made along the way and Veterans everywhere. 

When the word got out of Veterans Service Officers and the funeral home contacted VA. Fortunately, VA has a policy for unclaimed remains and the wheels were in motion.  In February 2019, the Salisbury National Cemetery held a committal service in your honor.  

And Ms. Harrison I want you to know that when your story hit media and social media over 500 people, Veterans, Patriot Guard riders and more attended your ceremony with full military honors. 

And after reading about your story, your sister-in-arms Elizabeth Barker Johnson, 99, attended your committal that day and accepted the folded flag on your behalf. It was an incredible moment of a bond of military service that never went away, even after 75 years. There wasn't a dry eye anywhere that day. 

So you now rest in Section W11, Site 18 and VA and Salisbury National Cemetery will care for you in perpetuity.  And we will. 

Your dear friend Nina Neal left two messages for you as well. 

Happy 100th birthday on April 21, Ms. Neal shared that the Queen of England shares your birthday and you were fond of saying the Queen shared a birthday with you.  Indeed she does.  

Your service and the "SixTripleEight" stories are forever a part of American history.  Schools show the Documentary and students research your story as part of National History Day.  Seven "SixTripleEight" female soldiers are the only known survivors.  

It may have taken 75 years after the war you served in to get the proper recognition, but you are recognized and appreciated often included in the same sentence as the Tuskegee Airmen and other significant military units.  

Ms. Harrison you and your sisters of the "SixTripleEight" are part of America's Greatest Generation.  Your place in American history secure. 

I miss you Ms. Bertha. You impacted my life in a way that changed its course forever. Til we meet again.

BERTHA HARRISON

Service

WORLD WAR II

US ARMY,

MSG

Resting Place

Mementos

Tributes

Word Cloud

undefined

Milestones

Mementos

Historical Documents

Veteran programs and services

More VA resources

Get VA updates

In crisis? Get help now

Contact us