MILWAUKEE — A World War II veteran from Milwaukee is being honored with one of the highest military awards for her service in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.

Anna Mae Robertson can now add Congressional Gold Medal winner to her name. Robertson was presented with the award Monday afternoon at the War Memorial in Milwaukee with dozens of friends and family by her side.

Robertson served in World War II as part of the 6888. The 6888 is an all-Black female battalion that deployed overseas to help with a three-year backlog in mail for soldiers. The group was able to send out 17 million pieces of mail in just three months, surpassing the Army’s expectations.

The 6888 is the only military women’s unit to receive a congressional medal, so this award is historic for many. Robertson’s daughter Sheree Robertson said it was a special occasion to have her mother’s service honored in this way.

“It’s just so heartwarming because people would look at her as the woman with eight children and she is just so much more than that,” Sheree Robertson said. “Sometimes people will look at you as a mother figure or a mother and don’t think that you have this other life or things that were a part of you because you didn’t wear it on your sleeve or boast about being in the war or about doing other good things.”

In the United States, less than 200 people have received this prestigious award, including some past presidents. Retired Colonel Edna Cummings is a Congressional Gold Medal champion who helped pass through legislation to make this award possible for the women of 6888.

She said seeing these women being recognized for their service and having their stories told is extremely important.

“This award is a historic event because the 6888 solved the army’s mail and morale issue in World War II,” Cummings said. “And now the 6888 is the only military women’s unit to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. The first recipient was George Washington in 1766. Since then, less than 200 of these awards have been presented to the public or institutions.”

Robertson’s family said she feels blessed and honored to receive this award.

They also hope the history of these women who served as part of the 6888 will be remembered for years to come, and even taught in schools.