One Woman's Army: A Black Officer Remembers the Wacvolume 12

African American women served in a segregated army in WWII. This book tells the fascinating story of one of them and her unit, which was eventually sent to England and was the best unit of its type (Postal). The book is really a look into another place and time, and reinforces my admiration for African American women who have faced horrible situations of prejudice and danger with courage and determination (and still do).

"One Woman's Army: A Black Officer Remembers the WAC," by Charity Adams Earley, is a memoir by a pioneering African-American soldier of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) of the United States Army. The bulk of the book focuses on the period from July 1942 to December 1945, and details her service both in the continental U.S. and in the European theater of operations. The author looks back at the assignments she held, which included being on the staff of the WAC training center in Des Moines and commanding a battalion-size postal unit overseas. She also recalls the time when the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was transformed into the WAC, thus becoming "an official branch of the army." Earley tells her story in a straightforward manner. She recalls many humorous and/or ironic incidents that happened along the way, as well as some appalling examples of racial prejudice and insensitivity that she faced. I was also very interested by the leadership challenges that she encountered as she rose up the ranks. She also looks at some of the very practical issues regarding the incorporation of women in the military, such as providing them with proper uniforms. The book is richly illustrated throughout. There are photos of some of the historic documents from the author's career. There are also over 40 photos detailing her service and showing many of the other soldiers--black and white, male and female, officer and enlisted--with whom she served. I particularly enjoyed the photos showing the African-American women soldiers in action. Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley was a true military trailblazer, and I was absolutely fascinated by the story she tells here. Inspiring and educational, this book is a valuable contribution to the fields of women's studies, African-American studies, and military history. Recommended companion text: "A Black Woman's Civil War Memoirs," by Susie King Taylor.

This is one of the outstanding memoirs written by women who have served in the US Army. Charity Adams Early was the first African American woman to receive a commission in the WAC during World War II, and later became the commander of the 6888th Central Postal Directory, the only black WAC unit sent overseas. She frankly discusses the problems faced by black WACS, including segregation in training and unit assignment, and the prejudices she faced. Highly recommended.

I am a terrible reader and don't often finish books I start. This book interested me through and through. If you are a woman in the military, or know a woman in the military, then you need to read this book. The perspective on life in Charity Adams' Army is a wonderful change from the Hollywood versions of wartime service we see all around us. This book brings you inside and behind the scenes of very important and worthwhile missions. Reading about the strides Charity Adams made in her time (and now with this book) make me so proud of her not only as a negro WAC officer, but as a soldier and a leader! I highly recommend this book for yourself and for a gift to other strong women in your life!