Celebrating Military Mentorship:
MSG Helm-Frazier (Retired)
MSG (Ret.) Elizabeth Ann Helm-Frazier is a shining example of how a mentor becomes a multiplier. She helped me find my footing and encouraged me to stand tall in spaces where I once felt unseen. Her legacy lives on in every soldier I’ve mentored, every career I’ve helped shape, and every young woman of color who dares to raise her hand and say, “I belong here.”
To Elizabeth and mentors like her: thank you for seeing us before we fully saw ourselves. Thank you for pouring into us. Your legacy is living, breathing, and multiplying in ways you may never fully realize.
Because of you, we don’t just serve—we lead, we inspire, and we become the mentors we once needed.
Pictured: DAR President Pamela Rouse Wright’s, MSG (Ret) Helm-Frazier and guest at the DARS National Defense Night on 29 June 2025 (https://www.dar.org/)
And with deepest admiration, congratulations on your well-deserved recognition during the 134th Continental Congress of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, held on June 29, 2025. Your receipt of the prestigious Medal of Honor is a powerful affirmation of the impact you’ve made—not just in uniform, but in life. Your service, sacrifice, and spirit have left an indelible mark on history, and we are all better for it.
Thank you for continuing to lead by example. You are the legacy we aspire to build upon.
🎖️ Military Career & Advocacy
- Extensive military service: She enlisted in 1981, ultimately retiring in 2006 as a Master Sergeant after over 25 years in key personnel roles—specializing in career counseling (MOS 75‑Echo & 79‑Sierra). During her service she was named TRADOC Career Counselor of the Year and San Antonio’s Mentor of the Year (1).
- Championing career development: After retiring, she continued mentoring warriors—especially women—and became a powerful advocate for African‑American Army history and veteran recognition (4).
📨 Guardian of the 6888th’s Legacy
MSG (Ret) Elizabeth Helm‑Frazier is renowned for her tireless work to preserve and elevate the story of the Six Triple Eight, the only predominantly Black, multi ethnic, all‑female WAC unit deployed overseas in WWII:
- Fundraising for their monument: She co-led efforts to erect the 6888th monument at Fort Leavenworth, unveiled in November 2018, ensuring their service is physically honored on historical grounds (1).
- Documentary production: Served as a producer on The Six Triple Eight: No Mail, Low Morale (aka No Mail, Low Morale), spotlighting the battalion’s mission to clear a massive backlog of GI mail and lift morale during the war (1).
- Driving legislative recognition: Played a major role in securing a Congressional Gold Medal for the 6888th in 2021 and establishing National 6888th Battalion Day at the National Archives (September 16) (1).
- Public speaking & education: Delivered keynotes—including at Wayland Baptist University in 2020—recounting the battalion’s 1945 mission in England, highlighting its critical impact on morale by sorting 18 million letters and packages (3).
🏆 Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame, Class of 2020
- In March 2020, she was inducted alongside other distinguished service members. Her honors included recognition for her leadership, recruitment achievements, and advocacy. She was particularly noted for her work in preserving the legacy of the 6888th (2).
🌍 The 6888th: A Unit Worth Remembering
- Who they were: A predominantly Black, multi‑ethnic WAC unit of 855 women. They were led by Major Charity Adams. This unit was tasked with clearing a two‑year mail backlog in the UK and France in 1945 (5).
- Their impact: They operated nights and weekends at an astonishing pace. They processed up to 65,000 pieces per shift. This transformed morale, hence the motto “No mail, low morale”. They completed their mission ahead of schedule (5).
- Their legacy today: Their service was recognized with a Meritorious Unit Commendation and a Congressional Gold Medal. They have monuments and documentaries dedicated to them. A stage musical, feature film, and ongoing commemorative efforts honor their legacy.
🔍 In Her Own Words
Elizabeth’s journey was deeply personal—she discovered the battalion in 2002 through the book One Woman’s Army (Charity Adams Earley), then To Serve My Country, to Serve My Race by Brenda Moore. Inspired, she told PBS:
“I learned about the unit through reading these books…” (6)
Now, she ensures those women’s stories are preserved and honored for future generations.
Summary
MSG (Ret) Elizabeth A. Helm-Frazier is a decorated veteran. She is also a mentor and a fierce advocate. She spent her post-military life relentlessly promoting recognition of the 6888th Battalion. From monument fundraising and documentary producing to securing national honors and speaking publicly, her commitment has significantly elevated awareness and ensured these trailblazing women get the timeless recognition they deserve. Thank you for your service to country for always inspiring2BMore!
Primary Sources:
- Veterans Breakfast Club profile on Elizabeth Helm-Frazier
Includes her biography, military service, and 6888th advocacy.
🔗 https://veteransbreakfastclub.org/elizabeth-anne-helm-frazier-master-sergeant/ - Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame – 2020 Inductees
Official announcement of her induction.
🔗 https://www.awfdn.org/hall-of-fame-and-special-recognition-awards/us-army-womens-hall-of-fame-inductees/2020-hall-of-fame-inductees/ - Wayland Baptist University News – 6888th Battalion Event (2020)
Coverage of her educational outreach and storytelling.
🔗 https://www.wbu.edu/news-and-events/2020/02/6888_battlion_feb052020.html - AFRO News – “AFRO Salute: The Women Behind the 6888th”
Features Elizabeth Helm-Frazier’s efforts to elevate the unit’s history.
🔗 https://afro.com/afro-salute-the-women-behind-the-6888th-keep-pushing/ - Wikipedia – 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion
General background on the unit she advocates for.
🔗 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6888th_Central_Postal_Directory_Battalion - PBS (Connection series episode featuring Helm-Frazier)
Video and interview on the 6888th and her advocacy.
🔗 https://www.pbs.org/video/connections-U27waq/
Inspiring2BMore 