Deloris Ruddock

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Deloris Ruddock served in the United States Army in World War II
Service started: 1942
Unit(s): United States Women's Army Corps
Service ended: 1946

Biography

Deloris Louise Ruddock was born on September 16, 1923, to Lawrence and Vella Ruddock.

She enlisted into the U.S. Army WAAC at the age of 19, with the proud support of her father.

After training in Iowa, she was eventually assigned to the 6888th , the only African American WAC unit sent overseas during the war.

She was assigned to D Company, 6888th Postal Directory Battalion, that was stationed in England and France. Quote "I was a PFC and did what I was told to do. No question" Deloris Ruddock.

The 6888th worked tirelesslty in both England France to process millions of undelivered letters and packages to improve solder morale. Completing the mission in record time, the unit earned acculades from Army leadership..

After her discharge in 1946, she used the GI Bill to attend the Traphagen School of Fashion in Manhattan, completing the Costume Design and Illustration course in February 1951

While living in New York, she met Harry Heldoorn and gave birth to her only child, Patricia.

PFC Deloris Ruddock was honored at an Oct 2019 ceremony in Brentwood, MD as one of the 2019 Audie Murphy Awardees. Ms. Ruddock walk onto the stage, proud of her unit, her sister SOLDIERS, and that she was there presenting all who had gone on from the 6888 CPDB. "No Mail, Low Morale."

6888th Postal Battalion Memorial.

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (Six Triple Eight), was the only female African-American battalion to serve overseas in WWII. They fulfilled their mission to clear a large backlog of mail in the European Theater and raise troop morale. A memorial was dedicated at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on November 30, 2018.

Deloris L. Ruddock passed away 27 Mar 2021, at Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, Maryland. She was buried at the Baltimore National Cemetery Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland, USA.; with full military honors.

Sources

• Video: PFC Deloris Ruddock who served with the Six Triple Eight Postal Battalion was interviewed by the American Veterans Center, Veterans Oral Histories on 5 Mar 2019: https://www.americanveteranscenter.org/2019/07/pfc-deloris-ruddock/

• Obituary for Deloris L Ruddock: SEPTEMBER 16, 1923 – MARCH 27, 2021. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/brentwood-md/deloris-ruddock-10137622

• U.S., Find A Grave Index 1600s-Current: NAME PFC Deloris Ruddock BIRTH1924 DEATH 27 Mar 2021 (aged 96–97). BURIAL: Baltimore National Cemetery Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland, USA. MEMORIAL ID 225886150 · View Source URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/225886150/deloris-ruddock

• National Cemetery Administration (NCA) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough speaks at the committal service at Baltimore National Cemetery for Deloris Ruddock, a Veteran of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in World War II, April 20, 2021.

• https://www.facebook.com/thesixtripleeightdocumentary/