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Pigeon Breeders Photo Gallery Site of the Month December 2000 |
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When pigeons are mentioned most people think of racing homers like the one pictured above, or else the "common" pigeons you see people feeding in the park. Racing homers are just one of more than two hundred breeds that are recognized and bred by pigeon fanciers around the world. However, all the breeds are descended from a common ancestor, the European Rock Dove. Pigeons have been kept for perhaps thousands of years. The dove that Noah sent to look for dry land was probably a rock dove, and pigeons are mentioned in Psalms. Statues of pigeons have been found that date back 5000 years.
Prior to the age of electronic communication, pigeons were one of the most reliable forms of communication in existence. During World War I, pigeons carried thousands of messages that saved many hundreds of lives. In World War II pigeons continued to be used. Radios were frequently not working due to damage or unfavorable terrain rendered them almost useless. Pigeons continued to fly through enemy fire, and amazingly 95% of them completed their missions.
I would like to tell you a little about one such pigeon, Cher Ami. Cher Ami was a registered black check cock World War I Carrier Pigeon, one of 600 birds owned and flown by the U.S. Signal Corps. Cher Ami was originally bred by the British Signal Corps. He was transferred to the Americans after the war on Oct. 27, 1918.
Cher Ami delivered 12 important messages within the American sector at Verdun, France. On his last mission, Cher Ami, shot through the breast by enemy fire, managed to return to his loft. A message capsule was found dangling from the ligaments of one of his legs that had also been shattered by enemy fire. The message he carried was from Major Whittlesey's "Lost Battalion" of the 77th Infantry Division that had been isolated from other American forces. Just a few hours after the message was received, 194 survivors of the battalion were safe behind American lines.
Cher Ami was awarded the French "Croix de Guerre" with Palm for his heroic service between the forts of Verdun. He died in 1919 as a result of his battle wounds. Cher Ami was later inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame in 1931 and received a gold medal from the Organized Bodies of American Racing Pigeon Fanciers in recognition of his extraordinary service during World War I.
Pigeons performed other duties besides delivering important messages. Pigeons were even fitted with cameras that took pictures of enemy troops. This provided vital intelligence information.
Cher Ami was just one of many World War I carrier pigeons that were decorated for heroism in battle.
Pigeons continued their valiant service during World War II and the Korean War. The Dickin Medal for Valor, an award only for animals , was given to 31 pigeons in World War II, more than any other animal. (The next closest animals were dogs, with 8 medals).
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