This is the stuffed body of the most famous messenger pigeon of the 20th century: Cher Ami. Now his little taxidermied self resides in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC, but in 1918, Cher Ami helped save the lives of 194 American Soldiers who had gotten separated from their larger group during the Meuse-Argonne offensive in France during the First World War.
In fact, during WWI, the U.S. Army’s Signal Corps (in charge of communication) employed about 600 messenger pigeons in France. Cher Ami was one of the birds that Major Charles Whittlesey desperately hoped could bring his coordinates to allies, and save the surviving members of his 77th Infantry, which was isolated and behind enemy lines.
Cher Ami was the only messenger pigeon to survive the mission, but in the process he was shot. However, the bird had succeeded in giving the vital coordinates of the 77th infantry, ensuring their safety. His deeds made great headlines in the U.S., where he was extremely popular. He was even awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Palm metal, and became the official mascot of the Department of Service.
Cher Ami didn’t last another year, his health fragile after being shot, but his memory endures.
In fact, during WWI, the U.S. Army’s Signal Corps (in charge of communication) employed about 600 messenger pigeons in France. Cher Ami was one of the birds that Major Charles Whittlesey desperately hoped could bring his coordinates to allies, and save the surviving members of his 77th Infantry, which was isolated and behind enemy lines.
Cher Ami was the only messenger pigeon to survive the mission, but in the process he was shot. However, the bird had succeeded in giving the vital coordinates of the 77th infantry, ensuring their safety. His deeds made great headlines in the U.S., where he was extremely popular. He was even awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Palm metal, and became the official mascot of the Department of Service.
Cher Ami didn’t last another year, his health fragile after being shot, but his memory endures.
Sources: https://www.si.edu/object/cher-ami%3Anmah_425415
