A Scientist Narrates the Tale of 'Cher Ami', the Globally Renowned Combat Pigeon
During the period of World War I, significant military advancements were evident. Innovations such as armored tanks, machine guns, airplanes, submarines, and field telephones were introduced on the battlefield, alongside traditional tactics.
An instance illustrating the blend of modern and traditional techniques emerged in the form of "Cher Ami," a renowned homing pigeon that significantly impacted the fate of an entire American battalion. This is the tale of a message sent by the pigeon:
"We are positioned alongside the road corresponding to 276.4. Our very own artillery is bombarding us directly. For the love of heavens, cease it."
How Cher Ami Saved the Misplaced Battalion
Cher Ami was a male English-bred homing pigeon, born in the spring of 1918 in Norfolk, England. He was among 600 pigeons given as a donation to America's Signal Pigeon Corps, a unit of the U.S. Army responsible for pigeon training and deployment for communication and reconnaissance purposes.
In September 1918, Cher Ami joined 60 pigeons supporting the communication efforts of the U.S.'s 77th Infantry Division, who were battling the Germans in the Argonne Forest, northeastern France.
The Division experienced tough luck in October 1918, as more than 550 soldiers found themselves trapped behind enemy lines, without access to food or ammunition. Their commander, Major Charles Whittlesey, dispatched runners to notify allied forces of their predicament, but they were consistently caught by the encircling Germans. Meanwhile, the Division suffered both German and friendly fire attacks due to allies' unawareness of their location.
Whittlesey also attempted to notify allies via homing pigeons. Unfortunately, one pigeon, carrying the message "Many wounded. We cannot be evacuated," was shot down by the Germans. Other pigeons also failed to convey the alarm.
However, Cher Ami managed to prevail – albeit not without injuries (the pigeon was hit in the chest and leg, and lost an eye). A remarkable 194 infantrymen were saved due to Cher Ami's resilience and instinctive actions.
Cher Ami was celebrated as a hero, and Army medics worked tirelessly to treat him. Despite his heroics, Cher Ami succumbed to his injuries less than a year later in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. His preserved body is displayed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.
DNA Analysis of History's Legendary Pigeon
A century later, in 2021, researchers at the National Museum of Natural History and Smithsonian National Zoo used modern DNA analysis to explore more about the celebrated war pigeon. Samples of tissue were taken from the amputated stub of Cher Ami's right leg (which was wounded by German fire) and from the underside of his left rear toe pad. Inspecting these samples, researchers affirmed Cher Ami's male gender.
Honoring Cher Ami
Cher Ami was awarded the Croix de Guerre Medal for his bravery in delivering vital messages during his service. In 1931, he was inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame, and in November 2019, he was posthumously honored with the Animals in War and Peace Medal of Bravery at a Capitol Hill ceremony in Washington D.C., becoming one of its first recipients.
Following the heroic efforts of Cher Ami, Washington D.C.-based poet Margaret Shanks penned the following tribute:
"A regular homing pigeon, yet he completed his duty with distinction. Darting back and forth, he carried the message through a storm of shot and shell.
Wounded and battle-scarred, he persisted. For a worthy cause, victory must prevail. And it needed the brave Cher Ami, pushing onward through thick and thin.
Gently place him beneath the flag of the nation he strove to protect. May our tender affection rise, for the loving pigeon's last resting place."
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- Cher Ami, the wounded World War I pigeon, was awarded the prestigious Croix de Guerre Medal due to his bravery in delivering crucial messages during battle.
- The biologist story of Cher Ami highlights the historical significance of animals in war, particularly during the Argonne Forest 1918 campaign, where pigeons like Cher Ami served as vital communication tools for American soldiers.
- In the context of animal bravery in war, Cher Ami is often cited as a WWI animal hero, whose heroics saved the lives of 194 American soldiers in the heart of the Argonne Forest.
- As part of the historical animal stories related to World War I, the tale of Cher Ami, the biologist's beloved pigeon, demonstrates the strong bond between humans and their animals in the face of adversity.
- Despite the use of modern military advancements during World War I, such as tank warfare and airplanes, the story of Cher Ami serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of traditional tactics, like the use of homing pigeons for communication, in times of war.
