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International White Dove Society
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International White Dove Society
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| Spring 2006 |
~~~ International White Dove Society Online Magazine ~~~ |
Cher Ami |
 In World War I, a pigeon saved the lives of many soldiers in the "Lost
Battalion" of New York's 77th Division of the U.S. Army. This pigeon was Cher
Ami. His name means "dear friend" in French. He was a blue-cheeked
male from British stock. During a battle in France, the American soldiers found themselves surrounded by the enemy. Then they found themselves being fired on by their own side! They tried sending a message to their fellow troops by pigeon, and the first ones released were shot down. The first message said, "Many wounded. We cannot evacuate." They sent out a second bird with the message, "Men are suffering. Can support be sent?" That pigeon too was shot down. One homing pigeon was left-Cher Ami. His message was, "Our artillery is dropping a barrage on us. For heaven's sake, stop it!" The men of the Lost Battalion saw Cher Ami fly up-and then saw him shot down. Yet soon Cher Ami was airborne again. Hopes soared. Cher Ami's leg was shot off and he was hit by another bullet. Still, this bird kept flying. Cher Ami finally got through and carried the message 25 miles. The shooting stopped, and many lives were saved. At the end of the war, Cher Ami and more than 40 other pigeons were honored for their brave service. They were well cared for until they died. Today Cher Ami's body can be seen in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian Institution. |
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