Cher Ami

When members of the 77th Infantry Division came under fire from their own artillery, they desperately sent homing pigeons to stop the barrage. The first two birds sent were shot down and killed by the Germans. The third homing pigeon named Cher Ami (Dear Friend) was then let off.

Cher Ami was immediately shot through the breast, lost an eye, and had one leg torn almost completely off. Wounded, he took flight again and flew the 25 miles to his post where his message was received and the soldiers saved.

Cher Ami was immediately given medical attention and put on a boat for America by General Pershing who personally saw him off. He died some time later from complications of his wounds. Cher Ami was mounted and now rests in the Smithsonian Museum and in 2019 became one of the first winners of the Animals in War and Peace Medal of Bravery.

In the 1920s and 30s, Cher Ami was a household name for American children. Cher Ami was awarded the Croix de Guerre for delivering 12 important messages in Verdun.

Valor comes in all sizes and is not forgotten.