"Cher
Ami" was a registered Black Check Cock carrier pigeon, one of 600 birds
owned and flown by the U.S. Army Signal Corps in France during World War I.
He 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
also had 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.
"Cher Ami" is on display at the
National Museum of American History, Behring Center, in the Armed Forces History
Hall.