Cher Ami - The Hero of World war 1

Cher Ami- The Hero

                   Cher Ami- The Hero of World War 1

           Lots of people have heard of the Lost Battalion, and know some story of it. But very few persons known  the role of a remarkable pigeon, named Cher Ami with that battle. That little Homer pigeon became one of the greatest heroes of World War I.
          Cher Ami was one of the carrier pigeons employed by the US Army Signal Corps during the First World War. In spite of the radio communications technology during the war  pigeons were a popular and reliable form of communication.The average homing pigeon can fly approximately fifty miles per hour, making them a quick method of communication.
          On October 2nd, 1918, A group of 500 American soldiers of 77th Division led by Major Charles Whittlesey pushed too far into the Argonne Forest and became trapped behind German lines on the slopes of a hill.No one knew their exact location or if they were alive even. Whittlesey’s “Lost Battalion” of 200 men was hungry, dehydrated, under heavy fire and unable to move without revealing their whereabouts to the enemy.Their location was beyond radio range, the only way to communicate with their own lines was via carrier pigeon. Asking for help,  Major Charles Whittlesey send  first pigeon, carrying the message “Many wounded. We cannot evacuate.” was shot down by the Germans.Then he send his second pigeon, carrying a more dire message this time – “Men are suffering. Can support be sent?” – was also shot down. On October 4th, American heavy artillery started to bombard the Lost Battalion’s position on accident, killing thirty men as they held the line. With supplies running out and casualties mounting rapidly, Major Whittlesey being helpless, desperately sent out his last pigeon, Cher Ami, to the American lines with a with a desperate plea that simply read, “We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it.”

Message that Cher Ami carried

     As soon as Cher Ami flew up , the Germans fired on him. Cher Ami was hit in the chest soon after takeoff. But he got up and flied again into waves  of gunfire . It took him 25 minutes to fly through a rain of bullets the 25 miles back to Allied lines. He arrived at base heavily wounded, but alive.When he arrived at his coop, he had been shot in his breast and  one  of his eyes was totally damaged.. One leg was so badly shot that it dangled by a tendon. But the metal case carrying the life-saving message was still attached to that dangling leg. Getting the message carried by Cher Ami, the Allies stopped firing shells at the Lost Battalion and took up new firing coordinates away from American lines relieving pressure on the bloodied 77th and the battle turned in America’s favor. On October 8th, one hundred and ninety-four men made it back to the American lines.

Capt John Carney - Trainer of Cher Ami

        Army doctors were able to save Cher Ami’s life. Cher Ami was taken back to the United States in the care of  Capt John Carney who was its trainer. This hero of the war died On June 13th, 1919,  at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.  Cher Ami’s body was preserved and presented to the American Government with due honor. Presently, Cher Ami is on display at the Smithsonian Museum of American History to preserve his memory. His story  will always be in the hearts and minds of Americans  and his bravery will never be forgotten.

Croix de guerre award
to Cher Ami
given by France

 For his contribution in saving the 77th Division, Cher Ami was awarded the Croix de Guerre, one of France’s highest military honors for his gallantry in the field. General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force, said "There isn't anything the United States can do too much for this bird."