A Hero of a Different Kind  

By John Dalton

We American have heard hundreds, if not thousands, of stories about courage and bravery under fire by our "Citizen Soldiers" during our dramatic 230-year history. And it is safe to say, for every story we know about, a dozen others go unheard. Here is a story you may not have heard about. It took place during World War I in a place called the Argonne Forest near Verdun, France.

Perhaps millions of Americans have heard the legendary story of "The Lost Battalion." The battalion took part in a general Allied assault in August of 1918, against the German lines and only the American 77th Division was able to break through. The Germans, by making numerous counter attacks, reduced the salient in their line to a small pocket in the forest held by Major Charles W. Whittlesey and nearly 600 men. They were in danger of being completely surrounded.

The Allied Army relied on a telegraph system when they could, but using messengers was a common practice. Someone had reported the rough location of the battalion and asked for artillery support to stop another German attack. Unfortunately, the artillery fell short and many americans were killed and wounded.

The battalion had only one messenger left. The Major sent his "one last chance note" to Division Headquarters stating where his battalion was located and to stop artillery firing immediately. Although wounded, the messenger made it through heavy fire. When he arrived at the HQ, he collapsed for the second time. He was blinded in one eye, one leg was shattered, and he had a bullet hole in his chest.

The message was passed on, and the battalion was saved by a rescue force on the sixth day. Then in honor of his heroic deed and for helping protect the French right flank, he was awarded the French "Croix de Guerre." Major Whittlesey was promoted to Lt. Colonel and awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, along with two of his men.

Who was this messenger, and did he outlast the war? His name was "Cher Ami," and he was a carrier pigeon. Yes, he was a registered Black Check Cock Homing Pigeon. He was one of hundreds used by the Allies, including the Americans. As far as we know, he was the highest decorated carrier pigeon of the war.

To help him recover, some of the 200 ­ some accounts say 194 ­ surviving men whittled a new leg for him. It was the least they could do to help "Cher Ami" their "Dear Friend."
When the division embarked aboard a ship to return to the U.S., General John J. Pershing personally saw them off, including "Cher Ami."

After reaching the States, the hero was awarded a gold medal from the Organized Bodies of American Racing Pigeon Fanciers. In 1931, he was inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame in recognition of his service. Shortly after the war, a song, a poem, and a children's coloring book were published celebrating his deed.

He died in 1919 from the accumulation of war wounds suffered on his 13th and final mission. He was truly a hero of a different kind and a "Dear Friend." Cher himself was preserved by a taxidermist and is on display in the American History Museum of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.