Cher Ami facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cher Ami
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The stuffed body of Cher Ami on display at the Smithsonian Institution
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| Born | April 1918 |
| Died | June 13, 1919 (aged 1) Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, USA |
| Place of display | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1918 |
| Unit | 77th Division |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |
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| Other work | Department of Service mascot |
Cher Ami (which means "dear friend" in French) was a brave female homing pigeon. She was given to the U.S. Army by pigeon lovers in Britain during World War I. American pigeon trainers taught her how to deliver messages.
Cher Ami became famous for delivering a very important message. She did this even after being badly hurt during a big battle called the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in October 1918. Her bravery helped save many lives.
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Cher Ami's Heroic Service in World War I
On October 3, 1918, Major Charles White Whittlesey and over 550 American soldiers were in a tough spot. They were trapped behind enemy lines without food or ammunition. To make things worse, their own friendly troops accidentally started shooting at them because they didn't know where they were.
The German soldiers surrounded them. Many American soldiers were killed or hurt. Only 194 men were still alive and not captured or wounded. Major Whittlesey tried to send runners with messages, but the Germans caught or killed them every time.
So, Major Whittlesey started sending messages using pigeons.
- The first pigeon carried a message saying, "Many wounded. We cannot evacuate." But this pigeon was shot down.
- A second pigeon was sent with the message, "Men are suffering. Can support be sent?" This pigeon was also shot down.
The American artillery (big guns) tried to help Major Whittlesey's men. But they thought the soldiers were in a different place. This meant the artillery accidentally fired on their own troops.
That's when Cher Ami was sent. She carried a tiny note written on thin paper, tucked into a small container on her left leg. The message said:
We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heavens sake stop it.
As Cher Ami flew up from the bushes, German soldiers saw her and started shooting. She was hit and fell, but incredibly, she managed to fly again!
Cher Ami flew 25 miles (40 kilometers) back to her loft at army headquarters in just 25 minutes. She had been shot through her chest, was blind in one eye, and one of her legs was barely hanging on by a tendon.
Her amazing flight helped save the lives of the 194 soldiers who were still alive.
A Hero's Recovery and Awards
Cher Ami became a hero to the 77th Infantry Division. Army doctors worked hard to save her life. They couldn't save her leg, so they made her a small wooden one.
When she was well enough to travel, the one-legged pigeon was put on a boat to the United States. General John J. Pershing himself saw her off!
Cher Ami received the Croix de Guerre Medal from France. This medal had an Oak Leaf Cluster for her brave service. She had delivered 12 important messages during the war.
She passed away at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, on June 13, 1919. This was due to the injuries she got in battle. In 1931, she was honored by being put into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame. She also received a gold medal from American Racing Pigeon Fanciers. This was to thank her for her service during World War I.
In November 2019, Cher Ami was one of the first animals to receive the Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery. This award was given to her after her death at a ceremony in Washington, D.C..
Remembering Cher Ami
For American school children in the 1920s and 1930s, Cher Ami was as famous as any human hero from World War I.
Later, Cher Ami's body was preserved by a taxidermist. This is how they found out that the "male" pigeon was actually a female! Her preserved body is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. You can see her with Sergeant Stubby (a famous dog from WWI) in the "Price of Freedom" exhibit at the National Museum of American History.
See also
In Spanish: Cher Ami para niños
