Exhibit Entry Information

Title:

Name(s):

Division:(Junior/Senior)

Individual/Group:

Number of Student Composed Words on Exhibit:

(Optional) Link to Any Audio or Video on Exhibit (no more than 3 minutes total):

Summer Short

Junior

Cher Ami: A Pigeon’s Role in Breaking WWI Communication Barriers

500

Individual

Picture of Entire Exhibit

Thesis/Historical Argument

In October 1918, during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I, the 77th Infantry Division of the

United States Army became trapped behind German lines in the Argonne forest of France. Under

misdirected barrages and in desperate need to communicate with headquarters, the soldiers turned to

Cher Ami, a homing pigeon, to deliver a message conveying their location. Cher Ami’s success broke

battlefield communication barriers, helped to save 194 lives, and reminds us of the continued

importance of military animals.

Picture of Left Panel of Exhibit

Picture & Text on Left Panel of Exhibit 1 of 3Communication Barriers Throughout History

Impediments:

Time

Distance

Weather

Enemies

Unsafe terrain

Why Homing Pigeons?

Speed

Intelligence

Innate navigational abilities

Homing Pigeon Use Pre-WWI

~1980 BCE: Ancient Egypt: Delivered messages about the Nile’s flood.

~900 BCE: Egypt/Persia: Were raced and delivered messages.

~776 BCE: Athens Olympic Games: Sent to villages to reveal event winners.

1850: Reuters News Agency

1870: Franco Prussian War: Carried more than 1 million messages across France.

1872: Europe: Military use established.

1890: Unites States: U.S. Signal Corps established loft of homing pigeons.

(Caption) Paul Julius Reuter, 1860, Wikimedia Commons.

(Caption) Egyptian hieroglyphic showing pigeons being released. 1300-1201 BCE, Napp

“...the famous news agency Reuters relied on 45 birds to transmit the latest news and stock

prices between Germany and Belgium, finding them more reliable than the new telegraph and

faster than the railway.” G. Paul Garson, 2019, “Warfares Unsung Pigeon”.

(Caption) Balloon used to transport pigeons across France during the Siege of Paris, 1870,

Wikimedia Commons.

Picture & Text on Left Panel of Exhibit 2 of 3

Messenger Pigeons in WWI

Specific WWI communication barriers included unreliable radio

technology, danger in laying cables, artillery/explosives, poisonous

gas, and trench warfare. Pigeons were the most reliable way to

communicate across the battlefield. Troops took pigeons into battle

and put notes inside a small metal tube on a pigeon’s leg to take to

headquarters.

(Caption) “A Pigeon Being Released from a Tank during World War

One,” August 9, 1918, The Telegraph.

(Caption) U.S. Army Signal Corps recruitment poster, 1919, Library

of Congress.

(Caption) Soldiers using pigeons in the trenches, 1918, National

Archives.

(Caption) Signal Corps pigeon trainer and his pigeon loft, 1918,

National Archives.

(Caption) “U.S Army Signal Corps cap/sleeve braid,” The Salute

Uniforms.

Picture & Text on Left Panel of Exhibit 3 of 3

Messenger Pigeons in WWI

“Captured homing pigeons betrayed nothing of their point of origin or

their destination, and those that made it through completed their

journeys tirelessly and as rapidly as possible.”

Mike Dash, 2012, “Closing the Pigeon Gap.”

(Caption) WWI poster, before 1919, UK Government.

(Caption) “Gun crew from Regimental Headquarters Company, 23rd

Infantry, firing 37mm gun during an advance against German

entrenched positions,” 1918, National Archives.

(Caption) Mobile pigeon carrier station, 1917-1918, National Archives.

“They ate little and were easy to transport. More important, they could

travel at speeds well in excess 60 m.p.h.—an impressive

achievement when the alternative method of communication was

sometimes a man on horseback—and unlike the messenger dogs

tried by the Germans at the height of the 1914-18 conflict, they could

be relied on not to be distracted by the tempting smells of rats and

rotting corpses.” Mike Dash, 2012, “Closing the Pigeon Gap.”

“Pigeons turned out to be conveniently immune to tear gas, then so

common in trench warfare.” Christopher Sterling, 2008, “Military

Communications: From Ancient Times to the 21st Century”.

Picture of Center Panel of Exhibit

Picture & Text on Center Panel 1 of 3

Thesis

In October 1918, during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of

World War I, the 77th Infantry Division of the United

States Army became trapped behind German lines in the

Argonne forest of France. Under misdirected barrages

and in desperate need to communicate with

headquarters, the soldiers turned to Cher Ami, a homing

pigeon, to deliver a message conveying their location.

Cher Ami’s success broke battlefield communication

barriers, helped to save 194 lives, and reminds us of the

continued importance of military animals.

Cher Ami was one of 600 pigeons employed in WWI by

the U.S Army Signal Corps. Her “nest” was the American

Army headquarters on the edge of the Argonne forest.

(Caption) Cher Ami, 1919, Atlas Obscura.

Picture & Text on Center Panel 2 of 3The Lost Battalion

On October 2, 1918, under the leadership of Major Charles Whittlesey, 690 men of

the U.S. 154th Infantry Brigade, 77th Infantry Division became surrounded by

German soldiers during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Outnumbered and lacking

resources, their first attempts to send messages failed. On October 4, misdirected

American artillery barrages began. The soldiers’ last hope was Cher Ami. She

carried the message 25 miles to headquarters in 25 minutes, arriving with numerous

injuries. The message was taken to the 154th Brigade’s artillery unit and barrages

ceased.

(Caption) Major Charles Whittlesey, 1918, Wikimedia Commons.

(Caption) John Carney, Cher Ami’s trainer, n.d, United States World War One

Centennial Commission.

“(The) barrage came plowing it’s way down the hill, directly towards us. It blew dirt

high in the air as it moved on across the valley. There was absolutely nothing we

could do. We just had to take what came, knowing without a doubt that it was our

own artillery. It stopped right on our position and continued well over an hour…

Everyone was expecting the next shell to hit him. There were many direct hits

blowing men to pieces and wounding dozens more… And this shelling blasted away

a good part of our bushes and timber, making it easier for us to be seen by the

enemy.” Private John W Nell, autobiography published 2004, “The Lost Battalion: A

Private’s Story”.

(Caption) The 77th Infantry Division, 1918, Wikimedia Commons.

(Caption) “Map to illustrate the Meuse-Argonne Offensive: first, second, and last

phases”, 1918, Library of Congress.

Picture & Text on Center Panel 3 of 3The Lost Battalion

“Without food, water, medical supplies or blankets, they steadfastly refused to give up through

attack after attack.” Robert Laplander, 2017, “Finding the Lost Battalion: Beyond the Rumors,

Myths and Legends of America’s Famous WWI Epic”.

“...Major Whittlesey turned our last homing pigeon loose, with what seemed to be our last

message...We knew without a doubt that this was our last chance. If that one lonely scared

pigeon failed to find it’s loft… We would go just like the others who were being mangled and

blown to pieces. When he let this last pigeon loose, it flew up and landed in a tree near my

position. We all started throwing rocks and sticks at the bird so it would continue on its

way…” Private John W Nell, autobiography published 2004, “The Lost Battalion: A Private’s

Story”.

(Caption)“Pigeon Message from Major Whittlesey to the Commanding Officer of the 308th

Infantry,” 1918, National Archives.

(Caption) “U.S Army 77th Sustainment Brigade Unit patch, successor to the 77th Infantry

Division,” The Salute Uniforms.

“But Cher Ami would not budge. Obviously something had to be done, and quickly. Making up

his mind for better or worse, Pvt. Richards swore heartily, and then suddenly jumped up, darted

down the hill and began to shimmy up the tree, shaking it as he went… “Come on you goddam

bird!” he yelled into the roar. “Fly!” Richards climbed still farther up the tree until at last he could

reach the branch, shook it firmly and finally Cher Ami took off, circled above a couple times

again to get his bearings, headed back over the ravine, in the direction of the 77th’s main line,

gaining height as he went.” Robert Laplander, 2017, “Finding the Lost Battalion: Beyond the

Rumors, Myths and Legends of America’s Famous WWI Epic”.

“Cher Ami was hit in the chest soon after takeoff… American soldiers watched in horror as their

last hope hit the ground. Against all odds though, Cher Ami got up again! Wounded but still

alive, the little bird took flight again, charging head-on into wave after wave of gunfire. By the

end of the trip, [she] covered 25 miles in roughly half an hour. [She] arrived at base heavily

wounded, but alive. Army medics were able to save Cher Ami’s life, but [her] right leg was

barely attached to [her] body and [she] was blind in one eye.” Adam Bieniek, no date, “Cher

Ami: The Pigeon that Saved the Lost Battalion”.

Picture of Right Panel of Exhibit

Picture & Text on Right Panel 1 of 3

Impact

On October 8th, 1918, the soldiers received supplies, medical attention, and eventually

returned home. Cher Ami helped to save at least 194 lives. She received significant awards

and died a hero in 1919. Major Whittlesey was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and received

the Medal of Honor.

(Caption) “Demobilization - Miscellaneous - View of some of the veterans of the Argonne, 77th

Division in parade, New York City”, 1918, National Archives.

“Cher Ami recovered from his wounds to come home to a hero’s welcome, crossing the ocean

to the States in an officer's Berth on the USS Ohioan and having a full honor guard when the

ship docked in Hoboken, well ahead of the 77th division.”Robert Laplander, 2017, “Finding the

Lost Battalion: Beyond the Rumors, Myths and Legends of America’s Famous WWI Epic”.

(Caption) “The Red Cloud Chief,” January 16,1919, Library of Congress.

“During what remained of the little pigeon’s life, he received the Croix de Guerre with palm from

the French government and a full pension(!) from the U.S government, as well as a wooden leg

hand carved by the men of the Signals Platoon of the 308th Infantry (which he politely refused

to wear). Retired to the Signal Corps “old pigeon’s home” (yes, a real place) after going all over

the country on a Liberty Loan tour following the Armistice, the feathered hero died there in June

of 1919, and was immediately stuffed. It was only when they did so that it was discovered that

Cher Ami was not a male at all, but instead a female! She can be seen to this day still on

display at the Smithsonian Museum of American History.” Robert Laplander, 2017, “Finding the

Lost Battalion: Beyond the Rumors, Myths and Legends of America’s Famous WWI Epic”.

(Caption) The Croix de Guerre, 2005, Wikimedia Commons.

(Caption)“Image 5 of New-York Tribune,” April 27, 1919, Library of Congress.

Picture & Text on Right Panel 2 of 3

The Story Continues

(Caption) “French Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 ribbon,” The Salute Uniforms.

(Caption) “Cher Ami,” 1919, Smithsonian Institution.

“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 Pigeon

Fanciers in recognition of his extraordinary service during World War I.” -

Smithsonian Institution, no date, “Cher Ami”.

The success of the 100,000 WWI pigeons used to aid communication led to

pigeon use in WWII and the Korean War. Cher Ami’s legacy lives on through

descendants of the surviving soldiers. She was awarded the 2019 Animals in

War and Peace Medal of Bravery. Military animals continue to be used to

break barriers today.

(Caption) WWII Army Signal Corps PG-67 Pigeon Message Capsule

(Caption) “50th Year Reunion, Lost Battalion,” 8 Oct. 1968, The United States

World War One Centennial.

(Caption) Inaugural Animals in War and Peace Medal Ceremony, 2019,

arpu_pigeon.

“This pigeon saved my great-grandfather’s life in WWI and in doing so

ensured not only my existence but countless others in my family. I’m so glad I

can see a piece of history that has so profoundly impacted my life.” Patrick

Burke, 2019, “Cher Ami”.

Picture & Text on Right Panel 3 of 3

The Story Continues

“In World War I, the Signal Corps reported an overall message delivery rate of 95

percent. In 1944, the Army reported pigeon-delivered tactical message rates at 99

percent. After success with combat operations in Europe in World War I, the U.S.

military employed pigeons in the Pacific, Europe, and North Africa in the second

war.” -Frank Blazich, 2019, “In the Era of Electronic Warfare, Bring Back Pigeons”.

“My great grandfather was the pigeon carrier for this bird! He was the soldier who

shimmied up the tree amongst gunfire and shooed the bird into the air after it was

scared into the tree.” Leanna Richards, 2019, “Cher Ami”.

(Caption) Navy Dolphins, 2020, Military.com.

(Caption) “Cpl. Juan M. Rodriguez, military dog handler with 1st Law Enforcement

Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, kneels next to Lucca, a 8-year-old Belgian

Malinois military working dog,” 2019, Wikimedia Commons.

"The more we're out there with the combat commanders, they see. They see that

the dog just saved their soldiers' lives. That dog just saved that entire platoon."

Sgt. 1st Class Regina Johnson, operations superintendent at the Military Working

Dog School, 2017, “Military Working Dogs: Guardians of the Night.”

Conclusion

Homing pigeons have been used to break communication barriers throughout

history. WWI presented specific barriers addressed by the use of pigeons. Cher

Ami’s role in breaking barriers is an example of the life-saving contributions of

military service animals.

Cher Ami:

A Pigeon’s Role in Breaking WWI Communication Barriers

Summer Short

Junior Division

Individual Exhibit

Student-composed Words: 500

Process Paper: 500 words

When I started to choose my topic for National History Day, I wanted to make sure that I

selected something that was unique and that I was passionate about. Because I have an interest

in animals and their impact on this world, I began researching animal heroes throughout history.

I read through many stories, but the account of Cher Ami, a homing pigeon that helped save

American soldiers during World War I, was particularly interesting. I had never considered that

a message delivered by a pigeon could be so impactful. I want to share this story with others

because it is not widely known and is a historically important example of animals being used to

break barriers.

My research started by reviewing sources on the Lost Battalion and Cher Ami in order to

build my main argument. This helped me gain a deeper understanding of the battle in which

Cher Ami delivered the message. To obtain accurate information, I focused on reputable

websites including the Library of Congress and the National Archives. Later, the research focus

narrowed as I compiled information to support my thesis and create a clear connection to this

year’s theme.

Next, I researched the broad topic of homing pigeon usage over time and created a

timeline demonstrating that pigeons have been used for a very long time to break communication

barriers. I thoroughly read and collected additional sources on the specific communication

barriers in WWI. Sources including images, quotes, and reputable websites helped me to see

firsthand how pigeons overcame barriers including poisonous gases, explosives, and trench

warfare. For my impact and legacy sections, I relied on quotes, images, and newspapers to show

the importance of Cher Ami’s work and the recognition she received.

Last year, I competed in National History Day with an exhibit and found it to be a fun

and challenging experience. I used the knowledge I gained to create an exhibit again this year.

By attending the 2019 and 2020 Colorado National History Day Project Development

Workshops, I learned valuable skills and received advice on my project. I used blue and gold on

my exhibit to represent the official colors of the 77th Infantry Division as well as a cap/sleeve

braid, unit patch, award ribbon, and pigeon message capsule as related artifacts. After the State

competition, I took the judges’ feedback and made revisions.

As I thought about how this topic related to the theme of breaking barriers, I took into

consideration the many different kinds of barriers, including those related to communication.

The Lost Battalion was in desperate need to communicate with headquarters. Cher Ami broke

barriers by reaching her destination and delivering the message in spite of the multiple injuries

she encountered. Without her contributions, 194 American soldiers might have lost their lives.

The legacy of her story lives on through the descendants of the Lost Battalion, helps to remind us

of the importance of military animals today, and demonstrates how animals and people can work

together to break barriers.

Annotated Bibliography

Primary Sources

Books

Nell, John W. The Lost Battalion: A Private's Story. Historical Pub Network, published 2004.

I used this autobiography of a soldier who fought in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive to

provide a quote in the main argument section of my board. This quote describes firsthand

what it was like being barraged by their own artillery and how much they needed to

communicate with headquarters.

Letters

National Archives. “Pigeon Message.” Received by The Commanding Officer of the 308th

Infantry, National Archives, 4 Oct. 1918, catalog.archives.gov/id/595541.

This message was very significant to my project. It was the actual message Cher Ami

delivered to the 77th Infantry Division’s headquarters. I used this piece of evidence in

my main argument section of my board.

Maps

United States Army. Engineers, 29Th. Map to illustrate the Meuse-Argonne Offensive: first,

second, and last phases. [France?: s.n, 1918] Map. Retrieved from the Library of

Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/92686657/>.

I used this map in my main argument section to describe the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

This source helped me understand how the 77th Infantry Division used this same map as

a plan for the offensive, but headquarters mistook their location.

Newspapers

.

New-York Tribune. (New York, NY) 27 Apr. 1919, image 5. Retrieved from the Library of

Congress, www.loc.gov/item/sn83030214/1919-04-27/ed-1/.

This newspaper article was used in my impact section to show how famous Cher Ami

was right after her contributions in the Meuse Argonne Offensive. The image of Cheri

Ami and her trainer were seen by the many people reading the New York Tribune and

helped them gain a further understanding of what was happening during the war.

Reid, E.B. “Pigeon's Part in Winning War.” The Red Cloud Chief , 16 Jan. 1919,

chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84022835/1919-01-16/ed-1/seq-7/#date1=1836&sort

relevance&rows=20&words=pigeon+pigeons+Pigeons&searchType=basic&sequence=0

&index=4&state=&date2=1922&proxtext=pigeon&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRang

e&page=3.

This newspaper shows how recognized homing pigeons were because of their work in

WWI. I included this in my impact section because it helped me understand that pigeons

were so important that they were being featured in the media.

Photographs

Allison. “Cher Ami With One Leg After Her Heroic Flight.” Atlas Obscura, 2020,

www.atlasobscura.com/places/cher-ami.

This image is shown in my main argument section to illustrate what Cher Ami looked

like. Although it was taken after her heroic efforts, I placed this photo at the top of my

board to show the main focus of my exhibit.

Anonymous. “Siege of Paris 1870 Balloon.” Wikimedia Commons,

commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Siege_of_Paris_1870_Balloon.jpg.

In my background section I wanted to make it clear that pigeons were being used for

military communication before WWI. This image shows pigeons being used in an

important historical event to break communication barriers during the Franco Prussian

War.

Arpu_pigeon. “Inaugural Animals in War and Peace Medal of Bravery Ceremony.” Picpanzee,

21 Nov. 2019, picpanzee.com/media/2182166591517269299.

This image (taken by the American Pigeon Racing Union) helped me understand the

legacy of Cher Ami and her efforts in WWI. Many years after her heroic flight, Cher

Ami is still being recognized and was posthumously awarded a medal less than a year

ago. I placed this photo in my legacy section.

Bieniek, Adam. “Capt. John Carney.” The United States World War One Centennial

Commission, www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-

centennial-new1210-cher-ami-the-pigeon-that-saved-the-lost-battalion.html.

I used this image in my main argument section to acknowledge John Carney’s role in

training Cher Ami. It helped me develop a greater understanding that both the trainer and

the animal need to work together to be successful. Cher Ami would not have been able to

deliver her message without John Carney’s training.

Copping, Jasper. “A Pigeon Being Released from a Tank during World War One .” The

Telegraph, 12 Jan. 2014, www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-

one/10566025/Honoured-the-WW1-pigeons-who-earned-their-wings.html.

I used this photo in the build-up section of my board to show how careful the soldiers had

to be when it came to communication. This helped me understand more about the

barriers and dangers out on the battlefield in WWI.

Nadar. “Reuter, Paul Julius Von, Nadar, Gallica.jpg.” Wikimedia Commons,

commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reuter,_Paul_Julius_von,_Nadar,_Gallica.jpg.

This photo helped to support the timeline in the background of my exhibit, which

mentions how Paul Julius Reuter used pigeons to deliver news. The photo helps to

personalize the topic by showing an individual who broke communication barriers

through the use of pigeons. I’ve learned that Reuters is still a news agency today and

might not have gotten as far as it did if it wasn’t for the use of homing pigeons.

Napp, A. “Untitled.” Ancient Egypt Priests.com,

www.ancient-egypt-priests.com/AE-cult-english.htm.

I used this photo in my background section to show how long pigeons have been

used throughout history. It helped me understand that since the beginning of time,

humans and animals have been interacting and benefiting each other.

Photographer Unknown. “Cher Ami.” Smithsonian, 1919,

americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_425415.

This is an image I used in my impact section. It shows Cher Ami’s stuffed body, which

is on display at the National Museum of American History. I learned that Cher Ami’s

role in history was so important that her body and story are still being preserved for the

public to see.

Photographer Unknown. “French 1WW.” Wikimedia Commons, 2005,

commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:French_1WW_recto.jpg.

This picture of the French Croix de Guerre was very important to my project. I used it in

my impact section to show exactly what Cher Ami was awarded. I learned that this is a

very prestigious military award.

Photographer unknown. “Mobile Carrier Pigeons Station.” National Archives, 1917,

catalog.archives.gov/id/17391470.

This image is shown in my build-up section to depict the use of homing pigeons in WWI

and where they were kept when not in combat. It helped me understand what the

pigeons’ homes looked like other than the wicker cages on the battlefield and how easy

they were to transport and use for communication.

Photographer unknown. “Western Front. Sending off the Carrier Pigeons.” National Archives,

catalog.archives.gov/id/17391468.

I used this photo in the build-up section of my exhibit to show pigeons being used in

action by WWI soldiers. This source helped me understand how the soldiers handled the

birds, what they carried them in, and how they equipped the messages to their legs.

Scott, Joshua. “Navy Dolphin.” Military.com, 2020,

www.military.com/daily-news/2017/01/03/navy-dolphins-mission-help-locate-rare-

vaquita-porpoises.html.

This photo was used in my legacy section to show how animals are still being used in the

military today. By using this photo and reading the article it is in, I learned how dolphins

are currently being used in the military

Thompson, Paul. “Demobilization - Miscellaneous - View of Some of the Veterans of the

Argonne, 77th Division in Parade, New York City.” Library of Congress, 1919,

www.loc.gov/resource/cph.3g09662/.

I used this image in my impact section to show the survivors of the Meuse-Argonne

Offensive being celebrated. If it wasn’t for the contributions of Cher Ami, this parade

never would have happened. This photo helped me to understand how even the smallest

bird can make a huge impact on nearly 200 soldiers.

United Kingdom Government. “Shooting Homing Pigeons.” Wikimedia Commons, 7 Jan. 2019,

commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shooting_Homing_Pigeons.png.

This photo of a war-time poster helped me understand how much homing pigeons were

valued for their work. I included it in my build-up section because it relates to the overall

theme of pigeons in WWI.

United States Army. “Charles W. Whittlesey -WWI Medal of Honor Recipient.” Wikimedia

Commons, 2 Dec. 1918, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_W._Whittlesey

_-_WWI_Medal_of_Honor_recipient.jpg.

Major Whittlesey was an important individual in the Meuse Argonne Offensive. He was

the one to make the decision of writing a note to headquarters and releasing Cher Ami. I

included this photo of him in my main argument because of all his contributions during

WWI.

Unknown. “50th Year Reunion, Lost Battalion.” The United States World War One Centennial

Commission, 8 Oct. 1968, https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/233-lost-

battalion.html

I came across this image while searching for pictures of the Lost Battalion. It was very

helpful in my legacy section. I learned that the Lost Battalion survivors had reunions for

many years. This source is a picture of their 50th year reunion in 1968.

War Department. “The 77th Infantry Division.” Wikimedia Commons, 29 Oct. 1918,

commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:111-SC-42759_-_NARA_-_55244719-cropped.jpg.

I used this photo in my main argument section to convey who exactly the 77th infantry

division, or “Lost Battalion” was. This image helped me understand more who was

actually involved in the events I describe in my exhibit.

Physical Objects

WWII Army Signal Corps PG-67 Pigeon Message Capsule. Circa 1939-1945.

Although I couldn’t find a pigeon message capsule from WWI, I used this capsule from

WWII to show what the pigeons carried messages in. It struck me that this capsule was

so small and how hard it must have been to write messages that small.

Posters

Brown, J. Mcgibbon, Artist. Enlist in the Signal Corps--Receive a technical education free / J.

McGibbon Brown S.C. U.S.A. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress,

<www.loc.gov/item/2002708882/>.

I included this poster in my build-up section to show all the different jobs within the U.S.

Army Signal Corps, specifically the category “carrier pigeons”. I learned that the WWI

Signal Corps was in charge of communications in war, including messenger pigeons.

Quotes

Burke, Patrick. Comment on “Cher Ami.” National Museum of American History, Wed, 06-12-

19, 3:53. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_425415

This quote is located in my legacy section to show what impact Cher Ami had on the

families of the 77th infantry division. Because of this source, I understood more fully

how one bird could have such a large influence on someone’s life.

Richards, Leanna. Comment on “Cher Ami.” National Museum of American History, Wed,

10-30-19, 8:49. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_425415

This quote is located in my legacy section to show a direct connection to Cher Ami’s

story. It helped me see a personal perspective of Cher Ami’s legacy and how it impacted

Leanna Richards and how it lives on through her family today.

Secondary Sources

Books

Laplander, Robert J. Finding the Lost Battalion: Beyond the Rumors Myths and Legends . Lulu

Press, 2017, Amazon.com, read.amazon.com/?asin=B06X6N13V8.

I used this book to find quotes for the main argument and impact sections of my board. I

found it interesting that this source was made up of so many diary entries from soldiers in

the Lost Battalion.

Sterling, Christopher H. Military Communications: From Ancient Times to the 21st Century.

BC-CLIO, 2008, Google Books,

books.google.com/books/about/Military_Communications.html?id=RBC2nY1rp5MC.

I used this book to find a quote for my build-up section. The quote greatly supports my

own writing in that section, on the topic of communication barriers.

Documentaries

Simple History. Carrier Pigeons (World War I) . Youtube.com, 24 Sept. 2018,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IeiBvx9zOs.

Watching this video really helped me as a visual learner. I took notes and gained a better

understanding of how pigeons were used in WWI.

The Story Behind. How A Brave Pigeon Saved The "Lost Battalion". Youtube.com, 17

Feb. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMls9dJD58E.

As I watched this video I took notes and learned more about Cher Ami’s unique story.

The information from this video matched the information from more reputable sources

and helped reinforce my knowledge through an engaging format.

Magazines

Dash, Mike. “Closing the Pigeon Gap.” Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2012,

www.smithsonianmag.com/history/closing-the-pigeon-gap-68103438/.

I used this source for my timeline located in the background section of my board. It gave

me a lot of information on pigeons in the Franco Prussian War and also helped me

understand the benefits of using pigeons in WWI. In addition to this, this source helped

me learn more about communication barriers in WWI, which I included in my build-up

section.

Futini, John Stephen. “The Great War: How the Lost Battalion Was Saved.” Napa Valley

Register, 13 Oct. 2018.

I used this newspaper article to obtain some background information on my topic, such as

what Cher Ami’s note said. I also learned that the 77th Infantry Division had their own

patch that they would wear on their uniforms, which I ended up including on my board.

Physical Objects

French Croix de Guerre 1914 to 1918 ribbon. No date, The Salute Uniforms, http://www.

uniforms-4u.com/p-french-criox-guerre-ww-i-ribbon-12431.aspx

I used this ribbon in my impact section to signify the award Cher Ami received, the Croix

de Guerre. Soldiers who were awarded the Croix de Guerre would wear this ribbon on

their uniforms to show that they were awarded the medal.

U.S Army Signal Corps cap/sleeve braid. No date, The Salute Uniforms, http: //www

.uniforms-4u.com/p-us-army-orange-signal-cap-sleeve-braids-5477.aspx

I wanted to have a variety of materials on my exhibit board so I decided to put this

cap/sleeve braid in the build-up section to represent the U.S. Army Signal Corps. I

purchased it from a certified manufacturer of uniforms and insignia. Their website also

provided some historical context which helped me become more familiar with the role of

the U.S. Army Signal Corps

U.S Army 77th Sustainment Brigade Unit patch, Successor to the 77th Infantry

Division. No date, The Salute Uniforms, http://www.uniforms-4u.com/p-77th-

Infantry-division-acu-military-patch-4776.aspx

I was looking for colors to use on my exhibit board and decided to use the colors of this

patch. The 77th Infantry Division was a very important focus of my project, and I

learned that blue and gold are their official colors. I also learned that the Statue of

Liberty represented the many soldiers that came from New York City.

Websites

Anonymous. “History of the 77th.” HISTORY OF THE 77TH INFANTRY DIVISION

RESERVE, 2015, www.77thinfdivroa.org/aboutus/History.html.

The 77th Infantry Division played a key role in Cher Ami’s story. I used this website to

learn more about the 77th Infantry Division and included the Division’s official patch on

my board to represent them.

BBC History Magazine. “Winged Warriors: Pigeons in the First World War.”

HistoryExtra, 18 Jan. 2018, www.historyextra.com/period/first-world-

war/winged-warriors-pigeons-in-the-first-world-war/.

This article from the official website for BBC History Magazine helped me find

information for the timeline in the background section of my exhibit. I also understood

more clearly a British viewpoint of pigeon usage in WWI after reading the article.

Bieniek, Adam. “Cher Ami: The Pigeon That Saved the Lost Battalion” The United States World

War One Centennial Commission,www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communi

cate/press-media/wwi-centennial-new1210-cher-ami-the-pigeon-that-saved-the-lost

-battalion.html.

Cher Ami endured many injuries while delivering her impactful message to headquarters.

This website helped me gain information and a quote about Cher Ami’s injuries. The

quote is located in my main argument section.

Blazich, Frank. “In the Era of Electronic Warfare, Bring Back Pigeons.”War on the Rocks,

26 Feb. 2019, warontherocks.com/2019/01/in-the-era-of-electronic-warfare-bring-b

back-pigeons/.

This article, written by Dr. Frank Blazich, a curator of modern military history at

the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, contained information about

the military use of pigeons. Along with teaching me more about Cher Ami, this source

provided a quote for my impact section about the message delivery rate of pigeons and

their use in various wars.

Crippen, Linda. “Military Working Dogs: Guardians of the Night” US Army, 2 Feb. 2017,

https://www.army.mil/article/56965/military_working_dogs_guardians_of_the_night

This reputable article from the US army website supplied me with a quote to use in my

legacy section to help explain the contributions of military animals today. The quote

helped me understand that the dogs working with the U.S military make a huge

difference just like Cher Ami did in the Muese-Argonne Offensive.

Garson, G. Paul. “Warfare's Unsung Pigeon.” Warfare History Network, 15 Mar. 2019,

warfarehistorynetwork.com/2019/03/15/warfares-unsung-pigeon/.

I wanted to create a timeline showing pigeon usage throughout history. This article on

the Warfare History Network website helped me find information for my timeline. I

found it interesting that pigeons have been used to communicate since ancient times. I

also used a quote from this article about Paul Julius Reuters and his use of pigeons which

helped to support my background section.

Kratz, Jessie. “The Lost Battalion of World War I.” National Archives: Pieces of History, 21

July 2017, prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2017/07/21/the-lost-battalion-of-world-war-i/.

I used this website to research information for my main argument section. I also was able

to collect various photos from this source to use in my main argument section. Because

this source is from the National Archives, I knew that all of the information, including the

dates, t were accurate. One of the most interesting things about this source was that it

included a picture of the message that Major Whittlesey worte and Cher Ami delivered.

Williams, Carol J. “COMMUNICATIONS : Carrier Pigeons Make Comeback in

War.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 1992,

www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-01-11-mn-1529-story.html.

I used this newspaper article to develop a timeline in my background section. The article

helped me understand the use of homing pigeons before WWI. I also used it to gain a

better understanding about homing pigeon usage in modern times.

Neiberg, Michael S. "World War I." World Book Advanced, World Book, 2020,

www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar610440. Accessed 23 Feb. 2020.

Before starting on this project, I had little understanding of WWI. This website provided

me with an encyclopedic overview of WWI.