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Long John Silver, WWI American War Pigeon

"LONG JOHN SILVER," 1918-1936
BRED BY U.S. ARMY SIGNAL CORPS
HATCHED JANUARY 1918 IN A FRONT LINE DUGOUT, FRANCE
SERVED IN THE MEUSE ARGONNE OFFENSIVE
WOUNDED SEVERELY IN BATTLE ON OCTOBER 21, 1918
FLEW 25 MILES IN 25 MINUTES WITH A SHOT OFF LEG
AWARDED DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
RETIRED FROM ACTIVE SERVICE IN 1921
REASSIGNED TO 11TH SIGNAL COMPANY, SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII
HANDLED BY COL. CLIFFORD A. POUTRE FROM 1929-1936
SPECIALTY - DELIVERING MESSAGES UNDER INTENSE ENEMY ARTILLERY FIRE

"STUMPY" JOHN SILVER: HEROIC WINGED MESSENGER

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Homing pigeons were used in World War I to deliver messages when other means such as telephones, telegraph, radio or dispatch riders were unavailable. They proved their value carrying messages from front line outposts to pigeon lofts at command centers, which they returned to by instinct and training.

This homing pigeon was hatched in January 1918 in a dugout just behind the lines in France. During the Meuse-Argonne offensive, he was one of the most active pigeons in the Army, and his barrage-dodging skill was apparent in many exciting flights from the front line trenches to divisional pigeon lofts.

To read the entire article and to see Long John Silver's tribute, please visit "The Pigeoneers" section on the Web site: http://www.pigeonsincombat.com/thepigeoneerswebpage.html

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