Long John SIlver, WWI American War Pigeon Hero

[Pigeons In Combat]

Dear Pigeon Fanciers,

 

I thought you may enjoy reading Long John Silver's tribute.  The tribute includes the article, "Stumpy" John Silver: Heroic Winged Messenger, by the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

 

PIGEONS IN COMBAT'S tribute to Long John Silver, the famous WWI American War Pigeon Hero.

 

LONG JOHN SILVER, WWI AMERICAN WAR PIGEON HERO

"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 website : http://www.pigeonsincombat.com or please click here and scroll down http://www.pigeonsincombat.com/thepigeoneerswebpage.html.

 

Kind regards,

 

Al Croseri

http://www.pigeonsincombat.com