DMC: "Cher Ami" by Michelle H. Barnes

Homing Pigeons (public domain)

Diana Murray's challenge this month, to write a poem about an unlikely hero, has been more of a struggle than I thought it would be. Eventually I narrowed in on the story of Cher Ami, a carrier pigeon employed by the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War 1, but couldn't figure out how to tell Cher Ami's heroic story. Nothing felt right. After several attempts, I finally just sat down with Cher Ami and said what was on my mind.

Cher Ami, on display at the Smithsonian

 

                                                   CHER AMI

                                                 If you were exchanged
                                                 for an ordinary pigeon
                                                 who fattens on white bread
                                                 and small bits of French fry,
                                                 if your iridescence was hidden
                                                 in the shade of an easy life,
                                                 then no one would know
                                                 your name, Cher Ami.

                                                 And somewhere in the world,
                                                 soldiers’ lives would be lost
                                                 because you were not there
                                                 to carry their hopes—
                                                 the weight dangling
                                                 on a bullet-shattered leg.

                                                 No one would know
                                                 your name, Cher Ami,
                                                 the burden you carried,
                                                 the pain that you bore,
                                                 as you rose like a Phoenix
                                                 though this wasn’t your war,
                                                 because you, like them,
                                                 just wanted to go home.

                                                 © 2016 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. 

                                       All rights reserved.

The story of Cher Ami and the Lost Battalion

Of the more than 100,000 carrier pigeons used during World War I, Cher Ami (which means "Dear Friend" in French) is probably the most well known. Delivering twelve important messages for the Americans stationed at Verdun, France, it was Cher Ami's final mission that secured a place in the history books.

The message was from Major Whittlesey, who led the "Lost Battalion" of the 77th Infantry Division. In early October 1918, more than 500 American soldiers became trapped in the Argonne Forest on the side of a hill behind enemy lines. Surrounded by Germans and cut off from reinforcements and supplies, things went from bad to worse. They were bombarded by heavy friendly fire overhead since American forces didn't know their location. Major Whittlesey made attempts to inform the American forces of their whereabouts, but carrier pigeon after carrier pigeon was shot to the ground. Cher Ami was their last pigeon and their last hope.

National Archives Catalog 

"We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it."

Croix de Guerre

Cher Ami was hit in the chest soon after taking off, but miraculously, the brave and determined pigeon rose again. After a 25 mile flight that took roughly 25 minutes, Cher Ami arrived bloody and exhausted, blinded in one eye, a message capsule dangling from a leg that was scarcely attached.

One hundred ninety-four lives were saved thanks to this bird's noble efforts; and thanks to dedicated Army medics, Cher Ami survived, as well. Cher Ami was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for heroic service.  

An interesting postscript to this story is that when Cher Ami died on June 13, 1919 and was preserved by a taxidermist, it was discovered that this pigeon was not a Black Check cock as registered, but a Blue Check hen. Yes, according to the Army Defense Department's publication: A History of Army Communications and Electronics at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, 1917-2007, Cher Ami would have been more appropriately named Chère Amie. Why am I not surprised? But apparently the National Museum of American History and many other educational and military history information sources have not yet received that memo. Perhaps if it was sent by carrier pigeon, they would have.

Monument to the Lost Battalion in the Argonne Forest, France (public domain)

I am loving the unlikely hero poems we've received so far! You can read them (and post yours) HERE. This week's featured poems were by Gayle C. Krause and George Heidenrich. Stay tuned for more daily ditties next week and our end-of-month wrap-up on Friday!

Doraine Bennett is our Poetry Friday hero today! Join her for the roundup at Dori Reads.