During World War II, the U.S. Army Signal Pigeon Service trained and deployed over 54,000 pigeons. Their purpose was simple: when all other communications failed — when radios were destroyed, telephone lines were cut, and runners couldn't get through — pigeons could still deliver a message.

One pigeon distinguished himself above all others.

G.I. Joe

On October 18, 1943, British troops of the 169th Infantry Brigade captured the Italian town of Calvi Vecchia ahead of schedule. This created a crisis: the town was scheduled to be bombed by American A-36 Apache dive bombers within the hour, and the radio equipment needed to cancel the strike had been destroyed in the fighting.

A message was attached to G.I. Joe, a carrier pigeon. The bird flew 20 miles back to the U.S. Air Support Command in 20 minutes, arriving just as the bombers were warming their engines. The strike was cancelled. Over 1,000 British and Italian civilian lives were saved.

G.I. Joe was awarded the Dickin Medal — the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross — by the Lord Mayor of London. He was one of 32 pigeons to receive the honor during World War II.

The Pigeon Corps

Pigeons served in virtually every theater of war. They flew through anti-aircraft fire, over open ocean, in rain, fog, and snow. One pigeon, Cher Ami, had served in World War I; her successor birds served in World War II with the same dedication. Some released from behind enemy lines had to fly hundreds of miles. Many arrived wounded — missing legs, shot through the breast — but still carrying their messages.

The British also developed Operation Columba, which dropped pigeons in containers over occupied Europe with questionnaires for the local population. Civilians would write intelligence reports and attach them to the pigeons, who would fly back to England. Over 16,000 pigeons were dropped. Many were killed by the Germans or by predators. But enough returned with valuable intelligence that the program continued throughout the war.