Thursday, July 7, 2016

Heroes With Feathers...!

In WW2 there were some very heroic deeds performed by some unlikely stars. Carrier pigeons.

Often these birds were wounded while delivering their messages, but they still managed to make it through...at least some of them did.

President Wilson



Photo credit: US Army Center of Military History

President Wilson was another pigeon that valiantly served with the US Army during World War I. He was with the Tank Corps during his first deployment and was stationed in the forwardmost tanks to deliver the location of enemy machine gun nests.

He was then transferred to the infantry unit and participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of 1918. Released to request artillery support, Wilson flew through waves of German bullets to deliver his message. In the process, he lost his left leg and was shot through the breast.

However, he survived his wounds and lived a quiet life until he died in 1929. A taxidermist then prepared the bird for display at the Smithsonian Institution.

There are many more stories of the heroics of these proud birds. You can read more of them right here!

Coffee in the kitchen again. The heat is just too great to be outside and they are asking us to stay inside the a.c.

8 comments:

Momlady said...

Animals and feathered friends can do amazing things in the worst of times. Interesting story. It's hot here, too. Hoping for much needed rain.

linda m said...

My Dad raised carrier pigeons when he was a boy back in the 1930's. He said they were really smart birds. Very hot and humid here with strong thunderstorms this afternoon.

JO said...

My dad loved pigeons. I really don't like them. But I love most birds. But yes they sure served out country well.

they are calling for only 99 for out high but they have been wrong almost everyday as it has been well into the triple digits and the humidity is awful but no rain since last week.

JO said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
HermitJim said...

Hey Momlady...
Yeah, they have saved our butts more than once!
Thanks for stopping by today!


Hey Linda...
I have no doubt that they were indeed!
Thanks for coming over today!

Gorges Smythe said...

Interesting.

Dizzy-Dick said...

Pigeons, dogs, porpoises, and other animals and birds severed our country in times of war. They were trained to do a certain chore and usually accomplished their goals. I read where porpoises were trained to attach mines to hulls of ships, etc. Too bad they couldn't train mosquitoes. (grin)

HermitJim said...

Hey Jo...
Don't like pigeons? I know you like most other birds, though. Are you still getting the hummers there?
Thanks for dropping by today!


Hey Gorges...
I'm glad you found it so.
Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Dizzy...
Yeah, that would be nice if they could tame the 'skeeters down a bit!
I appreciate the visit today!